I don’t really like running, but runDisney makes it sort of fun with their races through the Disney parks. My mom and I had signed up for the Disneyland 10k this Labor Day weekend even before we found it was going to have a “Lilo & Stitch” theme. (I don’t think it was a coincidence that the starting line looked like the a-frame logo from Aulani, Disney’s resort on Hawaii.)

To be even more specific, the 10k race was actually inspired by the Stitch tiki I’d seen at the merchandise event for the 50th anniversary of the Enchanted Tiki Room. He was the mascot logo for our bibs, t-shirts and even our medals, which had a tapa print lanyard.

Tiki Stitch also made an appearance in a bamboo and thatch hut photo op set up at the runDisney expo at the Disneyland Hotel. Joining him was a tiki carving-style statue of the alien Pleakley. (I had to look that one up.)

Part of the fun of these races is seeing the creative costumes people put together, like these ladies who donned Dole Whip hats.

Most of the runners still wear something functional, but this guy really went out of the box with his Kronk (and Yzma) costume from “The Emperor’s New Groove.” I don’t know how he did the race in that!

To get in the spirit, we decorated the backs of our shirts with tributes (made out of felt) to Pele from the Enchanted Tiki Room and tiki Stitch.

Throughout the course there are cast members cheering you on and photo opportunities with parade floats and Disney characters. This race didn’t have as many costumed characters as the Tinkerbell 10k; instead they had several Elvis impersonators. (If you saw the movie “Lilo & Stitch,” you’ll recall Stitch was a big fan of The King.)

However they did have “Jailhouse Rock” Elvis paired with Chip and Dale as a police officer and a prisoner.

In the 10k race, each of the six mile markers had a different design, so that also helps with motivation to keep going.

I even spotted an Elvis tiki on the sidelines. (The photo is a bit blurry but you get the idea.)

At the end of the race there was a group of hula dancers welcoming everyone back. Up on the stage you can see another logo with the Stitch tiki and tikis from the Enchanted Tiki Room. If anything were to get me to enjoy running I guess it would be Disney and tikis!

Related Posts:
Trader Sam’s Tiki Juju from Adventureland Trading Company
New “Adventureland” Tiki Merchandise from Disney
Enchanted Tiki Room 50th Anniversary Merchandise Event