runDisney's Ultimate Test

Welcome to those of you joining me from Disney Donna Kay and those of you just hopping aboard. This is the Final stop on out Magical Blogorail.


I'm in countdown mode; my family leaves on November 8th for a special trip to Walt Disney World.  It's a countdown to my son's first taste of the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, our long-awaited return to Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party, and IT.  

It’s kind of fun to do the impossible.        ~ Walt Disney

One thing I have learned from my physical therapy patients over the years (and more recently, my two sons), is that when you put yourself to the test, you more times than not discover inner power through that adversity.  For me, that trial came at age 52, and with the request from my teenager that we “run” a 5K at Walt Disney World.  I won’t bore you with the tale of my old gymnastics injury and resultant sedentary ways, but I will share that it was running guru Jeff Galloway’s Run-Walk-Run Method that was my pathway to survival, and then success, and eventually, to testing my impossible.

You’re braver than you believe, stronger than you seem… ~Christopher Robin

3.1 morphed into 8.3 and finally 13.1; miles, that is.  22 months into this “ultimate test”, I am runDisney Coast to Coast Race Challenge bound.  Any runner (or brisk walker) that successfully completes a runDisney half marathon or marathon at both Walt Disney World (Walt Disney World Marathon, Walt Disney World Half Marathon, Goofy’s Race and a Half Challenge, Disney’s Princess Half Marathon, or Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon) AND Disneyland (Tinker Bell Half Marathon or Disneyland Half Marathon) in the same calendar year is eligible for the gilded Coast to Coast Race Challenge medal in addition to the particular event medal earned.

That's the ultimate "prize", there on the far left...

This coveted medal features the likeness of the famous “Partners” statue;  Disney Legend Blaine Gibson’s sculpture of Walt Disney and Mickey Mouse, standing hand-in-hand.  Both the Disneyland Park and Magic Kingdom are graced with this bronze tribute to the man who started it all, and it is fitting that this special medal showcases his image.

The specifics are these:

-   You are automatically entered for the Coast to Coast Race Challenge upon entering and finishing two of the required races.

-   You must have an official time for each event, and each shall be either a runDisney half marathon or marathon.

-   There is no required order for your racing; East to West or vice versa.

-   For the second of their qualifying races, the runner will receive a special wristband during Packet Pick-Up at the Disney’s Health & Fitness Expo that will signify to Sports Enthusiast volunteers that you are entitled to have that Coast to Coast Race Challenge medal draped over your neck.

-   There is a limit of one of these unique medals per calendar year.  (Sorry runDisney junkies!)

Enthusiasm for this challenge is palpable, and for that reason, the two qualifying races on the West Coast seem to reach capacity in record times once registration opens up.  If these races are in your future, runners: stay on your mark!

I do not like to repeat successes, I like to go on to other things.      ~Walt Disney

And what’s next, you may ask?  Well, I've told you that I'm Waiting for the chance to run in a Disney Park outside of the United States.  Certainly there are other “Partners” statues in Disney Parks around the world… 

Do I feel a runDisney “Continent to Continent” Race Challenge coming on?  I know what I'm looking forward to now, but next year?  It's possible that hinges on the next runDisney invention!!



Thank you for joining Magical Blogorail Yellow this month.  We will be back Friday, December 7th with an all new theme.  Keep checking in with our blogs in between loops to keep up to date with our Disney info, photos and stories.  If you are looking for more Disney magic, you can make your way over to The Magical Blogorail website to see all our members and their blogs, as well as all our previous loops.

Here is the map of our Magical Blogorail should you happen to have to make a stop along the way and want to reboard:
1st Stop ~  Delightfully Disney
2nd Stop ~ Magical Mouse Schoolhouse
3rd Stop ~ Return to Disney
4th Stop ~ Disney Donna Kay
Final Stop ~ DIStherapy  (You are here!)