![]() This year brought new RunDisney experiences for me, and another race to add to my list of favorites! With relatively flat courses, gorgeous medals, and a relaxed/low-key California vibe, I thoroughly enjoyed my experience at Tinkerbell Half Marathon weekend. I ran both the 10K and half marathon as part of the Pixie Dust Challenge, and also completed another Coast to Cost Challenge (earning the coveted PINK version of the medal, but more on that below). While there was some criticism from the crowd on overall organization and entertainment, I had a fun weekend and plan on returning to participate again in years to come. Read on for some of my highlights from the weekend and thoughts. Expo Experience A big part of the fun at RunDisney events is the shopping! Most of that shopping happens at the Health & Fitness Expo that accompanies the weekend's races. All runners must visit the expo to pick up their bib and included race shirts, and there are also plenty of vendors selling fairy-themed goodies and official Disney merchandise. I personally liked the shirts that came with race registration this year (albeit the 10K wasn't my favorite shirt of the bunch), and I also thought there was a wide variety of official race merchandise available. I was able to snag a Tinkerbell sneaker ornament, some pins, and a fun tank top. It was also at the expo that I picked up the performance jacket I pre-purchased with race registration (which I love and fits really well, contrary to other RunDisney jackets). I visited the expo on it's second day (Friday), right at open time. There were definitely crowds at the beginning of the day, so I had to wait in a few lines: one to pick up my bib, and then another to get into the official merchandise area. I didn't think the wait times were very long though, and everything was well organized. A big purchase I made was one of the weekend's limited edition Dooney & Bourke bags, and there were plenty left by the time I reached their booth. Even though Tinkerbell Half Marathon weekend is California's answer to Princes Half Marathon weekend, it was not nearly as hectic, crowded, and overall rushed as the Walt Disney World event. With the Pixie Dust Challenge, and any multi-race RunDisney challenges, I had one bib to wear for both the 10K and half marathon. Upon picking up my bib at the expo, I also had to get my photo taken. This photo is used to verify your identity at the end of the races to receive your challenge medal. Because I completed the Princess Half Marathon at Walt Disney World a few weeks prior, I also received my Coast to Coast Challenge wristbands at the expo. One wristband was for the special edition pink C2C medal, specifically for finishers of both the Princess and Tink half marathons within the same calendar year. The other, blue wristband was for the regular C2C medal, and this year it was extra-special for the 10th anniversary of the challenge! While this might change moving forward, running the Princess Half Marathon qualified me for both medals. Always be sure to check in with RunDisney on policies like these to stay up to date before your event. ![]() Saturday - 10K Day The first leg of the Pixie Dust Challenge is the 10K, which boasts a course that winds throughout Disneyland park and Disney's California Adventure. Nearly all of the 6.2 miles is onstage between the two parks, with a bit of time backstage and on the esplanade between the two parks. I started in Corral E, which was a very, very large corral. Because I was staying within walking distance to the Disneyland Resort (I highly recommend staying at the Desert Palms Hotel for Disneyland RunDisney race weekends), I was able to get a spot towards the front of my corral after dropping off my gEAR bag at the family reunion area. Security seemed a bit unorganized with the recent changes made to the checkpoints around the Disneyland Resort, but I arrived onsite early enough that I never felt I was up against time. Corral E was positioned pretty far away from the actual start line of the race, so it was a little challenging hearing and seeing the start line entertainment. It was also a bit odd that our corral wasn't walked up to the start until nearly the last second; when we were within a few yards of the start line, we were told to keep going and officially start running. Not the greatest way to start, but I didn't mind. RunDisney 10Ks are usually the most popular distances at race weekends, and this one was no exception. It was pretty crowded at the very beginning of the race, but I was able to find a pocket quickly and there weren't too many choke points on the course. I did have to bob and weave a bit around walkers though, as not many people followed the run on the left, walk on the right rule. I race using a run/walk interval method, so I typically stuck to the middle of the path. Apparently the previous day's 5K race was lacking in characters and on-course entertainment, but that was not the case with the 10K. There were quite a few character stops, Photopass photographers, and Cast Members dressed as pirates throughout the course. The only thing I didn't care for was that they REPEATEDLY played "Following the Leader" from Peter Pan, as the race was themed around the Lost Boys. I would have loved to hear other songs from the soundtrack like "You Can Fly." After a nice little kick at the end, I crossed the finish line and was given the cute Lost Boys-themed medal. In typical RunDisney fashion there were also bananas, Powerade, water, and food boxes available for runners (cheese dip and tortilla chips included), and Photopass photographers were stationed to take your picture with your medal and fun little paddles saying "I Did It." The lines for photos weren't too bad, and I was able to retrieve my gEAR bag pretty quickly as well. All in all, I had a great time at the 10K! ![]() Sunday - Half Marathon Day After taking it easy the rest of the day on Saturday, I was up before the sun again to run the half marathon and complete the Pixie Dust Challenge! I started in Corral E again, and this time there were some challenges with security and lines that actually caused the race to delay starting by a few minutes. I was there early enough again to position myself towards the front of my corral, but many runners were finding themselves pushing it to the limit with time to get into their respective corrals. Compared to races at Walt Disney World, you can usually sleep in a little bit for Disneyland races, but I wouldn't recommend waiting too long to get up and out to the start area, especially if you want to check a bag, take photos, etc. I tried to arrive at least an hour ahead of time, if not earlier, for both races. As mentioned, the start was delayed a little bit as runners were still going through security and traffic was backed up a bit. But our corral was walked up earlier than the day prior, and I felt a little more ready with that extra time. It was bit crowded again as runners found their paces, but it did open up fairly quickly. The first half of the course took us through Disneyland park and Disney's California Adventure (nearly mimicking the 10K course) and then onto the streets of Anaheim. The entire course was pretty flat with a few up and down slopes, but nothing like the hills on the Princess Half Marathon course (I'm looking at you, mile 10 exit ramp). There were a few bands and DJs to provide some entertainment, as well as awesome community clubs with treats and encouraging words. I was able to set a new PR with this race and had a nice kick for the last 10th of a mile. The spectators at the finish (and all along the course, for that matter) were awesome, and I definitely got emotional crossing the finish line. Before picking up my RunDisney refreshments and gEAR bag, I received my four medals. The Pixie Dust Challenge medal is my current favorite of all my running medals, and it features a gorgeous spinner with Tink's wings! Pandora Jewelry was the presenting sponsor of Tinkerbell Half Marathon weekend, so they had a hand in designing the medals (and you could definitely tell). Photopass photographers were available again for some post-race pics, but the lines did feel a bit longer than those from the 10K the day before. Overall, I really enjoyed the 2017 Tinkerbell Half Marathon weekend! I definitely plan on running again, and would recommend these races to RunDisney fans and runners of all abilities and backgrounds. Even if you're local to Southern California (I live about a half hour away from the Disneyland Resort), I'd recommend staying in the area to make getting to the race start early/on time easier and to feel closer to the magic throughout the whole weekend. Take your time going through the expo and enjoy every magical mile of whichever race you choose to take part in. To learn more about RunDisney and all of their events at both Walt Disney World and Disneyland, check out RunDisney.com. Until the next post, see ya real soon!
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About MeA twenty-something alumni of the Disney College Program looking to help others plan the Disney vacations of their dreams! Living that Disneyland AP dream in SoCal. Archives
February 2018
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