Tinker Bell Half Marathon Weekend in Disneyland takes flight tomorrow! This women-centered race weekend is taking place over Mother’s Day Weekend this year and is going to be full of fairy mischief and fun.
This race weekend is jam packed with events, so let’s get to the details! (I apologize in advance for a few of the images and diagrams from runDisney that are not very clear.)
Health & Fitness Expo
Your weekend will begin with a trip to the Health & Fitness Expo at the Disneyland Hotel and the hours are as follows:
- Thursday, May 7th: 10:00 am – 8:00 pm
- Friday, May 8th: 10:00 am – 8:00 pm
- Saturday, May 9th: 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
All race participants MUST attend the expo to turn in signed waivers (click here to print your waiver) and pick up race packets, which include your race bib with B-Tag timing devices, race shirt(s), and gEAR bag. The gEAR bag also doubles as the bag to use for bag check during the race. This is also where you will receive any commemorative items you may have purchased during registration, like Dooney & Bourke bags. Have you seen the new Tink designs for 2015??
When you arrive at the expo, your first stop will be the Lower Exhibit Hall for Packet Pick Up. Remember that you can no longer have someone pick up your packet for you. Everyone MUST turn in a waiver, show ID and pick up their own packet.
You will then proceed to the Upper Exhibit Hall to pick up your race shirt(s) and gEAR bag, visit with vendors, listen to the speaker series, and spend all your money on runDisney merchandise. If you haven’t heard, Margaret Kelly, the woman behind the pixie dust of Tinker Bell, will be presenting during the speaker series. That is not to be missed!
If you are hoping to get a pair of the exclusive shoes from the New Balance runDisney collection, including the new Tinker Bell Fresh Foam Boracay, make sure to sign up the morning of the Expo at NBvirtualqueue.com.
Resort Transportation
If you are staying at one of the Disneyland Resorts, you will simply be able to walk to the both the Expo and the Starting Line for each race.
If you are staying at a Good Neighbor hotel, there will be complimentary Anaheim Transportation Network (ART) shuttles for the entire weekend for runners and spectators. This doesn’t just include during race time…it is COMPLIMENTARY ALL WEEKEND, May 7-10. Make sure to get a pass from one of the drivers…this is a BIG bonus and will save you a lot of time and money! The shuttles make stops around every 20 minutes, so plan your trip accordingly. The schedule will be extended to the following times:
- Thursday, May 7th: 8:20 am – 9:30 pm
- Friday, May 8th: 3:00 am – 12:30 am
- Saturday, May 9th: 3:30 am – 12:30 am
- Sunday, May 10th: 3:30 am – 12:30 am
Here is a map of the Good Neighbor Hotel locations:
Driving Directions
Parking will be available in the Mickey & Friends Parking Structure located on Disneyland Drive and Ball Road for all weekend events. Standard parking rates will apply and there are no discounts for runners. Roads will be closing beginning at 5:00 am on race days and there will be numerous detours that will be set up. Make sure to leave enough time for traffic delays!
Costumes
Wings, wings and more wings! Get ready for the fairies to descend upon Disneyland. I love to see all the fun costumes so make sure to share yours. Please note that runners are NOT allowed to wear a face mask of any kind and will be removed from the course if this is violated. So who are you dressing up as??
Bag Check
Participants must use the clear bag provided at the expo to check any belongings during the race and affix the label with their bib number on the outside. The bag check tents are located in the Family Reunion Area in the Simba parking lot. All bags must be checked by 5:15 am prior to the 10K and half marathon before heading to your corrals. Bags can be picked up at the same location following the race. Your bib number is your “claim ticket.”
For the 5K, bag check will be in the picnic area outside of the entrance to Disneyland Park. All bags must be checked by 4:45 am prior to the race.
Start Corrals
The start corrals for the 10K and half marathon are located on Disneyland Drive adjacent to the Simba lot and near Paradise Pier Hotel. For each race, your corral will be listed on your race bib and you will only be granted access to that corral or the one behind you. You can find your corral placement by printing you waiver and finding the corresponding corral for your bib number. Corral placement for the 5K & 10K will be available at packet pick-up.
Tinker Bell 10K
Tinker Bell Half Marathon & Pixie Dust Challenge
Starting Times
The Never Land 5K will begin at 5:00 and the Tinker Bell 10K and Half Marathon will begin at 5:30 am. The wheelchair start for the half marathon will be at 5:29 am on Sunday, May 10th. Runners are encouraged to arrive to the staging area no later than one hour prior to the race start time and be in your assigned corrals no later than 30 minutes prior.
Race Bibs
Bibs must be centered on the front of your shirt. Safety pins will be provided in your race packet at the expo. Do not bend or fold your bib as the Chrono Track B-tag will be affixed to the back of the bib which will be used to track your time. If your bib is not properly centered, damaged or covered, your time may not be recorded properly, or more importantly you won’t get any photos!
If you are competing in the Pixie Dust Challenge, you will have one race bib for both the 10K and the Half Marathon, so make sure to take good care of it!
Pacing Requirements
Remember that you must keep a minimum pace of 16-minutes per mile throughout the race or you will run the risk of being picked up and brought to the finish line. Pace cyclists and the dreaded balloon ladies will be on the course to let you know if you have fallen behind. Keep this in mind if you are planning to stop for character photos. Those lines can get long and it’s easy to lose track of time.
Pixie Dust Challenge Participants
If you are participating in this challenge, you will receive a wristband after finishing the Tinker Bell 10K on Saturday at the Pixie Dust Challenge tent. This must be worn while running the Tinker Bell Half Marathon. After completing the Tinker Bell Half Marathon on Sunday, you will need to present this wristband at the same tent to receive your medal.
Coast to Coast Challenge Participants
If you are participating in this challenge, you will receive a wristband when you pick up your bib at the Health & Fitness Expo. A runDisney official will put this on for you and it can not be taken off until you complete the Tinker Bell Half Marathon. After completing the race, you will need to present this wristband at the Coast to Coast tent to receive your medal.
If you ran the Princess Half Marathon in February at Walt Disney World, you will receive the special PINK Coast to Coast medal!
Course Maps
From what I hear since I’ve never participated in this race weekend, these are the best courses of all the races held in Disneyland. What do you think?
Never Land 5K
Tinker Bell 10K
Tinker Bell Half Marathon
More information on other events like the Kids Races and the Pasta in the Park Party is available on the runDisney website and in the Official Event Guide for the weekend. Also, check out some of my packing tips as you get ready to travel.
Finally, if you will be out in Disneyland, I am still looking for some contributors to cover the events of the weekend. Race recaps, spectator stories, Expo coverage, other weekend events, you name it…I want to hear about it! Email me at sarah@runningatdisney.com if you are interested. Also, please tag me in your photos from the weekend on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram…I will share them all weekend.
