For those of you who are still not sure you want to do a marathon or half-marathon -- Try the FamilyFun 5K during Walt Disney World's marathon weekend. I did and I had a blast! They had characters: Hades, Hercules, Phil, Pain, Panic -- and Hermes as well (I think!?!?!? The names are not my speciality) who was my favorite because he kept saying "The end is near! The end is near!" just before the finish line. (I assume these characters change each year to correspond to that year's race theme.) The race went throughout Epcot -- just a boatload of fun. It included fruit at the finish and a nice four-color short-sleeved t-shirt. The elaborate finish line featured gigantic statues of Hercules and Zeus. Plaques to commemorate the event, featuring the race logo and a photograph taken during the 5K run, were available by mail order after the race. (You can also carry a one-time use camera, as I did, and take shots of your own.)

As the typically speed-oriented person that I am (NOT!), I stopped along the way during the 5K and asked a Disney Cast Member to take my picture with Phil, Pain, and Panic. A really terrific surprise for me was that Disney-Dead Dave Lawrence, his wife Eileen, and their racewalking friend Ellen cheered me to the finish. I've never had anyone cheer for me -- That was so cool! (Thanks!)

That day's events also included several "dashes" for kids. Each child received a medal after completing their run. Kids of all ages got to make "wings" (like Mercury's) to aid in their race efforts.

Click here to read my:

WDW Marathon report

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