Disneyland 10k - pushing wife in wheelchair

[sumptimwong]

Hi Disney runners!

So my wife and I are in a bit of a predicament and we could sure use your advice. Sorry this is a bit long-winded.

My wife and I are registered for the upcoming DL 10k and HM (DDD sold out before we could get to it), but unfortunately she fractured her tibial plateau in a bicycle accident two weekends ago and it does not look like she will be able to run the race without some assistance.

I called RunDisney, and they said that we have until the 23rd to decide if we want to defer the race registrations until next year. She is really set on doing the inaugural DL 10k, although she is open to deferring the HM until next year.

The thing that we are caught up on up on is whether or not she will actually be allowed to participate in the 10k while on a wheelchair. When speaking with the RunDisney rep, we poured over the safety requirements online together and noticed that there was a long list of related prohibited items (strollers, walkers, baby joggers, crutches) but that 'wheelchair' was curiously missing. It also does not mention anywhere that wheelchairs are actually allowed...

http://www.rundisney.com/disneyland-half-marathon/runner-info/

"For everyone's safety, baby joggers, strollers, baby carriers, baby backpacks, inline skates, motorized scooters, bicycles, skateboards, canes, crutches, walkers, walking sticks and animals of any kind are prohibited from the course. Violators will be removed from the course and transported to the finish line area."

She was not able to explicitly tell me one way or the other if my wife would be allowed to "race" on her wheelchair, but that she had seen runners pushing other individuals in a wheelchair while observing past Disney half marathons. This is probably what we would end up doing for the 10k, and I'd expect about a 10-11 min/mi average pace. We would be happy to start in a slower corral to make sure we aren't in anyone's way, and would be careful not to pose a safety hazard to those around us. But we're in a bit of a pinch about whether or not to risk making the trip down there and getting our hopes up, just to be turned away before we can even cross the start line.

I know this is the inaugural 10k, but if you know of anyone who was done the half in a wheelchair, or have any other insights - please do share!! We did the HM last year but I do not recall seeing any wheelchairs on the course.

Thanks in advance,
Tim

 

[Mommy to Two Princes]

Hi Disney runners!

So my wife and I are in a bit of a predicament and we could sure use your advice. Sorry this is a bit long-winded.

My wife and I are registered for the upcoming DL 10k and HM (DDD sold out before we could get to it), but unfortunately she fractured her tibial plateau in a bicycle accident two weekends ago and it does not look like she will be able to run the race without some assistance.

I called RunDisney, and they said that we have until the 23rd to decide if we want to defer the race registrations until next year. She is really set on doing the inaugural DL 10k, although she is open to deferring the HM until next year.

The thing that we are caught up on up on is whether or not she will actually be allowed to participate in the 10k while on a wheelchair. When speaking with the RunDisney rep, we poured over the safety requirements online together and noticed that there was a long list of related prohibited items (strollers, walkers, baby joggers, crutches) but that 'wheelchair' was curiously missing. It also does not mention anywhere that wheelchairs are actually allowed...

http://www.rundisney.com/disneyland-half-marathon/runner-info/

"For everyone's safety, baby joggers, strollers, baby carriers, baby backpacks, inline skates, motorized scooters, bicycles, skateboards, canes, crutches, walkers, walking sticks and animals of any kind are prohibited from the course. Violators will be removed from the course and transported to the finish line area."

She was not able to explicitly tell me one way or the other if my wife would be allowed to "race" on her wheelchair, but that she had seen runners pushing other individuals in a wheelchair while observing past Disney half marathons. This is probably what we would end up doing for the 10k, and I'd expect about a 10-11 min/mi average pace. We would be happy to start in a slower corral to make sure we aren't in anyone's way, and would be careful not to pose a safety hazard to those around us. But we're in a bit of a pinch about whether or not to risk making the trip down there and getting our hopes up, just to be turned away before we can even cross the start line.

I know this is the inaugural 10k, but if you know of anyone who was done the half in a wheelchair, or have any other insights - please do share!! We did the HM last year but I do not recall seeing any wheelchairs on the course.

Thanks in advance,
Tim

At the PHM, the "wheelers" started about 10 minutes before Corral A. I don't remember seeing anyone pushing anyone in a wheelchair.

If I were you, I would get someone from rD to put it in writing that you will be able to participate by pushing her in her wheelchair -- and then bring that with you to the race. And, laminate it to guard against rain or sweat (I'm just a little OCD!!!). I'd hate for you to get to start and then have a race official pull you off the course because they interpret the rules differently.

Good luck! I hope you wife is on the mend soon.

 

[Castle2Castle]

The wheelchairs that they do have on the course tend to be made for racing, and are unlikely to be considered in the same category of a standard wheelchair for injuries. A standard wheelchair isn't really made with road conditions, speed or easy turns in mind, so the risk of it breaking or falling over to injure a participant could likely be seen as a liability risk much the way that crutches and walkers are on the list. For this reason I'm leaning toward the opinion that they won't allow it.

I would contact runDisney again and push for the number or e-mail address of a race director or somebody similar who has the authority to say for sure. If they will allow it, I'd do as the other poster mentioned and make sure you get written verification with that individual's name tied to it so that any questions from staff on race day can be directed appropriately for quick resolution.

Sorry to hear about the bad luck, but it's good that she wasn't hurt any worse. Hopefully you're both still able to have a good race weekend no matter how they come down on the wheelchair policy.

 

[kimber23]

I don't know if this was totally legit and runDisney approved, but a couple years ago I did see someone pushing another person in a wheelchair (not the racing kind). I saw them somewhere around mile 3 and they were not going super fast, but they still kept a good pace.
Ditto pp- get runDisney to confirm it in writing for you.

 

[Raenstoirm]

I think it is a yes and no thing. I don't think it is safe for your wife to be in a regular wheelchair during the race, but if you want to rent a racing chair, I dont think they are technically allowed to say no. There are quite a few parents that have made headlines over the last few years by pushing/pulling their disabled children (google Team Hoyt for example).

 

[Diskidatheart]

First of all, so sorry about the injury to your wife. That's so unfortunate to have happened.

My thought is that pushing a wheelchair is the same as pushing a stoller. Both could be hazardous to you, your wife, and potentially to other runners if the wheelchair would happen to tip over.

On the other hand, if RunDisney doesn't object to it, then I would definitely get it in writing. The only wheelchairs that I saw this past year for the half in WDW were the racing ones and they were sent out 5 minutes or so ahead of everyone else.

 

[sumptimwong]

Thank you everyone for your well wishes, good ideas, and feedback. I did try to email RD instead of just the phone call, I am awaiting their reply now.

Thinking about it more - I think you are right, Raenstoirm. Thank you for the honest feedback. The front caster wheels on a standard wheel chair are far too small of a diameter to be able to tolerate the usual bumps and dips found on the types of roads we would be racing on, and at the speeds we are talking about. I will either need to convince my wife to defer the racing 'til next year, or to find/rent/make a wheelchair with larger wheels and pneumatic tires.

Thanks again, I'll keep you guys posted on the outcome.

Cheers,
Tim