The big race is here! ​

We got up at 4:50, got ready and headed to have a quick breakfast and then over to the race start. We used the Porto after the misadventures the day before and then huddled in a Mylar blanket to stay warm as it was surprisingly chilly. We started in B and they announced there would be 34 waves for 4 corrals so I was curious how this would work. The race announcers were the same as the day before and kept us entertained while we waited. The race ended up starting about 10 minutes late because of race course clearance. With the smoke start again, I'm not sure when the race actually started but we crossed the start line at 7:20.

We started the same as yesterday but headed to Walt Disney studios immediately and went backstage. We got to run through the Motors Action and Studio Tour which was cool as I had not seen those yet. As we headed into the park we saw Captain America but his line was closed already as he was about to leave. Spider-Man was right next to him and had no line but only a selfie allowed. It was really annoying to have character handlers there but not take it pictures. So everyone was taking pics for each other so it actually slowed the whole photo process down. And not every character had a photopass person either (luckily Spiderman did!).

We then ran through Pixar and stopped for a picture with Mr and Mrs Incredible before heading over to Disneyland. ​

As we continued to Fantasyland and there was Cinderella and Prince Charming and PRINCE ADAM AND BELLE. I freaked as Beast is my favorite prince and he was in human form! HE LEFT 4 parties before us and I was gutted! So sad. ​

and then a run through castle! 

We did another bathroom break as we were worried we wouldn't have another chance before leaving the park. As we continued through Frontierland, we stopped for an awesome picture with the Sultan, jasmine and Jafar. ​

​Our final character stop was Baloo and Louie as we exited the park. 

I heard the Up characters were out but we didn't see them! And from other pictures I've seen, the Cheshire Cat, mad hater, March hare and other amazing characters were out too! INSANE!
​
I had talked to a few people that were worried that the race would be boring outside the park but it was far from it. The countryside as you can imagine was beautiful! We went out and back from Val d'europe which is the neighboring town and made a lovely loop around a lake. We passed castles with signs (I remember one involved Louis Braille doing something there). We went by open fields, forests, corn fields and more and it was amazing. They even had bands and acts out for entertainment including cheerleaders by the lake. There were a good number of spectators in the town and lots of French people screaming ALLEZ (which means let's go!) ​

Instead of a clif shot station, they had 3 food stops with apples slices, granola bars, and cereal bars. I ate apple slices not because I needed the fuel but because I was hungry!  Hydration stops had water and Powerade. We made two Porto stops and saw the most interesting thing. They had a place for guys to pee that wasn't in a stall. It looked like a hand washing station with holes in it. Guys could go up and use it and walk away. It made the Porto lines shorter but still took a while as there weren't many Portos available. ​

As we made our way back to DLP, we saw the parking sign that looked a lot like the TTC/MK sign st WDW which was cool. Next we ran through a few of the hotels. First up was Santa Fe that had a Cars theme. Then we went through Cheyenne that had an old western town feel that was awesome! We kept going around the lake and passed New York, Sequoia Lodge, Newport and ran through the Disney village. There were lots of spectators which was great! ​

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). ​

I stopped for a castle pic, Cruella who screamed out puppies and Jafar. ​

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. ​

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. ​

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 :) 

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? 

Make it pink!! Make it blue!!

Let's look how to put the costumes together! 

NEEDED FOR PINK:

• pink top (I got that one from Old Navy)
• pink bottoms
• pink ProCompression socks
• pink Sparkle Athletic hat
• white ribbon for shoulder. Adjusted using safety pins

NEEDED FOR BLUE: 

• blue top (I got that one from Old Navy)
• blue bottoms
• blue ProCompression socks
• blue Sparkle Athletic hat
• ​white ribbon for shoulder. Adjusted using safety pins

It has been a hectic morning to say the least but I am all in for the Inaugural Disneyland Paris half marathon! There was a lot of drama getting through (Get travel said they would call me but it wasn't confirmed/i was on skype with the disneyland paris number and also the american number). 

I got through the American number after a 40 min hold and we are in! We are staying at the Sequoia Lodge for 3 nights. I will be going with my boyfriend, his older sister and his niece. We will all run the 5k together (his niece is going to pick out our costumes as we had a long talk about who is from France and I am hoping she picks Beauty and the beast), she will be running the 400m kids race and I will be running the half marathon with his sister (I am thinking sleeping beauty costume with one of us in pink and one of us in blue!). 

Now from booking through DLP directly, I had to pay 100% right there which was a lot to put on my credit card but that is more miles to get me to europe for free! 

overall, i think we got a good deal on the package. It includes hotel, tickets, and bibs. We will get an email soon where we can all register officially with proof of times and such. we do have to get a medical form signed by our doctor to make sure we are cleared. I am going to have them fill out 2 just incase since i am running 2 races (oh the French!). 


now to plan the rest of the European vacation! We know we want to do a few days in London (have to pick up the sister and niece!), a few days in paris, I want to go to Mont st michel/normandy and my boyfriend wants to go to Rome. We are hoping to do 10-11 days but we will need to see. we may fly into London and fly out of Rome but we are not sure. 


I am so excited to earn the Inaugural 5k, half and castle to chateau medal!! Anyone else running this race? 

Information is finally here for the Inaugural rundisney Disneyland Paris Half Marathon from September 22-25, 2016! 

I have been all in since it was announced at the Princess Half Marathon that this race was coming as is my boyfriend! We are pumped this news is out now. 

EVENTS

• runDisney Health & Fitness Expo
  • Disney Events Arena® 
  • Thursday, September 22, 2016 – 3pm-8pm
  • Friday, September 23 & Saturday, September 24, 2016 - 8am-8pm

• • Headquarters for everything you need to prepare for race weekend is at the Expo.All runners must attend the Expo for race number, T-shirt and gEAR bag pick up. During the Expo celebration, you’ll be able to check out the latest in OfficialrunDisney Race Weekend Merchandise, and get a sneak peek at the latest in fitness apparel, footwear, sunglasses, high tech gadgets, and nutritional products. The Expo will also showcase a Speaker Series that includes appearances by celebrity runner and seminars on training, running, and nutrition featuring speakers and panellists from the running industry.
    

• Disneyland® Paris 5K
  • Saturday, September 24, 2016
  • 7am
  • You be at least 5 years old to run this race

• • Everyone’s invited to join the excitement during the 5K (3,1miles/5km) through the most magical race course on Earth, Disneyland® Park and Walt Disney Studios® Park! Cheered on by Disney Characters, your run will take you down Main Street, U.S.A.®, past the iconic Sleeping Beauty Castle, through Hollywood Boulevard, and around the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror™ **. Perfect for beginners, intermediates or even racing veterans aged pre-teen and older, this is a running event where every family passes the finishing line with unforgettable memories.
    

• runDisney Kids Races
  • Saturday, September 24, 2016
  • From 10am
  • You must be under 12 years old

• • Bring out your youngest runners for a magical race chock full of fun and memories during the Disneyland® Paris Inaugural Half Marathon weekend.  Children under 12 are invited to participate in a series of runs designed specifically for them. Parents can also run with their children. The event will feature a 100m dash followed by the 200m, 400m course. For older kids, there’s even a 1k and 2k race! And every participant goes home a winner with their very own runDisney Kids Races Inaugural Event Finisher Medallion!
    

• Disneyland® Paris Half Marathon
  • Sunday, September 25, 2016
  • 7am
  • You must be 18 to run this race

• • Be one of the first to join the fun during the first ever Disneyland® Paris Half Marathon run through Disneyland® Paris. Your 13.1 mile Half Marathon will put you in the middle of all the Disney magic. At Walt Disney Studios® Park, you’ll run down Hollywood Boulevard, and past the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror™**. At Disneyland® Park, you’ll run through Main Street, U.S.A.®, past Sleeping Beauty Castle, and then through the countryside and villages that surround the Disney Parks, circle back to Disney Village® en route to the finish line for a victory celebration and your exclusive inaugural Disneyland Paris Half Marathon Finisher Medal. And along with your family or friends, Disney Characters will be on hand to cheer you along the race course.  
    

RULES

• You will need to be cleared by a medical doctor to participate. here is an example of the waiver. You will need to submit it online as well as bring a copy with you to pick up your bib (this is pretty standard procedure in European races, especially ones run in France) 
  
• You will need to maintain a 16 minute per mile pace on the 5k and half marathon to finish
  
• You will need to submit a proof of time by June 1, 2016 if you plan on running under 1:30 half marathon (is this a typo?!?)
  
• You will need to pick up your own bib
  

REGISTRATION

• Package registration for the Disneyland® Paris Half Marathon Weekend is scheduled to open on October 6, 2015
  
• Take part in the Disneyland® Paris Half Marathon Weekend through one of our travel groups.
• The runDisney Travel Provider Program provides runners traveling to our events special travel packages and superb customer service. These runDisney travel providers can help put together a travel package that is right for you! (these will include theme park admission)
• Tour and Travel Partners list will be communicated at time of sales opening.
• Limited race registrations are scheduled to start on January 12, 2016 for individual registrations.
  
• Charity information will also be available on October 6, 2015. 
• No mention of AP signups or what time registration will occur

CASTLE TO CHATEAU CHALLENGE
What is the runDisney Castle to Château Coast Race Challenge?
If you complete a half marathon distance at Disneyland® Paris and at the Disneyland® Resort in California or a half marathon or marathon at the Walt Disney World® Resort in Florida, in the same calendar year, then you will receive an additional medal commemorating your achievement.
MORE BLING!!! 



Of course I am in for the 5k and half have to run all of the races when I am traveling that far! and can we PLEASE note the 7am start time!?!?!? and I cannot WAIT to see that Castle to Chateau challenge medal-OMG! 

and I am already thinking of costumes and the short list is Aurora and Belle so I will need to consult my little sisters (they love to help me select costumes for my races).

Anyone else wanting to do this race?