I love the bottom half!

[dkostel]

Of the pack at the Disney races that is. I've read reviews of the DL half with people complaining that runners are stopping to take picture with characters, there are too many walkers (heaven forbid), people run in costumes, and other complaints ending in "I'll never do this race again". Good riddance, some people just don't get it. Sure I have dreams of cutting the tape, but I know that will never happen. And I am convinced that the slower half is where all the fun is at. I ran with my 15yo niece and we talked a lot of the way. People would just join in as they passed, it was great fun.
A year and a half ago I couldn't run a mile, now I finished my second half marathon (and am signed up for the full in 2010), mostly because it was something new and fun for me at Disney. I think that is my favorite part, not seeing the world class athletes, but seeing people who combine a love of Disney with a desire to improve their health, just getting out there and doing it as best as they can. I'm glad that Disney understands this.
Chicago has a 1/2 marathon this weekend with a requirement of a 13 minute mile. That is pretty much saying we don't want you walkers. I don't understand what sense that makes, especially in a half marathon.
Anyway, I loved the race - the other racers, the scouts cheering in Angels stadium and everyone else cheering us on. Hopefully the fun suckers will stay away!

 

[Padstack]

The DL Half was my very first half-marathon and I enjoyed every second. I was in the first corral where there were only one or two people that stopped to walk and I was one of the only people to stop and take pictures with the characters. That was the draw of using the race as my first.

Not too many people were talking up in the front, but I did have a fun discussion with a runner as we entered Angel Stadium. I did not hear any of the complaints that you did, but there are downers anywhere you go, even at Disneyland. Although, my one disappointment was that there were not more characters available for pictures.

Glad you had a great time. I cannot wait until next year.

 

[wtpclc]

dkostel - Here! Here! If it's not fun, why do it? As faras Chicago, seeing taht they have a very beginner-friendly tri adn teh RnR haldf is very beginner friendly, I can't say they don't want walkers. My best guess is that they just can't get the streets closed for any longer or don't have volunteers that can cover. Still, tehir loss.

 

[timmac]

I'm offering this reply in the hopes that you read it with the same spirit I'm writing it, as I don't mean anything offensive. I'm hoping you might see the other perspective a bit though. Let me start by saying I'm not a front of the pack person at all, but usually a mid-packer (sometimes ahead or behind that, depending on the nature of the race, of course)

I've read reviews of the DL half with people complaining that runners are stopping to take picture with characters, there are too many walkers (heaven forbid), people run in costumes, and other complaints ending in "I'll never do this race again". Good riddance, some people just don't get it.

I'm actually quite surprised to hear comments like this at all, as most of those kind of complaints would seem to arise form a poorly organized and poorly run race, which I'm doubting was the case. That said, I think you're being a bit harsh here. Hopefully these complaints you saw were the exceptions. Assuming all the start waves/corrals were setup properly, the faster runners shouldn't have ever really had an issue from the slower walkers. And, hopefully, those who were stopping for pictures, etc, were doing so in a way that was respectful of everyone else (e.g. stepping off to the side and not just dead stopping in the middle of a sea of people). If that wasn't the case, then I'd have to say those individuals were the problem.

My most recent half was one where I noticed one particular issue with how the race was organized. It was a combination half/half-relay/5k walk, all sharing the same start. I would have expected to see some sort of indications on where to line up, by expected pace for instance. Instead, there were many walkers crowded near the front of the mass start, and others at seemingly random locations in the pack. In the grand scheme of things not a huge deal at all (and I don't have any fault with anybody there, most I assume just didn't know any better), but when everyone is funneled through a fairly narrow corridor over the starting mat, it's rather frustrating to cross the starting line, then find yourself unable to move because people are crowded in front of you. I say this just to point out the contrast that I can't imagine this kind of situation were true at the DL half, and thus I would completely agree with you that complaints about "too many walkers" don't make any sense.

Sure I have dreams of cutting the tape, but I know that will never happen. And I am convinced that the slower half is where all the fun is at. I ran with my 15yo niece and we talked a lot of the way. People would just join in as they passed, it was great fun.

I'd argue that the faster half has just as much fun, just in a different way. Doesn't mean that either one is better than the other.

A year and a half ago I couldn't run a mile, now I finished my second half marathon (and am signed up for the full in 2010), mostly because it was something new and fun for me at Disney. I think that is my favorite part, not seeing the world class athletes, but seeing people who combine a love of Disney with a desire to improve their health, just getting out there and doing it as best as they can. I'm glad that Disney understands this.

I'm glad to hear that you enjoy it so much, and that you're doing so well with it!

Chicago has a 1/2 marathon this weekend with a requirement of a 13 minute mile. That is pretty much saying we don't want you walkers. I don't understand what sense that makes, especially in a half marathon.

In a lot of big cities, it's not necessarily as much about not wanting walkers, per se, but the logistics and safety of things like road closures for extended periods of time, how long aid stations and emergency services need to be on hand, etc.

On the other hand, I've seen some races (not quite as large as Chicago, of course) that offer a special start time, say, an hour early, for walker-only participants. That way, they can be part of the event, and some of the logistical issues can be handled separately. One I can think of actually had a police patrol car "escorting" the walker group.

Hopefully the fun suckers will stay away!

I understand why you find the comments frustrating, but please try to understand that some of the more competetive/faster participants might well say they are having fun by pushing themselves faster/harder/etc. Just as you're having fun enjoying the various elements of the race. There's plenty of room for both types of participants and all to have a good time.

For what it's worth, I'd bet the overwhelming majority of the competetive athletes don't have the same sentiments you saw posted by just a few. Don't take it too much to heart.

 

[dkostel]

I was on a reading reviews of the race (forgot where but it was running related, not disney related). About half of them were negative along the lines that I mentioned. Honestly, they couldn't have researched the race very well

It's good to hear it is a fun race for the faster, more competetive folks as well. If it wasn't fun why do it?

 

[timmac]

I was on a reading reviews of the race (forgot where but it was running related, not disney related). About half of them were negative along the lines that I mentioned. Honestly, they couldn't have researched the race very well

That's definitely odd. Maybe it's the whole "people with negative experiences are more likely to complain than people with positive experiences talk about how good it was" kind of thing. Not worth worrying about at any rate

It's good to hear it is a fun race for the faster, more competetive folks as well. If it wasn't fun why do it?

It's definitely fun at all levels, you've hit the nail on the head

 

[mousemgr2]

I am a back of the packer too and I am proud to be there! My friend and I had a great experience at DL. When we got to the area where you crossed to go into California Adventure (mile 11.5?), we saw a runner that had finished and changed clothes. He came back out to the course to cheer us on. We thanked him for coming out to cheer for us. His response was "You guys are an inspiration." That made us feel great. It's nice to know that some front/middle of the packers appreciate the fact that 13.1 miles is the same distance regardless of whether you run it or walk it.

 

[kirkson]

I had a great experience this year, and plan to run again next year, but I will say, I think DL could have done a better job with the corrals. I ended up in the 3rd group to start and I was passing walkers for the first several miles. which tells me that there were walkers in the first two groups to start. IMO, anyone who intends to walk all or part of the race should be in the last group to start. For no other reason than that the folks who intend to run the whole way are not dodging them for the first several miles.

I think it is FABULOUS that DL provides the opportunity for both runners and walkers to comfortably participate in this great event, but it would have been better had the walkers been placed in the later start groups. DL used the honor system, or so it seemed, on anticipated finish time, and a lot of folks seemed to take advantage of this.

Anyway, as I mentioned, its a great event and I plan to do it again next year, and I hope everyone else, runnners and walkers alike, are there as well

 

[Padstack]

I had a great experience this year, and plan to run again next year, but I will say, I think DL could have done a better job with the corrals. I ended up in the 3rd group to start and I was passing walkers for the first several miles. which tells me that there were walkers in the first two groups to start. IMO, anyone who intends to walk all or part of the race should be in the last group to start. For no other reason than that the folks who intend to run the whole way are not dodging them for the first several miles.

I think it is FABULOUS that DL provides the opportunity for both runners and walkers to comfortably participate in this great event, but it would have been better had the walkers been placed in the later start groups. DL used the honor system, or so it seemed, on anticipated finish time, and a lot of folks seemed to take advantage of this.

Anyway, as I mentioned, its a great event and I plan to do it again next year, and I hope everyone else, runnners and walkers alike, are there as well

The registration did ask if you are a walker. When I filled out the form, I thought it meant the whole race. I trained for a 10/1 run/walk but did not check the walker box. My estimated finish time was 1:50 with based on a 10k time, not the 10 miler that was supposedly required and was placed in Corral A.

When I my alarm went off for my first walk cycle, I realized no one in the first corral was going to walk, so I kept running as I did not want to mess anyone up. Luckily, it did not hurt my goal as I actually finished 5 minutes ahead of my goal. The only people that I saw walking in the first corral looked like they went out way too fast and got burned out.

I do agree that those complaining of people taking pictures with the characters and those in costumes did not do enough research about this event before signing up. It is a fun destination run and should be run as such.

 

[syko]

It sounds like the corral system was not working properly, or did the course double back on its self??

I don't mean to upset anybody, and i'm sorry if I do, but as a front of the packer I need to say what happened to me at the Princess 1/2 this year.

As I was comming up world drive on my way back to Epcot, runners & walkers where crossing the road to get photos and water, because of this the pace truck slowed me down by 10mph and a cycle escort had to go a head to try to get them out of the way. With the people crossing into the return parth I missed my finish time.

I was still the first person to cross the line, but it was slower that it would have been, and yes I was mad.

I have nothing against runners / walkers I would have just appreciate it if they had not thought it was ok to stop for a photo on the opposit side of the coures and hold me up, they would have got there in a few miles.

I too wait to cheer the runners on, at the Princess I sat there to the very end.

I think that we all have a place in races, but we should make sure that what we do does not affect another competitor.

I know that with the races I have comming up I will be the back of the pack chair, and I will do my best not to get in the way of the faster people, as some of us are not there for fun, but to try to make it on to teams.

 

[FireDancer]

I am kind of a front of the packer. No where near winning or anything but usually in the top 2%. I had a blast at DL. The course was different when I did it so I can only speak from my experience but I had no issues and we never crossed paths with the slower runners. I haven't read the reviews but wonder if the issue was with people crossing the course.

If the course does double back on itself than it should be marked and no one should ever cross the course. If it is an out and back no one should go from the out side to the back side. If people were crossing the course for character pictures I do think it was wrong. There is race etiquette, like not crossing the course and not starting ahead of faster runners. This is not only Disney races but all races. I don't mean that to come off snotty, it is just not safe if you are running quickly and have to dodge someone posing for a picture in the middle of the road. If you are posing for pictures that is completely fine with me, but start a bit further back and wait until you are on the way back to be on the other side of the road. Then no one, not even the Kenyan running a 5 minute mile, would have any problems with walkers.

There are races with higher time limits and even races that require qualification. Those are pretty rare and often logistical. In cities like Chicago they want to limit the field size and also limit the time they need to keep the course opened. The way to do that is to set higher limits. I think there is room for everyone and there are races that cater to the fast and other races that cater to the walkers.

Coming from a "front of the packer" I would rather anyone be out there walking a marathon than sitting at home watching it. For some the effort required to just finish a marathon is more than some need to PR it, and both are equally inspiring to me. I love the stories of people who went from not being able to making up a flight of steps to finishing a 5K/10K/half/full marathon. It is great to hear that there are people who take control of their lives and want to better them. Don't let negative Nelly get you down.

 

[wellesleyprincess]

Coming from a "front of the packer" I would rather anyone be out there walking a marathon than sitting at home watching it. For some the effort required to just finish a marathon is more than some need to PR it, and both are equally inspiring to me. I love the stories of people who went from not being able to making up a flight of steps to finishing a 5K/10K/half/full marathon. It is great to hear that there are people who take control of their lives and want to better them. Don't let negative Nelly get you down.

I am probably a little behind Fire Dancer (but part of that depends on where you determine to be front of the pack; for me front of the pack means age group winners at major races and lead pack).

I love walkers. My dad is a walker (he doesn't race) and got me started running.

I think the group that is "anti-walker" is a small minority who just happens to be very vocal and have some bad experiences that may have been caused by poorly educated walkers/runners. I was reading a post on a running board from a walker who asked if he could go to the first corral at the DL 1/2 so that he could finish before the time limits. For many runners the first corral at a large race is a major goal, so to hear/read someone say something like that comes out as insulting. Additionally, if I'm running 7-8 minute miles and you're walking, I have to slow down to get around you. For those with goals like Boston Qualifying every second counts.
I think it also may come from the attitude on both sides about competition. I'm a fiercely competitive (and currently beating myself up about 4th overall like Kara after her 3rd in Boston). I think finishing or starting a marathon is a noble goal; however, sometimes some people look at those of us with quick time goals as not able to just enjoy the race (to be quite honest I got some of this feeling when I read the original post). This another place the rift happens. I think it is a noble goal to start running or walking and finish race, but I also think it is human to constantly strive to improve oneself. Many walkers become runners after some time and many runners find themselves walkers later on.

 

[dkostel]

I think finishing or starting a marathon is a noble goal; however, sometimes some people look at those of us with quick time goals as not able to just enjoy the race (to be quite honest I got some of this feeling when I read the original post). This another place the rift happens. I think it is a noble goal to start running or walking and finish race, but I also think it is human to constantly strive to improve oneself. Many walkers become runners after some time and many runners find themselves walkers later on.

Sorry, I honestly didn't mean to dis the fast. I was just really shocked to see complaints about characters and picture taking regarding a Disney race. I didn't think those would come from anyone on the DIS, but I was surprised that anyone would do a Disney race without realizing that these things are a part of it.

I admire everyone from the first athlete out to the last athlete in, didn't mean to cause any problems.

 

[fashionista311]

As a middle-of-the-pack runner, I def admire/respect everyone for doing the race....walkers and runners alike! everyone gets the same medal for finishing, and everyone works just as hard for it

I think the complaints from the stopping-for-characters come from those who choose to do so disrespectfully. I personally have a horror story: i sprained my ankle last jan at the disney half around mile 6 in the magic kingdom because someone tripped me on their rush to have their picture taken with some character. I limped for the last 7 miles and barely finished the race...obviously i realize people like that are in the minority, but it only takes one bad seed to ruin someone's race