When Didi announced she was looking for folks to join in the Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend blog hop, I jumped at the opportunity. Aside from these blog hops being a lot of fun, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity share information about my most favorite runDisney race–Disneyland Half Marathon. I had the opportunity to run this race in 2012 with my husband, sister, and brother-in-law. It was not only our first time running a Disneyland race, but also our first time to Disneyland EVER!
This year, the Disneyland Half Marathon will take place on August 31, 2014 at 5:30 am. Runners will take their start near the Disneyland Hotel and make their way up Katella Avenue towards Disney’s California Adventure. Running through Disney’s California Adventure was one of my most favorite moments. There is nothing like running through Radiator Springs just as the rising sun’s rays kiss the Cadillac Mountain Range. Runners will make their way around the iconic Mickey’s Fun Wheel and out of Disney’s California Adventure and into Disneyland. The course takes runners through Sleeping Beauty Castle–which is pretty incredible! Running through the two parks is about 4.5 miles of the 13.1 miles course. Upon exiting Disneyland, runners are taken through the streets of Anaheim, past the Honda Center and into Angel Stadium. Even though I am a die-hard Milwaukee Brewers fan, running on the field and seeing myself up on the Jumbotron was an awesome experience!! Oh and the fans! There were so many people in the stands cheering for all of the runners–it is unbelievably inspiring! After leaving the stadium, runners are in the homestretch, with just under 3.5 miles to go. The course winds back towards the Disneyland Resort area and finishes just near the Disneyland Hotel. After receiving medals, runners have the opportunity to grab post-race snacks and drinks and take plenty of photos with their hard earned prize. Runners can then move to the family reunion area where they can meet up with loved ones, visit the self-treatment stations, and pick up any bags that were checked before the race.
 |
| course map: courtesy of runDisney |
A couple of things to note about the race:
- Allow plenty of time to walk to the start line. The walk is very congested with runners, so make sure to plan ahead.
- Bag check is available for this race.
- There are nine water/Powerade stations located along the course: Near mile 2, 3.5, 4.5, 6.5, near mile 8, before and after Angel Stadium, mile 10.5, and just before you hit mile 12.
- There is one food station near mile 9 where Clif Shots will be available.
- The course is relativly flat, however, when entering the stadium, there is a big decline as you enter the field.
- Be sure to keep an eye on the Jumbotron when inside the stadium–you should be able to see yourself on the big screen!
- Enjoy the race! While 13.1 miles isn’t easy, don’t forget why you signed up–for the experience. Savor the moment and bask in your surroundings. This is what you have been working so hard to reach–enjoy it.
I know many people feel strongly that the Disneyland Half Marathon course is not as nice as running a Walt Disney World race, party due to the fact that runners make their way through the streets of Anaheim. I strongly disagree. I found that because the Disneyland Half Marathon course winds through Anaheim, that there are more “distractions”, like the Honda Center, that keep your mind occupied. Sometimes I find the Walt Disney World races to have frequent and/or long stretches of “dead spots”–where there is nothing but open highway. For me, those stretches make those races a bit more of a challenge.
The on-course entertainment during the Disneyland Half Marathon is great, with many local groups providing entertainment and encouragement along the way. One of my favorites was the car show, where many folk brought their classic cars out and lined them up along the course for all the runners to see. I especially loved seeing the classic Corvettes!
I absolutely LOVE the Disneyland Half Marathon. This is definitely a runDisney race I most certainly want to do again someday–maybe when a few of my kiddos are older and can run the streets of Anaheim along with me. Until then, I cannot wait to follow along on Facebook and Twitter, those who are running the Disneyland Half Marathon this year. Good luck to you all and enjoy your 13.1 miles of magic
 |
| (L-R) My brother-in-law, my sister, me, my husband sporting our medals |
Click on the link below to continue the fun!!
I agree, I really love the Disneyland Half Marathon! Running through the streets of Anaheim isn't as bad as people make it sound, and they really do a great job or providing local entertainment (something they don't have on those "dead" WDW stretches!). Looking forward to running this race again in a few weeks!
The Disneyland Half is such a great race – we ran it in 2012, too! I really loved running through the streets of Anaheim and through Angel Fields
This will be my first half ever! I've been so nervous not knowing what to expect but your info really helps put me at ease. Can't wait to experience it all!
Fellow blog hop 🙂
Good luck to you! I am running during Star Wars Half Marathon weekend and I cannot wait to run in DL again.Thanks for reading
Thanks so much for reading. I'm glad I could help ease your nerves a little. You are going to have an incredible time. I hope to read about your first experience after the race 🙂
It is such a great race. Do you have plans to do it again? I am thinking maybe 2016….
Greetings Fellow Blog Hopper,
This is David of http://www.doombuggyrunner.com and I wrote on the Disneyland Weekend Medals. I loved your post. This will be my first race at Disneyland after doing more than a dozen at WDW. I am so excited to go out and get my C2C! Thanks for the info!
I ran this for the first time in 2012 too! Now we're back again this year, and I can't wait! Dumbo Double Dare and Coast to Coast! Thanks for bringing back all the memories! 🙂
Oh my goodness! It sounds amazing! I am coming all the way from Australia to run my first Disneyland Half Marathon (and a sneaky 5k too!) It all sounds amazing. Great tips too! Now I just have to try not to spontaneously combust with excitement before I get there!
I totally love the car show too! I am a SoCal girl so maybe I'm bias, but when I ran my first race at WDW I was so bored running on just the expressways with nothing to look at. Plus, the benefit of Anaheim is that the neighborhood residents can come out and cheer!
Oh yay!! congrats on your c2c. I earned mine in 2012 at DL half as well. Great great experience. good luck to you!!
I am hoping to to the DDD soon. My sister and I earned our c2c in 2012 after the DL half. It was awesome. good luck to you!!
It IS exciting. good luck on your upcoming race and safe travels to you!! Thanks for reading
I thought that was incredible that the local residents came out. When we ran it in 2012, there were a few local running clubs that had set up along the course and were gicing runners oranges and m&m's. It was great. I cannot wait to run in Anaheim again in January!! Thanks for reading 🙂
I have yet to do a half but maybe someday! I'm happy that you had a great experience! I live in Anaheim and sometimes can see the groups lined up to cheer on the runners for the half and I always thought it was awesome that they do that! I love that it also goes through Angel stadium! 🙂
Hi Marge! I absolutely agree with you- I fell in love with the folks of Anaheim during the inaugural Tinker Bell Half Marathon, and far prefer running through those streets lined with local bands, cheerleaders and choirs over the highways in Walt Disney World. Your tips are so helpful, and I "hear" the excitement for this special race in your "voice". Thanks so much for joining us again!!
This is such a fun race, I loved every minute!! Great post! 🙂