For those who know runDisney races, know that they start super early. This trip we were staying offsite and driving in for each race, so we typically left our hotel about 4AM each morning.
One of my favorite parts about Disney races is that many people dress up as their favorite Disney characters. For the 5K, I decided to go with Kevin from Up.
Even though this is in central Florida, it was January, and the weather is very unpredictable. Sometimes it is very warm, but this weekend it was freezing! I would much rather run in the cold than the hot, so I didn’t mind, but this meant extra layers were needed.
The 5K starts right outside Epcot in the parking lot. The race started at 5:30, so about 5 we were lined up in our corral, ready to go.
Disney races are special in that every single corral gets their very own fireworks race start. So every couple minutes, fireworks are going off until everyone has started the race.
The first mile or so of the 5K goes through part of the parking lot and through a backstage road, leading to the side of Epcot.
Just over a mile into the race, we entered Epcot via the pathway backstage between Mexico and Norway. They had a Coco setup on the side of Mexico and a few Norwegian vikings waiting for pictures once we entered the park.
We then made our way through the countries, with Disney music playing and a few other character stops.
We exited Epcot at the International Gateway, ran through backstage areas a bit, then made our way back in, between the UK and Canada. Getting our full tour of the World as the sun was rising.
The last half mile or so takes you through the front part of Epcot, around Spaceship Earth, and through a side exit back into the parking lot.
With that, the first race of the Dopey Challenge was completed!
It's a Magical Life 