Walt Disney World 20th Anniversary Marathon

In 2013 I ran the Goofy Challenge for my second time.  It was so much better the second time!!!!

On Saturday I ran 13.1, the Walt Disney World Half Marathon and on Sunday I ran 26.2, the Walt Disney World Marathon, which was also the 20th anniversary of the marathon!!!  Woohoo!!!  AND it was also the first time the number of women runners out numbered the men in the full marathon!  Yayyyy ladies!

Here is my photo and video recap of the full marathon with almost enough photos to make you feel like you ran the race…minus the heat, chaffing, and actual running part 🙂

There are a tons of characters out along the way, some I took pics of the day before on the half marathon and didn’t stop to take another on for the full marathon.

View from Corral C with a fireworks starting line.

The starting line.

Fireworks at the start of each corral!

Here is a video of coming down Main Street USA

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PYjelvU6XbE&w=420&h=315]

Over by the Tea Cups I found Alice and the Mad Hatter!

Bullseye, which is fun because we don’t get to see him very often

Cinderella and Prince Charming backstage Magic Kingdom with a princess parade float.

We than exit Magic Kingdom and head into the Richard Petty Speedway, where they were cars all over for some fun eye candy.

Here is a video of running down through the tunnel and up into the speedway.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kPcgLeYUl3E&w=420&h=315]

After exiting the speedway was run down the road towards Animal Kingdom.  Along the way I found some villains!  Or as my 2 year old would say, THE BAD GUYS!

I didn’t stop by took a run by shot of the Christmas scene complete with reindeer and toy solider.

We are now a little passed Mile 11.

I found Captain Hook and Mr. Smee

Upon enter through the backstage area of Animal Kingdom, some of the animals were out to say hi to us!

And Jiminey Cricket!!! I kicked myself last year for not getting a pic with him because he is super cool and how often do you see him out and about?!?!

And now we run through Animal Kingdom!

One of my personal favorite areas is when exiting Animal Kingdom and through the parking lot it is LINED with so many spectators cheering everyone on.  It is amazing!  Here is a video 🙂

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N8EULg0lfcA&w=420&h=315]

Outside in the parking lot of Animal Kingdom look who I found!

I couldn’t refuse taking a pic of the person dressed as Richard Simmons.

Some of the inspiration quotes along the run from Animal Kingdom over to ESPN Wide World of Sports.

To give you an idea of how hot the sun was, it was getting a little brutal.

Shortly before ESPNWWOS

Entering the stadium at ESPNWWOS where the Atlanta Braves do spring training.

I’m a sucker for the funny spectator signs, especially around mile 19.

RunDisney told us they had something special planned for mile 20 since it was the 20th anniversary and it was pretty cool!  Good Job!

They had these amazing characters along the way.

And a stage with the fab 5 rotating around.

Now on to Hollywood Studios!  Getting closer.

After Hollywood Studios we run along passed Boardwalk and Beach Club, which is where my family was to give me the encouragement I needed at mile 24.  The finish line is so crazy and after running that long I would much rather have their energy at 24 to encourage me to finish than try to find them after I am done running.

On into Epcot.  Jasmine and Aladdin were out by Morocco.

And Snow White at Germany.  I figured I was already passed mile 25, why not take one more photo.

I didn’t take a pic of the finish line because it was kind of my moment, but here are my shiny new medals!

If this hasn’t convinced you to run, than I don’t know what will!  Every mile is magic 🙂

FYI, the super cute Minnie skirt I am wearing is by www.team-sparkle.com