Marathon Weekend 2025

[Dopey 2020]

Also, I got the survey - for a second time in a year - and let them know all that is being said here and then some
I don’t think they care but it felt good

 

[fatmanatee]

Lately, the emphasis on “needing” to be in an earlier corral, or at the front of your corral, feels a lot stronger. I’m sure that’s fueled in part by social influencing, but Club rD has a hand in that, too.

The walking from early corral folks in the 5k and 10k has become endemic, it felt like literally half the field. It's bad enough that I've given some thought to lying about my own pace to hopefully avoid the logjam. I don't want to do it but if RD is going let the situation fester then it feels like if I don’t, there’s a chance I might get bumped back even further by walkers.

As I’ve mentioned before, easy solution is to apply our submitted POTs for longer races to these corrals.

 

[Zutroy]

I started runDisney in 2016 (when they went to metal medals for the 5k) and did my first half in 2017. I’ll say the same as others, it’s difficult to pinpoint the difference but it is far from the magic that it was. Even after in the parks, I have far less CMs even acknowledging the medal I’m wearing. The only thing I’d say is still good is any character interaction.
I will second the age group awards, the first weekend back post Covid is still my half PR and I was amazed to get 3rd in my AG, crickets from RD. That felt like a slap in the face. When the quality of medals goes down and the cost to race goes up, you can afford to recognize the top AG finishers like every other race I’ve run.

I still have my age group awards, and I’m still salty they went away. I ran the 2022 Princess, got first in my AG, and got nothing. Honestly, the plaques you would get must have cost pennies, because they were nothing fancy. But it certainly symbolizes how RD views its participants.

Case in point: there used to be an actual ceremony on stage for the top 3 overall winners where they would give out the awards. Now, not even the winners get a ceremony—just the same plaque in the mail a couple of months later like I got.

 

[GollyGadget]

I'm curious for anyone that ran from 2013-2018, the number of finishers for those years was around 20,000. This year it was about 12,500. What was course congestion like back then compared to now?

https://www.marathonguide.com/results/browse.cfm?MIDD=481190113

I ran from corral B in 2018 and A in 2023, 24 & 25. This year is the first year I remember experiencing any crowding. It took a few miles to find my space. Part of that could be rose colored glasses but I don’t think so. I shudder to think what it was like further back in the field.

 

[Herding_Cats]

Do we feel like there's an increase in people who want to "goof off" on the course from 10 years ago? I feel like this could feed into the "do it for the 'gram" mentality and contribute to crowding in sections of the course where later corral runners are? Maybe?



Also, in a different vein, can anyone from the back-of-the-pack comment on the aid stations? I was very nervous for runners behind me and the amount of water/powerade that was still on the tables by the time we got to AK....they were a lot emptier than I would think they would need to be.

 

[nancipants]

About the volunteers… most, maybe all? are now paid voluntolds: CMs required to work the races. I think maybe they’ve partnered with some local orgs to add more than CMs to the mix, but the entire program is very different than it used to be and I agree - it’s noticeable.

I don't have a ton of rD experience, but I have to disagree with this just from my experience at the last marathon. Every CM/volunteer I interacted with was lovely. Some were more enthusiastic than others, but I never felt like they didn't want us there. The water and food station volunteers/workers were especially enthusiastic and there were several that made me run faster when I all I wanted to do was stop.

 

[SheHulk]

As someone who did RD races between 2010 and 2020, the biggest change has been registration. You used to be able to register for any race almost any time. Ever notice the disclaimer that after a certain date registration prices go up? That actually used to matter. As a result, the races definitely had a much more local presence. It would not be unusual in the workplace to have a group of women all sign up to run Princess, or a group do Wine and Dine and then party all night (when W&D was only the half, which was held Saturday night).

I got a discount code for Goofy, at the Philadelphia Marathon Expo one year. That marathon is the weekend before Thanksgiving mind you. Anybody remember the "Goofy giveback", where they split up Goofy bibs to make more half and full bibs available?
I definitely remember the countdown ticker they used to have on the race page, showing what percent sellout the race was at.

 

[nancipants]

Also, in a different vein, can anyone from the back-of-the-pack comment on the aid stations? I was very nervous for runners behind me and the amount of water/powerade that was still on the tables by the time we got to AK....they were a lot emptier than I would think they would need to be.

I was in E but they were all fine when I got there. They were definitely on the way to packing up along Western Way, but they didn't run out of anything.

 

[kristenabelle]

- Lastly, have there been any accidents on course involving parkgoers and racers? I don’t know of any, but I’ve done enough races where non-racers recklessly run across the course and I wouldn’t be surprised if the same thing has happened here

In AK, a family randomly crossed through the cones outlining the course and i had to stop short so I wouldn't hit them. Lots of other spectators reacted to me ("you're ok," etc.). didn't see any CMs at that junction so I don't really know if the family thought they had an opportunity and took it, or what

 

[Desdemona924]

Medals - I like the big, painted medals, really, I do. But my favorite is 2017 marathon that was basically just the big Mickey head. I'm sure they're never going back to something like that though because the medals have to 'gram worthy, but I would love another simple Mickey silhouette medal.

Themes/Race sell out/Crowding - I've actually thought about this a lot off and on and I think that the races started selling out so quickly when they started announcing the theming beforehand. I signed up for that 2017 half in November, after Avengers weekend at Disneyland. It's crazy to think that was possible. Now, though, people NEED to know the theme before registration, or they complain. I like the idea of being surprised, but I know that's not everyone's thing. But I think it does add to registration madness because people see these themes they want to run and now there's a history of quick sell outs, so they need to be on multiple devices to get their race. I think that also leads into the crowding on course because people sign up so early then don't do the training. As mentioned earlier it seems a lot more undertrained people are out, although I was guilty of that myself this year, and it was more crowded.

"Magic" - There has been a loss of some 'magic'. As mentioned, the performers that would be out on course is a big one, but something I mentioned to my husband this past MW that is tiny in the grand scheme of things, but I think added a little something - flags at Disney Springs. There used to be rD flags all over, near the bus drop off and as you exit into the main area. Like I said, small, but it made it seem like it was a weekend for us, the runners, all over property. I think a lot of these little touches were a victim of COVID. Perhaps the intention was to bring them back, but when everything was selling out faster than ever, what incentive did they really have to bring it back? Add to that park ops wanting as little disruption as possible for them, and you get an experience that is watered down from what it was.

 

[Naomeri]

Also, in a different vein, can anyone from the back-of-the-pack comment on the aid stations? I was very nervous for runners behind me and the amount of water/powerade that was still on the tables by the time we got to AK....they were a lot emptier than I would think they would need to be.

It was definitely a problem at the back of the pack for W&D 2024--there would be like, 1 table left of water, and 10 tables of Powerade. I get that they want us to get electrolytes, but not everyone wants flavors during the race. That's why I made sure to find a solution for carrying some water of my own before MW, even if I still mostly use the provided water.

 

[MissLiss279]

I got a discount code for Goofy, at the Philadelphia Marathon Expo one year. That marathon is the weekend before Thanksgiving mind you. Anybody remember the "Goofy giveback", where they split up Goofy bibs to make more half and full bibs available?
I definitely remember the countdown ticker they used to have on the race page, showing what percent sellout the race was at.

‘Goofy gives back’ is how I participated in my first runDisney race - 2015 Half Marathon. I had never heard of runDisney, and I was training for my first half in the fall of 2014. Someone happened to mention runDisney - and I was so surprised to know there were races at Disney World! I looked it up, but everything was sold out. I happened to look like a week later and I saw the promotion and that there were Half bibs available, quickly messaged my sister to see if she would want to go to Disney World with me. She said maybe, and that was enough for me to go ahead and sign up!

I will say a new thing that is positive is the resorts are getting more into celebrating the runners the past few years - with trinkets, pictures, hot cocoa, etc. than they used to. When I first started, I really only remember the bus attendant at the bus loading/unloading area.

 

[PrincessV]

Do we feel like there's an increase in people who want to "goof off" on the course from 10 years ago? I feel like this could feed into the "do it for the 'gram" mentality and contribute to crowding in sections of the course where later corral runners are? Maybe?

Maybe. But my experience in pretty much every long distance race I’ve done in recent years is that most of the back markers are dragging themselves through the last miles. Like I’ll go 1/2 a mile and be the only one in sight still doing some run intervals and I’m passing hundreds of people barely shuffling. This is not a humble brag - my walking pace is around a 20:00/mile and my average pace last race was around 15:00. In the past, we slowsters were in the back, but the majority still seemed to have some pep left - there were far fewer folks who really looked rough, so maybe more are “goofing off” in the beginning and not leaving enough in the tank for the later miles? IDK.

Also, in a different vein, can anyone from the back-of-the-pack comment on the aid stations? I was very nervous for runners behind me and the amount of water/powerade that was still on the tables by the time we got to AK....they were a lot emptier than I would think they would need to be.

This MW half was fine: I saw full tables all the way to the end. Hot races have always been dicey, though: I’ve been in lots of them with empty tables for the back of the pack.

I don't have a ton of rD experience, but I have to disagree with this just from my experience at the last marathon. Every CM/volunteer I interacted with was lovely. Some were more enthusiastic than others, but I never felt like they didn't want us there. The water and food station volunteers/workers were especially enthusiastic and there were several that made me run faster when I all I wanted to do was stop.

I wasn’t commenting on enthusiasm at all, though - only how the program is currently managed. It’s NOT all volunteers anymore. I’m actually not sure there are any true volunteers: I know it’s all paid staff for DLR and I think the same is true for WDW now, too. I know for a fact that many are CMs assigned to work the races. It’s honestly a different vibe than when it was true volunteerism.

 

[DianaMB333]

I forgot about the trumpets! What a shame that they’re gone. I remember the trampoline, stilt walkers and even some kites. These have mostly been replaced with giant screens playing cartoons and while the cartoons are entertaining they aren’t nearly as special.

In 2018, WWOS had characters at every turn (and there were a lot of turns ). rD used to make an effort to provide unique entertainment during those stretches outside of the parks. Now the races try to minimize the time in the parks and use the cheapest entertainment possible.

Some other entertainment that I missed this year were the jammitors and poly drummers.

Thanks @SheHulk for sharing the video! Loved their energy and made me relive the recent experience with chills, tears and smiles!

I know next comment might be unpopular, playing as devil’s advocate, but to me the experience at the events is awesome… there are still small things that show the care, ie. the CM at the hotels that do something extra; the live entertainment is abundant and good quality; the photographers do a lot on their end to get nice shots; the character stops are plenty with nice light and space; the safety feels a priority; and even runDisney organization taking on feedback and acting on it as it happened in Disneyland past Jan/24 and making a great Halloween race…

Again, I started participating just couple of years ago, and to me it is fun enough to make me run and go through training programs that I would dread doing otherwise (LOL)… I don’t really care for the themes, of course would love more parks time, but as long as the Castle is in the HM course I plan on do it, and starting early also means less sun for the back of the pack (me LOL) and beautiful sunrise scenes (like running through the World Showcase in Epcot with it, or the Boardwalk area)…

Some friends have joined me to some of the weekends and find it also pretty awesome… so might have been better before, but it is still good enough …

 

[Disney at Heart]

@DianaMB333 “… it is still good enough” is true, … and is also the problem. It used to be “awesome,” fantastic,” “incredible,” etc. but is now the races are just “good enough” to keep us all coming back, but many of us long for the old days of the “spectacular”! (Was that the 25th running?” )

 

[DisneyMountainWoman]

Completely agree with this sentiment. Also, I am confused by the rumor this would reduce logistics in the park. If I remember correctly there were two places ti cross the route, one by England and the other by creations. This year there were still two crossings both in future world. Was this really better for logistics?

Catching up... but my family went into Epcot to cheer me on and get me a drink at the end of the Marathon. My mom said it still was a difficult getting to the place they wanted to cheer just like last year... so changing the course at the end did not help it from logistics of getting around the park.

I found out about rundisney in 2015 when my friend did the Dopey and did my first rundisney in 2016 at Disneyland... I do not remember it as crowded (esp since it came back from covid) even though we were middle of the packers.

Also princess weekend after Covid wasn't as crowded as it now is and I was slower back then.... They really need to spread us out or something... I am soo sick of the crowding.

Rundisney really needs to get better about tooting their own horn about how many people only come for running... we come way more because of running... we also bought into dvc because of running... I know in the DVC world the rundisney weekends book up just as fast as holiday weekends. It is peek time for dvc since soo many of us our runners. And when I travel I always at least bring my mom... this weekend I had my husband, son, and my mom and dad... that is 4 extra people that came to just support me. We ate out, a got a very expensive cabin, got APs for the whole family and bought merch...

Now when it comes to the cms vs volunteers at rundisney event. I ended up talking to a photographer for a little bit while we waited for the change of a character. He was a former CM photographer he left the area during covid when he was let go. Rundinsey contracts out all these former cms.. him and his wife came from GA to work this event. She was doing the water cups. But then he said they fill out after that with temp agency. So that is probably why there is a wide difference in CMs former ones are the normal great ones and the rando temp people are the not as steller ones to say it nicely.

Also a thing that I missed is army men yelling at us going up the ramps.... love that kind of encouragement lol. So I found out a former jedi trainer cm that you can book to do jedi training at your hotel... is also friends with the green army men still... and green army men was suppose to do the half... but canceled last min cause of the rain... and they would love to go back to yelling encouragement at the runners up the ramps but they have to go where they are told.

 

[Mr_Incr3dible]

Rundisney really needs to get better about tooting their own horn about how many people only come for running... we come way more because of running... we also bought into dvc because of running... I know in the DVC world the rundisney weekends book up just as fast as holiday weekends. It is peek time for dvc since soo many of us our runners. And when I travel I always at least bring my mom... this weekend I had my husband, son, and my mom and dad... that is 4 extra people that came to just support me. We ate out, a got a very expensive cabin, got APs for the whole family and bought merch...

This!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It's as if someone isn't doing the math or looking at the cause and effect.

Also a thing that I missed is army men yelling at us going up the ramps.... love that kind of encouragement lol. So I found out a former jedi trainer cm that you can book to do jedi training at your hotel... is also friends with the green army men still... and green army men was suppose to do the half... but canceled last min cause of the rain... and they would love to go back to yelling encouragement at the runners up the ramps but they have to go where they are told.

And this! The army men were such a hoot.

 

[Naomeri]

Yeah, we definitely need the army men out there. Maybe we could get some shouting encouragement where we need it (like that damned cloverleaf before we get back to Epcot on the half courses) and some in other places shouting at people doing dumb stuff

 

[DianaMB333]

Yeah, we definitely need the army men out there. Maybe we could get some shouting encouragement where we need it (like that damned cloverleaf before we get back to Epcot on the half courses) and some in other places shouting at people doing dumb stuff

Hahaja yess that would be awesome

 

[Boiler37]

Yeah, we definitely need the army men out there. Maybe we could get some shouting encouragement where we need it (like that damned cloverleaf before we get back to Epcot on the half courses) and some in other places shouting at people doing dumb stuff

We need someone on the course "roasting" people or like Madame Carlotta out under an umbrella