Did you know that at while visiting Disney's private island, Castaway Cay, you can take part in their 5k (only if you want to, of course)! Being somewhat avid runners, Eric and I were super stoked to run this race on our first cruise. We've actually now ran it twice and can't wait to run it again! Along the way, we've learned some things to do (and NOT do) that I thought I would share with you all! Below is my list some helpful tidbits and fun facts about this race
1. It is a timed race, but they do not officially keep track of your time. It's more about the experience. However, with that being said, there is a large clock at the beginning and end of the race so you can know how long it took you to complete the course.
2. if you're taking an iPhone to listen to music while you run (or if you use a training app, like I do) MAKE SURE YOU'RE CONNECTED before the start of the race! This past September, as soon as we got to the starting point, BAM, the race began... we then had to scrampble to try and get our devices to work! I found taking my Iphone out of airplane mode helped with my connectivity issues.
3. In the same vain as the previous helpful bit, make sure to stretch BEFORE you get off of the ship! We waited to stretch until we were at the starting point, and again, the race began so suddenly, we weren't able to finish our strateches! When you check in for the 5k on the ship, you usually have some time while you wait for everyone to arrive... that's perfect time for stretching!
4. DO bring your beach bag (and fill it with a swimsuit, flipflops, sunscreen and whwatever else you typically take for a day of fun in the sun at the beach)! It's a good trek from the ship to the starting/ending point of the race (I think it's close to a 20 min walk), so bringing your beach gear with you will save you time so you don't have to head back to boat to change! It's a really nice walk that we enjoy, but when the clock is ticking on your time at Castaway Cay, bringing your beach stuff with you before the race, definitely helps! In case you were wondering, they have a HUGE trunk right next to the start/end spot where you can put your bags. We didn't know this the first time we ran the race and wasted so much time heading back to the ship to change (and that time we had a private cabana)!!!
5. It's HOT out there, and the course is not very shady, so definitely take it easy. They do have a water station at the halfway point (and you pass it twice)! Enjoy yourself! There's something so amazing about starting the day with a nice run (or jog, or walk)! Go at your own pace, it's all about having fun! Some people ran super fast, while others walked the whole course, it's all up to you!
And now some fun facts...
- Everybody gets an awesome Castaway Cay 5k medal with the year on it (VERY cool)!
- You run from the family beach, down the airstrip (YES, there is an airstrip on the island), through the longest wooded round about, back down the airstrip to Serenity Bay (the adult beach), back up the airstrip, BACK through the long wooded round about, back up the airstrip to the family beach!
Well, I think that's it! If you have any other fun facts or helpful Castaway Cay 5k tidbits, let me know in the comments!
