Disneyland Half Marathon
Anaheim, California
Sunday, September 5, 2010

All throughout the Disneyland Half Marathon, which I race walked on Sunday, September 5, 2010 in Anaheim, California, the conditions remained constant. The temperature was 63 degrees, the wind was calm, and the skies were heavily overcast. Wonderful conditions for the race. The course was for the most part flat with a trip through Disney’s California Adventure and Disneyland Magic Kingdom between miles 1.5 and 3.5, with a trip over a gravel and sand bike path between miles 8.5 and 9.5, and with a trip through Angel’s Stadium between miles 9.5 and 10. The rest of the course was on the streets of Anaheim. There were spectators everywhere; however, in the theme parks there were only Disney Characters and employees. There were at least 50 cheerleading squads spread throughout the course as well as many bands. Angel’s Stadium had nearly 2000 boy scouts and friends in the stands cheering as the participants entered the stadium near the right field foul line, traveled along the stands to behind home plate, and continued along the stands, exiting near the left field foul line. There was a live camera that let the participants see themselves on the stadium’s big screen television. Water/Powerade stations were located approximately every 1.5 miles. There were plenty of tables on each side of the course manned by plenty of enthusiastic volunteers to tend to the needs of the 14000 half marathoners. The streets of Anaheim, used for the event, were closed to traffic and were completely controlled by plenty of police from the Anaheim Police Department. As normal in a Disney event, everything was well organized and detailed towards the participants having a wonderful experience. I certainly enjoyed myself.