IUPUC staff ran to raise money for Children's Miracle Network Hospitals

by Belinda Allen
March 12, 2017

What are the chances that you and a co-worker, without prior knowledge, would participate on the same day in the same out-of-state, non-work related event?

To most, the likelihood of that happening seems rather unusual especially for the faculty and staff at IUPUC. However, the day before an out-of-state event, Brandi Rund from the Office of Information Technology and Carla Laymon from the Office of the Vice Chancellor and Dean learned of their duo participation.

Brandi explains

“Carla and I were unaware that the other was running in the Disney Princess Half Marathon (13.1 miles) through the Magic Kingdom and Epcot until the day before when Barbara Brown figured out we would both be participating in the same half marathon.  On Sunday, Feb. 26, at five in the morning, I sent Carla a text to let her know which corral I would be. We found one another for a quick photo, a hug, and to tell each other good luck.”     

Carla and her daughter Darcey ran in the 2017 Princess half marathon at Disney World in Florida. Carla shares, “Disney races ‘sell-out’ very quickly, so it’s important to plan sign in early. My daughter is a Disney employee and has a goal to run in several of their races Disney has each year. In 2004, I ran the Walt Disney World half marathon, so this was my second run at Disney, and my tenth half marathon, and Darcey’s first half marathon.”

Details of the marathons held at Walt Disney World in Florida

  • Where: Walt Disney World, Florida
  • When: February 25-26, 2017
  • Why: To raise money for Children's Miracle Network Hospitals
  • Info: https://www.rundisney.com/princess-half-marathon/
  • Disney Princess Half Marathon (13.1 miles) through the Magic Kingdom and Epcot 
  • Disney Princess Enchanted 10K (6.2 miles) through Epcot
  • Disney Glass Slipper Challenge (19.3 miles - combined events above)

Carla Laymon’s background information

  • Ran since she was a college student at IU.
  • Carla’s first elective was ‘jogging’ class (almost 40 years)
  • She finished one marathon (before children) in 3 hours, 40 minutes
  • She has completed ten half-marathons – best time 1 hr. 40 minutes
  • Multiple 5K and 10K races – best time 21 min. and 43 min. respectively

Carla Laymon’s race: Disney Princess Half Marathon (13.1 miles) through the Magic Kingdom and Epcot 

  • Carla ran with her 29-year-old daughter Darcey, and this was Darcey’s  first half marathon
  • Our goal was to finish under three hours
  • Three bands performed on the route
  • Five to six Disney character photo stops for runners
  • Runners are put into ‘corrals’ based on previous times, for the start of the race
  • There were 18,499 women and 2,096 men running the race – many in Disney costumes
  • Race started at 5:30 a.m. on Sunday, Feb. 26
  • Ran through portions of both the Magic Kingdom and Epcot where people cheered us on
  • Darcy and I finished in two hrs. 39 minutes (mostly running & some walking)
  • The medal is personally placed around your neck right after you run through the finish line.
  • At the end of the marathon, I felt exhausted. However, the experience makes you feel very special. I also got a lump in my throat when I received the medal (w/a rose on it!) and because I finished!
  • The next day, we went to Epcot and wore our shirts and medal – there were many runners at the park w/their medals – it was a special camaraderie.               

Brandi Rund’s Background Information

Brandi and friend Crystal completed two races: Disney Princess Half Marathon (13.1 miles) and the Disney Princess Enchanted 10K (6.2 miles), which qualified them to receive the Disney Glass Slipper Challenge medal for the combined events.

  • Brandi:                   Dressed as Minnie Mouse
  • Crystal:                   Dressed as Mickey Mouse
  • Total Finishers:    11,593

Brandi shares her story

Disney characters greeted runners throughout the 6.2-mile course. At the four mile mark, we entered the World Showcase at Epcot and ran around the World and over to the boardwalk, returning to Epcot to finish by Spaceship Earth. Epcot is my favorite park, so this race was very special to me.

The last character on the path was Minnie Mouse, so we stopped for a photo opportunity. Minnie was very excited to see the two of us dressed up like Mickey and Minnie. We won one medal for finishing the Disney Princess Enchanted 10K. We spent the remainder of the day at the Magic Kingdom proudly wearing our medal for all to see.

Disney Princess Half Marathon

  • Brandi:                   Dressed as LILO
  • Crystal:                   Dressed as Stitch
  • Total Finishers:    18,499

Brandi's story on the second race

Characters from Disney waved on the marathon participants throughout the 13.1-mile course. Around mile four mark, we could see the Magic Kingdom sign. It was exciting to run down Main Street, USA at the Magic Kingdom and run through Cinderella's Castle. It was very interesting to run behind the scenes and see the backstage area of the parks. The views throughout the course were amazing and surreal that we were actually at Disney World. Mile 11 was the hardest because it was on an incline going up a ramp as we approached the Epcot parking lot. At the top of the ramp, the view of runners behind us stretched as far as the eye could see. The course led us into Epcot and circled us to the start of the World Showcase where we were routed back toward the iconic Spaceship Earth. We each won one medal for finishing the Disney Princess Half Marathon.  

Over the two-day period, Crystal and I tracked 93,139 steps to equal 42.54 MAGICAL miles.