We were up at 4:50 and had wardrobe malfunctions with costumes that had to be dealt with. This caused us to head out late to breakfast but it was still open at 6 when we got there. The pre race breakfast was amazing! Bananas, apple, cereal, tea, coffee, juice, applesauce and yogurt. Having bottles of water would have been the only thing to take it from an A to a A+++.
We headed out and the walk wasn't too bad. About 10 minutes over to the event arena (including going through security) where we checked our bag and headed to the pre race area. There was not much there but 2 photo background opps and a long line for Portopotties. We split into corrals (I was in A and everyone else started in C). The sign said portopotty in the corrals but I did not find them. There were a few tucked behind a wall and I asked multiple volunteers and they all said to keep walking forward. It may have been a language barrier and I did not want to disobey/be that American. When I got in the corrals, there was random tape volunteers were holding up and told us to stop. Turns out they were splitting us into waves which was new. I ended up making friends with a CM that works at Cosmic Rays, met ladies from LA as well and saw a few people I know.
The race announcers spoke in both English and French which was interesting. They had high energy and actually weren't annoying. No stupid skits, just chatting and it helped pass the time. No French national anthem and I was a bit bummed as I really like the French one. They announced the start of the race and shot off fireworks about 2 min before the wheelchairs so I have no pics of the fireworks. For each group, they launched smoke which was new (see above).
We headed out and the walk wasn't too bad. About 10 minutes over to the event arena (including going through security) where we checked our bag and headed to the pre race area. There was not much there but 2 photo background opps and a long line for Portopotties. We split into corrals (I was in A and everyone else started in C). The sign said portopotty in the corrals but I did not find them. There were a few tucked behind a wall and I asked multiple volunteers and they all said to keep walking forward. It may have been a language barrier and I did not want to disobey/be that American. When I got in the corrals, there was random tape volunteers were holding up and told us to stop. Turns out they were splitting us into waves which was new. I ended up making friends with a CM that works at Cosmic Rays, met ladies from LA as well and saw a few people I know.
The race announcers spoke in both English and French which was interesting. They had high energy and actually weren't annoying. No stupid skits, just chatting and it helped pass the time. No French national anthem and I was a bit bummed as I really like the French one. They announced the start of the race and shot off fireworks about 2 min before the wheelchairs so I have no pics of the fireworks. For each group, they launched smoke which was new (see above).
I was in the third wave after the wheelchair and the first release. I took off and knew I would have to weave more than I would have liked. However something pretty amazing happened. The course went downhill towards the DL entrance and the path splits, and they were sending everyone right. When I got up there, they opened the left and I took off. I ran all the way to Main St with NO ONE AROUND ME. Look at this picture below-this was the first picture this photo pass person had taken! I gave high fours to all of the workers and couldn't believe I was the only one. This is hands down probably the most special rundisney experience I have ever had. When I got to Main Street, it was still split so I basically made it down to the castle with almost anyone in front of me (see the picture above-everyone was on the right of the cones and no one was moving over). I knew I had to slow down (a 7:50 pace for .5 miles is probably not the best way to start a race) and started stopping for pics.
I stopped for a castle pic, Cruella who screamed out puppies and Jafar.
I turned the corner and got a photo pass pic with the castle. (Banner is incorrect but I still love it!)
We continued to Discoveryland (their Tomorrowland) and saw a gorgeous sunrise.
Around the corner we hit the 1km which was welcomed but I thought it was a mile and was very confused. I stopped for Chewbacca and R2D2.
We continued around the back to Fantasyland and I stopped for a picture with Rabbit and Eeyore and everyone else caught up with me!
We continued passed Small World and stopped for Thumper and his girlfriend, Blossom.
We continued around fantasyland and took turns using the restroom while I waited for Mary and Bert and penguins. Unfortunately Mary and the penguin left! Ugh. But we had already waited a good 10 minutes so we took a pic with Bert.
We ran through the Castle and had to stop for a pic!
We ran into frontier land and Jessie and Woody were there but the line was closed. We passed phantom Manor and continued backstage to Walt Disney studios park. My first time seeing and running in this park! All characters were pulled but I for sure saw Remy, Spider-Man and other characters in other people's pictures. Even though there were no characters we made our own photo stops as the park has great ones! we stopped at ratatouille, tower of terror, and others.
Izzy did very well but got tired towards the end so we slowed down and just chatted. The course exited and went backstage before finishing with a weird loop. Basically you saw the finish line but then looped around.
a battle to the finish for these two!
My finish time was 37:32 running (8:48/12:31/15:25/7:54). However my elapsed time was one hour longer at 1:37 HAHA. Yes I spent an hour stopping. No, I would not have changed it for anything.
When we finished we got food: chocolate sport drink, water, and Powerade. We waited for pictures for over 10 minutes so they definitely needed more photo areas. Afterwards we got a bag with food-an apple, peanuts, fruit snacks. It was great to have somewhere to store our stuff for the walk back. Walked back to the room and headed to shower. Starting at 7 means getting back late! Got izzy ready to go to the kids race. and then we got ready and went to watch the kids race
When we finished we got food: chocolate sport drink, water, and Powerade. We waited for pictures for over 10 minutes so they definitely needed more photo areas. Afterwards we got a bag with food-an apple, peanuts, fruit snacks. It was great to have somewhere to store our stuff for the walk back. Walked back to the room and headed to shower. Starting at 7 means getting back late! Got izzy ready to go to the kids race. and then we got ready and went to watch the kids race
The kids race is just adorable. We Could see the 200 across the lake then watched the 400. All the races went off in waves.
At the end we were able to see the start of the 1k and Sophie, a young girl with cerebral palsy with braces that walked the 1k with her dad! Turns out her parents are in one of the Disney groups I am in and I loved learning about her stories! Someone gave her their 5k medal :)
At the end we were able to see the start of the 1k and Sophie, a young girl with cerebral palsy with braces that walked the 1k with her dad! Turns out her parents are in one of the Disney groups I am in and I loved learning about her stories! Someone gave her their 5k medal :)
Izzy ran as Rapunzel for her 400 m and look at her go! She was one of the only in costume :) And as you can tell below, she was just a tad in love with this one as she wore it around the park all day!
After the kids race we went to breakfast and fell in love-coffee, tea, juice, breads-croissant, chocolate croissant, rolls, butter, jam, cream cheese, ham, cheese, yogurt, applesauce. We were stuffed and knew we wouldn't need to eat a proper lunch with an early dinner. I will do a separate post on touring Disneyland Paris.
Overall, it was a fabulous race and considering that it was inaugural made it even better! I would hands down recommend this race to anybody. Most of it was in the park and the 14+ character stops and other stops was incredible and well worth the money paid.
Anyone else run the Disneyland Paris 5k? Would you run it?
Overall, it was a fabulous race and considering that it was inaugural made it even better! I would hands down recommend this race to anybody. Most of it was in the park and the 14+ character stops and other stops was incredible and well worth the money paid.
Anyone else run the Disneyland Paris 5k? Would you run it?
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