The 2013 Expedition Everest Challenge is coming up this weekend. Running through Disney’s Animal Kingdom at night is challenging but beautiful. I have a soft place in my heart for this race, as the inaugural race in 2008 is what got us started running. You can see my write-up of that first race on the Team #RunDisney Blog. We haven’t been able to run it since then, but would love to give it another go sometime. This year a fun family edition will take place at the ESPN Wide World of Sports early in the day on Saturday before the main event that night. Children ages 4 & up can participate in the family version. Participants in the night-time challenge must be at least 9 and those under age 14 must be teamed with an adult.
Here’s the course map for this weekend:
Runners will start off with a sweeping loop around the parking lot, then enter the park at the left side of the entrance and going around the left side of the Oasis. Be sure to look up and enjoy the downhill stretch as you move from the Oasis to the Tree of Life, it’s beautiful! Runners will then continue around to Africa & Asia with a water stop between the two. They’ll pass in front of Expedition Everest, then head on around toward Dinoland. Once they pass the Finding Nemo theater, they’ll turn and head back stage for an out & back that runs back up behind Everest. From there, it’s a quick return to the parking lot and the end of the 5K, then the scavenger hunt portion of the race will start. Another water stop will be located at the start of the scavenger hunt. The obstacles are now spread through the course instead of being placed all together in the parking lot as they were in 2008. All teams must be done with the scavenger hunt by 12:45, but the party will go on until 3 AM!