So the running events of the Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend have just wound up and you were thinking there was a break from the running. No Chance! Why not squeeze in a further 5K?
More Than 700 runners joined in the very first Castaway Cay Challenge. The special event held on Disney’s Private Island, was only open to runners who had participated in a Walt Disney World Marathon Event.
The criteria for the 5k challenge was that you had to have participated and completed any race event at the Marathon Weekend of 5K or more. I guess you also had to have booked yourself on the cruise ship too.
Castaway Cay 5K Highlights
- 3.1 mile course through Disney Castaway Cay, Disney Cruise Lines’ private island in the Bahamas
- Course runs past sparkling lagoons, the harbour, and white sandy beaches
- Surprise Disney magical moments and entertainment on-course
Castaway Cay Participants Receive:
- Castaway Cay Challenge Event Tee-Shirt
- Commemorative Castaway Cay 5K Finisher Medallion
- Commemorative Castaway Cay Challenge Finisher Medal for participating in one Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend 5K or longer event PLUS the Castaway Cay 5K
- Post-race refreshments
- Exciting Activities and access to Special Merchandise on board Disney Cruise Line
- Featured Healthy Menu Options on board Disney Cruise Line
Disney should feel very proud of these running events that they have set up. The courses and entertainment that are created keep everyone motivated to complete. I spent half an hour this weekend watching the live footage of the finishing line on the Disney Parks Blog. The one thing that everyone had in common was they were all different. People from all around the world were crossing that line. Competitors were all different shapes and sizes and I think this is what sets Disney on a new level.
A traditional vacation to the Mouse involved all you can eat and to some all you can drink. Adding a challenge of running inspires people to put on their trainers, “as it is Disney”. The though of me running in the London Marathon doesn’t appeal, however if the course took me through the theme parks I love, then I’m there (sort of). Myself and Adam have decided to try and train up to 5K independently. My motivation behind it was to experience something new. I’m off to Castaway Cay in June this year and I’ve been told there is a 5K run in the morning on every visit to the island (not to be confused with this challenge 5K). I’m not fit and don’t proclaim to be a runner, but with a goal in site I have the motivation.
The program were both following is the Couch to 5K app on the iPhone, which breaks up the training sessions into short running bursts. I’ll let you know what running at “The Cay” is like and weather I’d have preferred to just eat all I can at the buffet instead!
I did the Castaway Cay 5K last summer, but as a bit of a running obsessive there was no way I was going to pass up the opportunity.
If it wasn’t for the fact that this is a pretty unique opportunity to say “I have run on Disney’s island”, as 5k races go it hasn’t got a huge amount going for it. You start from the far end of the beach, quite quickly get onto the long straight of the airstrip. Halfway down you detour for a lap of the bike loop, before carrying on down the airstrip. At the far end you turn round, back round the bike loop and back to the start.
It is flat, hot, not the most exciting route, hot, no official results, hot, not overly well organised or signposted and very, very hot.
It will affect what you let yourself eat and drink on the days before it on the cruise, it will affect what you do that morning, you won’t be done until after everyone else is on the beach. But as a runner and Disney fan, I would not have missed it for anything.
Top Tips. Do some training runs in heat and humidity before you go. Take your stuff for the day with you, you can leave it in the locker box by the start and save yourself a trip back to the ship. Take your own stopwatch for your time. And finally, have a good look at the route online before you go. I actually finished first when I did it. I was the fourth fastest runner, but the quickest one who didn’t take a wrong turn, so got to the line first.