Last weekend, I participated in the Disneyland Dumbo Double Dare, a two-race challenge consisting of a 10K through California Adventure and Disneyland, followed by a half marathon that extended through the parks and the streets of Anaheim.
I had an amazing time, but it was definitely a challenge, especially since I’m not a fan of cold weather. Some people laugh when I say 44°F is cold, but for a Floridian, it definitely is! I layered up, but the chill still got to me.
In terms of preparation, I had trained well for the weekend, though in hindsight, I probably should have scheduled my longest run one week prior instead of two. I felt ready to perform better, and overall, I was in the same zone as past runs. However, I was aiming for a sub-2:15 half marathon, and a few small factors slowed me down. I usually don’t stop for photos, but I had to take a bathroom break in both races, and I also paused to adjust my shoes during the half. On top of that, Disneyland’s course is more challenging than Disney World’s, with more hills, twists, and turns.
What I Loved About the Race
The corral system was fantastic, there were no staggered heats, so once your corral was up, everyone started together. This made for a smoother, more efficient start.
The course design was well thought out, with plenty of water stations along the way.
The race itself was so well organized that there’s very little to critique!
Room for Improvement
The pre- and post-race party could have been better, especially with more character interactions like at Disney World. Adding character meet-and-greets would enhance the experience for those who don’t stop during the race but still want that Disney magic moment.
Other than that, it was a fantastic event, and I had a great time!
