DisneyRunning.com- Your Guide to Running at Walt Disney World

We arrived at Gatwick bright and early on the 4th January. Myself, Linda Eagle, Mark Goodbun and Ashley Smith were on the way to Florida to do the Disney World Marathon and we couldn't wait! Dave, Ashley's partner in crime from Kenya met us at Orlando airport and we drove straight over to the expo where we collected our race numbers, chips and a goody bag and of course took advantage of the cheap running gear.

Using Friday, our one full free day to settle in we headed out for an Eat as Much as You Can Buffet Breakfast - a great way to prepare for the 39.7 miles ahead of us. Myself and mark hit the shops, whilst the others went to Island of Adventure and Universal Studios to see just how many White Knuckle Rides can be fitted into a day.

As 3:30am came around on the Saturday it was up for breakfast for Dave, Ashley, Mark and Me who was taking on the Goofy Challenge and running both the half marathon and full marathon. With around 25,000 entrants we made our way to the start, which featured interviews with various runners and a small firework display to signal the 6am start.
Running through Epcot and Magic Kingdom was fantastic, Cinderella's castle was all lite up and the characters were there cheering us on. However it wasn't long until the temperature had risen to 68F with 94% humidity - this was not a race for time. We all finished in one piece, myself and Mark around the 1hr 55minute mark with the others just behind. A Donald Duck medal was awarded - mission number 1 was accomplished.

The afternoon was a great chance to compare our various recovery techniques, me and Mark visited Down Town Disney for a slap up meal at Planet Hollywood whilst Lynda and Ashley headed to MGM for an afternoon of Disney magic.

It was another 4am up and out on Sunday 7th as we all made our way to the start line for the marathon. As we waited for the gun to go off the temperature was again in the mid 60's, however the humidity was the real killer as it reached 100% just a few hours into the race. The route was broadly the same as the Half Marathon for the first half but continued on and into Animal Kingdom before heading out to Disney World Wide Sports and doubling back into MGM. It then followed the canals into Epcot before hitting the World Showcase and ending just outside the Planet Earth.

Again the crowds were fantastic, Disney Characters were in all the main parks for some great photo opportunities and water stations were well manned every mile and like the half offered poweraid, water and even cool beers at one point. There were a couple of food stations with bananas and oranges and an array of different gels and in MGM chocolates were also on offer.

Attracting around 12,000 runners who all get a medal in the shape of Mickey Mouse, the marathon seemed a little easier than the half the day before - maybe because we knew we had no more races the next day?!

I came in first out of the group at 3hrs 48 coming 20th in my category; while Ashley made everyone wait as he power walked his way through the second half in glorious temperatures of 80F. Along with just 3,000 others me, Ashley, Dave and Mark received our third medal for completing the Goofy Challenge - and what a challenge it had been.

Like all elite athletes the day was not ended and we concluded by going out for a fantastic Italian meal where we were congratulated by fellow guests on our achievements before heading off to the Post Race Party at Downtown Disney to party the night away into the early hours of Monday morning.

On Monday we enjoyed the last of the sunshine at Sea World before taking our medals and achy bodies to the airport. All in all we had a magical time, an experience we will never forget.