This specially created milestone medal features a double spinner, not one but two iconic images of Mickey Mouse, and a pair of classic Walt Disney quotes worthy of a 20th Anniversary. To see this unique design come to life, check out the medal reveal video that was part of “The Great Medal Caper.”

Don’t miss the opportunity to earn this commemorative medal by registering for the Marathon (82% Full). And there is still time to register for the Half Marathon (73% Full), which features an all–new Donald Duck finisher medal, or Goofy’s Race and a Half Challenge (88% Full).

And don’t forget the ultimate runners experience by upgrading to the Runner’s World Challenge which includes Disney Resort accommodations, VIP runner amenities and training with Runner’s World experts.

The post 20TH ANNIVERSARY WALT DISNEY WORLD MARATHON WEEKEND PRESENTED BY CIGNA JANUARY 10–13, 2013 appeared first on WDW Radio - Your Walt Disney World Information Station by Lou Mongello.

Runners competing in the 20^th anniversary Walt Disney World Marathon – registration opens today - will experience several unique features, including a special 20^th anniversary medal, new entertainment elements and a new post-race party.

To mark two decades of the Walt Disney World Marathon, the 2013 marathon, which anchors the Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend presented by Cigna, will have enhanced entertainment at Mile Marker 20 to celebrate the 20^th anniversary. And the finishers will take home a specially-designed 20^th anniversary Mickey Mouse medal, plus they can celebrate their achievement at a new post-race party at Downtown Disney.

The marathon weekend, which is expected to draw a sellout field of more than 20,000 for the 26.2-mile marathon, is Jan. 10-13 and will again feature Kids’ Races throughout the weekend, including the Mickey Mile, a Family Fun Run 5K on Friday, the Half Marathon on Saturday and the Marathon on Sunday.  There is also Goofy’s Race and a Half Challenge which involves running the Half Marathon and the full Marathon – 39.3 miles!  The Health and Fitness Expo runs throughout the weekend at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex and features the latest in running technology and fashion, as well as renowned running experts like Jeff Galloway, the official training consultant for runDIsney.

Runners can register at www.rundisney.com.  There is reduced pricing for early registrants.  Below is pricing and the schedule of events for the 2013 Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend presented by Cigna.

The post 20th Anniversary Walt Disney World Marathon Registration Opens With New Elements Ahead! appeared first on WDW Radio - Your Walt Disney World Information Station by Lou Mongello.

After I finished the 2012 Walt Disney World Marathon I waddled very slowly back through Epcot, around the Boardwalk to my room at the Beach Club. I was one gigantic ache. Nothing and I mean nothing about me felt good physically. There was one thing that offset the pain, and that was the mental victory I earned. It wasn’t pretty, but I finished 26.2 miles with hardly any sleep, very little fuel in my tank and a complete lack of preparation. I knew that my lack of careful planning was evidence of the clear fact that I have a ton to learn.

So here are some quick takeaways for those of you that are planning to run the Walt Disney World Marathon in the future:

1) Time your sleep properly. I know that sounds simple … but with this marathon, it’s not. And here’s why: buses begin to run from the Disney resorts at 3am to bring runners to the starting line. This means that alarm clocks are ringing all over on-property resorts beginning at around 2am. Nope- that’s not a typo. 2a.m. That means, in order to get a decent account of sleep, you need to hit the hay by 7pm. At the latest. AT WALT DISNEY WORLD. How hard it THAT??? I mean COME ON!! Extra magic hours, Illuminations, fireworks, Fantasmic tons of reasons to stay up late and stay on your feet. Somehow, you have to resist the temptation to ride Space Mountain at 10pm.

2)Time your meals properly. I know another easy thing to do or so it seems. Trying to get to bed by 7pm on a Saturday evening at Walt Disney World is difficult enough. Buttryeatingdinner at 4-5pm the evening (or late afternoon?) before race day. Oy. But 4-5pm for dinner is about the right timing to follow in order to be able to get a good night’s sleep and ready to go at 3am. Oy. I called Dominos at 8pm and the rest is history.

3)Have an actual game plan for race day. Let me clarify: have an actual game plan that is more than just make sure my iPhone is fully charged so that I can take pictures all morning. Tried that game plan, and it for a lack of a better term stunk. Review the course map before race day and picture yourself running it. Establish goals or targets in your head that you will run to. Prepare yourself mentally for the 26.2 mile stress test.

Have a game plan. Get to sleep on time. Time your meals properly. Three tiny recommendations to help you succeed during your attempt at the most magical 26.2 you’ll ever run. Until next time! Make sure you double-knot your shoe laces, get out there and get moving!

A self-proclaimed Disney nerd, Joe Kolinsky also is a running enthusiast. He has completed over 10 marathonsand run5 Disney races (including the 2009 Goofy Challenge). When he is not running or dreaming of his next Disney vacation, Joespends his spare time being a Dad and writing. (You can follow his writings in his blog, entitled €œBuilt for Comfort, Not Speed at http://backofthepacker.wordpress.com/)

The post Running Disney: The Aftermath appeared first on WDW Radio - Your Walt Disney World Information Station by Lou Mongello.

Mike “AV” Beckerman and Steve “The Kitchen Sinkanator” Drew are up for the challenge of POSSIBLY wearing TuTus for the Princess Marathon weekend “Royal Family 5K” Race

How can we make them dress like sissy Girly Men you ask?

( Yes, More Girly than this!!!)

If you, the Box People and Disney online community ban together to raise $500.00 in donations to The Dream Team Project, they will be sporting Pink TuTus.

Wait! There’s more….. If you can take that donation total to the next level, $1000.00 We will have them also sport Tiaras and/or some other type of embarrassing princess type headwear. (Think evil step-sisters)

Could there be even more???? You guessed it! If $2500.00 is raised there is a surprise level that is only identified as “Valerie & Beci’s choice” (insert evil laugh here)

To make your donation, visit our secure fundraising page at the Make-A-Wish Foundation web site . When making your donation, please include in your comments “In support of Princesses Mike & Steve”

Now remember, we have until February 24th to get the donations in.

On race day, our other team members will make sure they get their photos taken will as many princes and princesses as possible.

Help us help them raise donations to send more children to Walt Disney World through the Dream Team Project

The post The Men of WDW Radio Running Team “Royal Family 5K” Challenge appeared first on WDW Radio - Your Walt Disney World Information Station by Lou Mongello.