Big runDisney announcement coming in April

[Rupert B Puppenstein]

Sucks for pretty much everyone. DL has a lot fewer resort rooms, very little land, etc.

It doesn't suck! Have you been there? There are plenty of Resort Rooms for race participants and even better opportunities to stay at their good neighbor resorts. I live on the East Coast and still don't look at it as being horrible. It is the original park and not nearly as tiny as you are making it out to be. It is a wonderful place and although it is much different than WDW (for good reason which is why Walt even did the Florida Project) but I am personally very excited about it and all those on the West Coast that won't have to travel cross country for so many races. I am thankful to have another reason to visit California!

As for those that say that the DL race sells out fast...it did this year because of the discounts but last year, it took quite a bit of time even when it was the fifth Anniversary. It is amazing that there are so many misconceptions about DL.

 

[FireDancer]

If it is another princess-themed race RunDisney can go reproduce with themselves. Thanks for putting on a second race that excludes a large portion of the population.

At least I'll save some cash though so it isn't all bad.

Hopefully if it is a DL race it will at least be gender neutral. I'd still prefer WDW but DL won't be bad. Not sure if I'd do it though, at least not for quite a while.

 

[SAHDad]

If it is another princess-themed race RunDisney can go reproduce with themselves. Thanks for putting on a second race that excludes a large portion of the population.

At least I'll save some cash though so it isn't all bad.

Hopefully if it is a DL race it will at least be gender neutral. I'd still prefer WDW but DL won't be bad. Not sure if I'd do it though, at least not for quite a while.

I'll admit that I would like to see Disney do a male-oriented race. I still wouldn't run it, but watching some of the same people who have been defending the Princess race as somehow being necessary to correct a historical imbalance (that ended before most of the current crop of runners were even born) suddenly decry a gendered race would be worth an awful lot of popcorn.

 

[deann]

Doesn't suck for me! I'm excited for another race here in CA.

Doesn't suck for me either! I can't wait!

It doesn't suck! Have you been there? There are plenty of Resort Rooms for race participants and even better opportunities to stay at their good neighbor resorts. I live on the East Coast and still don't look at it as being horrible. It is the original park and not nearly as tiny as you are making it out to be. It is a wonderful place and although it is much different than WDW (for good reason which is why Walt even did the Florida Project) but I am personally very excited about it and all those on the West Coast that won't have to travel cross country for so many races. I am thankful to have another reason to visit California!

As for those that say that the DL race sells out fast...it did this year because of the discounts but last year, it took quite a bit of time even when it was the fifth Anniversary. It is amazing that there are so many misconceptions about DL.

I totally agree with you all! I hope it is a DL race!

 

[Ash&Wes07]

Disneyland's facebook page just posted this:

Have you heard about the new Run Disney race being announced soon? Exact details are being kept under wraps until the official announcement, but exclusive clues can be found at the runDisney Facebook Page - Check it out!

And linked to the runDisney clues page...

This is totally a DL run - hopefully it will be in the fall so I can do the princess in florida and then the princess in california - I would LOVE that coast to coast medal!

I still think it's a DL race, but all of the Disney Social Media Outlets are hyping the race. The WDW twitter account linked to the clues yesterday. So, I wouldn't take that as a true clue.

 

[cewait]

If it is another princess-themed race RunDisney can go reproduce with themselves. Thanks for putting on a second race that excludes a large portion of the population.

At least I'll save some cash though so it isn't all bad.

Hopefully if it is a DL race it will at least be gender neutral. I'd still prefer WDW but DL won't be bad. Not sure if I'd do it though, at least not for quite a while.

I'll admit that I would like to see Disney do a male-oriented race. I still wouldn't run it, but watching some of the same people who have been defending the Princess race as somehow being necessary to correct a historical imbalance (that ended before most of the current crop of runners were even born) suddenly decry a gendered race would be worth an awful lot of popcorn.

Personally, I would rather not see another gender oriented race just as I would prefer to not see a race oriented to any other specific part of the population. Yes, I know guys can run the princess but I am not. Guys should actually get a discount the way Disney handles it since the swag is sized to fit the form of the fairer side of the gene pool.

I too find some of the arguments for another princess amusing to say the least. Note most of the real fierce battles occur in other forums, not on ours, thankfully. It's clear in the language used in some of the posts that some of the voices are grandchildren of the true pioneers.

So, saying all this, lets just have a race that anyone can enjoy and have fun at. One where you do not feel compelled to wear a costume to fit in but can run in clothing that one feels comfortable in. One where we all line up, talk for a few nervous minutes then take off in a common goal of making the finish line.... all of us from the sub 5 minute runner to the person who pushed a little longer than the maximum allowed time.

 

[SAHDad]

Personally, I would rather not see another gender oriented race just as I would prefer to not see a race oriented to any other specific part of the population. Yes, I know guys can run the princess but I am not. Guys should actually get a discount the way Disney handles it since the swag is sized to fit the form of the fairer side of the gene pool.

I too find some of the arguments for another princess amusing to say the least. Note most of the real fierce battles occur in other forums, not on ours, thankfully. It's clear in the language used in some of the posts that some of the voices are grandchildren of the true pioneers.

So, saying all this, lets just have a race that anyone can enjoy and have fun at. One where you do not feel compelled to wear a costume to fit in but can run in clothing that one feels comfortable in. One where we all line up, talk for a few nervous minutes then take off in a common goal of making the finish line.... all of us from the sub 5 minute runner to the person who pushed a little longer than the maximum allowed time.

Hey, you got your maturity in my righteous indignation!


Kidding aside, I want to see another Disney-themed, but not gender-oriented race. I'm prepared to be disappointed, however.

 

[APrunner]

I want to wait for the announcement before I judge, but I agree with Charles.

I am not convinced it is another half though. Disneyland is small (yes, I was recently there). I think the current half covers most of Disneyland already. Other than a princess theme, what is there to add? It may be at Disneyland, but for some reason I am still thinking a tri or an expedition everest type of event. If it is a half at Disneyland, just doesn't seem like it would really be new, at least from a Disney perspective. Guess you could cover new ground outside of Disneyland in Anaheim.

 

[verticalchaos]

Personally, I would rather not see another gender oriented race just as I would prefer to not see a race oriented to any other specific part of the population. Yes, I know guys can run the princess but I am not. Guys should actually get a discount the way Disney handles it since the swag is sized to fit the form of the fairer side of the gene pool.

I too find some of the arguments for another princess amusing to say the least. Note most of the real fierce battles occur in other forums, not on ours, thankfully. It's clear in the language used in some of the posts that some of the voices are grandchildren of the true pioneers.

So, saying all this, lets just have a race that anyone can enjoy and have fun at. One where you do not feel compelled to wear a costume to fit in but can run in clothing that one feels comfortable in. One where we all line up, talk for a few nervous minutes then take off in a common goal of making the finish line.... all of us from the sub 5 minute runner to the person who pushed a little longer than the maximum allowed time.

+1

I'm female and honestly have little desire to do the princess because of the seeming pressure to dress up as a princess and or be sparkly and in pinks and purples. I feel like AS a female if I showed up wearing just my regular race-wear I'd be completely shunned and looked down upon for daring to not be princessy.

If some of my friends - from all walks of life - are any indication, society is gradually beginning to see the detrimental effect princess-mania can have on young girls. Books like "Cinderella Ate My Daughter" are sadly very much dead on with the message little girls are getting.

Gender neutral races please!! Then those who want to dress up can, and those who want to look like normal runners can and not feel less-than.

/sermon

 

[ironz]

+1

I'm female and honestly have little desire to do the princess because of the seeming pressure to dress up as a princess and or be sparkly and in pinks and purples. I feel like AS a female if I showed up wearing just my regular race-wear I'd be completely shunned and looked down upon for daring to not be princessy.

If some of my friends - from all walks of life - are any indication, society is gradually beginning to see the detrimental effect princess-mania can have on young girls. Books like "Cinderella Ate My Daughter" are sadly very much dead on with the message little girls are getting.

Gender neutral races please!! Then those who want to dress up can, and those who want to look like normal runners can and not feel less-than.

/sermon

I agree with you and Charles. I have posted before (maybe on the Princess thread), that I tend to shy away from all women's races, such as the Danskin Tri, because some of them have gotten too 'woo-hoo' and almost enabling, rather than empowering. But I actually found this year's Princess 1/2 to be more a celebration of friends, and was fine with it. I do suspect this viewpoint was influenced by being in an earlier corral, where there was more running (or run/walking) than the later corrals of primarily walkers. (Note: I have no problem with walkers...I'm glad people are getting out and moving...but it is still a race, so in the same vein, there is nothing wrong with wanting to go as fast as you can, by whatever standard 'fast' is for you.) There were still plenty of tutus and tiaras, but I gave my only nod to the event by wearing a discreet tiara ponytail holder, and I did wear pink, but I like pink.

I like doing mixed gender races. I like running and doing triathlon with the men...it gives me more to look at (eye candy!) and they are not pushy or scary. I know there are a lot of females out there who are just getting into doing anything athletic....but I don't get the need for having to have only women around you to feel comfortable. And it doesn't make that much sense to me to have so many women's events, but you don't see an all-men event. The beginner or not as fast men have to start out in normal events, why shouldn't women?

 

[verticalchaos]

I agree with you and Charles. I have posted before (maybe on the Princess thread), that I tend to shy away from all women's races, such as the Danskin Tri, because some of them have gotten too 'woo-hoo' and almost enabling, rather than empowering. But I actually found this year's Princess 1/2 to be more a celebration of friends, and was fine with it. I do suspect this viewpoint was influenced by being in an earlier corral, where there was more running (or run/walking) than the later corrals of primarily walkers. (Note: I have no problem with walkers...I'm glad people are getting out and moving...but it is still a race, so in the same vein, there is nothing wrong with wanting to go as fast as you can, by whatever standard 'fast' is for you.) There were still plenty of tutus and tiaras, but I gave my only nod to the event by wearing a discreet tiara ponytail holder, and I did wear pink, but I like pink.

I like doing mixed gender races. I like running and doing triathlon with the men...it gives me more to look at (eye candy!) and they are not pushy or scary. I know there are a lot of females out there who are just getting into doing anything athletic....but I don't get the need for having to have only women around you to feel comfortable. And it doesn't make that much sense to me to have so many women's events, but you don't see an all-men event. The beginner or not as fast men have to start out in normal events, why shouldn't women?

Yes! I've felt just as supported if not moreso by the men in my running club. (Ok, it's an LGBTQ-friendly club, but still...) Actually because most of the women who show up at fun runs are intent on the BQ - and I've made peace with the fact that in all likelihood I will never be fast enough to BQ, so I'm saving my pennies so I can run it in 2013 on a charity team (did I just put that in print??????) - and are like intense runners, when I do run with someone it's one or two of the guys.

I will admit I'm doing ONE gender-specific race this year - the NYRR Women's Mini 10K - because it's a team points race (so participating gets points in the city-wide competition between the running clubs) and because it's historical (it was the race Fred Lebow put on for the women when he started the NYC Marathon and it was only men). But from talking with people who've done it, I don't think it's a race where we're likely to see a ton of over-the-top girlishness. That was more the MORE/Fitness Women's Half. To balance it out in the points thing (and make it fair for any all-male or predominantly-male teams), the race held on Father's Day will be a team points race in which only the men will be earning points, though all can participate. So it's still not an all-male race.

 

[FireDancer]

I agree with all of you guys. It was sad and pathetic that women were excluded from racing in the past but thankfully that has been corrected. You don't correct historical inequality with different contemporary inequality.

I get from a marketing and sales side of things Disney makes a lot of cash on princess weekend but what I don't get is why they don't just add a second race. They could have a princess-themed race on Saturday and pirate-themed race on Sunday since they used to have princess and pirate parties. They'd probably get just as many princess runners, add pirate runners, and it wouldn't be so unequal.

 

[HockeyKat]

+1

I'm female and honestly have little desire to do the princess because of the seeming pressure to dress up as a princess and or be sparkly and in pinks and purples. I feel like AS a female if I showed up wearing just my regular race-wear I'd be completely shunned and looked down upon for daring to not be princessy.

I am female and not girly at all and somewhat agree with all of the anti-gender-specific camp.

However, for both 2010 and 2011, I did the Princess with 7 friends of mine from all over the country, turned it into a girls-out weekend, and it was a blast.

We wore regular race gear with a shirt that was not pink or purple or sparkly, and we were not all at the same pace, finishing between 2:40 and 3:48.

I never felt shunned or anything else for not wearing sparkly costumes. I saw plenty of people in regular race gear, as well. However, as a slower run/walker, gender aside, most of the time I did feel as though I was *not* shuned for being slow.


OH! I really like the idea of a princess and pirates race... would have something for everyone and those crazies who want a back-to-back half could do both for a special medal!

 

[DrMomof3]

I *love* the idea of adding a pirate race to princess weekend! Brilliant!!! I hope RunDisney is paying attention....

I'm new to running. I started about a year ago and have only run 2 races: the Disney 1/2 in January and the More Magazine Women's 1/2 in April. It's hard to compare since Disney does a better "show" than anyone. I'm certainly new enough to running so that I haven't learned the whole history of women being excluded from races. I pick races based on convenience and not gender (the More race didn't conflict with my kids' weekend activities, was local, and was the right amount of time after the Disney race to keep me motivated). I understand the fun of a girls' weekend surrounding a race but it does seem a little unfair when it's no longer P.C. to have a boys' weekend, too (and I totally get that historical - and, in some cases, ongoing - gender discrimination makes these different).

I have a history of trying to break gender stereotypes. I raced sailboats as a teenager (and in college). While there are girls who sail, they traditionally are the "crew" and not the skipper. And, of course, I'm a urologist which is hardly a traditional field for women. Much as I love my job, getting there wasn't always easy. I had a boss (who was very good to the female trainees and is still a father-figure for me) who was very upset that there is a Society for Women in Urology. "Why is that necessary?" He asked. "We don't have a Society for Men in Urology." I just thought to myself, if you have to ask, you'll never understand!

Hopefully this new runDisney race will be designed to appeal to the most number of people. The Wine & Dine races are the weekend of Rosh Hashanah so we can't participate even if we wanted (the holiday ends at sundown on Friday which doesn't allow a lot of travel time). The Disneyland 1/2 marathon is the weekend before my daughter starts kindergarten (we start school the day after Labor Day). If it's not an appropriate or timely race for me, I'll live vicariously through the rest of you!!!

Amanda

 

[HockeyKat]

I have a history of trying to break gender stereotypes. I raced sailboats as a teenager (and in college). While there are girls who sail, they traditionally are the "crew" and not the skipper. And, of course, I'm a urologist which is hardly a traditional field for women. Much as I love my job, getting there wasn't always easy. I had a boss (who was very good to the female trainees and is still a father-figure for me) who was very upset that there is a Society for Women in Urology. "Why is that necessary?" He asked. "We don't have a Society for Men in Urology." I just thought to myself, if you have to ask, you'll never understand!
..

Amanda

I hear you here! I play ice hockey (not exactly a traditionally women's sport), and I work as a computer programmer. I'm not even sure sometimes there would *be* enough women for a Society for Women in Computer Science!!

 

[DisneyParrothead]

I agree with all of you guys. It was sad and pathetic that women were excluded from racing in the past but thankfully that has been corrected. You don't correct historical inequality with different contemporary inequality.

I get from a marketing and sales side of things Disney makes a lot of cash on princess weekend but what I don't get is why they don't just add a second race. They could have a princess-themed race on Saturday and pirate-themed race on Sunday since they used to have princess and pirate parties. They'd probably get just as many princess runners, add pirate runners, and it wouldn't be so unequal.

I would so run a pirate race My favorite Disney character has always been Captain Hook, and I love the Disney villains. I mean, without them, there wouldn't be a fairy tale in the first place.

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

I would love a pirate race.

As for the Mini 10k, I just like running on flat Central Park West.

 

[Rachael Q]

I'm all for a new race at DL. WDW has January marathon weekend, Princess half, Everest, Wine and Dine.

DL only has the half. And as much as I prefer WDW I think DL needs another race. The DL half sells out so quickly there is obviously demand for another race there.

I don't think it will be a Tri. I think it will be a road race. I don't mind if it's a princess themed run, but I think a more gender neutral theme would be more inclusive. I'd love to see a Pirates and Princess weekend.

 

[DrMomof3]

I just read (stitch kingdom) that it's going to be a Tinkerbell 1/2 Marathon at DL the last weekend of January. So another female-oriented event, assuming this info is correct.
The timing seems odd to me. With Marathon weekend in early January and the Princess in February, it seems odd to have the new race so close to those popular events. But maybe I'm just disappointed that I won't be able to go. I already paid for the January marathon so there's no way I could run in California later that month.

Amanda

 

[Danhockey04]

I believe it is at DLR and it is a tinkerbell half, I just think the dates are incorrect. Look at clues 1 and 2. I see clue one with the keyword "date" and clue two has "fantasy". 24 ENTER 26 I think means to look at the park map of WDW's Fantasyland where 24 = Snow White and 26 = Dumbo, and then I take it to insert into clue 1 Snow White where Dumbo was. So I April 1, 2012 with a 1:50 in there. Either way, I won't be there, cant be heading out to DLR when I got the WDW races less than 5 miles from me to attend and the Miami marathon at the same time of the said time frame of Jan 27-29.