inaugural disney castaway cay challenge

source

Yesterday, runDisney announced on their blog a new challenge during the Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend in January, 2015. I had heard rumors that they were moving Tinker Bell weekend because runDisney was planning something regarding a cruise that would be enticing to runners after their WDW Marathon Weekend experience.

This inaugural event will combine any eligible race during the WDW Marathon weekend (eligible races include: 5k, 10k, half marathon, marathon or either Goofy or Dopey Challenges) with the Castaway Cay 5k during your cruise on the Disney Dream, leaving from Port Canaveral, Florida on Monday, January 12 (the day after the marathon). If you complete both races within the pacing requirements (which is a 16 minute per mile pace for all athletes), you will earn the Inaugural Castaway Cay Challenge Medal in addition to the WDW Marathon Weekend and Castaway Cay 5k finisher medals.

Challenge registration opens on Friday, May 23 at Noon ET. You must enter your cruise reservation number in order to register. Additionally, you will need to book your January 12, 2015 Disney Dream 4-Night Bahamian Cruise separately through Disney Cruise Line. Disney recommends that you register for your Disney cruise PRIOR to registering for the Castaway Cay Challenge, and your cruise reservations must be booked by August 1, 2014, or your Challenge  Reservation will be forfeited.


As seen on runDisney's page:

Castaway Cay 5K Highlights

• 3.1 mile course through Disney Castaway Cay, Disney Cruise Lines’ private island in the Bahamas
• Course runs past sparkling lagoons, the harbor, and white sandy beaches
• Surprise Disney magical moments and entertainment on-course

Castaway Cay Participants Receive:

• Castaway Cay Challenge Inaugural Event T-Shirt
• Commemorative Castaway Cay 5K Finisher Medallion
• Commemorative  Inaugural Castaway Cay Challenge Finisher Medal for participating in one Walt Disney World® Marathon Weekend 5K or longer event PLUS the Castaway Cay 5K
• Post-race refreshments
• Exciting Activities and access to Special Merchandise on board Disney Cruise Line
• Featured Healthy Menu Options on board Disney Cruise Line

Go to Disneycruise.com to book your January 12th, 2015 cruise aboard the Disney Dream today, then register for the Castaway Cay Challenge on Active.com on May 23 at Noon EST. Use the promotional code RUN at the time of booking your Disney Cruise Line vacation. Be sure to enter your Cruise reservation number when registering for the race. 

Be sure to note that the number of registrations for the Castaway Cay 5k are limited and subject to availability. So if this is something you're interested in, I wouldn't wait to book your cruise and be ready for registration on May 23.

How awesome does this sound?! As a runDisney addict and medal junkie, this is just begging for me to register. I mean, adding on two more medals, after (hopefully) earning the six from Dopey?! Swoon. However, I don't think I can afford it after already shelling out the money for Dopey and all of the hotel days that will include, plus getting that extra time off of work might be difficult. Sometimes, I really wish money grew on trees ;) I've only ever been on one cruise, but I had the time of my life. I would LOVE to include this Disney Dream cruise as part of my runcation, but really don't see how I could swing it... But anyway...

For more detailed information, check out the runDisney Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend event page.

Do you plan on registering? Are you already booked on this cruise? Do you plan on adding this new challenge to your itinerary? Did you want to donate money to me, so I can go? ;)