Disneyland Half Marathon 2024

[Naomeri]

I have missed a lot of this thread so my apologies if it has been discussed, but do we think they will do yoga if it is 40 degrees? I’m not sure I want to do yoga in 40 degrees lol.

I’m packing my cold weather leggings for yoga

 

[Novatrix]

So I figure now before the race weekend gets into full gear is a good time to talk about basic runner etiquette when it comes to wheelchairs. Because I know most of y’all know basic etiquette but even experienced ones can get caught up in what to do or not to in some cases

1: and this is general good etiquette when it comes to mobility aids. Please before you try to help especially on the hills. Ask us first. In general just moving someone who is in an aid without asking is really rude even if it is well meaning. And yes we know that on some of the worse hills we will often say yes because of just the laws of physics not being in our favor. But especially with racers if you grab onto the wrong part and we’re not expecting it. You risk throwing off our balance if you grab on especially to the wrong spot.

Just four words ‘Do you need help’ is all you need.

Thank you so much for posting this!

Honestly, there's been a few times I've seen chair athletes struggling (think going up the other side of the underpass headed to the Contemporary) and frankly I always worried it would be insulting to ask whether they wanted a hand up the hill.

So it wouldn't be overstepping to ask? I always assumed if someone wanted help they would ask the surrounding runners, but I'll start offering in future if it won't be taken the wrong way.

 

[StarGirl11]

Thank you so much for posting this!

Honestly, there's been a few times I've seen chair athletes struggling (think going up the other side of the underpass headed to the Contemporary) and frankly I always worried it would be insulting to ask whether they wanted a hand up the hill.

So it wouldn't be overstepping to ask? I always assumed if someone wanted help they would ask the surrounding runners, but I'll start offering in future if it won't be taken the wrong way.

You can always ask. Some might say no. Some might say yes. Depends on the hill and the person. Most even the faster ones don’t mind in my experience based on the conversations I’ve personally had. Or might not need help right that second but ask to stick close because we’re having trouble coming up. Or heck might need help with something that you might not think of.

Like if the course is rolling and I know I’m not going to have time to pick up speed safely to clear the next uphill. I’ll send whoever asked if they could help in front of me for the downhill to help clear a path. It was really effective coming into Epcot during Springtime and gave me peace of mind about doing what one of my friends did because they had a runner cut in front of them (crash. Badly. To the point where I think I remember hearing it was one of the nastiest crashes rD had even seen. They finished the race and Dopey the next day but that didn’t help)

And in gen some racers might not need physical help at all. It’s going to be a ymmv situation that you won’t know until you ask. And I personally at least don’t mind the ask. I’m not sure about everyone else in the division. But I don’t think on average most will get mad. If they’re short there’s a chance it’s just because needing to focus.

Genuinely some might not ask because I’m going to be real. It’s kind of awkward for us. For one we don’t know the other runners around us a lot of the time let alone their situations. And I don’t want to be the one responsible for putting someone in awkward position. And I know based on at least one convo with another friend who’s around my pace this isn’t unique to me.

That being said the tram tunnel and Ball are such pita that I might have to make an exception how I normally operate. Tram tunnels angle at least I’m concerned enough about getting back up and idk about being able to maintain speed long enough on the flat to climb it easily

(probably not)

And yeah Contemporary is pita. The faster chairs tend to gun it out of the start for MW and Princess so they can get enough momentum safely to clear the uphill without fighting the crowd. Which is great if you can do it. Unfortunately not all of us are fast enough to pull that off.

(That’s not the only hill they do that ftr. The hill climbing up to TOT at Springtime is another clear spot. I also suspect that there is going to be a gunning spot for DL for the speedier ones, But when I lost my FB account last month I also lost access to the group that I talk to a lot of these people in, really hoping to rectify that this week)

But yeah don’t be afraid to ask. Most of us are aware of our issues on the steep hills. Trust me.

(This ended up being way longer than I anticipated. Whoops)

 

[AmericanItGirl]

We will be in Disneyand soon! I am so excited! I will be doing the Half! Since it will be dark for the first few hours with a 5am start, are you brining a head lamp? I am trying to decide if I should bring one or not.
We got this team!!!!!

I’m not running the half this time (only doing the 10k), but I’ve never felt the need for a head lamp during past Disneyland halfs. They usually have enough light in the parks, and there are sufficient street lamps in the neighborhood.

 

[The Expert]

I’m fairly confident that they’ll have at least one Marvel character out. They’ve had Marvel runs in the past, so they should still have the backdrops/staging for Marvel character photo Ops. I’m just excited for characters period (it’s one of the main draws for me). I don’t even need to stop for photos with them, and I probably won’t out of fear of being swept by the balloon ladies. However, I’m running with my phone in my hand, so I plan on at least taking some photos of characters as I shuffle by.

I would encourage you to have a list in your head of must-stop characters, and if you see one, stop. Especially during the Half, the characters have historically been only in the parks, so they will be front-loaded. CMs will warn you if the balloon ladies are getting close so you can jump out of line, and you'll have lots of time with nothing to stop for later in the race.

Since it will be dark for the first few hours with a 5am start, are you brining a head lamp? I am trying to decide if I should bring one or not.

You won't need a headlamp.

 

[The Expert]

I love all the great info you are posting @StarGirl11 I have learned so much!

I know you're probably busy prepping for the races but I encourage you at some point to gather all these great posts and put them in their own thread. I think it would be super useful to bookmark for reference, and to link to in all the event threads.

 

[DLFun]

I’m not running the half this time (only doing the 10k), but I’ve never felt the need for a head lamp during past Disneyland halfs. They usually have enough light in the parks, and there are sufficient street lamps in the neighborhood.

Thank you so much for your response! Good to know. Wishing you an awesome 10K!

 

[DLFun]

I would encourage you to have a list in your head of must-stop characters, and if you see one, stop. Especially during the Half, the characters have historically been only in the parks, so they will be front-loaded. CMs will warn you if the balloon ladies are getting close so you can jump out of line, and you'll have lots of time with nothing to stop for later in the race.


You won't need a headlamp.

Thank you! I won't plan on packing my headlamp.

 

[fatmanatee]

We will be in Disneyand soon! I am so excited! I will be doing the Half! Since it will be dark for the first few hours with a 5am start, are you brining a head lamp? I am trying to decide if I should bring one or not.
We got this team!!!!!

It’s well lit enough along the course and you might end up catching sunrise within the parks depending on your start time. Here’s a photo from 2017 as a teaser for what to expect:

 

[Marebear_runs]

I’m definitely not checking email and track shack constantly for expo passes and bib numbers….

 

[Popo]

I’m not running the half this time (only doing the 10k), but I’ve never felt the need for a head lamp during past Disneyland halfs. They usually have enough light in the parks, and there are sufficient street lamps in the neighborhood.

 

[Popo]

I’m definitely not checking email and track shack constantly for expo passes and bib numbers….

Don't forget to check your RunDisney account also.

 

[Marebear_runs]

Don't forget to check your RunDisney account also.

Haha, thanks, now I have 3 things to constantly refresh

 

[xjillianpaige]

Packing is the wooooorst. Trying to keeping it to a carry on but I want to bring my whole closet.

 

[Desdemona924]

Packing is the wooooorst. Trying to keeping it to a carry on but I want to bring my whole closet.

My husband and I are hoping that we'll be able to share one big suitcase, plus a carry-on and personal item each. We should probably start packing now so that when that inevitably doesn't work, we can re-pack.

 

[princess_jamie]

Haha, thanks, now I have 3 things to constantly refresh

I am constantly refreshing here to see if you have any updates

 

[lookingforsunshine]

Packing is the wooooorst.

Keeping everything to a carry on feels like a bigger challenge than the races to me hahaha

 

[jennamfeo]

Packing is the wooooorst. Trying to keeping it to a carry on but I want to bring my whole closet.

I'm glad we can drive. We are even bringing our coffee pot with us to have in our hotel room. LOL.

 

[Naomeri]

Packing is the wooooorst. Trying to keeping it to a carry on but I want to bring my whole closet.

That’s why I fly Southwest, even though I can never get direct flights. Running gear in the carryon roller, everything else in a checked bag. And I can check the carryon roller on the way home

 

[The Expert]

I usually pack light, but checked a bag this time. Not only did I need to pack for both WDW and DL, but you are going to have shirts and medals coming home. That's assuming you buy nothing at the expo.