January 2009 - Mark's Idea
I have always wanted to do marathons but realized that I would never win in my age group let alone finish first. I remembered reading a story in Runner’s World magazine about people who ran marathons dressed in some type of costume (Coat Man, Dolly Parton, Elvis, etc.) So why not dress as a character and have FUN! I started thinking “If I were to do a marathon what character could I be?” I am a huge Disney fan, just ask my friends and family, so it had to be a Disney character. But which Disney character? The character’s costume had to be runnable along with fitting my personality. Then it hit me... Mr. Incredible from the Disney/Pixar movie, "The Incredibles." I am Mr. Incredible… an overweight superhero who has a family and wears NO CAPE.
I went to register for the 2007 Walt Disney World Marathon and noticed Disney offered the Goofy Challenge and a Half event (half marathon on Saturday followed by the full marathon on Sunday). I registered for the 2007 Goofy Challenge and a Half. Since I was going to be there, I might as well register for the 5k Family Fun Run on the prior Friday, too.
Later I saw that Disneyland was having its first half marathon. I registered for the 2006 Inaugural Disneyland Half Marathon and 5k Family Fun Run. Doing these two events would let me test my costume for the upcoming Disney marathon to see if any adjustments would be required. After the Disneyland Half Marathon, I learned not to wear baseball socks. The baseball socks unfortunately gave me blisters. I have never had so much FUN running! During the events I stopped for pictures with runners and spectators.
I told my daughter how much fun I had dressed as Mr. Incredible at the Disneyland Half Marathon weekend, that she, too, wanted to be a character for the 2007 Walt Disney World Half Marathon. Since she loves Tinkerbell, her and I went to work on her Tinkerbell costume and came up with a “runnable” costume.
I told my brother from Atlanta about my Disneyland Half Marathon adventures. He and his wife decided to join my family for the 2007 Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend.
The 2007 Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend finally arrived. On Friday, I ran the 5k Family Fun Run. Afterwards, I posed for pictures with Disney characters, runners and spectators. Saturday, my daughter (Tinkerbell) and I ran the half marathon. She never had so much fun! She smiled the whole time! She loved the attention that her costume brought her. On Sunday, I ran the marathon along with my brother and my sister-in-law. It was great! When I run I never worried about my time. According to my Garmin GPS watch I stopped 27 times for photographs with Disney characters and marathon runners. During the weekend, a few people recognized me from the 2006 Inaugural Disneyland Half Marathon.
To wrap up the 2007 Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend we had a family dinner. My brother told me he had a lot of fun running with Mr. Incredible. Then, he mentioned that in Atlanta, they were having the 2007 Inaugural Georgia Marathon in March. Needless to say, we both registered when we arrived home. Since I was in the mood, I also registered for the 2007 Flying Pig Marathon in Cincinnati, Ohio.
March comes and my brother and I are doing the 2007 Inaugural Georgia Marathon. Before, during and after, the marathon people are taking photographs of me dressed as Mr. Incredible. Many of the Georgia Marathon runners recognized me from the 2007 Walt Disney World Marathon.
In May 2007, I ran the Flying Pig Marathon. Since I have so much fun being Mr. Incredible at previous marathons, I never say no to a "photo op." I would continually stop and pose with spectators and runners. Even a few of the marathoners recognized me from the Georgia Marathon or the Walt Disney World Marathon.
October 2007, I ran the Detroit Free Press / Flagstar Bank Marathon and again I have nothing but FUN dressed as Mr. Incredible! By people recognizing me from other marathons make this even more exciting!
December 2007, I did the Rocket City Marathon in Huntsville, Alabama. This was the smallest marathon that I have done. Since I was the only marathoner dressed in a costume, I recieved plenty of attention, stopping along the way for pictures. As it happens again, more runners recognized me from previous marathons, I began feeling like a celebrity.
January 2008, once again, I do the Goofy Challenge and a Half, and the 5k Family Fun Run at Walt Disney World. I feel like a veteran, but not at running, having fun at these events! I notice that the kids get excited when they see me dressed as Mr. Incredible.
Since I am having so much fun doing this, wouldn’t it be more fun doing marathons and other events as a group, all dressed up as characters. How much fun would that be! Not to worry about your personal best time but having your personal 'FUNNEST' time. I am amazed, how many volunteers, spectators, runners and children, along the way, enjoy the costume.
How much fun would volunteers, spectators and participants have if there were a cast of characters running together at their event? How much fun would the cast of characters have together at any event? Wouldn't it be great if we could help raise money for charities too! So why not start a group or better yet a cast of characters? rCharacter.com was born.