runDisney Tower of Terror 10 Miler Race Recap 2013- #Tower10Miler #runDisney

The runDisney Tower of Terror 10 Miler is a night race at Walt Disney World.  Last year was it’s first year (although they use to have a similar race years back).  I ran the race last year and it was VERY hot and humid and there wasn’t that many characters or photo ops out.  I wasn’t going to run it again this year, but decided I would last minute.  I have a hard time passing up a runDisney race 🙂

I was planning to dress as a pirate in my INKnBURN pirate kit, but my 3 year old was worried I would be mistaken for a bad guy.  I told her that the theme of the race was villains, but it is all pretend and she still insisted.  We compromised and I added sparkly Minnie Mouse ears, so I was Minnie Mouse Pirate.  I also added a Sparkle Athletic skirt for some added sparkle.  You can never have to much sparkle in a runDisney race.

The race started at 10:00pm.  This year was nice because the corrals were broken down into much smaller groups.  This is the smallest runDisney race in numbers and had corrals all the way from A-J.  This is new for runDisney and the races to come are suppose to be the same way.

Fireworks started off the race.

The course starts at Hollywood Studios and runs out and than around to Animal Kingdom.  You don’t run in the park and turn around in the parking lot and than make you way to ESPN Wide World of Sports.  You run down a dirt trail into ESPNWWOS, around the track and through the practice fields, in the stadium and around the bases, than back to Hollywood Studios where you finish.  Click here for course map.

The first character was the Old Hag (Evil Queen with from Snow White).

I found Captain Hook on the dirt trail.  We color coordinated our outfits.  I always run with my phone which doubles as my camera and music.  Here is an example of the photo difference between my phone and the professional race photographers.  Keep in mind it is a night race, so a little tricky to get a good photo.

Stitch was waiting for me inside ESPN Wide World of Sports.

A photo from inside the stadium where the Braves have spring training at ESPNWWOS.

I stumbled upon the Shadow Man, Dr. Facilier from Princess and the Frog.  Again, my photo and pro photo.

I thought I was dying around mile 7.5…just kidding 🙂

Each mile post sign had a different villain on it and at mile 8 was Maleficent, so I stopped for a picture.

Once inside Hollywood Studios Lotso was there and had no line so I stopped.

Right by Lotso was Mike Wazowski so took a quick pic with him as well.

The finish line is in the backstage area of Hollywood Studios.  The Tower of Terror is a beautiful site when you cross over the finish line.

I had a great time.  It was still really hot this year, but not as bad as last.  I also felt like there were more characters out this year than last.  Jafar, Jack Skellington and Queen of Hearts were also awesome characters that were out and fun to see along the course.

I didn’t get to stay and hang out at the party because my 3 year old was STILL awake back at the hotel with my husband. By the time I got my bag from bag check, got on a bus and than back to hotel room it was almost 1:00am.

I was soaked with sweat and it was way past my bedtime, so I was happy just hugging my daughter and hitting thre hay…although a ride on Tower of Terror would’ve been nice 🙂

The next day I celebrated by going to the Magic Kingdom in my race shirt and Minnie ears, followed by dinner in Epcot at Les Chefs de France and a citron slush.

My medal found a nice home with my other awesome runDisney race bling.

Here is my post about the expo and the Kids Races from the weekend if you want to take a look.

If you want to run a runDisney race sign up for the email reminder about registration because they sell out very fast and far in advance.  To do so go to runDisney.com and click on which event you want and than click on the email reminder signup.

Next up is the Marine Corp Marathon in Washington DC (if it still happens with the government shutdown) followed by the runDisney Wine and Dine Half Marathon at Disney World.

Who will I be seeing at Wine and Dine?!?!?