Expedition Everest Challenge - May 4, 2013

[Melanie]

Expedition Everest Challenge - May 4, 2013, 10 p.m.

A 5K trek through Animal Kingdom Park, with obstacles along the way, and scavenger hunt to finish. Finishers receive a special edition compass medal.

As of 4/12/13:
Everest Challenge - SOLD OUT
Everest Challenge Family Edition - SOLD OUT
runDisney Kids Races - 55% full

Event Cost:
Individual Registration
$110 between December 11, 2012 – January 29, 2013
$120 between January 30 – March 20, 2013
$130 between March 21 – May 4, 2013

Team Registration
$220 between December 11, 2012 – January 29, 2013
$240 between January 30 – March 20, 2013
$260 between March 21 – May 4, 2013

Official Page here

[Christine]

I'm signed up! Who's with me?

[Melanie]

This is coming up soon! Anyone else in besides Christine? I do think this is definitely one that is more of a draw for the locals.

I did this one last year, and enjoyed it, but it's definitely more than a 5K, with the scavenger hunt and extra distance involved for that to finish. But it's incredible being in AK at night, and riding Everest in the dark.

[Christine]

Crickets chirping- looks like it's just me & my family Mel?
It is indeed disguised as a 5k, but is really a 10 as you have to repeat the course a second time for the scavenger hunt. The good part? You get a party and a little more "meat" to the event. Sometimes the 5ks are done on 30 min and it's like- "ok, guess I'll go home!"
Don't get me wrong - I thoroughly enjoy the 5Ks but I like how this one is a long event.

Mel, remember back by the tire obstacle how it was backstage and you had to be really quiet bc the animals were sleeping?! I kept wondering how am I supposed to curse quietly when I'm falling over tires!?

[whymsycalwitch]

Any last minute tips, tricks or hidden secrets you can tell me about this race? This will be me & my mom's first runDisney event.

[Melanie]

Any last minute tips, tricks or hidden secrets you can tell me about this race? This will be me & my mom's first runDisney event.

One thing I can say is that it's not your typical 5K, like I mentioned above. If you haven't done the race before, you may not be aware of what all is involved AFTER you finish the running portion. The scavenger hunt is no joke, and has you starting outside the park, going back through Camp Minnie Mickey and ultimately finishing by Everest.

I'm certainly glad I did it last year, but it's not one I'll repeat. I'll stick to straight out 5Ks from now on. For seasoned runners (like Christine), the extra 'meat' as she says, is welcome. I certainly get that.

Good luck and beware of the Yeti!

[whymsycalwitch]

I have no fear of the Yeti, since the Yeti is down.....

I'm looking forward to the hunt part. It's nice to have something else to do after the racing is done. I think it will give me somewhere to focus that "runners high" energy. And make me feel like I'm getting my moneys worth.

I'm looking forward to just being there are getting a feel for how this whole race thing in Disney is done. I'm signed up for my 1st half in Jan 2014. I'm hoping this race will help calm my fears of the unknown for the Jan race a little bit.

[BriarRose0708]

Have an awesome time everyone!

I'm looking forward to just being there are getting a feel for how this whole race thing in Disney is done. I'm signed up for my 1st half in Jan 2014. I'm hoping this race will help calm my fears of the unknown for the Jan race a little bit.

Are you doing the half during WDW Marathon weekend? Hope you can join us for some fun #runICOT meets in January!

[whymsycalwitch]

Are you doing the half during WDW Marathon weekend? Hope you can join us for some fun #runICOT meets in January!

Yes I am! I'm so excited & nervous & all sorts of other feelings about it. I plan on joining the #runICOT fun! I'm sort of running alone...

(DH is going with me but will only be at the finish line. He isn't a "Disney" guy and doesn't know his way around that well. Plus, he isn't a big crowd kind of guy, so asking him to go to MK to cheer me on as I come down Main St is out of the question. I'm ok with it because I want to focus on the race & not worry about him)

...so I wil be looking for support everywhere.

[Melanie]

I'm looking forward to just being there are getting a feel for how this whole race thing in Disney is done. I'm signed up for my 1st half in Jan 2014. I'm hoping this race will help calm my fears of the unknown for the Jan race a little bit.

This will certainly help! I will say though, this race has a bit of a different feel than any of the others. Kind of hard to single out exactly why. I think of it as more of a 'locals' race, and it has a much smaller capacity runner-wise, although the race area itself still felt crowded (a common complaint with other WDW races).

But yes, it will give you a very good idea of how things are done by runDisney. Overall, such a wonderful experience!