Photo TR: Running for Halloween, Food and Wine at WDW

[nayTake pictures of my feet]

Earlier this month, 2 new running events were held at WDW in Orlando. They seem to be switching things up a bit with their races, with canceling 2 of their fall races (Race for the Taste 10k and Tower of Terror 13k) and moving another to earlier in the year (Expedition Everest Challenge). The new races, Mickey's Halloween 5k and the Wine and Dine Half Marathon, were both held on the same day - One early in the morning and one late at night. I really enjoyed both events, even though I was extremely exhausted by the end.

First up was the Halloween 5k. It was a completely new course, starting at the Ticket and Transportation Center, going through the Magic Kingdom and back. I just love Halloween, and everything about this race was so much fun!

[SharkTumsSite Admin]

What an awesome Chip n Dale costume!! I've never seen that one before!!!

Also, love the grave diggers on the side of the path!

[Mr. StarrMy transgendered dreams have come true!!!]

I love all your Trip Reports from these races, Disney does do a GREAT job at hosting them!

[the ghostIt all started with a donkey]

Oh My God! Elvis Stitch is AWESOME! Anyway, awesome and very unique TR, like you always have. I would love to do one of these sometime, but I'm also characteristically very lazy, so we'll see what happens.

[nayTake pictures of my feet]

After a short rest and a trip to Disney Quest, it was time to run again. This was the Wine and Dine Half Marathon, which offered a relay option, something I had never done before. I managed to talk Rustin into running with me, and it was great to split up the distance so we didn't have to run all 13.1 miles.

We took a bus over to the starting area at Wide World of Sports at 7:30pm. It was insanely crowded and we hung out there for an hour, until I had to catch a bus to the second starting area in the Animal Kingdom parking lot. Once there, I had a long wait ahead of me. The race started at 10pm, but I knew I wouldn't be starting until around 11pm. When the crazy fast runners starting coming through, it got exciting, and watching the relay runners finish and start the second leg of the race was a lot of fun.

I found Rustin just around the time I expected him to arrive, and then it was my turn. It was kind of funny meeting up with runners doing the whole half marathon, who were sweaty and tired 5 miles into the race, while I still felt great and refreshed. The long stretch of road to DHS normally has nothing on it, but there was a good amount of course entertainment. I feel like we ran through every possible path in DHS, from Fantasmic to Lights Motors Action. We finished up after the path from DHS to the Epcot resort area, and the finish line was just before the International Gateway at Epcot. It would have been cool to run through Epcot, but that's where the after party was.

The finish area was terribly congested and disorganized. I'm glad I didn't check a bag, because it would have taken forever to retrieve. There also wasn't any clear way to meet up with your relay partner. I was SO exhausted and the World Showcase was ridiculously crowded, so we ditched the after party and decided to enjoy the Food and Wine Festival another day.

For the most part, Disney did a great job with this race, especially since it's the first time they did it. I only wish it was a little earlier, or that they had the 5k on a separate day.

After this update, I'll add some more non-running photos from more Orlando Halloween events throughout the week.

[Guy T. KoeppNow with Extra Retarded Flavor]

Awesome TR. Disney always puts on the best marathon events. I really should do one one time. Wait, what am I saying? I don't even move until the sun is up.

[Brandy524I make cake]

Love to see your marathon reports! Makes me wish I ran just so I could one of them some day. Great job!

[SharkTumsSite Admin]

I like the idea of a night run...like Guy, I'm not a morning person! Plus the relay aspect is very interesting!

[moinabI wish they would make Street Fighter Donkey.]

Ok, is it just a little sad that I have been checking here, every day, hoping for your report?

I'm thankful for your explanation of where we were running in Studios, because I was so tired, by that point, I didn't know where the hell I was, half the time! The Fantasmic area must be where I was cursing the "hills."

The finish area was a travesty, though. I, too, am so glad that I didn't check a bag. I read that people were vomiting and passing out, while stuck in line in that stuffy building for 30 - 60 minutes after the race, waiting to get their bags!

Running through the Osbourne lights was such a treat. It's too bad you missed out on running through AK. The area around Expedition Everest was gorgeous, all lit up!

[Sir ClinksalotBitch Please!]

The Food and Wine 1/2 is most certainly on my "to do" list next year!!! Looks awesome.

And I LOVE your "Will run for Beer" shirt. I need to find me one of those.

Looks like a couple of fun races, Disney always puts on a good show.