The Expedition Everest Challenge is the newest event from Run Disney. Yes, Dad thinks running is silly, but if you gotta run, you might as well do it at Disney World.
Imagine running through Animal Kingdom trying to complete a scavenger hunt while running a 5K. Now imagine doing it at night. That’s right, the scavenger hunt 5K takes place in the Animal Kingdom after dark. Pretty cool, huh?
Who wants to challenge the Forbidden Mountain?
Photo by Tom Bricker
The Events
The Expedition Everest Challenge has something for everyone. There are a couple of races to choose from along with a pre-race Picnic and a post-race party.
Dad’s Animal Kingdom page
The Expedition Everest Challenge
This race is one of the most unique of the Run Disney events. Instead of just running through the streets of Animal Kingdom (after dark instead of early in the morning), you get to experience a truly unique experience that includes a scavenger hunt and an obstacle course thrown in to your 5K run.
Of course there is Disney entertainment and characters around to liven up the party. (If you think running around at night is a party that is.)
Kids Race
Let the little guys kick things off right by enjoying the kids’ race at 10 a.m. at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. Kids will race a much shorter course full of obstacles just like the main course. This race is for kids ages 4-10. Every kid goes home with a finisher medal.
Get a medal like this one
Photo by Brett Kiger
Expedition Everest Challenge Family Edition
Debuting in the year 2013 they Expedition Everest Challenge Family Edition is a great way to get the whole family involved. Teams will complete a short track at ESPN Wide World of Sport Complex by running and the working through a scavenger hunt. Each participant will earn a finisher medal.
Teams can include anyone age 4 and up as long as one individual is 18 years of age or older. There can be up to 6 people on a team and no team can contain less than 2 people.
The Family Challenge is a short distance run and then a scavenger hunt. (Kinda like the big race.)
Pre-Race Picnic
This picnic is held at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex on Saturday May 4, 2013. Food will be served from 11:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. Each participant will receive a picnic of 1 sandwich (chicken, pulled pork, hot dog, hamburger or veggie wrap), chips or fruit, a cookie, and water, juice or soda.
Post-Race Party
Disney does like to party and all of the Run Disney events end with a big party. Here you get to party with the Yeti. Yep, you can ride Expedition Everest and a number of other rides in Animal Kingdom after everyone else clears out.
No, you don’t have to participate in one of the events to go to the party, but you do have to have a ticket. (Tickets are limited.) Tickets are $49 for adults and $25 for children before March 20. After that they are $59/$30.
Registration
Registration opens in December and runs right up to the day of the event but booking early does help. Registration fees vary on when you register and what events you want to participate in.
Disney World Marathon
The granddaddy of the Run Disney Events is the Disney World Marathon that’s held the first part of January every year. Are you ready? On your marks … Get set …
Dad’s Disney World Marathon page
Dad’s Bottom Line
Like most everything else they do, Disney knows how to throw a party and is getting pretty good at this running stuff.
PS. Don’t expect to see Dad running through WDW at oh dark thirty in either the morning or evening. (You might see him at the Post-Race Party though.)
