Disney World Princess Races Not Just For Kids

by Chris Owen on

A Disney World vacation is often high on the list of dream destinations for Mom, Dad and the kids; solo travelers; multi-generational families and others. Travelers often plan and budget years in advance to make it happen. But not all Disney World-oriented travel options are focused on theme park rides, blazing Florida sun or capturing images of the kids with Disney characters. For some, the focus is on fitness.

Disney Princess races might bring thoughts of Cinderella trying to manage her fabulous ball gown in a starting line position, but really, these marathons are fantastic opportunities to enjoy the expansive parks while meeting new goals. Some events are serious runs that take focused preparation to compete in and are also planned years in advance. Right now, Disney Princess runners are preparing for the 2014 season, which includes races in six out of the 12 months.Disney’s Princess Half Marathon is a 13.1-mile magical course that makes for “a weekend of majestic runs in the most magical place on earth,” says the RunDisney website. That same weekend, kids get into the act with RunDisney Kids Races where every prince and princess is a winner and VIP Race Retreat packages pile on the royal treatment.

Disney’s Enchanted 10K is a new event that takes competitors through Epcot. The longest race Disney offers, the Glass Slipper Challenge, is a 19.3-mile adventure done over two days. That race combines the Princess Half Marathon with the Enchanted 10K. This event features Disney characters and entertainment on-course, and event weekend transportation is provided to and from all Disney World resorts.

Budget Travel Help From The Mouse
Once registered for one or more of the weekend’s events, travelers can use a Magic Your Way Package to enjoy the rest of their vacation at the Walt Disney World Resort that includes marathon events that are not available to book online.

Adventure Sports Week begins in Idaho

by Kraig Becker on

Coeur d’Alene, Idaho plays host to Adventure Sports Week 2009 , which got underway this past weekend in beautiful Farragut State Park, located just outside the mountain community. Hundreds of endurance athletes descended on the region to take part in the first time event, which is already becoming one of the premiere outdoor sporting competitions of the year.

Billed as “10 days, 24 races, 1 big party”, Adventure Sports Weekly has something to offer just about anyone who enjoys an outdoor athletic challenge. For instance, things kicked off this weekend with a triathlon clinic, and ramped up from there with two orienteering competitions, a pair of duathalons, and three triathalons, including an official XTERRA series event, which was won by Dan Hugo and Melanie McQuaid in the men’s and women’s categories respectively.

Things don’t slow down any next weekend either, when the adventure racers take center stage for the Crux and the Crucible races, both of which combine mountain biking, trekking/trail running, and kayaking, amongst other discplines. There will aslo be marathon and half-marathon length trail runs, a paddling race, and more.

With the summer heating up, it is definitely time to head back outside and have a little fun in the wilderness. It’s also not too late to sign up for one of the remaining ASW events. So, head on over to the website, pick something that looks like fun, and break out the running shoes. Why not join the party in Idaho?