Christiane and Stephan Kappes
The Last Secret: Bhutan,
p.52 Munich-based outdoor power couple Christiane and Stephan Kappes provide the world with words and images of the hottest and latest events in extreme and adventure sports. Stephan Kappes studied sports journalism and worked for a TV station before he founded Adventure Press with his wife Christiane, who is a professional photographer. Together they travel to the most exotic places in the world to tell incredible stories. Their website is adventurepress.com.
Disney has gone from one race with 8,200 runners to 33 races over nine weekends with more than 163,900 runners combined. Whether you’re into Disney princesses or Disney villains, Star Wars or the Avengers, 5ks or marathons, there’s a race for you. These three standouts take runners on a race around the world (Walt Disney World, that is), off to Neverland at Disneyland, and on a tipsy tour of Epcot. Best of all, a certain mouse is waiting at the finish line. Running gluttons get their fill at the marathon, the only race that rambles through Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, Epcot, espn Wide World of Sports and the nascar- style Walt Disney World Speedway. Choose from the 5k, 10k, 21k and 42k on different days or tackle them all in the Dopey Challenge. Want to run “just” the half and marathon? Goofy’s Race and a Half Challenge celebrates its 10th anniversary in 2015. Disney characters at each event greet costumed runners who often stop for mid-race photos. Plus, the coveted New Balance Disney shoes, featuring Mickey Mouse and friends, debut annually at the race expo. Expect early alarms for the 5:30 a.m. starts and crowded corrals; 56,176 finishers earned Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Pluto, Goofy and Dopey medals in 2013, making it the second-largest running festival in North America behind the New York City Marathon.
Seeking eternal youth? Follow a f lock of sparkle skirt and t utu-clad fairies through Disneyland and the f lat streets of Anaheim. The Mother’s Day half-marathon celebrates women, now 57 per cent of American runners. The first two corrals and awards are ladies only, including top mother-daughter teams and military women. Peter Pan and the Lost Boys run too; men were 1,652 of the 13,1 43 finishers in 2014 . Smaller than Disney’s P rincess Half-Marathon, the race has fewer crowds and later wake-up times for the 5:30 a.m. start – just a 10-minute walk from Disneyland hotels. Plus, the new Pixie Dust Challenge dares fans to earn their wings at the Tinker Bell 10k and Half-Marathon on consecutive days. Throw in the Neverland 5k for a three-peat feat .
The Disney Wine & Dine Half-Marathon is a decidedly grownup affair. Runners stay-up past bedtime to race through Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom and Epcot starting at 10 p.m. Why? An all-night Bacchanalian bash at the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival, which stays open until 4 a.m. just for the 12,15 4 finishers and ticket-holders, with live music, Disney characters and wait-free Epcot attractions. Registration includes admission, a finish-line libation and $10 gift card to get started on more than 50 wines from 17 countries and bites from 25 culinary kiosks, including Canada. Bring your wallet and your appetite.