One of my favorite ways to exercise is to run. In fact, I have been running off and on for most of my life. I ran either on my own, or with friends and family, on trails, greenways, or at local schools. It has helped me stay healthy and deal with stress. Just in the last few years, I have been participating in some organized running events.
One of my favorites was running in the WDW Star Wars 5K in April 2019. The race was held at EPCOT. It started in the EPCOT parking lot, entered the park itself and then went around the World Showcase. After that, it went through Future World, under Spaceship Earth, back out into the parking lot and to the Finish Line. Part of the fun of this one was that I ran with my daughter, son-in-law and son. These running events sponsored by Disney are crowded productions, but one thing Disney is good at is handling large crowds. To run in one of these events, you have to be willing to get up really early. And believe them when they give you the times for arrival as well as the times the Disney transportation to the start line will be available! They close down streets and re-route traffic in various ways so it’s very important to arrive at the appropriate time. The four of us had to be at the start line at 5:00 am because these races are completed before the park’s normal opening. It’s also interesting to see the park from this perspective!
As we waited for the start of the race, we noticed the weather was taking a turn for the worse. A thunderstorm began to build in the distance. As the weather continued to look bad, the Disney race organizers announced that all participants should either re-board buses or move to designated areas in the park until the storm passed over. My daughter and I ended up waiting for the storm to pass in the Mouse Gear souvenir shop. Somehow, we got separated from my son and son-in-law and they ended up riding out the storm in the building where the Test Track ride is located. They got a little backstage look at Test Track during the delay. After about a 1-hour delay, the race was restarted. However, it appeared there were much fewer folks participating. Maybe only the diehards stuck out the rain delay! Even though everything was soaked and puddles were everywhere, everyone seemed to be having a great time. These Disney races are not so much about setting any kind of personal record, but just about enjoying the event. Disney is such a pro at theming, and the races are no exception. Characters (in this case, from Star Wars) greet and encourage you along the course, if the weather permits. Many of the race participants also dress up as characters, and it’s really a lot of fun.
With so much water everywhere, we had to spend some of our time just walking around roped off areas and waiting for the crowd to get through. In spite of the rain delay and the standing water, we finally made it to the Finish Line. It was really a great and unique experience. If you like to run recreationally, I highly recommend you put a Disney Run event on your list of things to do!
