Disney Race Organizers, Please Listen

[windwalker]

First of all thank you for giving us the opportunity to come to the "happiest place on earth", to celabrate our healthy lifestyles, by doing races.

There is a concern that we would like for you to reconsider. The 16 min per mile pace restriction for the Tower of Terror race.

A lot of people use your races as the carrot to get them through their training and their journey to a healthier life style. But often they are not at that level of fitness yet. We have valuable members that are battling weight and recovering from illness, or just to many years of inactivity. Also it limits people doing the race as a family event.

In addition let me add that Walt Disney, said "For ALL who come to this happy place welcome". The 16 mpm restriction is going to close the door to many people who need this in their life.

Last year you allowed 18 min per mile. Please reconsider the current restriction and make it for user friendly to your loyal fans.

Dave, Concerned Disney Lover and WISH Team Member

 

[WDWFAN9]

Well said Concerned Panda! Last year my SIL Deb and her friend Mike participated in ToT. They would have never registered for an event with a 16mpm pace and would have missed the terrific time they both enjoyed so much. And Disney would have missed the money they spent in the parks that week. Here's hoping that Disney listens to our concerns!

 

[windwalker]

Well said Concerned Panda! Last year my SIL Deb and her friend Mike participated in ToT. They would have never registered for an event with a 16mpm pace and would have missed the terrific time they both enjoyed so much. And Disney would have missed the money they spent in the parks that week. Here's hoping that Disney listens to our concerns!

Thank you Pat. I hope others will post their support also. This issue is so fundamental to what WISH is all about, that everyone has value and is welcome. From our members who are IronMan bound to the ones that have just summoned the courage to begin their journey. We are light in the darkness of misunderstanding and we must not be extinguished.

Dave

 

[princessrunner]

Last year, I did this race with my DH and DF's. DH and BFF would have NEVER finished in a 16 mpm time limit. They were about 16:30 to 17:00 but they had an AWESOME time doing it. It is unfortunate to first get rid of the 6.5K, then remove kids from the races and finally restrict it even more with the time limit so stringent. It is a night race in WDW, I think they need to loosen up a bit!! This is about fun and family and friends.

 

[Steffwalks]

I don't really understand why Disney Organizers keep trying to increase the pace and turn ToT into a "just another" race. It was so fun when it was a get together and enjoy WDW and each other event. I don't think that a 16 minute pace will improve the race, nor will it encourage new athletes to participate.

 

[jeanneg]

I agree. The overall difference between a 16 minute pace and what they allowed last year is only about 20 minutes, but those 20 minutes will make or break it for many people. I know of several people that signed up last year specifically because of the more generous time limit and they had a blast. Allowing the course to stay open for 2 and a half hours will give so many more people the opportunity to enjoy this experience. I certainly hope Disney will reconsider and revert back to the more liberal pacing requirements.

 

[windwalker]

Well guys I hope some more people express their support, there is strength in numbers and if I was a Disney race official and only 4 people didn' think my pace requirement was good I sure wouldn't change it.

We are the races most loyal fans and if we are having doughts then what are the other possible entrants thinking.

Dave

 

[Lynn G]

I have some friends that did the 6.5K last year, they are just getting into racing. I think they could be talked into participating in the 13K if the pace was a tad slower, I am not sure they are up to a 16 minute mile pace yet. I think they would jump at the chance to participate if the pace was an 18 minute mile pace. I am sure that there are others in the same place as my friends.

 

[funwalker]

Well said, Panda: In addition let me add that Walt Disney, said "For ALL who come to this happy place welcome". The 16 mpm restriction is going to close the door to many people who need this in their life.

Last year you allowed 18 min per mile. Please reconsider the current restriction and make it user friendly to your loyal fans.

I so agree the 16 minute mile pace restrictions certainly are not family friendly.

 

[ultramickeymouse]

I am as great a Disney race supporter but with the increased pace requirement(don't know how going to be after surgey next week) and increased $, I don't think we will risk $170($50 more than last year). Let more people enjoy the Disney magic and the "Year of a million dreams" to do a race at Disney.

Will be there anyway so they will get my money at F&W???

 

[Scott H]

I concurr with what many others have expressed here, Disney Races are for fun and a relaxed time limit would allow for more to enjoy. Please reconsider and I am most certain that the registered numbers will climb faster.

and yes we are all ready registered this year,

 

[windwalker]

This nation is in a health crisis, not health care but health. We are a nation of people who are our own worst enemies when it comes to our health. We must bring back the nation's health by making exercise fun and get everyone doing it.

In a perfect world, with most of the population getting regular exercise our nation's health care problems would be gone since we would be a nation of healthier people. The major illness we suffer from are the very ills that respond to exercise and a healthy lifestyle. Heart disease, cancer and diabities would be much much less of a burden on our health care system.

I'm sure that Walt Disney would want the wonderfull parks that are his legacy to be on the front line when it comes to making this dream come true. Disney racing needs to be the races that welcomes people of all level of fitness.

Please lead the way in making the races, which are the rewards and celabration of health, open to all who need them.

Dave

 

[bridgerunner]

nicely stated Dave! Thank you for looking out for the team and more important, having a voice for ALL athlete's that want to have a say, but may think their voice won't count. It is very hard to turn what George Ritzer devotes, "Nothing into Something".

 

[nepatsfan73]

I participated in the ToT 6.5K last year (my first event of any kind) and due to physical problems, needed much of the long cut-off to finish. I am still experiencing physical and health problems, many of which I am hoping to overcome in the next year through increased exercise and healthy eating. I greatly enjoyed the event last year and the encouragement I received from many participants and volunteers.

Although I am alredy signed up for this event and Marathon Weekend 2009, a relaxed time limit for this event would be greatly appreciated for several reasons besides those noted above. These include, among others, the late start time (which is part of what makes this event different and fun, but I don't think many are used to starting an 8 mile run or walk at 10:00 PM) combined with travel from different parts of the country (and I think many make this a "shorter" trip primarily to do this race), as well as the fact this will also be considered a training run/walk for those preparing for the 2009 WDW marathon, half marathon or Goofy.

 

[deekaypee]

I agree with everything that has been posted previously. Dave, your logic and words are perfect.

My DH and I are very interested in doing the Tower of Terror race as an event. It is appealing to us as a nighttime race, for its after-party, and for the opportunity to gather with other Disney runners. The entry fee, while elevated in my opinion, is not a strong deterrent to us.

But the restrictions on the pace might deter us. Although we're both capable of meeting the pace requirements, we were hoping to make Tower of Terror a family event with members who would benefit from the 18 mpm pace. Actually, they would more than benefit from that requirement--it would allow them to participate. If the pacing requirement is set at 16mpm, they wouldn't be able to do so, and the opportunity to make the event a family get-together will pass. And our interest in the event might wane.

Because Tower of Terror is a unique event, with its late starting time & distance, it might attract people who normally wouldn't participate in races and for whom the time is secondary to the experience. (As it is for me, regardless of my pace.) It seems to me that Disney would want to attract this crowd by increasing the pace requirements, for a few reasons. One, those who need the extra 2 mpm time aren't going to interfere with the more elite runners achieving their pace, so long as Disney appropriately manages the start. Two, the extra pace will encourage people just entering into running & walking events, thus offering people the Tower of Terror event as a gateway race events--and importantly, a gateway event to DISNEY races. Three, the Tower of Terror is scheduled in such a way as to be attract to people training for the Disney marathon weekends, and takes place during the theme park's slower season; it makes sense to offer this additional event to attract what tends to be an incredibly loyal guest base to its parks as well as to the Tower of Terror event itself.

I would think it would be in Disney's best interest to continue to offer events with generous pacing requirements, and not only to encourage their guests to adopt healthier lifestyles. These pacing requirements also encourage participants to sign up for the events, to associate their running & walking successes with the support offered by Disney, and to continue loyally signing up for a range of Disney running & walking events even after these participants might no longer need such pacing requirements.

In short, not only would be a generous pacing requirement at the Tower of Terror race a generous move on Disney part & a healthy one for the possible participants, it would be a healthy move for Disney's reputation.

 

[padisneyfan]

I'm glad that many other are posting that they would like the time requirement changed to 18 minute miles. DH did this last year because of the liberal time and had a wonderful time. He actually finished only 15 minutes after I did. He would have difficulty maintaining a 16 minute pace, but is comfortable at 17 minute. He was able to experience a race and get a medal something he wouldn't be able to do again without a change in the time requirement.

Nancy

 

[dsnyfan21]

I have previously completed two WDW Half Marathons and I am currently signed up for the Minnie. My Mother who is 64 and walks, has accompanied me to these events. She has expressed interest in doing something like maybe the Family Fun 5k before the Marathon weekend, when I told her there was a 15min pace requirement, she just gave up on it. I think Disney - "the family place where all feel welcome" would have some of their endurance series have a more family friendly pace requirement. I think the 5k's and things that are done in just one park should have a 18-20min pace. That would make it more friendly for all to participate. I can understand why the Halfs, Fulls and the 15k has the shorter pace because Disney has to close roads, but then have the other races more friendly to others who are "wanting" to do a Disney race but maybe just starting out or just not as fast as more elite athletes!!!!!!
(Just think how much more money Disney could get if they had more people who "could" participate in these types of events!!!!!!!!!!) The economy right now is is making people really decide about doing extra things, people aren't going to spend the money if they know they just aren't going to be able to finish.

Disney Endurance needs to think of the needs of "ALL" athletes and make it more encouraging for all people to get fit and participate.

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

I continue to be disappointed in the time restriction. Last year DH participated and it was his first even of this nature ever. After the health challenges he has recently faced he really felt like he could do something and he got a taste of what I do at the 15-16 min pace restrictions for the other events. He had fun!

I understand that time is restricted for those supporting the event too. I don't understand why it would not be something that could be arranged for the extra time needed. It does not seem that much extra time.

For all the reasons discussed here in this thread, I would ask that the time restriction be reconsidered so other players can participate.

 

[windwalker]

I continue to be disappointed in the time restriction. Last year DH participated and it was his first even of this nature ever. After the health challenges he has recently faced he really felt like he could do something and he got a taste of what I do at the 15-16 min pace restrictions for the other events. He had fun!

I understand that time is restricted for those supporting the event too. I don't understand why it would not be something that could be arranged for the extra time needed. It does not seem that much extra time.

For all the reasons discussed here in this thread, I would ask that the time restriction be reconsidered so other players can participate.

Thank you Lily, you and Ted are directly affected by the pace restrictions. You are Disney Royalty to us WISHers. Surely there is someone on the race committe that's going to listen to us.

Dave

 

[Scott H]

Hey folks here is also something we could do to further this cause.

We will be at the ING ATlanta marathon, doing the 1/2, and Disney folks are ssupposed to be at the EXPO. We will make it a point t tell them our concerns and the concerns of others reference this issue, sooo if ya are at any other race be it Disney or other, Tell the Disney folsk at teh Expo your thoughts, It couldn't hurt. Hey bing a couple of changes of clothes, sunglasses etc and change them several times and go back and tell then again and again.

Yes I am starting a society to change teh spelling of the to teh. LOL Also for to fro. Mayne it is a right brain left brain thing, nahhh just a cruddy typist and speller. LOL