This weekend I truly experienced the magic of Disneyland Paris. I had a wonderful time with old friend and made a new friend. I went to shows, rode the rides, met the characters, and ate some sub-standard obligatory theme park food. All in all a wonderful experience.
My friends and a few thousand other runners also were able to enjoy the first ever Disneyland Paris Half Marathon. This was a very well organized event for a first race with so many runners. The course was well marked, the drink and food stations had plenty of volunteers and first aid was available throughout the course if you needed it. In addition, Disney characters were available for photo ops!!! I had pictures with two of my favorite Princesses Jasmine and Cinderella. Cinderella even said to Charming, "Look Dear, a royal has come to visit us." How often do you get to run 21 kilometers while wearing a tiara. In addition, the course was even marked every 3 miles for the Americans.
The greatest part about the run, however, was the unfailing display of human kindness. This is a run where people aren't there for PRs (Personal Records). Disney runs about sharing an experience. People take photos for each other, compliment each others costumes, and they take care of each other. In the one case when I saw a woman trip and fall, almost ten runners immediately stopped to give her a helping hand. This race had visitors from around the world, speaking a multitude of languages. It was like "It's a Small World" had come to life and decided to run a half marathon!
Walt Disney had a dream of a place where magic meets life. This weekend I was able to participate and enjoy some of that magic. In a world filled with hate, racism. anger and so much conflict, it is important to put aside our differences and recognize, that it is a small world. I know that for the coming weeks the magic and wonder will stay with me and I hope to share it with those that I meet. Life is too short for hate.
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| Post Race Princess |
My friends and a few thousand other runners also were able to enjoy the first ever Disneyland Paris Half Marathon. This was a very well organized event for a first race with so many runners. The course was well marked, the drink and food stations had plenty of volunteers and first aid was available throughout the course if you needed it. In addition, Disney characters were available for photo ops!!! I had pictures with two of my favorite Princesses Jasmine and Cinderella. Cinderella even said to Charming, "Look Dear, a royal has come to visit us." How often do you get to run 21 kilometers while wearing a tiara. In addition, the course was even marked every 3 miles for the Americans.
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| It's a Small World |
The greatest part about the run, however, was the unfailing display of human kindness. This is a run where people aren't there for PRs (Personal Records). Disney runs about sharing an experience. People take photos for each other, compliment each others costumes, and they take care of each other. In the one case when I saw a woman trip and fall, almost ten runners immediately stopped to give her a helping hand. This race had visitors from around the world, speaking a multitude of languages. It was like "It's a Small World" had come to life and decided to run a half marathon!
Walt Disney had a dream of a place where magic meets life. This weekend I was able to participate and enjoy some of that magic. In a world filled with hate, racism. anger and so much conflict, it is important to put aside our differences and recognize, that it is a small world. I know that for the coming weeks the magic and wonder will stay with me and I hope to share it with those that I meet. Life is too short for hate.
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