Disney half marathon, disney marathon 2010, disney half marathon 2010, walt disney world marathon,

Runners from all over the world are making their way to Orlando, FL as Walt Disney World Marathon weekend is upon us with a whole slate of races on tap from Friday, January 8 to Sunday, January 10.  More than 55,000 runners are registered to compete in one of the races - making it one of the largest running weekends in the country (second only to Arizona’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon weekend in 2009).  In addition, there are new ticketed events this year including a carb-loading pasta dinner at Epcot on Thursday, January 7.  The “Pasta in the Park Party” includes a pasta buffet at the World ShowPlace Pavilion and special seating to view “IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth”.  Also new is a private post-race party at Disney’s Hollywood Studios called the “Victory Lap Celebration” that includes a DJ, Disney Characters, cash bar, food vendors, and access to attractions.  For those wanting a course preview, I include a mile by mile account of my running of the Walt Disney World Half Marathon in 2009 after the break.  Continue on to read more about this year’s event, and listen while I participate in the race.Race day comes early at Disney.  3:00… 3:00… am… and I was awake.  No, not because I could not sleep the night before the race.  It was because the starting gun goes off at 5:40 am, and runners are required to board the buses by 4:00 am to get from your resort to the starting line at Epcot.  Usually around this time in the morning you start wondering, “Why did I sign myself up for this?”  By 4:00 am I was dressed and ready to head out the door for the starting line.