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Sailing on a Dream for a Castaway Cay Challenge

I love sailing on a Disney Cruise Line ship. I have sailed on the Magic (once) and Dream (twice including this cruise). There is nothing like it and I recommended it to all. Sailing on a Disney Cruise Line ship after completing the Walt Disney World Marathon is great.

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After my experience of completing 26.2 miles, where you can read about that here, rest was highly welcomed. And being a runDisney “get all the bling” person, I signed up for the 2016 Castaway Cay Challenge with BFF Sara. This challenge required doing a race during the 2016 Walt Disney World Marathon weekend, cruising on the Dream departing 1/11/16, and participating in the Castaway Cay 5k on the island, Castaway Cay. For those of you not familiar with Castaway Cay, it is a private island in the Bahamas which serves as an exclusive port for the Disney Cruise Line ships.

IMG_2802Disney cruises are full of characters, fun, and food. I was all about the food and ate the entire time.

Let me get back on track because I can talk about Disney cruises and the food offered forever. With the challenge, you registered, for a fee, on runDisney.com after you booked the cruise and obtained a confirmation number. The fee included a commemorative challenge medal, Castaway Cay 5K medal, A personalized challenge race bib,and a tech shirt.

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On the day the ship docked at Castaway Cay, participants were to meet in the Walt Disney Theater. We sat with our corrals and waited to be walked onto the island. There was water, coffee, and fruit being offered to us. It was a wonderful sight to be the first ones on the island before the sun came up. Guests, who just signed up to do the free Castaway Cay 5k, would do the race after the challenge participants finished.

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Mickey Mouse and a DJ were at the starting line getting us hyped up. Sara and I decided that we would do a light jog and just walk it. I did not know if my feet were going to revolt with me doing an additional 3.1 miles. I think they still want you to maintain a 16 minute mile, but there are no balloon ladies scaring you to the finish. There were characters on the route and photographers.

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IMG_2827Once finished, there was the runDisney box of goodies (with that cheese spread..yummy), water, and Powerade. Mickey and Minnie were taking pictures with runners and their medals. Sara and I took some pictures and made our way back to the ship to get ready for a day on the island.

Even though additional miles were tackled, the Castaway Cay Challenge medal is my second favorite after my first Walt Disney World Marathon medal. I do not know how long this challenge will be offered, but if it is for 2017, I encouraged you to do it.

 

 

 

 

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Elantrice H.

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