The 2018 edition of the Dopey Challenge is complete…so time to kick off my race reports!
After three rounds of the Goofy Challenge in 2008, 2013 and 2015 I finally decided to register for my first Dopey Challenge in 2018. Between it being the 25th anniversary of the marathon, the 5th anniversary of the Dopey Challenge, and the year I turn 40, this seemed like a perfect celebration.
Pre-Race Rambles
The weather for the majority of the weekend was looking cold, so I picked up a fleece robe from Target for $17 for a warm pre-race layer. While I had packed some cold weather options like a pair of capris, long sleeve shirts and throw away gloves I hadn’t packed a running jacket, a toque or any kind of outerwear. I improvised by layering, wearing the Dopey Challenge hat I picked up at the expo, and using my Oiselle Lux Runfinity Scarf as a neck gaiter. At the start of the 5K it was 1C, but felt like -2C with a wind chill advisory in place. Brr!!
My goal for the 5K was to take things as easy as possible and to have fun. I also hoped to stop for as many character photos as possible! I just made it into my corral as they were sending us to the start line, and so began the wait as the announcers sent every corral off in mini-waves a few minutes apart. I wore my robe as long as possible, and was luckily able to pass it off to Neil in the spectator stands just after the start line.
Walt Disney World 5K Race Report
The first mile of the 5K is through the EPCOT parking lot and along backstage roads. Around the one mile mark I spotted the first character stop, Chip and Dale. Their line was really long so I kept moving forward. Entering World Showcase in the dark is always fun. Each showcase is lit up and music from different Disney movies was playing along the route.
I also bypassed the line for Jiminy Cricket in Italy, but decided to make a stop for the Genie in Morocco.
Horace the Horse was out by The Land!
After saying bye to Horace it was time to head past Spaceship Earth and towards the finish line.
I crossed the finish line feeling like I’d achieved my goal of running as easily as possible and making the most of the course through EPCOT. Unfortunately the 5K feels a lot more crowded than it used to be and character lines are getting longer and longer.
As soon as I crossed the finish line I found Neil so I could get my warm, snuggly robe back from him. I grabbed a heat sheet, a box of snacks, and chugged a chocolate milk for some quick recovery fuel. It was now time to start preparing for the 10K!
