inaugural disney castaway cay challenge

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Yesterday, runDisney announced on their blog a new challenge during the Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend in January, 2015. I had heard rumors that they were moving Tinker Bell weekend because runDisney was planning something regarding a cruise that would be enticing to runners after their WDW Marathon Weekend experience.

This inaugural event will combine any eligible race during the WDW Marathon weekend (eligible races include: 5k, 10k, half marathon, marathon or either Goofy or Dopey Challenges) with the Castaway Cay 5k during your cruise on the Disney Dream, leaving from Port Canaveral, Florida on Monday, January 12 (the day after the marathon). If you complete both races within the pacing requirements (which is a 16 minute per mile pace for all athletes), you will earn the Inaugural Castaway Cay Challenge Medal in addition to the WDW Marathon Weekend and Castaway Cay 5k finisher medals.

Challenge registration opens on Friday, May 23 at Noon ET. You must enter your cruise reservation number in order to register. Additionally, you will need to book your January 12, 2015 Disney Dream 4-Night Bahamian Cruise separately through Disney Cruise Line. Disney recommends that you register for your Disney cruise PRIOR to registering for the Castaway Cay Challenge, and your cruise reservations must be booked by August 1, 2014, or your Challenge  Reservation will be forfeited.


As seen on runDisney's page:

Castaway Cay 5K Highlights

• 3.1 mile course through Disney Castaway Cay, Disney Cruise Lines’ private island in the Bahamas
• Course runs past sparkling lagoons, the harbor, and white sandy beaches
• Surprise Disney magical moments and entertainment on-course

Castaway Cay Participants Receive:

• Castaway Cay Challenge Inaugural Event T-Shirt
• Commemorative Castaway Cay 5K Finisher Medallion
• Commemorative  Inaugural Castaway Cay Challenge Finisher Medal for participating in one Walt Disney World® Marathon Weekend 5K or longer event PLUS the Castaway Cay 5K
• Post-race refreshments
• Exciting Activities and access to Special Merchandise on board Disney Cruise Line
• Featured Healthy Menu Options on board Disney Cruise Line

Go to Disneycruise.com to book your January 12th, 2015 cruise aboard the Disney Dream today, then register for the Castaway Cay Challenge on Active.com on May 23 at Noon EST. Use the promotional code RUN at the time of booking your Disney Cruise Line vacation. Be sure to enter your Cruise reservation number when registering for the race. 

Be sure to note that the number of registrations for the Castaway Cay 5k are limited and subject to availability. So if this is something you're interested in, I wouldn't wait to book your cruise and be ready for registration on May 23.

How awesome does this sound?! As a runDisney addict and medal junkie, this is just begging for me to register. I mean, adding on two more medals, after (hopefully) earning the six from Dopey?! Swoon. However, I don't think I can afford it after already shelling out the money for Dopey and all of the hotel days that will include, plus getting that extra time off of work might be difficult. Sometimes, I really wish money grew on trees ;) I've only ever been on one cruise, but I had the time of my life. I would LOVE to include this Disney Dream cruise as part of my runcation, but really don't see how I could swing it... But anyway...

For more detailed information, check out the runDisney Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend event page.

Do you plan on registering? Are you already booked on this cruise? Do you plan on adding this new challenge to your itinerary? Did you want to donate money to me, so I can go? ;)

wine & dine half marathon sells out

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Can you guys believe how quickly the Disney's Wine and Dine Half Marathon sold out this year? In just over 24 hours the race was at maximum capacity. Say what?! I registered for my first runDisney event (this same one we're talking about) back in 2012, and it was mid-July. I don't know when it went on sale, because back then I didn't know anything about these races at Disney, but I know it was not just days after registration opened, but rather weeks (maybe months?). I do believe that registration opens a little early as the years progress, so perhaps it opened in late April? Anyone have actual dates from back then? 

I found out about Disney's Wine and Dine Weekend while reading Runner's World in a car maintenance waiting room back in 2012, and thought it would be great fun. Let me tell you, I was not disappointed. I was able to convince my mom to go with me, and she ran Mickey's Jingle Jungle 5k in the morning and I ran the half at night. This was also my first trip to Disney World since I was a young teen, and I had so much fun exploring the parks. Of course now, I've turned into a bit of a runDisney fanatic, wanting to go to all the races every year (which unfortunately, will never happen as I don't have the green to afford it!), but that's another story for another day.

Anyway, my point is, that it used to be at least a few weeks before the race sold out, and this year it took just over a day. 

Do you think it's because runDisney has gained in popularity these past years (or even running itself becoming more popular), that it's because the Wine and Dine is celebrating it's fifth year anniversary (which means a new medal design), or because the new Avengers race was added the following weekend, allowing people for a chance at gaining a Coast to Coast medal? Perhaps it's a combination of all of these things. What are your thoughts?

If you are interested in the Wine and Dine weekend, the Mickey Jingle Jungle 5k is currently at 60% and the pre-race taste is 75%. I wouldn't sit on a decision too long, since who knows when these events will sell out. I can't say much about the pre-race, since I've never been, but I hear a lot of mixed reviews. Some people think it's great and worth the money, while others suggest going to a table-service restaurant instead. 

If you weren't able to get a spot for the half, might I suggest running with a charity group? I ran in 2013 as an ASPCA Ambassador, with no fundraising minimum (I decided to raise funds for them after I had already registered for the race). It felt great to run for a cause, and I dedicated each mile to a person that had donated, which gave me motivation and support throughout the 13.1 miles. You can find a list of the 2014 participating charity groups on the runDisney page (scroll down the page till you reach Charity Groups). I don't know if any of them have available spots still, but it's worth a look. 

Also, if you have friends running the half, but you were unable to secure a spot, you could buy a Finish Line Party ticket for $75 that grants you access to the after party for some fun in Epcot until 4 am (starting Saturday night at 10 pm). 

Well, that turned into a longer blog than I was anticipating. My apologies. In an upcoming blog, I will talk about my own experiences with the race. It might come in the form of a little recap, or at least, what I can remember all those months/years ago ;)