Race Report: 2014 runDisney Disneyland Family 5K

Photo credit: runDisney

There’s something really, really special about the runDisney Disneyland Family 5K’s.  In my humble opinion, I believe it is because you run the most park miles of any runDisney 5K in some of, if not, THE best Disney parks in the world.  The 2014 Disneyland Family 5K was my 3rd straight time running this race.  Running with me was my partner-in-crime, Perfectly Goofy Gail.

In Cars Land with Lightening McQueen

We had been working on our costumes for this race weekend for months and decided we were going to go #AllOut since we weren’t “really” going to “run” the 5K because it was a “fun run” and “not timed.”  We decided on the theme of our costumes based on the theme of the 2013 race – Alice in Wonderland.  Unfortunately, the theme was changed to Stitch for 2014, but since we were already committed to our costumes we kept the Alice in Wonderland theme with Perfectly Goofy Gail running as the Cheshire Cat and I as the Caterpillar (complete with hookah).

World of Color

The Disneyland Family 5K course was not changed from 2013.  The race began heading south on Disneyland Drive.  From there we turned left into Disney California Adventure running into Cars Land and down Route 66.  Then we ran in front of Paradise Bay and The World of Color.  We then made our way past Grizzly Peak and Condor Flats turning left onto Carthay Circle and down Buena Vista Street out of the park and into Disneyland Park.

With Lilo

Once in Disneyland Park we made our way down Main Street USA and into the central hub.  From there we ran past Matterhorn Bobsleds turning left into Fantasyland and Frontierland.  We ran around Rivers of America into Critter Country.  Winding our way backstage, we ran until we were out of the park and into Downtown Disney.  This was the home stretch as we ran towards the Disneyland Hotel, turned right onto Downtown Drive and through to the finish line!

With Stitch

Here are the 2014 Disneyland 5K photo stops:

1. Lightening McQueen
2. Mater
3. Mile 1 sign with Hula Girl
4. World of Color
5. Lilo
6. Chip & Dale, Daisy Duck, Clarice
7. Mile 2 sign
8. Stitch with Hula Girl

The Disneyland Family 5K race was great as always.  This is the perfect race to begin your runDisney obsession.  You’ll never get bored with the course entertainment.  And the race course itself cannot be beat because it stays within the Disneyland Resort!  A race belt is not needed because water is plentiful!  The water stops were well staffed with happy, cheerful volunteers.  And the medallion and personalized bib were delightful!  Yes, the Disneyland 5k is expensive for a 5K, but I believe it is totally worth the expense – a great 5k in a location that cannot be beat!!!

Here’s a video recap of the race and be sure to check out Run All The Races.  What was your favorite part of the Disneyland 5K?