10k is definitely the best of the bunch!
I agree. I've long wanted a Chip and Dale medal. In fact, I might have registered both of my nephews for the virtual kids race in 2021 that featured a Chip and Dale medal. One for me. One for them to share.
I said it when we first saw them presented in the best light by runDisney let alone these pictures from the Expo. I thought that runDisney would go above and beyond because of the special anniversary year, but this is such a downgrade from last year's beautiful medal.
They put so much effort into the 2022 medals for the 50th anniversary of WDW. On these I feel like they went 90% themed to the 1990s and 10% characters, especially for the Marathon and Goofy. I do like the park icons on the marathon medal for next year. That makes me like it more than I otherwise would have.
I don't think they really care about overshadowing the MLK weekend. When DL had races, they had no issues running SWLS on MLK weekend. At that time, there would've been no option to move MW out a week without also impacting the DL race, too. The prospect of achieving C2C in the span of a week was a popular one, too. I wonder if they have plans for that weekend with the DL races coming back?
I wonder if the return of
Disneyland races will always keep marathon weekend in this place. There were so many Dopey Rebels for the Star Wars races. Ironically enough, if Disneyland races had never been cancelled, I might have never tried the marathon. Star Wars Light Side was my priority.
Was that around a certain time of day? I'm pacing well in training, but I'll likely be in the last corral. I'm going to try to be at the front of it, and I also don't plan on stopping for characters. Still, hearing stuff like this (like .3 - .4 miles away from the finish, really? Eek!) makes me nervous.
You will hear verbal notices from race officials on bikes where you are in relation to the balloon ladies. This can include 8 minutes or more if you are in line for a character photo. It can also be as few as 30 seconds which my sister learned during the 2020 Marathon. You will not suddenly be swept. They will tell you that it's coming and where you need to be to avoid it.
Also, based on comment from others on here in past threads, you will be WELL WARNED if you are getting close to the balloon lady line, and that the bike-crew will give you targets to get to in x amount of time in order to not be swept.
I absolutely experienced this twice during Dark Side races. Once I was 5 minutes ahead and in line for a photo and the other time I was 8 minutes ahead and in line for a photo.
Just also remember that includes bathroom breaks, character lines, any other stops!
This is so important. I heard of some runners swept from a Disneyland Half Marathon because they did not understand this. While they were running 10 minute miles, they were not factoring in the 10-15 minute character stops which was making many miles closer to 20-25 minutes.
and it's important to keep this in mind. They start dead last and they do their absolute best to hold a pace of exactly 16:00/mile. But they do not sweep! They do not work for Disney and if they pass you, you aren't immediately swept off the course. But you are in danger of being swept. Usually they will do their best to motivate you to keep going and get ahead of them.
I think they also have signs on their race gear that say Balloon Ladies. Note that some runners will randomly carry balloons because they want to and they are not the balloon ladies. So you don't need to panic unless you are actually hearing someone tell you that you are at risk of being swept.
SAFD Plans: I think I'm set. Made my ADRs Friday morning on a cruise ship and I think I got almost everything I wanted. I have discovered that a great way for me to plan my post marathon dinner is to look at the dessert menu. If the dessert sounds really good, then somehow that tends to translate to me being excited for at least one item on the rest of the menu after the race.
