runDisney with Team Lemon

Did you know that you can runDisney with Team Lemon?

Fight childhood cancer, one magical mile at a time!

Join Team Lemon

Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend

January 8-12, 2014

Team Lemon is Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation's national athletic program, inviting all athletes to make a difference in the lives of those affected by childhood cancer. Team Lemon has race slots available in the Half Marathon, Full Marathon, Goofy’s Race and a Half Challenge (the Half and Full Marathon combined) and the Dopey Challenge (5K, 10K, Half and Full Marathon combined). If you are interested in any of the race entries, visit www.teamlemon.org.

@TwinsRun with Real Characters

2013 Goofy's Race and a Half Challenge

Walt Disney World Half Marathon & Marathon

Character Photos with @LeahCville & @MalindaAnnHill

We ran with a couple "real" characters, too.

Mark Remy & @BartYasso!

Thanks @RunnersWorld, @RWChallenge & @runDisney!

Do you runDisney?

Do you #RunCharacterTweetRepeat?

Which character would you stop for?

Gingerbread Man instead of GU during Walt Disney World Marathon

"Don't bite my head off!" exclaimed the Gingerbread Man

#RunCharacterTweetRepeat

20th Anniversary

Walt Disney World Marathon

Going Goofy with Runner's World Challenge

by Leah Connor

When my identical twin sister signed us up for the Runner's World Challenge at Walt Disney World Marathon weekend, I wasn't sure what to expect. Walt Disney World is already is my fave destination race location, so I wasn't sure how it could get any better. Oh, how naive I was! The Runner's World Challenge hosted what, to me, was an ideal "runner's fantasy camp" ... but it was REAL! An amazing combination of running legends,  hilariously entertaining and knowledgeable Runner's World staff, and new friends I hope to see again at future races and Runner's World Challenges.

From a no-wait, amazingly easy one-stop-only packet pickup, to the VIP lounge at the Yacht Club Resort where you could randomly bump into a running idol or grab a diet coke, to an informative pre-race panel with last minute advice, to a private bus to the race retreat, to being escorting to the starting line by coach and Runner's World CRO (Chief Running Officer) Bart Yasso and seeing him again immediately after crossing the finish line ... I couldn't ask for a better experience!

When we came to pick-up our Runner's World Challenge packets we got a VIP badge and let me tell you, I felt like a VIP all weekend! I almost don't want to let the secret out about how incredible a job the Runner's World Challenge staff does for it's challenge participants, because I don't want to have to compete for limited slots in the future. This experience was worth every penny!

My initial goal for Goofy's Race and a Half challenge was to beat my times from last year (Half Marathon: 1:50 / Marathon: 3:56) but I ended up running the half 2 minutes faster and full 5 minutes slower (Half Marathon: 1:48  / Marathon: 4:01). Not too bad considering it was much warmer this year! The best part is that I enjoyed the running and stopped at almost all the character stops as long as they had an official MarathonFoto photographer. I decided not to bring my iPhone because I didn't want to bother carrying it or worry that it would get wet or broken. Luckily, I still managed to get over 20 character photos from the 2 races with photos still being identified.

The best part of the half marathon was that I managed to run my PR marathon pace consistently without having to constantly look at my watch and it felt comfortable. I had wanted to run the last 5 miles at 7:50 pace as a workout, but adjusted that goal when the temps and sun started to rise.

My revised goal for the marathon was to run the first 15 miles at 8:53-8:59 pace and then run by feel for the rest of the "race". Luckily, I met that goal. I had some anxiety that I was going to crash and burn (or melt!) around mile 16. I started having an internal pep talk with myself bargaining that if I just could make it to 18-20 then all bets were off and I could take walking breaks as needed. I knew it was doubtful that I would break 4 hours, so I stopped looking at my Garmin and took in the sites, spectators, and other runners.

The new portions of the course helped lift my spirits and I felt like I caught my second wind around mile 19. I started passing some walkers and those who were starting to fade and that energized me even more. I finished the marathon feeling more in control than I have in quite some time and even though my pace was much slower than what I wanted to run, I felt grateful I ended the race relatively pain free and with a smile on my face.

Thank you to all the staff from the Runner's World Challenge! I hope to see you again soon at another Runner's World Challenge!

It's the one and only Mark Remy sandwiched between the twins! ;-)

Race Report: The RW Challenge Takes on Disney 

RW Editors and 250 runners feel the marathon, half-marathon magic

runDisney's Walt Disney World Marathon Meet Up

We were fortunate to attend the @runDisney #WDWMarathonMeetUp on Friday, January 11. The meet-up featured celebrities Drew Carey and Joey Fatone, former NFL player Eddie Mason and running legends including Joan Benoit Samuelson, Bill Rodgers, Desiree Davila, Bart Yasso, Jeff Galloway and Dick Beardsley. We ran behind Desi and Joanie through Hollywood Studios. Malinda asked Joanie how her running has changed as she's gotten older. Joan describes her running in BC (Before Children) and AD (After Diapers) - and we can relate! ;-) It was an amazing morning. Thanks runDisney!

@TwinsRun giants with @des_davila

@TwinsRun giants with @JBSamuelson

@TwinsRun with @BartYasso & @DickBeardsley

@TwinsRun with Desi, Joannie, Woody, Buzz & more!

@TwinsRun with Mickey Mouse

More #WDWMarathonMeetUp recaps:

Disney Sports News

http://disneysportsnews.com/2013/01/12/rundisney-hosts-most-magical-meet-up-yet-for-20th-walt-disney-world-marathon-weekend/

Half Crazy Mama

http://halfcrazymama.com/2013/01/12/walt-disney-world-marathon-meetup-2013-mini-recap/

http://halfcrazymama.com/2013/01/16/video-of-joey-fatone-at-the-walt-disney-world-20th-anniversary-marathon-meet-up/

Dad Runs Disney

http://www.dadrunsdisney.com/2013/01/disney-marathon-weekend-rundisney-meetup.html

MSP Run

http://msprun.com/2013-rundisney-meetup-and-family-fun-5k/

Run, Karla, Run

http://www.runkarlarun.com/2013/01/15/walt-disney-world-marathon-weekend-slideshow/

Running With Sass

http://www.runningwithsass.com/rundisney-20th-anniversary-marathon-weekend-meet-up/

Happy Mother Runner

http://www.happymotherrunner.com/2013/01/rundisney-wdw-marathon-meetup/

Healthy Disney Guide

http://healthydisneyguide.com/rundisney/rundisney-meetup-report-2013-marathon-weekend/

Meghan Rambles

http://meghanrambles.wordpress.com/2013/01/14/rundisney-marathon-meetup/

Runner's Tales

http://runnerstales.com/2013/01/2013-wdw-marathon-meet-up-and-warm-up-event/

Bama Girl Runs

http://bamagirlruns.blogspot.com/2013/01/walt-disney-world-marathon-meetup.html

We Run Disney

http://www.werundisney.com/2013/01/rundisney-marathon-weekend-meetup-in.html

Goofy's Race and a Half Challenge Finishers

We did it!

@TwinsRun & Finish Goofy Challenge.

Twins RAN 39.3 miles to raise $393.

Fighting childhood cancer, one mile at a time.

Can you donate $2?

No donation is 2 small on @TwinsRun 2sday.

Thank you so very much for your support.

THE RESULTS (Overall Female):

@LeahCville - Faster 1/2

Walt Disney World Half Marathon

1:48:17

201 / 13,128

Walt Disney World Marathon

4:01:48

464 / 10,618

Goofy's Race and a Half Challenge

5:50:05

59 / 3,057

@MalindaAnnHill - Slower 1/2

Walt Disney World Half Marathon

2:53:22*

7,095 / 13,128

Walt Disney World Marathon

4:34:01*

1,368 / 10,618

Goofy's Race and a Half Challenge

7:27:23*

671 / 3,057

* DISCLAIMER: Official time includes #RunCharacterTweetRepeat waiting time. ;-) Nike Plus race pace between character stops was faster and overall finish time was better than in 2010!

Walt Disney World Half Marathon Results

9,998 = Men

13,128 = Women

23,126 = Total

Walt Disney World Marathon Results

10,061 = Men

10,618 = Women

20,679 = Total

Goofy Challenge Results

Did you run for a GOOD time?

Did you run for a good TIME?

#WDWHalf

#WDWMarathon

#GoofyChallenge

Race recaps are in progress...stay tuned!

Thanks Runner's World Challenge & runDisney!

Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend

Connect with @TwinsRun and more @runDisney enthusiasts by following the official hashtags for @WaltDisneyWorld Marathon Weekend! 
#WDWMarathon
#WDWHalf
#GoofyChallenge
#Family5K
#WDWDowntownParty

2010 Goofy's Race and a Half Challenge

I ran my 1st Goofy's Race and a Half Challenge in 2010. It was unseasonably cold in Florida. There was even sleet during the Half Marathon on Saturday! Fortunately, it was only cold on Sunday - and I was glad I had made a cap with my Minnie Mouse ears to keep my ears warm! :-) 

My twin sister, Leah, had stress fractures in her foot so she couldn't complete the challenge with me. However, she did walk the marathon in a boot cast! And, in 2012 she did complete her 1st Goofy's Race and a Half Challenge with remarkable speed! 

We hope to run our 2nd Goofy's Race and a Half Challenge together in 2013 to support Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation for Childhood Cancer in memory of Michael and our grandma, GG!

Have you completed the Challenge?

Are you up to the Challenge in 2013?

Malinda Ann Hill (Age 38)

Walt Disney World Half Marathon

2:38:45

9,107 / 17,492 (Overall)

4,459 / 9,966 (Women)

Walt Disney World Half Marathon

5:12:17

8,770 / 17,283 (Overall)

3,627 / 8394 (Women)

Goofy's Race and a Half Challenge

7:51:02

252 (Age) - 1,134 (F) - 3,242 (Overall)

Source: Goofy 2010 Race Results Data

Below are a few race photos by Brightroom
More photos in my Photo Book on Shutterfly!