Can you tell me more about the Family 5K?

[NC State]

I wanted to run the Princess 1/2 but now my husband wants to walk the Family 5K. He has never walked in a 5K before, he would like to start with this one. Can you share the good and bad when you completed the 5K? It will just the two of us.

 

[erinna]

You might want to check this thread out:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=48812930#post48812930

 

[NC State]

Thank you!

 

[cewait]

Disney 5ks are a great first 5k… well, all their races are a great first race. The ‘official’ minimum pace is a 16 minute/mile pace or roughly 3.75 mph. I would not let that pace worry you if you there is a struggle to keep it. As long as participants are moving along the course, you are generally left alone. I see photos where folks have been on course as long as 70+ minutes. Please be honest as you line up at the start and try to line up in the correct pace area (i.e. is one runs a 15 minute pace, they should not be in the front). There is always some exaggeration of pace and that is kind of expected.

Do not expect the entire race to be in the park… The Epcot course spends a little over a mile in the parking lot and roads to the backstage area. Once in World Showcase, there is a magical feel to the run. In the winter months, the glow from Spaceship Earth from the WSC can be surreal. There are several character stops on course. As mentioned, the lines go relatively fast. Hand your camera off to the character handler and they will snap off a photo as quickly as you settle in a pose. There are also candid photo spots on course.

Most of all – HAVE FUN. There are a few runners who will be out there for a personal time. However, they are relatively few in a Disney 5k. Take in the scenes and feel the magic of the morning. Chat with those around you. Bring your camera and snap off a few photos.

Here is a better map of the course
http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/fullscreen/37052596/

 

[JennyDrake]

Disney 5ks are a great first 5k& well, all their races are a great first race. The official minimum pace is a 16 minute/mile pace or roughly 3.75 mph. I would not let that pace worry you if you there is a struggle to keep it. As long as participants are moving along the course, you are generally left alone. I see photos where folks have been on course as long as 70+ minutes. Please be honest as you line up at the start and try to line up in the correct pace area (i.e. is one runs a 15 minute pace, they should not be in the front). There is always some exaggeration of pace and that is kind of expected.

Do not expect the entire race to be in the park& The Epcot course spends a little over a mile in the parking lot and roads to the backstage area. Once in World Showcase, there is a magical feel to the run. In the winter months, the glow from Spaceship Earth from the WSC can be surreal. There are several character stops on course. As mentioned, the lines go relatively fast. Hand your camera off to the character handler and they will snap off a photo as quickly as you settle in a pose. There are also candid photo spots on course.

Most of all  HAVE FUN. There are a few runners who will be out there for a personal time. However, they are relatively few in a Disney 5k. Take in the scenes and feel the magic of the morning.

DIITO! I've done 3 WDW 5K--one was my very first 5K at age 46. I sorta do Galloway style but as I have lung issues, I walk more than I run.

YES DO IT AND ENJOY!!

Don't be put off by those who sprint by during the race and expect not all of them to be polite. Just shrug it off. I found some acting like it was an Olympic qualifier or something...geez......

There may be congested log jams on the route. Again, just relax even though you will find some shouting "COMING THROUGH!" and I rather wanted to trip them just for spite, but that would not be very nice.

WARNING: This mid life Disney running stuff can be highly addictive. I started out never having run a step in my life with a 5K at WDW age 46. Age 47 I did the F&W Half Marathon and couldn't wait to go back again this year! Unfortunately a ruptured Achilles sidetracked my plans for 2013 from the half to the 5K, but hey, I'll be there!

 

[goofeygirl]

I think its a great starter 'race'. Some run it and many walk it while many more stroll though this race as though they were guests at the park! As of this year it was not timed but I don't know about the next year.


I suggest going for it...costumes and all! If I can dig up my ole video from this year I will post it but I thought it was great...plus the medal (which isn't medal but plastic) was quite cute too.

 

[cewait]

I like this guy's videos of the 5k. He is a great dad running the race with his elementary school aged daughter. This specific one (the January Family 5 k) she was in school since it ran on Friday. She runs in the others on his site.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MFv-nbX4ORI&feature=c4-overview&list=UUfdr9lJtHtaD_MK9hMUohgA