Disney Endurance Series By Steven Cohen
08|03|10 20:25 Filed in: WDW
Disney Endurance Series By Steven Cohen
When you think about going to Walt Disney World, your first thoughts are of walking down Main Street and seeing the castle, or how many times you are going to drop on the “Tower of Terror “and all the Mickey waffles you are going to eat. I bet your first thought is not, I am going to Disney World to run a race.
I have visited Disney World many times since my first visit (I was in my mid 30’s, now I am in my late 40’s) and never knew anything about the Endurance Events that Disney World offers. I experienced my first event the Champion 5K at ESPN The Weekend presented by Dick’s Sporting Goods on February 27, 2010. How can you beat Disney World and a little bit of exercise all at the same time?
The race was my second 5K since I started running in mid-October. The attraction for me was that it was being held in my favorite place to vacation and my favorite park, Disney Hollywood Studios (The Tower of Terror is the best). The race was part of the ESPN Weekend and re-launching of the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex too. What a great time to visit and be part of a great weekend.
At first, the weekend was to be a father daughter (Rachel) weekend as my wife Erin and son Mike where off to New York. We arrived together at the airport on Friday, as our flights were close in departure times. We said our goodbyes and headed to our gates. Rachel and I were about to board our flight, when I saw my wife walking towards us, and I asked if her flight was canceled. It was and I said come with us, which they did.
After some Disney Magic upon arrival, we were all settled and Rachel and I were off to the castle for lunch with the princesses. My daughter is 15 and she was so enchanted with the experience (I had a great time too) and we had fun taking pictures and talking with the princesses. The rest of the day was fun as we met up with the family and got lost in the magic at the Magic Kingdom
Race day started at 0515 as I caught a bus to Disney Hollywood Studios (DHS). The weather was chilly and raindrops appeared on and off, but great weather if you are running. The Disney people who coordinate the endurance program do a great job and make it fun. I arrived at DHS, to find a big tent and lots of people already present. The tent allowed you stay warm, stretch, as well as meet and other runners and ESPN personalities like Dana Jacobson and Trey Wingo. There were events that led up to the race that included Spirit Awards (University of Georgia), and best -dressed fan (Hometown Orlando Magic won).
At 7am the race began and the course was laid out right outside of DHS in the Television Lot. Then the course takes through the Lights, Motors, Action Extreme Stunt Show, and then on through the streets of New York City. The course continues past the Sorcerer's Hat and through Sunset Boulevard where the glamour of Hollywood is in front of you. What was cool, was that you got an up-close look at all the ESPN the Weekend setup as well as go behind the closed gates and see behind the scenes. As I headed to towards the finish line, I looped past Rock 'n' Roller Coaster and The Tower of Terror and finished where I started. The race had to be concluded by 8 as the Extra Magic Hours began then.
Here are some numbers about the race:
I am thinking about another race, as Disney will be holding a half marathon at night in October, with an after party at 3am at Epcot. For more information on all the endurance events that are offered go to www.disneyenduranceseries.com.
You can combine a race with Disney World, absolutely. My families visited all 4 parks, rode our favorite attractions, ate well, met some great people along the way, and enjoyed all of what Disney World has to offer.
I have visited Disney World many times since my first visit (I was in my mid 30’s, now I am in my late 40’s) and never knew anything about the Endurance Events that Disney World offers. I experienced my first event the Champion 5K at ESPN The Weekend presented by Dick’s Sporting Goods on February 27, 2010. How can you beat Disney World and a little bit of exercise all at the same time?
The race was my second 5K since I started running in mid-October. The attraction for me was that it was being held in my favorite place to vacation and my favorite park, Disney Hollywood Studios (The Tower of Terror is the best). The race was part of the ESPN Weekend and re-launching of the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex too. What a great time to visit and be part of a great weekend.
At first, the weekend was to be a father daughter (Rachel) weekend as my wife Erin and son Mike where off to New York. We arrived together at the airport on Friday, as our flights were close in departure times. We said our goodbyes and headed to our gates. Rachel and I were about to board our flight, when I saw my wife walking towards us, and I asked if her flight was canceled. It was and I said come with us, which they did.
After some Disney Magic upon arrival, we were all settled and Rachel and I were off to the castle for lunch with the princesses. My daughter is 15 and she was so enchanted with the experience (I had a great time too) and we had fun taking pictures and talking with the princesses. The rest of the day was fun as we met up with the family and got lost in the magic at the Magic Kingdom
Race day started at 0515 as I caught a bus to Disney Hollywood Studios (DHS). The weather was chilly and raindrops appeared on and off, but great weather if you are running. The Disney people who coordinate the endurance program do a great job and make it fun. I arrived at DHS, to find a big tent and lots of people already present. The tent allowed you stay warm, stretch, as well as meet and other runners and ESPN personalities like Dana Jacobson and Trey Wingo. There were events that led up to the race that included Spirit Awards (University of Georgia), and best -dressed fan (Hometown Orlando Magic won).
At 7am the race began and the course was laid out right outside of DHS in the Television Lot. Then the course takes through the Lights, Motors, Action Extreme Stunt Show, and then on through the streets of New York City. The course continues past the Sorcerer's Hat and through Sunset Boulevard where the glamour of Hollywood is in front of you. What was cool, was that you got an up-close look at all the ESPN the Weekend setup as well as go behind the closed gates and see behind the scenes. As I headed to towards the finish line, I looped past Rock 'n' Roller Coaster and The Tower of Terror and finished where I started. The race had to be concluded by 8 as the Extra Magic Hours began then.
Here are some numbers about the race:
- 1290 runners crossed the finish line to earn a finishing medal
- 643 are men
- 647 are women
- Fastest time was 16:10
- My time was 29:11 (6 minutes better than my first, how I did this I do not know)
- I was the 395th person to finish
I am thinking about another race, as Disney will be holding a half marathon at night in October, with an after party at 3am at Epcot. For more information on all the endurance events that are offered go to www.disneyenduranceseries.com.
You can combine a race with Disney World, absolutely. My families visited all 4 parks, rode our favorite attractions, ate well, met some great people along the way, and enjoyed all of what Disney World has to offer.
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