TOT 13K, A JOURNEY TO THE DARK SIDE OF THE STUDIOS
Submitted for your examination is what appears to be a theme park attraction themed on Hollywood of the past, circa 1917. This is where your journey begins.
Imagine if you will, 4000 souls gathered to experience the night ahead, to run blindly into the darkness of the back lots of the studio. Few of the trepid souls wear costumes befitting the night, the costume de jour is that of a runner/walker. Many adorn themselves with pride of their past journeys.
As the time for the journey to begin draws nigh, many visit the pota potties , get the last drink in , check their laces, chips, bibs, etc move forward… then the announcement opf a delayed start, 20 min to wait.
Finally the anticipation is ended with the start of the national anthem,( I really like that people were asked to remove their hats, I am a flag etiquette kinda person) red rockes burst and we are off.
The first few miles were kinda clogged with a mix of runners and walkers vying for space on the road.
Then we headed off the road onto a dirt path, where we were met with some pretty kewl cast members spooking us out. It was very entertaining to me. Then onto the Sports Complex, never been there and it looked great weaving amongst the fields. Back to the roadways and heading back to the studios. Under the entry arch and through the parking Kiosk, Mile six looms. For me, for some reason I got a good bust of energy here, and stepped up my pace. I thought I would start to see a few Disney Characters inside the studio, but I don‘t recall many or any. The cast members and spectators were great. I was amazed at how far 2 miles seemed in the back lot area, I kept thinking there are faster ways to get to the TOT, than the way they took us. The crowds were great.
Crossed the line, with a time and overall pace I was pleased with. A fun course, a fun theme, the night was unique to me.
Well Done:
Nice placement of water stops
Course layout and traffic control
Volunteers and cast members
The start was nice in that you could gather and chat with others, but when we started it was kinda tough for working through the crowds for the first 2-3 miles.
Like to have seen:
Separate 13K- 6K medals
Date on the medal with inaugural
More characters on the route
Tech Shirt
Will do it again if the schedule works out for us.
It was great to meet new folks from Disney Running and DIS Wish boards.
See ya all around, ˝ marathon this January.
