Begging you to read reviews, or one of the many many Running Disney books or blogs before you go…read more.. most people who complained had zero idea what to expect because they were unprepared. There are 25,000 people, mostly WALKERS, then joggers and very few actual runners coming to this and Disney has to organize them in a way that makes it possible for all to visit characters, get photos and experience the parks before they open. Stroll through this... my husband actually wore slip on shoes to the 5K.. take your photos and take in the park in the pre-dawn hours. I was in the very last corral so didn't start the race until 6:30am.. those at the back of my corral, probably closer to 7am. (You arrive here by 4:30 so it's a long wait) It really is amazing to enter Epcot early morn and soak it all in... dress up as your favorite character for the 5K, (it's harder to do if you're running the half marathon and still be comfortable), and greet the countries along your way.. they are out there to cheer you on! (Except japan? Who sent one tiny quiet person for both the 5K and 10k??). We were back at the Beach Club resort by 7:30 with our medals and my teenager was still asleep, lol If you're doing all three race days, make sure and stroll this one because the big one is worth every mile and you don't want to be on tired legs.

The 5k was labeled as a fun run and it sure was fun! The organization was superb from the expo…read morethrough race day! I ran it as part of the Dopey's Challenge. The race now falls on Thursday. The start and finish lines are located at the Epcot parking lot. When you first get there, you can go to the finish line area and check your gear bag if you have stuff to check. They encourage you not to check anything unless you absolutely need to since there will be security check for all bags. Then you can head to the starting corrals. They then release the corrals one at a time starting with corral A. The course itself was pretty much a loop of the parking lot and a loop around Epcot. It was a fun course. Nice and fast!

This has quickly become one of my "can't miss' half marathons!…read more Started in 2014, I've had the opportunity to run the last two years and love it! Relatively inexpensive. (About 65-95 for the half, depending on when you register). Pretty organized. Beautiful Celebration setting. Flat, fast course. Nice race swag. Great after-party! They offer a half and full option. Fair warning though- the Marathon is two loops of the same course, which would not keep me engaged! It's relatively easy to park on a Celebration side street and walk to the start. I've parked in the town hall lot the past two years and have done same-day packet pickup which is nice and easy! They give great race swag. 2015 featured a really cute Raw Threads t-shirt as well as a free Headsweats hat and some other small items. Being that I run Disney races somewhat often, it's hard to compete with the level of entertainment that Disney provides, but a little more would be nice. As one of the signs along the course acknowledged, "It's not Disney, but we didn't make you get up at 2AM"! :) They also didn't make me pay $300 so not a major complaint! One of my favorite things about this race is the post-race party. In addition to getting a nice medal, you are handed a punch card. Many of the local celebration businesses have tents set up and your punch card provides you a free sample of food! I enjoyed a slice of pizza from D'Antonios, beans and Rice from Columbia, and a spring roll from the Thai spot, amongst other things. Beer and mimosas are also provided! I really appreciate the inclusion of those offerings, above and beyond a banana (although those are available too). Since this year's race was a little chilly, they also had throwaway jackets available at the finish line which was really considerate. The live entertainment was also fantastic! I've greatly enjoyed this race the last two years and plan on continuing to participate in the future. Such a great time!

One of the best in Central Florida. I have run every…read moreCelebration Marathon (or half) since the inaugural race and this event is extremely well-done - especially when it is not a major event-team putting this on - it's a bunch of runners who love to race and it shows. * Packet pick-up is always very easy. The race director is cool with transfers up until the day before the race. * The expo is pretty well-diversified and it still has its "boutique" charm that gets lost at some of the larger races. * The Raw Threads shirts are always very nice. * The medals seem to get better every year. I also like that they always have a different medal for the half marathon and the full marathon (a lot of smaller races do not do this.) * The S.W.A.G. gets better every year, too. I remember getting a hat (either the first or 2nd year), a really thick beach towel (3rd year), a stainless steel insulated travel tumbler (4th), and a very thick, plush sherpa blanket this year for the 5-year anniversary. They always give away a bandana buff along with any items that are donated by the sponsors. If it is cold, throw-away hooded jackets or Mylar blankets are provided. * Parking can be tight on race-day morning but if you are able to car-pool and arrive early, it is not so bad. * The race provides ample port-o-lets so the lines are never too long and they've always been well-stocked with TP and sanitizer. * The water stations are well-stocked and well-manned so I've never had to wait in line: I can grab and go. Each station seems to have first-aid items available (petroleum jelly, bandages, Biofreeze, etc.) * The course is flat with the exception of one small bridge over water street in the first mile. * The course is well-marked and, any "course hazards" are marked with bright orange duct tape (uneven sidewalks, boardwalk boards, etc.) During long stretches outside of the neighborhoods, one of the sponsors has "mobile DJs" to provide music to keep the runners pumped up. Neighbors usually come out and play tunes over loud speakers or local musicians play music, too. * The support from the neighbors is great - it can get lonely on the 2nd loop of the marathon, so having the neighbors' support to cheer us on is appreciated. (keep an eye out for treats, too. It was a little warm in 2018 and I was dying for salt. To my delight, a generous neighbor had set out bowls of pretzels and Cheet-it snack crackers. ) * After the first year, the organizers have made sure to power-wash the boardwalk - the most beautiful parts of the course - so runners can enjoy the scenery rather than constantly watch their steps. * The best part of the race is the after-party. The area around the lake is filled with tents featuring post-race massage areas, a photo booth, and many post-race treats. At the finish line, all runners receive a card so they can go to these tents and get pizza, pancakes, black bean soup, garlic knots, beer, coffee, mimosas, pulled pork sandwiches, etc. (there is more, but you get the idea.) I will run this race as long as they choose to put it on. NOTE - the marathon can get a little lonely on the second loop, but I've PR'd it 2 of the three years that I ran it.

The Central Florida version of this race, held at the Wide World of Sports Complex on the grounds…read moreof Disney, is no less than an awesome event. It was well organized despite its size and still managed to be impressive, heartfelt and most of all, fun. Having participated only in Charlotte's Race last year I wasn't sure what to expect from Orlando. But once my boyfriend and I arrived, I was relieved to know it would be just as good if not better. The parking wasn't a problem and many volunteers were on hand to make sure we were all guaranteed a spot in the early morning hours of Race day. And thankfully, they held hours the day before for people who wanted to pick up their registration packets early. If you have the time to do so, I would highly recommend it since it shaves off time the morning of the Race. "Goody Row" was just as present this year as it was last year and featured various sponsors handing out pink items relating to their product or service. For example, Thomas brand baked goods handed out pink wrist bands and Mueller's Pasta gave hot pink pasta kitchen utensils. A local radio stations was there as well as a local news station which broadcasted live--incidentally it caused the race to run about 30 minutes behind. Despite the timing setback, it was enjoyed by all the participants and the survivors who were there. People wore special outfits, donned bright pink wigs, and walked/ran in honor of someone they know who has been affected. We were corraled into 3 groups, the first being a one mile run/walk. The second, where we chose to be, was a timed and competitive 5K run/walk, and the last was the fun run/walk 5K. Throughout the course they had real cheerleaders and other volunteers cheering us on. They also had water stops and large speakers playing upbeat and lively music to keep us going. Each mile was clearly marked which is also very helpful as far as motivation goes. The finish line was lined with happy and clapping people who had either just completed the race themselves or were supporting other participants. Overall, it was clear that everyone was happy to be there regardless of the reason. I would highly suggest to anyone remotely interested to go ahead and sign up for 2009's Race. You'll be so glad that you did.

This 2017 event was an exciting one for us! We are Death Star, Dark siders, Darth Vader homie…read moreriders til we die. Earlier this year we completed the Light Side 1/2 at Disneyland which set us up for this adventure: The Dark Side 1/2 at WDW. Loved it all except I would have to say that the merchandise set up and bib pick up is a bit more convenient in CA The run itself is much more challenging here but totally worth it! Next stop ... you'll see :)

*Expo* It's located at the ESPN Wide World of Sports…read more There's plenty of parking if you're driving there. Or if you're staying at one of the Disney resorts, you can take the runDisney event shuttles. This expo is probably the most well organized race expo that you'll ever attend. Sure it's crowded, but Disney knows how to move people efficiently. First you pick up your bib at the HP Field House. Then you head over to the Jostens Center to pick up your race shirts and see the many vendor booths. Most people will be in the official merchandise area trying to pick up some cool runDisney merchandise. *Pre-race* If you want to take pictures with Star Wars characters with cool backdrops, get to the staging area as early as possible! The characters will be at the finish line area as well, but you'll be pretty sweaty and gross after covering 13.1 miles! *Course* The course for the inaugural year started at the Epcot parking lot where we ran about a mile before going inside Epcot for about a 3/4 clockwise loop of the worlds. We then ran through the Boardwalk and headed towards Hollywood Studios. After a short run through that park, we made our way to the Animal Kingdom. We covered a great deal of the parking lot before entering the park. Then we headed towards the finish line at the ESPN Wide World of Sports. *Post-race* If you ran the dark side challenge, they will check to see if you are the person that picked up the bib before giving you the bonus medal. If you also ran the Star Wars Light Side Half Marathon earlier in the year, you will have to show them your bracelet that they had put on you at the expo in order to get the Kessel Run medal. After getting your medal(s), you get a bottle of water and Powerade. After taking an optional post race photo, they will give you a banana and a box of snacks. If you can't carry everything, most likely the friendly volunteers at the gear check area will give you a plastic bag. *Overall* If you love Star Wars and you love running, you should run this race! You can run it fast and still enjoy the Star Wars atmosphere or you can take it easy and take photos with characters all along the course... just beware of the balloon (Death Star) ladies! You'll want to stay in front of them!

The energy The people…read moreInspiring stories The personalized tee shirts and costumes The fun!!! The medals! So glad Track Shack has done it again--managed to organize thousands of people together to run and walk. The excitement and energy is always wonderful. Packet pickup for 2013 race was a true fustercluck since the few parking spots at the track shack were being used for clearance items. Otherwise, this was a well organized race that took us through the Mills 50 area, giving me the opportunity to take a look at businesses and neighborhoods I would have never have walked through otherwise. Sponsors and promotions for future events were on site afterward. Loved the free smoothies!

Great race! Anytime a 5k is chip timed, it's a plus. Then when you add on a medal, it gets even…read morebetter. Throw in a free beer, and I'm sold! This race was great. Not to big, not too small. I look forward to running it again next year

*Pre-race* Get to the staging area early if you want to take…read morepre-race photos with the Star Wars characters. For their inaugural year, they had Boba Fett, Jabba, Darth Maul, Darth Vader, Captain Phasma, BB-8, Rathtar, and First Order Stormtroopers. There will be cast members there to warn you when it's time to shut down the character lines and for the runners to start heading to the corrals. Runners are not released to the corrals until the time specified in the runner's guide. You are surrounded by a perimeter of portapotties while you wait. Off to the side of the corrals are a line of portapotties in case you need to go again right before the race. *The course* This is a point to point race course that starts from Epcot and finishes at the ESPN Wide World of Sports. Along the way you'll run through Hollywood Studios before running on some roads, highways, and even half a mile of dirt road as you head towards the finish line. The dirt road section was pretty cool since it also had a lot of tree covering. You could pretend that you're running on Endor. *Post-race* They give you a bottle of water, a bottle of Powerade, a banana, and a snack box. You can also take a picture in front of a backdrop. In case you missed the photo opportunities before the race, they've transported all of the dioramas and the characters to the finish line. If you stayed on Disney Resort, find the number that corresponds to your hotel and get in line for a shuttle. They also have shuttles back to Epcot if you've parked at the start. *Overall* If you're a fan of Star Wars and remotely interested in running, you should definitely run this race, the half marathon, or both as The Dark Side Challenge! It's actually pretty cool to see some of your fellow runner's costumes. Some people are really creative! I'm planning to run this race as often as possible!

Streak the Cove is a clothing-option 5k that takes place at the beautiful Cypress Cove Nudist…read moreResort in Kissimmee. I ran the race this past Sunday and let me just say that it was quite an experience. The 150+ person race was made up of individuals from 13 states across the southern US and, you guessed it, about 75% ran it nude, including myself. When in Rome, right? The race itself was well organized. I pulled into the complex and gave them my name at the gate. The friendly staff directed me to parking and packet pick-up. The small race meant pack pick-up was breeze and really just consisted of giving my name, receiving a bracelet, and picking up a shirt (yes, even nude racers get shirts!). The shirt was made of a super-soft cotton and came in a fun color and design. I was impressed. Since this was a "fun" nude race, there were no chip timers and no race bibs. They do offer bottles of wine to the top 20 female and male finishers, but none of the results are saved or posted online to protect runners' privacy. The 8:30 start was a bit late for a Florida race in May, but the shady course helped protect everyone. They do HIGHLY recommend wearing sunscreen for this race. Even though a majority of the field is doing the race in the buff, that does not mean there aren't serious runner out there. The front of the pack was fast and I struggled to keep it. I held my own for the first part but the chafing for the best of me (naked running rookie mistake). Even so, the course was great and the resort's nudist residents who came to cheer us on were amazing. The two laps went quick and I finished in 24:26 - my first official naked PR. I might not have set any crazy speed records, but I did come in at a fast enough time to earn a shiny bottle of wine. The race festivities concluded with a post-race poolside celebration and awards ceremony.

This was my 2nd year doing this race. Elite Yelper Pam H. is a proud UCF alum and convinced me to…read moredo the 2 miler last year. We had a great time and she gave me an awesome tour of the campus. If I was from here, I could totally see myself going to college here. The school spirit is infectious! Anyways, fast forward to 2014 and I signed up with a bunch of friends. I decided to be a little bit more ambitious and do the 5 miler even though I stopped running in the spring and just got darn right lazy come summertime. You can also do the "distance dare" which means completing both races for a medal. Registration and packet pickup were a breeze. And parking wasn't even an issue either. Make sure to read your race packet paperwork for which garages you can park in which are free. The race takes you throughout the campus and around Brighthouse stadium. I did a mix of running and walking . It was a mix of all fitness levels , people of all ages and there was never any judgment. There were several water stations along the way with students really cheering us on! Loved the women with the cowbells too! And the UCF Glee club performing to "Happy" really pepped up my step! They even had a DJ set up towards the end of the race really pumping up those jams! At the end, you feel like a superstar because there are photogs taking your photos and the announcer even recites everyone's names as you cross the finish line! I like that it's not just for the top performers. And you can access your race time right away! There's your usual afterparty with music, several booths catering to running, health and fitness. There are also complimentary bottles of water and snacks like bananas and popsicles! I really enjoy this race and think this will be a yearly tradition!

I did this event for the first time in 2013. It was the very first time I'd ever run five miles…read morestraight in my life! I think it'll always hold a special place in my heart because, after that, I completed my first Spartan Race & half marathon just a few months after! Aside from that, I am a proud UCF alum and the campus is beautiful, therefore making for a great place to run! Whether you want to step out of your comfort zone and challenge yourself or you're a seasoned runner, I think it's a great event for people of all ages and walks of life!