The Inaugural Castaway Cay Challenge 5k took place yesterday morning on Disney’s beautiful private island. Over 700 runners took to the beautiful course surrounded by lush tropical landscape, rolling waves, and an island breeze (well, some days!)
Any cruise that sails to the island has had a 5k in recent years, but this is the first time you could run a runDisney race in Walt Disney World, the follow immediately with a Disney Cruise Line cruise. If you completed a race at WDW and the Castaway 5k, you would also get the challenge medal, which is absolutely beautiful! (Please note you have to register for this challenge!)
The cruise is on the beautiful Disney Dream, for four nights as it sails to the Bahamas. The ship left from Port Canaveral, FL on Monday. Runners also have access to special speakers, merchandise, and activities all surrounding the Castaway Challenge.
There will be another Castaway Cay Challenge 5k following on the heels of the runDisney Princess half marathon weekend next month. Space is still available for this challenge, check out runDisney.com for details on registration.
I do hope runDisney and Disney Cruise Line continue this partnership with more races, as I would love to be able to participate! Who doesn’t want to relax on a Bahamian cruise after running hard at a runDisney event?
QOTD: What are your thoughts on this challenge? Is this something you would like to participate in?
I hope they do it for Wine and Dine!
Oh I would LOVE to do the Castaway Challenge one day!!!
With 4 race weekends at Disneyland, maybe Disney Cruise needs a Castaway Cay island on the west coast too.
I would love to participate, but Disney cruises are so expensive!
They are but totally worth it! You def. get what you pay for. They are amazing.
Can’t wait! This event looks like SO much fun!!
I JUST GOT BACK!!!!!! It was a lot of fun, and rD was on board all week. They also had a QnA session. At this time, there are NO PLANS to do any more of the CC5K Challenges after Princess. They may re-evaluate after feedback from us and the Princess crew. So if you want in on this Challenge, DO IT NOW for Princess, or your magical moment may have passed!!! They redid the regular 5K medallions, and you will continue to be able to get those for the normal CC5K. Find me on Facebook for more pictures, and I do plan on blogging about my time there!!!! I am glad I did this!!! Disney Cruise Line is far, far, far superiour to any other cruise line out there!! You absolutely get what you pay for!!
I”m so excited they are finally changing the medals. I have 5 of the plastic ones at least! A lot of people who got the marathon weekend survey after that race said one of the questions was about interest in doing this after Wine and Dine, so I hope the keep it up!
I always tell my clients that about DCL when they get sticker shock, you DO get what you pay for!
Sure hope they continue this challenge series!! Everything I’ve read, so far, states nothing is in the works for future CC challenge runs after Princess wknd! Hubby and I did 2013 WDW race and cruise. Also, 2014 TOT race and cruise. So, technically, I’ve completed this twice. 😉
Sure would enjoy the “official” bling….. ** fingers crossed **