Disney 1/2 Marathon or Princess 1/2 Marathon? Opinions, Please.

[disney_mommy]

Hi all! I am a (very) new runner and am using the Disney half marathon as an excuse to shape up and get healthy. My question is this - should I do the regular Disney 1/2 in January or the Princess 1/2 in March? Besides the obvious theme difference, what are some advantages to each race that someone can offer? I would appreciate anyone's opinions!

 

[WDWFAN9]

Hi all! I am a (very) new runner and am using the Disney half marathon as an excuse to shape up and get healthy. My question is this - should I do the regular Disney 1/2 in January or the Princess 1/2 in March? Besides the obvious theme difference, what are some advantages to each race that someone can offer? I would appreciate anyone's opinions!

The January event is much bigger in scale, and very well attended. I won't have an opinion on the Princess until after Sunday!

ETA to add: Welcome to the WISH team! There is no better motivation than a trip to Disney and a cool medal.

 

[dsnyfan21]

Just like Pat, I can't give my opinion yet until after the weekend as this will be the FIRST princess half.
I did my first Half Marathon in 2007 at WDW and LOVED it!

One obvious thing is the Princess is geared toward women. Our bibs have princesses on it and so far the number of racers is less than in Jan.

Tracy

 

[disney_mommy]

Well, I like the idea of the woman-focused race, but I also like the idea of being able to blend in with a larger crowd!

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

I did my first 1/2 at a Jan WDW event. I must say that was the most thrilling thing. The crowd and all things really helped me to feel even more thrill than I would have imagined.

Transportation is provided to/from the events from all on-property Disney resorts in January.

Training with WISH during that year did add to the thrill of the experience.

You can't judge weather since it has been quite hot in January and not sure if it will be hot this weekend or not.

I'm not sure about the travel expenses for this time of year versus January.

If you are planning January, don't wait too long. It will fill quickly now.

 

[sunshine girl]

I think you should do the Disney 1/2 marathon (not the Princess). I'm sure the Princess will be great, but for your first I think you will like the grand scale of the January 1/2.

I have done the Disney 1/2 in January and I did the "Minnie Marathon 15k" last year, which is replaced this year by the inaugural Princess 1/2. The Minnie Marathon (now Princess 1/2) is significantly smaller and does not have the same crowd support along the way. In January, you have all the people who are there for the marathon, and the cheering crowds are so much bigger. Plus, the entire resort is geared up for the marathon weekend in January, while the smaller race in March was less of a big deal resort-wide. Also, as the March race is marketed mainly toward women, it's a much different atmosphere.

I wore my medal around the parks after the big January race, and got many "congratulations" from cast members and guests alike. I LOVE that!! After the March race, however, I wore the medal around and no one really noticed... most people didn't even know there was a race that weekend. I recognize that this is a minor thing, but it is worth noting!!

I think the January race is SIGNIFICANTLY better if you want a big-race, big-motivation, big-thrill, resort-wide all-out-Disney-running experience. The March race is better if you want a smaller situation with less hoopla. I personally prefer the January race by a long shot. Best of luck, either way you'll have a great time!!

 

[disney_mommy]

Thanks, sunshine girl. You make a very strong case for the regular half. One more question to seal the deal - what about walkers? Just in case I don't make my training goals and am only able to walk, will I be the only one? Are there a lot of walkers for the half?

 

[maroo]

Thanks, sunshine girl. You make a very strong case for the regular half. One more question to seal the deal - what about walkers? Just in case I don't make my training goals and am only able to walk, will I be the only one? Are there a lot of walkers for the half?

I am walking the half in January!! It will be my first, too!

And I am planning to walk! No running for me.

I have lost 17 pounds already in training mode.

 

[Sandy321]

Thanks, sunshine girl. You make a very strong case for the regular half. One more question to seal the deal - what about walkers? Just in case I don't make my training goals and am only able to walk, will I be the only one? Are there a lot of walkers for the half?

I did my first in '08 Half - and if not for the WISH team, I doubt that I would've finished!

I will say I felt like I was running, but the walkers were faster than my run... and I didnt feel pathetic!! I just kept putting one foot in front of the other...

and I havent worked, and so, back to Disney in '10 - and this time I'm going to be healthier, and better trained!!

(Go for Jan '10 - join a thread here and get tips, cheers, help, confirmation, etc!! I have a trip report in my siggy with pics to help motivate!)

 

[FireDancer]

My first half was also the January half in 2006.

Like the other posts I think the fact that the January event is much bigger is a big plus. It has a lot more resources thrown behind it and the marathon (and half and goofy) is pretty much the focus of the weekend. I didn't do the Princess half but I imagine it is a much more insular event.

The weather in January can be just about anything. It was cold in 2006 (41 at 6am according the NSSL) to but much warmer in 2008 (62 according to same). The average high/low for the second week of Jan is 70/48.

 

[bunnyfoo]

I would pick the 1/2 in January but this is coming from someone who lives in a cold weather climate. The reason is -- if I had gone to the Princess 1/2, I would have done a majority of my training in January and February. This year was pretty harsh for us in terms of the weather. Lots of snow and our city hasn't been great about snow removal.

When I trained for the 1/2 in January, there were a couple of cold days at the end of December and a few snow days but I was already tapering by then. I didn't mind too much doing those runs on the treadmill since they were under 5 miles.

 

[Cinderrunner]

Thanks for the info everyone! I too am kicking around the idea of which half to run in. I finished the half in Jan it was my first. I agree the crowds really carried me! So I guess I should sign up for that half. Due to costs I think I can only run 1 Disney race per yr. So I think you confirmed that one.

Many thanks,

 

[TnTsParty]

After finishing the Princess Half Marathon yesterday I would totally suggest this race for next year. As a women it was an awesome race (I don't know how much the guys appreciated a pink womens shirt but I did see at least one guy wearing it on race day ) it was definately geared toward women. One thing that is nice about it is that it is the BIG race for the weekend were as the BIG race for marathon weekend is the full)

I would definately take into consideration like a PP said about training and what is better in the area you live in. I am in south Florida so anytime is good to train (well it gets hot during the summer) Which ever is your choice good luck - Disney races are alot of fun.

 

[joan4mickey]

Tricia WE saw that guy in the pink shirt too-I see you can in right after us-we were 2:28:12. I think the guys loved it. We saw several cross dressers-there was a Snow White, Minnie Mouse and some guy in a dress thing carrying a basket. Another guy was Team XX/XY. My DD's and I had a great time-where else can you see AND get photo ops with so many characters w/out waiting in line.

 

[TnTsParty]

Joan great time!! The funny thing about the guy in pink is that me and my DH saw him at the expo - my dh said "he is doing the race" I said "maybe he is just getting the stuff for his girlfriend" then I saw his bib and saw a guy name. Then I said "well maybe he is giving the shirt to his g-friend whatever" but then we saw him hold the shirt up to himself - it was a M and totally would not fit him - pretty sure he was able to exchange it since when I saw him during the race it didn't look that tight - just a little funny seeing a guy wearing that color!! I too saw plenty of "cross dressers" mostly guys in Cinderella gowns. Too funny.

 

[Joanna71985]

I am doing the Half Marathon in Jan. But I also really want to do the Princess Half (if it comes back next year). It sounds like a lot of fun.

 

[dsnyfan21]

OK here is my pros and cons..

WDW Jan Half - pros: big crowds with lots of cheering (mainly because more people are there for all three events that weekend.) transportation from ALL resorts for the races and the expo, expo was huge and loved the new start of the route for 1009. Cons: Crowded and lots of racers, can be a big clostrophobic at the start, stagered start due to the number of people - lots of waiting in corrals.

Princess Half - Pros: smaller group (only about 6200 people officially finished) so only 1 start. Lots of ladies and we get "it". More characters along the roads and not in the park. Hidden Mickeys in every mile marker sign and the MEDAL IS BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!!. Cons: Only transportation from 3 hotels, expo was not quite as organized and some lines were very long, NO FIREWORKS at the start - what's with that? Smaller group of runners, so harder to get swept away with the crowd kinda thing, same route as January (sorry to those that wanted it, but if you are to get people to come in Jan and March the course should be different some how!)

I had some cast member congratulatin us with our medals on and some who said, "Oh it was this weekend?" so, I guess not all cast members were aware of exactly when it was taking place.

All in all it was nice for it to be a bit smaller and mostly women. I can't do both races every year, but would try it again.

Tracy

 

[Dgentrysim]

My husband and I have signed up for the Disney Half Marathon 2010. It's the first half marathon for both of us. So excited! Husband has been running for years and years. I just started last summer, though I have been a fast walker most of my adult life. When I turned 50, I wanted to do something monumental so I discovered the Disney Half. Now I will be the first to say, I'm not crazy about running (I could walk all day with no prob.). I have days when I question why I ever came up with the notion of running, but then I realize only something "disney" related could entice me! My husband keeps telling me that once I'm running at Disney World I will get motivated by the crowds, bands, etc, and I really believe that is true, but I do have my moments of self doubt. I'm proud of my progress so far....I'm up to running 6 miles, but am wiped out for the rest of the day! Is there anyone else out there that feels the same way at times or is it just me? I just have days of up and downs running wise and wondered if that is normal for a newbie runner?

Really enjoy reading this threads because they do inspire me to try harder. Anything dealing with Disney is worth striving for! lol

Hope everyone has a "disney-licious" week-end!

Deb

P.S. How do you get rid of all that script after my post....you can tell I'm new at this! lol Thanks!

 

[PeterPan09]

I have been going back and forth on the half for a week now. I'm a swimmer who just started a walk to run program. I'm nervous about getting swept, but I do have 10 months to get ready!

I'm trying to decide between taking on the half this year or waiting until 2011 and doing a couple of the smaller races. The thing that brings me back to the half is that it sounds more walk/run friendly.

 

[IMGONNABE40!]

I am doing the Half Marathon in Jan. But I also really want to do the Princess Half (if it comes back next year). It sounds like a lot of fun.

The Princess Half will be back next year. I got a card for it in my packet last week. I think it will be 3/7/10. Signups start end of this month--or sometime next! Sorry, I don't have the card here at work to give you the specifics.