Running Universal 5K Minion Run: May 11-12, 2019

The first 5K Minion Run is coming to Universal Studios Hollywood, May 11 and 12, 2019!

Did I ever tell you about the time I showed up for a press event in the wrong state?

It’s kind of a funny story now, although we sure weren’t laughing at the time. A couple of months ago, I received an invitation to celebrate Running Universal’s inaugural 5K Minion Run (coming in May 2019). In preparation, bloggers and other media folks were invited to sport their running gear & train with the Minions.

Running with Minions? Count me in.

Vic and the kids were going to attend the media event with me, and as an added bonus we were going to receive free tickets to spend the day at Universal Studios. The event was on a Thursday morning – not ideal, but too great an opportunity to pass up. So Vic took a day off from work and we pulled the kids out of school for one day. We arrived in Orlando late Wednesday night, with a plan to check out of the hotel and head straight to Universal first thing the next morning.

Everything was going according to plan. On Thursday morning, we were awake, fed, and in the car before 9:00 a.m. (no easy feat for our family). I was even dressed like a Minion.

Our hotel was only a mile or two away from Universal, so all we needed were some basic directions to the designated press parking lot. Vic was driving, and I was navigating.

But when I looked at the driving directions provided with the press packet, something seemed off. I didn’t recognize any of the street names, and the parking garage names didn’t sound familiar. Nothing looked right in my GPS app either. Now, I’m not the best at directions, so I just assumed I was missing a turn somewhere. I didn’t panic.

But then I handed the directions over to Vic, and he couldn’t figure out which way to go either. That’s when I panicked.

You know that sinking feeling you get when it starts to dawn on you that you’ve made a really, really big mistake? I was sinking fast.

I took another look at the directions, and I realized why I didn’t recognize any of the street names: it was because THEY WERE IN CALIFORNIA.

The press event was at Universal Studios Hollywood. As in Hollywood, California.

My family and I were in Orlando. AS IN FLORIDA.

So just to recap: After driving almost 150 miles, paying for a hotel, having the kids miss a day of school, and Vic using a vacation day, we had no press event to attend, no tickets for Universal Studios, and no reason to be in Orlando.

“You’ve got to be pulling on my leg.” – GRU, Despicable Me

Suffice to say, I didn’t get to meet any Minions that day, and I won’t be able to run the 5K since I don’t live anywhere near Universal Studios Hollywood. But if you live nearby, or if you want to be a part of the inaugural Running Universal 5K, you definitely SHOULD because it’s going to be fun! Here’s what you need to know:

WHERE: Universal Studios Hollywood

WHEN: May 11, 2019 (SOLD OUT) and newly added May 12, 2109

TIME: 6:00 a.m.

COURSE: Starting at Universal Studios Hollywood’s iconic front gates, participants will pass through parts of the iconic Universal Backlot, get behind the scenes views and experiences along the way, and celebrate their finish at CityWalk’s 5 Towers outdoor concert stage.

HIGHLIGHTS: Course highlights include the Psycho House, the eerie War of the Worlds set, and the colorful Who-ville backdrop from Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas.

ENTERTAINMENT: Enjoy character meet & greets, photos with your favorite Minion characters, and live entertainment on course and at the finish line (some events may require an upgraded race package – see website for details).

BLING: All participants will receive a commemorative limited-edition Minion medallion featuring an exuberant Minion running through the finish-line holding two bananas.

COST: The race entry fee is $75, with added costs for package upgrades.

You can find all the info you need at www.RunningUniversal.com. If you’re thinking about participating, you should register ASAP!  The initial race day (May 11) has already sold out, and a second date (May 12) was added to accommodate additional runners.

P.S. In case you were wondering, we DID eventually make it to Universal Orlando that day. Big, big thanks to the wonderful folks at Universal Studios in both states who helped me salvage my major mom fail.