Have we reached the saturation point?

[BelleWannabe4]

I agree with a lot of the points above. To be clear, I absolutely love Disney and there is no way I would have gotten into long(ish) distance running without the idea of running in a princess costume through the Disney parks. I am going to do the Glass Slipper this year and I want my first marathon to be the 2018 WDW marathon, but then I think I might be done with runDisney, as sad as that sounds. As everyone has noted, it's expensive and there's just not enough course entertainment outside the parks. The Disneyland Half was much better regarding the entertainment.

But my two main problems are (1) that the races are too darn early and (2) there's not enough room on the path in WDW. I live in CO now, which means I have to wake up at what feels like 1:30 am in WDW and run OVERNIGHT. I know your body adjusts eventually to the time difference but I just don't have enough vacation days to get there early. And a 3:30 am wake up call for princess is rough enough. Please, please, please bring back a night race. I am a nighttime runner and I wouldn't feel like death for the next two days if I could sleep. Also, the Princess is just so, so crowded. I know that these races aren't necessarily for time and I am not a speedy person. However, when I literally can't run because the road is so packed with people, that's a real problem. I've been in much larger races and this has only been an issue at Disney. Again, DL was much better about this. I'm not sure what they can do other than maybe create more corrals or try to really reinforce that walkers should stick to the right, but it makes the race unenjoyable to the point that I think this will be my last Princess weekend. I'm not sure if the other races are better about this but I hope so. Maybe it's just a Princess problem?

 

[Ariel484]

I think what we're seeing is a few things all finally coming together - it truly feels like runDisney is not being run by the people who run runDisney events - they really should impose that all runDisney employees run 2 races a year - and have to go through the whole process as if they were not runDisney employees.

I completely agree with your post (especially the loyalty program - heck, my bagel place has a punch card, can't runDisney? ) but this suggestion is a great one.

My BFF's husband is a CM and a co-worker of his - a pretty serious runner - was invited by the runDisney staffers to run the Dark Side half marathon last year. He was given a bib and asked for his feedback...he also wasn't corralled properly. This guy was, I think, a 1:40ish half marathoner and was put in the last corral. I never got to see the email he sent but apparently he was not shy in telling runDisney that he was not impressed. I think this was his first runDisney event and he said he wouldn't do another one, and neither would his other runner friends.

I thought this was interesting, because on one hand, they ARE looking for feedback...but they chose a fellow CM to give it to them rather than listen to us, the paying customers. I also wonder what he would have thought had he started in Corral A/B like he should have. And this was just the race experience that he gave feedback on - not the having to wait for months to get the course map/theme released, not having to go to the expo (bib pick-up and merch especially can be such a pain), etc.

 

[crewmatt]

I also wonder what he would have thought had he started in Corral A/B like he should have.

Dark side specifically would have been extremely frustrating to be mis-corralled. I was back in B corral and easily caught up to A corral before that canal path. That course really needed to be run in reverse.

 

[Nole95]

Dark side specifically would have been extremely frustrating to be mis-corralled. I was back in B corral and easily caught up to A corral before that canal path. That course really needed to be run in reverse.

I agree that Dark Side was a mess. It was the most congested race I have ever run, and I'm glad I had no intention of running any kind of normal pace that morning. At least they heard the complaints and are starting the race on Floridian Way this year and heading towards Epcot.

 

[JClimacus]

This was a very interesting thread to read. I am really on the fence as to what to register for for Marathon weekend 2018, and so the whole "will it sell out fast" question is something I think of often. I really want to do Dopey, just afraid to commit to it when I've been out for a month. But I have gotten in a few runs in the last week, so I am getting there. Couple of weeks to decide.

... However, for context, I am looking for a fall full marathon, and my current plan is a race with some good reviews, nice scenery and very sufficient on course support - cost - $65. And no, there are no digits missing there.

Have you decided on a marathon yet? If not, I recommend the Clarence Demar Marathon in Keene New Hampshire. It's a small race (~300 runners) with a long history, a small town New England feel, and stunning scenery, especially the first half. I just checked and it's $90, however. The people are very friendly, it's well-organized, there is good on course support, and surprising support from the locals for a small race - including students from Keene State College driving along in cars cheering runners on.

I prefer small races and the only large marathon I'm interested in running is Disney. The whole process from the Expo to the early morning pick-up and hanging in the Epcot parking lot, on to walking to your corral just thrill me. But it is a lot of $$$ to plunk down... Goofy 2018 will likely be my last hurrah for WDW races.[/QUOTE]

 

[FFigawi]

Have you decided on a marathon yet? If not, I recommend the Clarence Demar Marathon in Keene New Hampshire. It's a small race (~300 runners) with a long history, a small town New England feel, and stunning scenery, especially the first half. I just checked and it's $90, however. The people are very friendly, it's well-organized, there is good on course support, and surprising support from the locals for a small race - including students from Keene State College driving along in cars cheering runners on.

Other smaller races with good reviews, good support, and nice courses:

Richmond
Mt. Desert Island
Fargo
Avenue of the Giants

 

[DVCFan1994]

Have you decided on a marathon yet? If not, I recommend the Clarence Demar Marathon in Keene New Hampshire. It's a small race (~300 runners) with a long history, a small town New England feel, and stunning scenery, especially the first half. I just checked and it's $90, however. The people are very friendly, it's well-organized, there is good on course support, and surprising support from the locals for a small race - including students from Keene State College driving along in cars cheering runners on.

I prefer small races and the only large marathon I'm interested in running is Disney. The whole process from the Expo to the early morning pick-up and hanging in the Epcot parking lot, on to walking to your corral just thrill me. But it is a lot of $$$ to plunk down... Goofy 2018 will likely be my last hurrah for WDW races.

[/QUOTE]

I am not particular about race size, but I am not fast, so really small races make me nervous I'll be last . $90 is still a bargain in my book. I will have to check out the Clarence Demar Marathon, I like the Keene area. Before weekends were filed with kids activities we used to do a covered bridge foliage tour in the fall all around the Keene area. Scenery is high on my priority list. The one I am leaning toward is the New Hampshire Marathon in Bristol, NH, by Newfound Lake. My mom doesn't live far from there, so it would be an easy one to get to. Another consideration would be the Cape Cod Full, but its the last weekend of October, and I was hoping to do a race a little earlier in the month so I could have a bit of a recovery break and then ramp up again before Dopey.

Other smaller races with good reviews, good support, and nice courses:

Richmond
Mt. Desert Island
Fargo
Avenue of the Giants

I looked at MDI but the elevation chart scared me a bit. Any thoughts? Sometimes I think these charts look worse than the actual experience is. The scenery for that one sounds fantastic.

 

[limabeanmom2003]

I've done the WDW marathon three times. I still can't believe they don't have bagels at the finish for runners. They give you that cheap box of processed crap that are probably donated and cost rundisney nothing. Runners spend a lot of $$ to run these races and it's clear that rundisney is in this to make money, very different from any other races I've done. My husband won't do any more rundisney races because he believes that they are not serious races in the running community. Take for example the fact that the medal is a participant award and not a finisher award. We did wine and dine 1/2 last year and it was mostly highways/roads. I can run on roads at home. I think I'm done with rundisney too, at least for a few years. We will stay vacation there but I don't see us pairing a vacation with a race.

 

[FFigawi]

I looked at MDI but the elevation chart scared me a bit. Any thoughts? Sometimes I think these charts look worse than the actual experience is. The scenery for that one sounds fantastic.

I think the chart makes it look worse. It's hilly, for sure, but definitely doable.

 

[rteetz]

I've done the WDW marathon three times. I still can't believe they don't have bagels at the finish for runners. They give you that cheap box of processed crap that are probably donated and cost rundisney nothing. Runners spend a lot of $$ to run these races and it's clear that rundisney is in this to make money, very different from any other races I've done. My husband won't do any more rundisney races because he believes that they are not serious races in the running community. Take for example the fact that the medal is a participant award and not a finisher award. We did wine and dine 1/2 last year and it was mostly highways/roads. I can run on roads at home. I think I'm done with rundisney too, at least for a few years. We will stay vacation there but I don't see us pairing a vacation with a race.

I would imagine a good majority of food given away at most races is donated or at a reduced cost to the event. I've never craved a bagel after running so that's not something I would want. Chocolate milk would be something I'd like to see.

As for courses being on roads there is no possible way to get 26.2 miles all within theme parks so you're going to have to run on roads. A lot of people including myself don't run Disney races for time. That doesn't mean they can't be serious races though. People get PR's and BQ all the time. To me Disney races are about the experience not the running.

 

[ANIM8R]

My husband won't do any more rundisney races because he believes that they are not serious races in the running community.

I'd like to know more about this. (I mean that in all sincerity...I'm not sure how that comes across via message board)

Other races it is generally accepted that people stop for pictures in front of landmarks. Of course, not dozens of character stops like Disney but for a few years the Columbus Marathon ran into the Ohio State football stadium and many people stopped for pictures.

The Indy Half Marathon had people doing pushups at the finish line on the Indy racing track.

Most other races have bands, entertainment, lots of spectators.

Of course, I haven't seen people veer of to go on an amusement ride anywhere but Disney!

I'm legitimately curious as to why Disney isn't considered a serious race? Maybe low prize money/lack of Olympic-caliber elites?

 

[Ariel484]

I do runDisney races because *I* enjoy them. I could not care less whether the running community thinks runDisney races are "serious" or not.

 

[WhereInFlorida]

There have been bagels at many races I have done, and consistently they are stale, hard, cold, and nasty. No worries from me on not having them at any race I do.

 

[ZellyB]

I do runDisney races because *I* enjoy them. I could not care less whether the running community thinks runDisney races are "serious" or not.

Amen. I've never really understood the whole "serious" thing. What does serious mean? To someone who has never done a race, any distance in any amount of time is "serious." Nor the whole caring about what the running community thinks. And, just who is this elusive "running community?" I mean, we clearly have a running community here on this board with people who get age awards in IM competitions and who BQ and clearly they all enjoy doing Disney races.

 

[WhereInFlorida]

I'd like to know more about this. (I mean that in all sincerity...I'm not sure how that comes across via message board)

Would like info on this as well. Only 6 min/mi runners??

 

[BuckeyeBama]

I do runDisney races because *I* enjoy them. I could not care less whether the running community thinks runDisney races are "serious" or not.

Agree, and I have never heard any of my serious running friends criticize rD events. They are corral A or B runners, so they don't experience the crowded courses for the most part.

rD events can be as serious or as fun as you like. It is up to you, the runner. Kinda like everything else in life.

 

[limabeanmom2003]

I would imagine a good majority of food given away at most races is donated or at a reduced cost to the event. I've never craved a bagel after running so that's not something I would want. Chocolate milk would be something I'd like to see.

As for courses being on roads there is no possible way to get 26.2 miles all within theme parks so you're going to have to run on roads. A lot of people including myself don't run Disney races for time. That doesn't mean they can't be serious races though. People get PR's and BQ all the time. To me Disney races are about the experience not the running.

Regarding roads, I was referring to wine and dine last year. One of the reasons I really enjoy the full marathon is because you do get to run through all the parks. I thought wine and dine should have included more of Epcot in their course. We barely ran through Epcot. I know it use to go through DHS and why it didnt this year.

 

[croach]

I do runDisney races because *I* enjoy them. I could not care less whether the running community thinks runDisney races are "serious" or not.

I do Disney races for the two free Oreos.

 

[rteetz]

Regarding roads, I was referring to wine and dine last year. One of the reasons I really enjoy the full marathon is because you do get to run through all the parks. I thought wine and dine should have included more of Epcot in their course. We barely ran through Epcot. I know it use to go through DHS and why it didnt this year.

DHS is under major construction right now. 25 acres of that park is currently dirt. You didn't spend a lot of time on DHS during the marathon this year either. I'd assume that will change once work is done.

 

[Dis_Yoda]

The Major Naples Running Groups doesn't feel RunDisney are serious races but I don't like the Naples Running Community to begin with - especially when they claim they are welcoming to people of all paces but in reality they are really only welcoming to people between 5 min and 8 min miles. My husband at his speediness doesn't enjoy their events because of the snootiness there. I felt so awkward the couple events I did with them.