#Disneyland60...Today in Disneyland History....September 3, 2007

2^nd Annual Disneyland Half Marathon

September 3, 2007

On September 3, 2007, Disneyland's 2nd Annual Half Marathon ("The Happiest Race on Earth") took place with more than 13,000 runners. The runner with the fastest time that year was Carlos Carballo, 24 of Cathedral City, California, with a posted time of 1:10:07 but as with all runDisney events, everyone runner is a winner.  Today the Disneyland Half Marathon has grown into one of the premiere events of its kind.  It's the place where runners' dreams come true and all held at the Happiest Place on Earth, the Disneyland Resort. When you participate in one of these magical events, you are literally putting yourself in the middle of all the excitement with spectacular runs on magical courses, special events, rundisney Kids Races, Disneyland 10K and the Dumbo Double Dare. Come join the Happiest Race on Earth!

For that ultimate challenge, there is the Dumbo Double Dare. If you think that a half marathon is just a walk in the park, you are invited to put your endurance to the test with this a 19.3-mile adventure held over two days. Participants in the Dumbo Double Dare run the Disneyland 10K on Saturday, followed by the Disneyland Half Marathon on Sunday. If you finish both races within the pacing requirements, you will be awarded the Dumbo Double Dare medal in addition to your Half Marathon and 10K finisher medals.

Think you have what it takes to do it Coast to Coast? Then this is for you. Do you want the ultimate test in endurance with a Disney twist? Then join the runDisney Coast to Coast Race Challenge! If you complete a runDisney half marathon or marathon at the Walt Disney World Resort and a half marathon at the Disneyland Resort in the same calendar year, then you will receive a Coast to Coast Race Challenge medal commemorating your achievement!

Special in 2015, a pink edition of the Coast to Coast Race Challenge medal can be earned by running the 2015 Tinker Bell Half Marathon in May and the 2015 Disney Princess Half Marathon in February. Those who complete this combo of races will receive this newly created medal only at the 2015 Tinker Bell Half Marathon.

Also in 2015, participants who complete the Tinker Bell Half Marathon, Disney Princess Half Marathon, and another eligible pair of Disneyland Resort & Walt Disney World Resort races will be eligible to receive the original Coast to Coast Race Challenge medal in addition to the pink version of the Coast to Coast Race Challenge medal.

First, second, or second from last, every runner in every race – from Disneyland Half Marathon and Dumbo Double Dare to Disneyland 10K, 5K and runDisney Kid Races - felt the exhilaration and excitement of having run their best race, and brought home magical memories to last a lifetime.  Be sure to check out runDisney for all the latest in race events and you too can “Run like the wind Bullseye”. And that’s what happened today in Disneyland history.  

"Why I Run"- Welcome Guest Author Ellen Cusack

Disney’s 1/2 Marathon: 

Why I Run My Race

Meet Ellen Cusack Mother, wife, Teacher, Disney enthusiast 265:) Love Walking, country music, and believe in faith, trust, and Pixie dust! This week Ellen is here with us to share her story of why she runs. Welcome Ellen-we're so excited to have you join us!

Let me start from the beginning where running was just something I did everyday as part of my exercise routine. I was always athletic, played soccer in High School and still kept running just a few miles a day to stay in shape especially after College for I was planning a wedding and a Honeymoon in no other than Disney World.

 Fast forward to the year 1995 when I was running in a race for Breast Cancer at a local gathering in a nearby town. I was in great physical shape and running was still a part of my daily routine. I taught kindergarten, ran and was happily married to my high school sweetheart.

   The race on June 10, 1995 ( my 28^th Birthday) had around a few hundred runners and I wanted to be in the top of my age group finishing. But somehow there was another plan for me. I started off the race a good pace but shortly into the first mile I experienced the most excruciating headache I had ever had, it brought me to my knees and then that was when I collapsed. I was rushed to a local hospital where they did a CT scan and determined I had a brain aneurysm, a what? I was 28 and a runner, what happened? Well after being taken to Philadelphia for the top Brain surgeon in our area, my life seemed to come to a screeching halt. Tests where done, pic lines placed and surgery set up. But, to everyone’s surprise after further testing the subarachnoid hemorrhage in my brain had sealed itself off. After a sigh of relief from my 6 siblings, parents, friends and new husband I would spend 15 days in ICU until I was able to return home.

  Home, so glad to be here but my life changed over the next 12 years, 2 children a new home to build and a future that seemed bright but running was no longer part of my routine, it was walking my babies and taking long strolls on the boardwalk contemplating my life.

  In 2007 after years of thinking and dreaming of completing a 1/2 Marathon, I decided to register for the Disney 1/2 Marathon in January 2007. I started walking everyday with my best friend Lorraine and each week added a mile or two to work up to the 13.1 we needed to complete the challenge.

Scared and a bit apprehensive, this was the first “big” race and I wasn’t sure I would be able to finish, I still had that thought of 1995 in my head and couldn’t seem to shake it.

The local newspaper came and did an article on my past experience and my Half Marathon race, this gave me the added motivation I needed to move forward and just go for it.

 So, at age 40, yes 40, you’re never too old to dream and make it come true. Lorraine, me and our families traveled from N.J. to Disney for our first runDisney race.

We went to the Expo. got our bib numbers and 1/2 Marathon shirts. We were excited to be in Disney and even more excited to be running/walking our race.

  Race day came on January 6, 2007. It was amazing, bands were playing music at 5:30 am, Mickey and Minnie were there at the start of the race and it gave me the adrenaline needed to do this thing. We started off running but soon realized there was too much to see running through the Magic Kingdom and stopping at every photo opportunity we decided a fast walk was the way to go. Excitement at every turn we were totally engulfed by the magic of Disney and that we were actually going to finish this race.

  Epcot came and so did the end of the race, the excitement grew as we past the finish line with our families waiting for us as well as Disney characters our finisher medal (Donald Duck) and tons of hugs, tears and a sense of accomplishment. We did it!

 The journey was long but the love of Disney races is in our blood now, we ran for several more years in the Disney 1/2 Marathon Weekend, Disney Princess 1/2 Marathons; each race bringing along several more first time Half Marathon Disney runners, Wine and Dine ½, a few 5k races a relay and next year, 2015, my first Enchanted 10k.

  A Fairy Tale ending, I believe so. For me it was.

Ellen M. Cusack August 10, 2014

On Sale TOMORROW!!!!! Star Wars Half Marathon Weekend!

Photo courtesy of runDisney

Tomorrow is the day to register for the first ever Star Wars Half Marathon Weekend.  Is The Force strong within you or will you #LetTheWookieWin? The Force you hold will be called upon as you complete your Jedi training and discover your true power at the inaugural Star Wars Half Marathon Weekend presented by Sierra Nevada Corporation.   This latest in the series ofrunDisney events will be coming to the Disneyland Resort, January 15-18, 2015! It's a weekend journey to a galaxy far, far away featuring various runs, special events, Disney entertainment, your favorite Star Wars and Disney characters to cheer you along the course, and much, much more! Photo credit runDisney In addition to the Half Marathon, the event will include a 10K, 5K, Kids Races, Wookiee Welcome Party and of course the out of this galaxy  Expo. Think you are truly the runJedi Master? Then the Rebel Challenge is what you seek.  Complete both theHalf Marathon and the 10K and you will be highly rewarded for showing that you have deemed yourself worthy of beating the forces of the Dark Side. Ready are you?

STAR WARS HALF MARATHON WEEKEND PRESENTED BY SIERRA NEVADA CORPORATION ON SALE TOMORROW! January 15-18, 2015 May the Force be with you during the all-new Star Wars Half Marathon Weekend at the Disneyland® Resort. It's a weekend journey to a galaxy far, far away featuring various runs, special events, Disney entertainment, your favorite Star Wars and Disney characters to cheer you along the course, and much, much more! UPCOMING RUNDISNEY EVENTS 2015 Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend presented by Children's Miracle Network Hospitals February 19-22, 2015     ON SALE: 7/15/14 at NOON ET 2015 Tinker Bell Half Marathon Weekend May 7-10, 2015     ON SALE: 8/12/14 at NOON ET

Star Wars runDisney Inaugural Weekend Announced!

Use The Force

Is The Force strong within you or will you #LetTheWookieWin? The Force you hold will be called upon as you complete your Jedi training and discover your true power at the inaugural Star Wars Half Marathon Weekend presented by Sierra Nevada Corporation.   This latest in the series of runDisney events will be coming to the Disneyland Resort, January 15-18, 2015! It's a weekend journey to a galaxy far, far away featuring various runs, special events, Disney entertainment, your favorite Star Wars and Disney characters to cheer you along the course, and much, much more!

Photo credit runDisney

In addition to the Half Marathon, the event will include a 10K, 5K, Kids Races, Wookiee Welcome Party and of course the out of this galaxy  Expo. Think you are truly the runJedi Master? Then the Rebel Challenge is what you seek.  Complete both the Half Marathon and the 10K and you will be highly rewarded for showing that you have deemed yourself worthy of beating the forces of the Dark Side. Ready are you? 

Photo credit runDisney

Remember, a true Jedi must have the deepest commitment, the most serious mind.  If you feel you have mastered your training and are ready to take on the Empire, sign up for the runDisney email to be notified when registration opens at Noon EST on Tuesday, June 10. May the Course be with you!

Monday Memories

Normally when a person shares a memory from their time at Disney, the usual reaction is "Awwww". Not so much with my tale, an "Ewwww" might be in order. Hope you're not eating while reading this, well, maybe I exaggerate just a bit.

A little over a year ago, I was participating in my very first runDisney event, The Happy Haunted 5K Trail Run. Since this was the Saturday morning event, it left plenty of time to attend the Villain Bash that night in Disney Hollywood Studios. Not only is that where the runners finish The Tower of Terror 10-miler, but a number of attractions are open until 4am!

Photo courtesy of wdwforgrownups.com

The first hour I cheered for the runners, being inspired by their athleticism and their costumes, then realized I should hit a few rides before all the runners and spectators get in line. Off to the Rock n Roller Coaster! It was the most beautiful sight, barely a wait, and being a single rider, I went straight to the front of the line. 10 minutes later, I was back in the single rider line. Just can't get enough of Steven Tyler & the boys. This time the line was a bit longer. The cast member was moving things along by putting 2 single riders together in "the limo" if none were needed elsewhere. This is where it all went wrong.

In line, directly in front me, was a young guy that had just finished the 10-miler, and I do mean JUST finished. I think he grabbed his medal and kept running over to the Rock n Roller Coaster, not even taking a minute to towel off. The cast member called us both to line up for the next ride. When our limo pulled up, the  runner climbed over my seat, dripping all the way. He grabbed my harness to balance himself, leaving it slimy and wet. The cast member noticed my hesitation to get in, but did not take pity, she motioned me to hurry up. I cringed as I sat in the sweat covered seat, then tried to pull my harness down just enough to protect me,while not enough to be smashed against my chest. That didn't work as well as I had hoped. The next 3 minutes were un-enjoyable to say the least. After exiting the ride,I could feel the wet on my shorts and wanted nothing more than to go back to the resort and shower, that is until I heard the wait for Toy Story Mania was only 10 minutes.

The moral of this memory - runners, please bring an extra shirt or towel. I will be more than happy to chEAR for you, if you promise to dry off for me.

Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend Registration Opens Tuesday!

Photo Disneyland Events

Get ready…..get set…GO!!! Mark your calendars-registration is almost upon us for Disneyland® Half Marathon Weekend at the Disneyland® Resort.

Registration for the 2014 Disneyland® Half Marathon Weekend opens Noon EST on January 28, 2014.

Weekend events will include:

Disneyland® Half Marathon

Sunday, August 31, 2014

5:30 a.m.  Start/Finish: Disneyland® Resort

Disneyland® 10K

Saturday, August 30, 2014

5:30 a.m.  Start/Finish: Disneyland® Resort

Disneyland® Family Fun Run 5K

Friday, August 29, 2014

5:30 a.m.  Start/Finish: Downtown Disney® District

runDisney Kids Races

Saturday, August 30, 2014   9:00 a.m.

Location: Downtown Disney® District

And of course the

Dumbo Double Dare

Saturday, August 30 & Sunday, August 31, 2014

Start/Finish: Disneyland® Resort

If you think that a half marathon is just a walk in the park, put your endurance to the test and compete in the Dumbo Double Dare! A 19.3-mile adventure held over two days, participants will run the Disneyland® 10K on Saturday, followed by the Disneyland® Half Marathon on Sunday. If you finish both races within the pacing requirements, you will be awarded the Dumbo Double Dare medal in addition to your Half Marathon and 10K finisher medals.  Please note that you must register for the Dumbo Double Dare to receive the Dumbo medal upon completion of both races within the pacing requirements.

Now the only question is, which race showcases your #DisneySide?  Don’t forget, race registration opens THIS TUESDAY, January 28 at Noon EST Past history shows that all of these races sell out within an hour or two of registration opening ! To register or find out more about this, and all the other runDisney events, race on over to  http://www.rundisney.com/ 

Gayle is a Disney Gal that loves churros for breakfast, still gets giddy with delight at the first sight of the “Disneyland next exit sign”, loves the overwhelming emotions and memories that come with each and every return to the Happiest Place on Earth and dreams of one day being the Captain of the Jungle Boat. To learn more about Gayle, click here