On May 3rd 2014, I participated in my first runDisney event - the Expedition Everest 5K. This race is part 5K, part scavenger hunt, and was a lot of fun! I did the race with my aunt Wendy, who has participated in many runDisney events.
I traveled to Orlando on May 2nd, and arrived at Animal Kingdom Lodge early that evening. After getting settled in the room and having a delicious dinner at Sanaa, we just relaxed in the room that evening. I laid out my race outfit for the next day to make sure it wasn't wrinkled.
I LOVED both the shirt and running skirt. The shirt is from a company called Raw Threads and is a SUPER soft and comfortable. They have lots of designs, including Disney-inspired ones like my bow tank.
I bought the skirt from SparkleSkirts and I was also super impressed with it. Wendy has quite a few of their skirts and liked them, so I was anxious to try it out. They have lots of fun patterns and designs; I selected one that was Mouse inspired (Wendy and I wanted to match, so since she already had this skirt we decided to go with this look). I had read reviews online about how great the skirts were and I can attest that after having worn one, they are FANTASTIC. I got a skirt with bottoms built in (they're like bicycle shorts) and not once did those ride up or move around. They were snug but still very comfortable. So two thumbs up for SparkeSkirts; I'll be ordering more of you in the future!
When there are runDisney events, there are certain host resorts that offer transportation to both the race expos and the starting line. Since the EE 5K is a smaller race, there were only a handful of resorts who were the hosts (for the larger runDisney races, all the Disney resorts have this transportation). We were staying at Kidani Village, the Disney Vacation Club resort adjacent to Animal Kingdom Lodge and so when we walked over the Jambo House on Saturday for lunch, we saw this sign. Excuse the blurriness - it gives check in times and bus schedules for the race expo and that evening's race.
We had a nice, relaxing day on Saturday. Family of ours had arrived at Disney that day and so we visited with them a bit in the lobby of Kidani. We walked over to Jambo House a few times for meals, and I also met and talked with my agency owner, Michelle.
We had plans that day to lounge at the pool but Mother Nature had other ideas. That morning it rained - I should say, poured. Those of you who have witnessed an Orlando rainstorm know what I mean; one minute it's clear, the next minute the sky has opened up and it's like buckets of water are being poured on you. In early evening, it was time to don our race outfits and get ready to go! We posed for an obligatory photo before heading out the door and walking over to Jambo House to catch our bus to the start of the race.
Remember that rain I talked about? It had tapered off by the evening, but it was still sprinkling. We rode the bus for all of 5 minutes to get from Animal Kingdom Lodge to the parking lot of the Animal Kingdom park, and hung out there for a few hours before the race started.
There was a DJ playing music and getting people pumped up. There were also some fun picture opportunities that we took advantage of. As I hadn't done a runDisney event before, I really had no idea what to expect. It was a blast ~ the atmosphere was great, very fun and exciting.
Wendy had a friend who was also there with her daughter, so we hung out with them while we were waiting. The rain unfortunately started back up again, but Wendy was smart and brought garbage bags with her; we poked holes for our heads and then covered up so we wouldn't be soaked by the time the race started.
About an hour before the race started, we went to the Bag Check area and checked in our race bags. When you pick up your information and shirts at the expo, they give them to you in a clear, drawstring runDisney bag and a sticker with your race bib number. You place the sticker on the bag and can leave it with them, and can pick it up after the race. I had heard reports from past Expedition Everest races that the bag check was very long but we didn't have that experience. We were able to get our bags pretty quickly after the end of the race.
With about 20 minutes to go before the start, we got in our race corrals. When you register for a race, you tell them either your previous runDisney race time or you guesstimate based on how you think you'll do. I do not remember what I put for our time, but we were all the way back in Corral I. Each corral started about 5-10 minutes after the one before it, so by the time we went over the Start line it was about 10:45 PM.
As a running novice (read - running dummy!) I really, really appreciated how they made the start of the rate as special for the A Corral as they did for the K Corral. They had a countdown for each Corral and then as you went across the starting line, they had some small fireworks and fake snow (we are at Everest, after all!) And then we were off!
The race was a lot of fun. You started in the Butterfly parking lot area of Animal Kingdom, and wound your way into the park. By the time we went through the AK gates, we had already gone about .8 miles!
The race went through the park, and then even a bit backstage. We saw Donald Duck and Mickey, and took our pictures with Mickey! One of the great things about Disney races are the characters that on the course, and it's encouraged to stop and take pictures with them.
After the 5K portion, we did the scavenger hunt. The questions were surprisingly challenging! You go back to the entrance of Animal Kingdom, and the volunteers hand out clues and also let you know if you've got the right answer so you can get the next one. It took us about 40 minutes to complete the scavenger hunt; once you cross the finish line a second time, you're done! You conquered Everest!
When the race finish times are posted, you will get two numbers; your time for the 5K portion, and the time for the total with the scavenger hunt. Be sure and finish the scavenger hunt portion, though, or else you don't count as finishing the race!
So would I do this race again? Yes, in a heartbeat. The atmosphere was great, and the race staff and volunteers were encouraging and it was tons of fun. I really liked that you could see people of all abilities and body types racing - it was pretty inspiring to see. runDisney races are popular in large part because they are a fun race. Yes, people are trying their best and going for personal goals but there is also an emphasis on fun and camaraderie.
If you're thinking about doing a runDisney event, I would encourage you to start with one of their 5Ks as there are no sweepers in these races (people who pace the minimum time of a 16 minute mile, and will take you off the course if you are slower than that pace).
So what will be my next runDisney event? I am looking at my 2015 calendar and strongly considering doing the 10K during the Princess 1/2 Marathon weekend in February.
Have you ever done a runDisney race?
Have a magical day!
