Disney 5K Family Run - Anyone doing it?

[LeisureMum]

Hello - Anyone doing / or have done the Disney 5K run? Thanks.

 

[dvcdenise]

I ran the Princess 5K. It was lots of fun. You run at your own pace, it was my first and I was slow but finished in the middle.

 

[momof2minnies]

Did it in January- it was fun.

Linda

 

[Sarah_Rose]

I did it in January. The atmosphere before and during the race was a lot more fun than the half or full marathon - a lot more casual as well. I found that because of the crowds I couldn't have gone faster if I wanted to, but I didn't really want to. I was just enjoying the atmosphere.

I said that it was nice to do once but I wouldn't pay $40 to do it again.... of course my parents are joining us for marathon weekend this year and want to do it, so I think I'll walk it with them, with my baby in an infant carrier (to get around the "no strollers" rule!). Should be a riot!

 

[John VN]

DW and I walked the 5K in January. It was our first Disney experience. We liked it so much we have re-upped for 2011 plus more for that weekend.

 

[Lilmattie13]

My dh and I did EE5k last year and we are doing the Mickeys family fun 5k in Oct of this year.
EE 5k was a disaster. It rained monsoons, literally! There was a foot of water to tread through at the end of the race course.
I think any race will go smoother than that one did. We had a fun time though, especially where it was my husband's first ever 5k.
We are trying out the 5k in Oct. I was a little disappointed to hear that they dont time the race though, and am eager to get an idea of what the finisher medallion would look like. I know, I hear not to get too excited as it probably will be a plastic medallion, buy hey, any prize at the end is still a prize, right??

 

[eyor44]

I did the 5K in January as it was my very first race (I was doing the 1/2 the next day and wanted to know what a race was like. Great experience! I am going to do it next January as I have a friend going who has never done a race and I want her to know what a race is like before we do the 1/2.

 

[myhouseofmouse]

I am all signed up for the 5K in October. This will be my first 5k and doing it at Disney is making it all that more exciting. The run thru the MK sounds like it will be more then worth it. Can not wait, see you all there...

 

[es45]

We are trying out the 5k in Oct. I was a little disappointed to hear that they dont time the race though...

Does anyone know if this is true for all Disney 5k races? Or just this one?

 

[Lilmattie13]

Does anyone know if this is true for all Disney 5k races? Or just this one?

EE 5k was timed last year. I think it is the family ones that are not timed. I guess because they figure the whole family is doing it possibly.
I plan on timing myself anyhow.
I wonder though, if there will be a start and finish clock just so you get a basic idea or if they don't do any kind of clock at all.

 

[eyor44]

The UP 5k had clocks throughout the course.

 

[poohbear8]

DD (13) and I are considering doing the Oct run. Neither of us are runners, but the thought of being able to run through MK has both of us strongly considering it!

While looking into the Disney races, I thought I read that you had to finish the race within a set time or they would transport you to the finish line. Does anyone know if that was this race? I looked but can't find whatever it was I read.

Does anyone have a map with the route highlighted? I'd love to see exactly where the run would be.

A plastic medal would be disappointing, but being able to run through MK, could make up for that.

 

[Lilmattie13]

The UP 5k had clocks throughout the course.

That would be nice if they had clocks that way I could keep time even if they dont.

 

[Lilmattie13]

DD (13) and I are considering doing the Oct run. Neither of us are runners, but the thought of being able to run through MK has both of us strongly considering it!

While looking into the Disney races, I thought I read that you had to finish the race within a set time or they would transport you to the finish line. Does anyone know if that was this race? I looked but can't find whatever it was I read.

Does anyone have a map with the route highlighted? I'd love to see exactly where the run would be.

A plastic medal would be disappointing, but being able to run through MK, could make up for that.

I am not sure if this one has a pace time on it or not. I know most disney races have a 16 min mile pace but not sure about this one.

I cant wait to run through MK. I am sure that will slow down everyones pace lol just looking at the castle. How cool is that.

About the medal, well plastic is better than nothing. Most 5k races dont offer medals of any kind. It is usually just a t shirt if that, so any medal is better than none.

 

[poohbear8]

I did find on the registration that it is paced at a 16 minute mile.

Has anyone done a Disney 5k in the past? Is the Tshirt something special that has characters on it, or is it just plain.

I'm happy with "anything" as far as the medal goes. I'll be happy to finish it and not need to be taken to the end and not get a metal!!

 

[Lilmattie13]

I was going to post the 16 min requirement but you beat me to it

I am sure you will finish fine. A 16 min mile is basically a fast walk so you should be fine. They are pretty easy going about the time limits and especially where this is geared towards families I am sure they wont NOT give anyone a finish medal.

This should be lots of fun.

 

[cewait]

I would think all the 5k races have timing - else they would not draw the front end of the race. No timing would leave keep about half the expected draw away. I know that all 5 k's I have run at Disney were timed - though not all with a chip.

Next, all 5 k races have a 16 minute pace. The Mickey ---- in October will more than likely be enforced at mile 2 and change. The course sounds like it will come back to the TTC area on Floridian Way. I am sure the RD has a time limited street permit. I would expect to be picked up if slower than 16 minutes but would be surprised if an 18-20 minute pacer was actually allowed. Say it another way, I am sure the actual cut off is slower than 16 but expect strict compliance with 16.

The Epcot (and other park races) races are usually easier to allow slower paces a full race as the races do not require a street permit. The race will start in the parking lot and circle around the perimeter before heading back stage. You will get a brief tour of backstage before hitting World Showcase. Once on stage you more than likely will not have to worry about pace - AS LONG as you are moving at a continuous pace. I am sure they would pull a participant who is moving at a 30 minute pace but anything faster than 20 should be OK. 20 minute paces will clear the park within 1:15 of the start - that being critical for park opening later.

I know the RD hates posts like this and they are attempting to push folks along a little faster. I just hate to see first time participants fretting over finishing and I am trying to allay some fears. Note that you are in control of your destiny. Work diligently on building distance between now and then. Also work on speed. The easiest speed boosters are short fast intervals (maybe telephone pole to telephone pole at a pace where you could only say one to two words per breath; followed by a regular paced walk to the next pole. Start with one to two fast intervals and add one a week. Do this once a week –no more than twice), Hills (fast sprints up a steep hill – then walk down – following the same type of build up) and strength work (lunges, squats, etc)

Hope this helps.

 

[Sarah_Rose]

Ok, as long as we're on the subject of "rule-breaking" , I have a totally rule-breaking question about the 5K. Which is so totally not me, at all!

If you go to register for the 5K, you get the standard, "these things are not allowed on the course" list that includes strollers and baby carriers. It is the same list (and the same disclaimer word for word) as the one for the half marathon and marathon. However, I swear (because this is the only reason that I thought I could do it) that they made an announcement before the 5K in January asking people with strollers to start at the end of the pack.

My parents want to walk the 5K and I said I'd do it with them, and I'd love to bring the baby with me, as long as the weather was not terrible like it was this past January. I wouldn't even be planning to use a stroller, but just a front infant carrier - this shouldn't get in anyone's way or clog the course, particularly since we'd be in the back with the walkers. Would I really get pulled from the course from a Disney "family fun run" for bringing my child?

Anyway, my DH will be sleeping in that morning at Kidani, so this is definitely more of a "want" than a "need", but I was just wondering if anyone knew more than me on this. If it's definitely going to make someone's head explode because of insurance liabilities, then I'll let the baby sleep. As I said, I'm not a rule-breaker!

 

[FireDancer]

A bit off topic but does Disney need a street permit when they own the streets (meaning the race is on their property)? Normal races have to deal with the city or county to get roads closed while Disney just has to tell a cast member in security to go block the street with a security vehicle. I'm sure they technically need something for legal reasons but I imagine it is just a formality and they can close the roads as long as they would like, especially roads that close to the park where people aren't blocked from getting to the MK and where the road doesn't link up with a non-Disney road like World Drive does. Just a curiosity.

I will be at the 5K in October to cheer everyone on but won't be running it. I won't be in town to use the MNNSHP tickets so it means I would be paying $100 for a 5K and not even a run through MK is worth that much.

 

[cewait]

Ok, as long as we're on the subject of "rule-breaking" , I have a totally rule-breaking question about the 5K. Which is so totally not me, at all!

If you go to register for the 5K, you get the standard, "these things are not allowed on the course" list that includes strollers and baby carriers. It is the same list (and the same disclaimer word for word) as the one for the half marathon and marathon. However, I swear (because this is the only reason that I thought I could do it) that they made an announcement before the 5K in January asking people with strollers to start at the end of the pack.

My parents want to walk the 5K and I said I'd do it with them, and I'd love to bring the baby with me, as long as the weather was not terrible like it was this past January. I wouldn't even be planning to use a stroller, but just a front infant carrier - this shouldn't get in anyone's way or clog the course, particularly since we'd be in the back with the walkers. Would I really get pulled from the course from a Disney "family fun run" for bringing my child?

Anyway, my DH will be sleeping in that morning at Kidani, so this is definitely more of a "want" than a "need", but I was just wondering if anyone knew more than me on this. If it's definitely going to make someone's head explode because of insurance liabilities, then I'll let the baby sleep. As I said, I'm not a rule-breaker!

I really do not know. The 'standard' message is for insurance reasons. I am seeing more strollers starting races locally (houston). I am not a fan of strollers and would waonder about a serious running with the carrier - but as long as they are near the end. I would hate to see someone waste the extreme fee for the October race but if one were to start January and have DH on standby just in case.

A bit off topic but does Disney need a street permit when they own the streets (meaning the race is on their property)? Normal races have to deal with the city or county to get roads closed while Disney just has to tell a cast member in security to go block the street with a security vehicle. I'm sure they technically need something for legal reasons but I imagine it is just a formality and they can close the roads as long as they would like, especially roads that close to the park where people aren't blocked from getting to the MK and where the road doesn't link up with a non-Disney road like World Drive does. Just a curiosity.

I will be at the 5K in October to cheer everyone on but won't be running it. I won't be in town to use the MNNSHP tickets so it means I would be paying $100 for a 5K and not even a run through MK is worth that much.

Actually it's a not 100% accurate, the roads are owned and maintained by Reedy Creek Improvement District, a government entity. Since it is a government entity they are public roadways – even state roadways including 192. Note that RCID was under the direct control of WDW early years since it was the only entity in the district and WDW remains the largest tax payer in the district but it is truly a governmental district put in place to provide services and set standards for all residents and businesses.

The RD will approach RCID as well as each park managemnt for race day permits. Granted these are not tough permits to obtain but they do carry terms, condition and timeframes that the race must live under.