CJ T's Staging Area

This event is walker-friendly, and while you’re ostensibly placed in corrals based on estimated finish time, everyone 2:30 and up is kind of mixed in. If you don’t have proof of time for <2:30 (a recent race time) then you just get what you get as far as start placement. This means that a lot of runners get mixed in with a lot of walkers, most of whom either don't know or plainly ignore race etiquette. Things like walking in wide groups blocking parts of the course, not staying right, and so on, were prevalent.

The early part of the course was kind of cool since you get to run through both Disneyland and DCA. I will say, however, that it’s entirely pre-dawn and so the effect is somewhat blunted. Plus, there are tons of backstage areas on the course, which aren’t particularly interesting or magical. I guess if you aren’t running it seriously for time and want to stop and wait in lines for photo ops, that’s cool, but it wasn’t my plan. Different strokes and all that.

The course after the parks is just suburban Anaheim, pretty boring. There were occasional bands and DJs to liven it up, and running through the baseball stadium was kind of cool (if very slippery).

The aid stations were fine, nothing to rave about or complain about. I didn’t take food, but there were plenty of opportunities for water and powerade.

The finish line treatment was good, with plenty of snacks, fluids, and cooling towels, along with a handful of food trucks and photo areas and such. Swag is the usual – medal and a tech shirt. They have tons of other event merch for sale at the expo at Disneyland prices, if that’s your thing.

Overall, this is a mediocre race but a pretty good event. I wouldn’t sign up for this to PR, but if you like Disney and want to enjoy some Disney magic, it’s fun.