Have we reached the saturation point?

[limabeanmom2003]

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.

Yes, that's why I said I understood why we didn't run through DHS. I was one year too late to run through the lights

 

[limabeanmom2003]

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?

You touched on a lot of it in your post - Riding rides during a race, adding time to your race to stop and get pictures with characters, big focus on costumes for many runners. Let me say there's NOTHING wrong with these things if you enjoy them. He's very competitive (especially with himself) and is always training and racing for a PR. Obviously not all runners are like that, and if you love everything about disney races, that's great! It's just his feeling on disney races. There is no right or wrong on this, it's a personal thing.

 

[Ariel484]

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.

Yeah, like - to me, these races are significant distances. They are serious TO ME. That is all that matters. me me me me

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.

I definitely agree on this - the Wine & Dine course could have been way better even with the DHS construction. I think they were lazy in putting that course together.

I do Disney races for the two free Oreos.

What about the "pasteurized cheese food" or whatever it's called (aka cheese dip)??

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.

I've done a couple local races put on by a run club I'd thought about joining - snootiness everywhere! I felt that I stuck out like a sore thumb being there even though non-members were allowed to sign up. I did not join the run club.

You touched on a lot of it in your post - Riding rides during a race, adding time to your race to stop and get pictures with characters, big focus on costumes for many runners. Let me say there's NOTHING wrong with these things if you enjoy them. He's very competitive (especially with himself) and is always training and racing for a PR. Obviously not all runners are like that, and if you love everything about disney races, that's great! It's just his feeling on disney races. There is no right or wrong on this, it's a personal thing.

I know it's hard to tell tone over the internet, so please do not read this as an attack or anything like that: I think it's the wording that is throwing people (myself included) - "they are not serious races in the running community." As @ZellyB said a lot of us here consider THIS, this space on the DIS, a small community. We all consider ourselves part of the running community as a whole, since we...you know, run, so the wording I guess makes it seem like we're outsiders or something? There are a lot of us that put in dedicated training for months to get ready for these races. I am not a naturally gifted runner, so any of these races are still pretty serious and significant to me.

 

[cavepig]

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.

Yes same here, the last local race I did the bagels were cut up and stale and only a handful left and some orange pieces that looked like people's sweaty hands had picked through and I finished in 2:03 for the half so it's not like I was at the end, it looked like rats had gone through the food and only left crumbs.

I like the snack boxes than I know people haven't picked at the food, I may not eat all the stuff but my niece & nephew sure like those oreos and cheese stuff (vegetarian so don't eat it with the Worcestershire in it). Plus those full bottles of Powerade at the end are great!

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.

but those highways and roads allow for spreading out so were great to pick up the pace for someone who wants to run for time.

 

[limabeanmom2003]

Yes same here, the last local race I did the bagels were cut up and stale and only a handful left and some orange pieces that looked like people's sweaty hands had picked through and I finished in 2:03 for the half so it's not like I was at the end, it looked like rats had gone through the food and only left crumbs.

I like the snack boxes than I know people haven't picked at the food, I may not eat all the stuff but my niece & nephew sure like those oreos and cheese stuff (vegetarian so don't eat it with the Worcestershire in it). Plus those full bottles of Powerade at the end are great!

but those highways and roads allow for spreading out so were great to pick up the pace for someone who wants to run for time.

the whole appeal for me is running through the parks. I've never had issues with crowding in the park portions. I know others do experience it though.

 

[Nole95]

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.

Chocolate milk would be wonderful. I know it can be done because I received a nice, cold hot chocolate after finishing the RNR Savannah Marathon last year.

As for the marathon course, I'd be happy if they could figure out a way to lessen all the out and back on the second half of the marathon.

 

[limabeanmom2003]

Yeah, like - to me, these races are significant distances. They are serious TO ME. That is all that matters. me me me me

I definitely agree on this - the Wine & Dine course could have been way better even with the DHS construction. I think they were lazy in putting that course together.

What about the "pasteurized cheese food" or whatever it's called (aka cheese dip)??

I've done a couple local races put on by a run club I'd thought about joining - snootiness everywhere! I felt that I stuck out like a sore thumb being there even though non-members were allowed to sign up. I did not join the run club.

I know it's hard to tell tone over the internet, so please do not read this as an attack or anything like that: I think it's the wording that is throwing people (myself included) - "they are not serious races in the running community." As @ZellyB said a lot of us here consider THIS, this space on the DIS, a small community. We all consider ourselves part of the running community as a whole, since we...you know, run, so the wording I guess makes it seem like we're outsiders or something? There are a lot of us that put in dedicated training for months to get ready for these races. I am not a naturally gifted runner, so any of these races are still pretty serious and significant to me.

Understood. No disrespect intended. Just offering another view on the topic of this thread.

 

[cavepig]

Chocolate milk would be wonderful. I know it can be done because I received a nice, cold hot chocolate after finishing the RNR Savannah Marathon last year.

Guess at Disneyland (Avengers 16 & Lightside 17) Nesquick had a booth after the race, they really need that at WDW!

 

[croach]

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.

It's ok if your husband doesn't think the races are serious. He's entitled to his opinion of the event. But wearing a costume or riding a ride doesn't make people any less of a runner. Sometimes the running can just be about enjoying it and not getting a PR. That's why I enjoy runDisney - because it's a chance to not take things so serious(also the Oreos). I just hope your husband doesn't look down on the people doing runDisney like they are a second tier group of runners. And I'm not implying he does - just hope he doesn't. Everyone runs the same distance in a race - we all just get there differently, sometimes dressed up like the Swedish Chef.

 

[ZellyB]

Understood. No disrespect intended. Just offering another view on the topic of this thread.

I appreciate the perspective and it's one I've heard before, so I'll mirror @Ariel484 that I hope my tone didn't come across too harsh. It's more a puzzle to me about the differentiation that happens in the running community. And, I will say that as a whole I find most runners regardless of talent and ability to be an encouraging group. I do know that some very fast runners (and I'll use that term rather than serious) still do enjoy rD races and can run them very rapidly, but I completely understand those runners who find the frivolity of the event (for lack of a better term) off-putting. And, again the beauty of running as a sport, we all have so many choices about what events we compete in. There's a place for everyone in this sport.

 

[Mimsy Borogove]

Guess at Disneyland (Avengers 16 & Lightside 17) Nesquick had a booth after the race, they really need that at WDW!

They did have a booth at Light Side; I noticed it while in line for the garbage compactor photo op and made a mental note to go get some...mental note did not stick.

As for the "seriousness" of rD races, I think a LOT of people wouldn't pay the required prices if they felt they were somehow lesser (again, as others have said, I may be misconstruing the wording). One of the things I like about Disney races, apart from the obvious, is the inclusivity. As a mid-to BOTP runner, I don't always feel welcome at non-Disney events.

The beauty is we can all choose to enjoy whichever races however we want.

 

[ZellyB]

The beauty is we can all choose to enjoy whichever races however we want.

Jinx

 

[Mimsy Borogove]

Jinx

I thought that, too! Double jinx!

 

[crewmatt]

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.

Yes, but it sounds like its going to basically be Wine and Dine in reverse. Gross.

 

[cavepig]

Yes, but it sounds like its going to basically be Wine and Dine in reverse. Gross.

Well, Darkside will start on Floridian Way as said above and finish at EPCOT so it won't be exactly a reverse. We may get Studios too since it is mentioned for the 10k. I liked Wine & Dine though, I'm not sure how it was "gross", it was still 2 parks, just as much as Jan or Feb half.

One of the things I like about Disney races, apart from the obvious, is the inclusivity. As a mid-to BOTP runner, I don't always feel welcome at non-Disney events.

Yes I agree, I love how no matter your pace everyone feels welcome. I've ran anywhere from the way back to upper middle and love seeing all the different levels of runners out there getting it done.

 

[Keels]

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?

Cowtown is our local big running weekend - and I assure you, many people that consider that a "serious" race ... but there are also people that stop to take pictures with the Chick-Fil-A cows, in front of monuments along the course, with our Mayor downtown, alongside steers or on the mechanical bull in the Stockyards, with area sports team mascots (Rowdy, Rangers Captain) and consume booze at multiple points along the course (Jell-O/Mimosa shots on the big hill at Mile 9, etc.). I also have numerous friends that have BQ'd at Cowtown too. There are SO many different options for what you can do to make the miles you're running enjoyable to you.

It really whips my a$$ when people keep saying that races aren't "serious" ... IT'S YOUR RACE. Whether it's serious or not is only up to you. Even Meb takes pictures during Rock 'n' Roll races and he's a freaking World Major marathon winner and Olympian. I think some runners just need to get off their high horses and pay attention to their own experiences instead of what others around them are choosing to do over the course of the 3.1/6.2/13.1/26.2 miles.

Don't think a race is serious enough for you? Then don't run it again. But don't beat the dead horse all over the place because of your view of the race. I had a really sh!++y race weekend last year at Princess and it really soured my view on the weekend - until I remembered that it was MY race weekend, not anyone else's. I shouldn't let the poor etiquette and the quitting behavior during the 10K affect me because the only thing that mattered out there was me and my race. And you know what happened? I had a RunDisney PR in the half on Sunday.

I guarantee you that (for the most part), WDW Marathon Weekend is VERY serious for me. I'm not like the dummy on Facebook yesterday that said she hates training and doesn't do it for half marathons, does she need to do it for Dopey - I've devoted two years of training to complete my two-ish Dopeys. No regrets. No disappointments, either. I was serious about the race weekend and it was a serious race (and challenge) for me.

Personally - FOR ME - I care more about atmosphere and overall course make-up for a race than I do for whether it's "serious" or not. It's why - in the world of RunDisney - I prefer California races to Florida races (I prefer the flat course, the weather, the run through neighborhoods and commercial areas with LOTS of crowd support). Last year, during my first Dopey, I got to see Paula Radcliffe pass me in TWO races on the way to the finish when my race was just starting. THAT was an amazing experience. I prefer the overall atmosphere of Marathon Weekend to that of other WDW race weekends, so, that's why I keep shelling out the money to do it.

That said, I'm cutting my RD weekends back in 2017 and 2018 for other, new challenges. Why? Because it's expensive and (with few exceptions), the weekends I've done previously just don't excite me as much as they did in the past. I have no interest in RD weekends like Star Wars or Avengers (I'm actually planning a trip with my tri group to Vegas for RnR Vegas instead). I'm not going to do W&D again because it's a morning race. Tinker Bell and DLH weekends are the only ones still on my radar for this year, and then in 2018 it will likely just be Dopey and Tinker Bell as I have other aspirations that will coincide with the scheduled race weekend for DLH.

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

Exactly. There is not a single person out there who will change my opinion of a race weekend that I enjoy.

RunDisney is "serious" to me. And it's helped me do things and reach goals that just TWO YEARS ago I never thought were possible. And that's good enough for me.

I put this on my Instagram the Sunday of Marathon during Dopey - but, especially in the past year, there have been SOOO many days where I thought there was no WAY that I'd ever be able to finish a marathon. But, luckily, I have the rest of my lifetime to remember that I HAVE finished a Marathon - TWICE. And the only reason I've done that is because of RunDisney.

So I'd like to see a single person tell me that RunDisney races aren't "serious". I dare them.

 

[Barca33Runner]

I've definitely felt the judgment before from "serious" runners about running Disney races. It's not just Disney though, it's basically any race circuit that helped kickstart and feed the running boom (themed 5k's, RnR, etc.). I think it comes from an "I was a runner before running was cool" kind of mentality. It the same thing you see in other areas, "I loved that band back when nobody listened to them, now they're popular and their music stinks" or "I was going to (insert sports team name)'s games before they were good, now the team is better but it's not as fun because these other people aren't real fans". It's human nature.

I'm happy that 99% of the people I've met in the running community are awesome and super amenable to people of all ages and abilities getting involved in their sport. I love Disney races primarily because of their inclusivity and the fact that I never would have had the guts to try a "serious" race without them. And those serious races? From a purely running perspective, I've never felt the experience was any different from a Disney race; the scenery just wasn't as cool.

 

[Mimsy Borogove]

"I was a runner before running was cool" kind of mentality. It the same thing you see in other areas, "I loved that band back when nobody listened to them, now they're popular and their music stinks" or "I was going to (insert sports team name)'s games before they were good, now the team is better but it's not as fun because these other people aren't real fans".

Sooooooo...hipsters?

 

[FFigawi]

It's ok if your husband doesn't think the races are serious. He's entitled to his opinion of the event. But wearing a costume or riding a ride doesn't make people any less of a runner.

This! It doesn't make us or the race any less serious, either. I wore my red Sparkle Skirt during IM Florida and two Comrades races. I'm pretty sure those are serious races that required some serious training in order to start and finish.

I put this on my Instagram the Sunday of Marathon during Dopey - but, especially in the past year, there have been SOOO many days where I thought there was no WAY that I'd ever be able to finish a marathon. But, luckily, I have the rest of my lifetime to remember that I HAVE finished a Marathon - TWICE. And the only reason I've done that is because of RunDisney.

I'm so glad she's stopped blaming me for all of this

 

[Keels]

I'm so glad she's stopped blaming me for all of this

OH DON'T WORRY AFTER TODAY'S WORKOUTS -- YES, THAT'S PLURAL -- I'VE GOT A WHOLE NEW ROUND OF FIGHTING TO DO WITH YOU AGAIN.

My typin' fingers are the only things that don't hurt right now.