For the bling of course!
In April 2016, runDisney announced their first ever virtual 5K (3.1 miles) running series, called the 2016 runDisney Virtual Running Shorts Series, that would include three runs: 
Yellow Shoe (May 15 – June 1), Red Pants (June 5 – 18), and White Glove (June 19 – 30). The 3.1 miles could be on a course of the runner’s choosing. Of course you did not need to be a runner to sign up, as many participants walked the 5K. You were able to sign up for individual runs or you could do all three as a series. They were a little pricey, but runDisney will be donating a portion of the proceeds to The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. The registration cost was $39 for each individual run or $142 for the series. What do you get for the entry fee? Bling of course! For each of the runs, participants will be mailed a finisher medal unique to each run. If you complete the series you not only get the three individual medals, but also a series finisher medal and a Mickey tumbler! However you had to sign up for the series to get the extra goodies, instead of signing up for each individual run separately. Proof of run was not required, but they did ask runners to share their experiences at #runDisneyShorts. Like other runDisney events this new virtual running series did sell out.
To me the prices sounded ok and comparable to local 5K’s plus the medals and Mickey tumbler sounded cool to add to my runDisney collection. I decided to do the series as it fit perfectly into my Dopey Challenge 2017 training which was to begin on June 28. Plus digital race bibs could be downloaded and customized with your name and then printed.
As a member of the WDW Radio Running Team I was excited to see that other members would be running these as well. There was an agreement to try to run on the same day, wearing our WDW Radio Running Team shirts if we could, and then posting pictures of our accomplishments on the group Facebook page.
The Yellow Shoe
The first run, Yellow Shoe, was no problem and took place close to my finishing the Pixie Dust Challenge at the Tinker Bell Half Marathon Weekend at Disneyland in early May. It was still nice outside in Northern Ohio so it was easy to run the 3.1 miles.
The Red Pants
The Red Pants 5K was a little tougher to accomplish as early June was quite busy at our house with my son Andrew‘s graduation, a six day trip to Walt Disney World with my youngest daughter Lydia, plus a graduation party to host. But, I did get in the 3.1 miles on the treadmill one day.
The White Glove
The final run in the series, White Glove, was another fun run for me. My daughter Mabel rode her bike next to me to help pass the time. I am of the belief of running at a conversational pace, so this was perfect.
As you can see this first Virtual Running Shorts Series by runDisney was a fun way to get the miles in during the summer. I am so glad I was able to share my accomplishments with the WDW Radio Running Team and to see how others did as well. The encouragement from this running team is fabulous. Some ran with their children, or even pushed a stroller on a 3.1 mile walk, plus others just did some crazy fast running. It was fun to see the members from not only the United States, but Canada and the United Kingdom as well participating in this fun running series. I am looking forward to future runDisney Virtual Running Series, how about you?
Thank you fellow WDW Radio Running Team members for being in my story!
For more information on the WDW Radio Running Team please watch for my future blog posts.
Did you participate? I can’t wait to hear your stories in the comments below.
(Virtual runDisney Shorts medal photo, running shorts logo and bib deisgn ©runDisney. WDW Radio Running Team logo ©WDW Radio. WDW Radio Running Team member photos belong to: Jeannette Ayoob Urban, Rick Doherty, Katelyn Myroniak, Stephanie Gauthier, Emma Godbold, Lisa Glassner, Donna Milligan, Joe Palumbo, Brett Baudoin, Laura Fry, Mandy Hart, Alyson Ramos Miller, Jeff Carmichael, and Beth Hoese Thompson. Other photos are from Vanessa Prince’s personal collection.)
Vanessa has been going to Walt Disney World since 1971. She is happy that her three children and husband enjoy Disney as much as she does. Vanessa is an Annual Passholder, a member of Disney Vacation Club, Platinum Castaway Club, WDW Radio Running Team and a runDisney participant. Her son Andrew writes Disney on Wheels for the WDW Radio blog. When she is not at Disney she is a stay at home mom and uses her masters in marketing background to raise money for her children’s schools. Vanessa also enjoys planning her next trip home to anywhere Disney.
The post Why run a runDisney Virtual Running Shorts 5K Series? appeared first on WDW Radio - Your Walt Disney World Information Station by Lou Mongello.