Marathon Weekend 2027

SAFD: thank the Maker - this is so much easier than the first rounds!

1.Lion King
2. Encanto
3. Toy Story (ok this one was tough! TS’s ahead by the smallest of margins tbh)
4. Up

1. POTC
2. Mary Poppins
3. GOTG
4. Ohhh… err… hmmm… Rogue One (it’s possible my favorite SW movie might be the last SW movie I watched at any given time lol! A week ago, that was Ep. III. A few days ago, it was Solo. Yesterday, I watched Rogue One, so, yeah. Sorry Empire: your time is in two weeks, as I make my way through the rotation ahead of SW Day.)
 
I have been running for 40+ years - a sub-4 hour marathoner for much of that (father time does take his toll). But the running community has always been one of the most inclusive and supportive communities that I have ever been around. To be honest, that is the only reason that I run in races - to interact with that special group of human beings.

I don't know why people in general have become so angry, but it has creeped into every aspect of our lives - including the running community. It is sad to see, and for so many reasons that are far more impactful than runDisney races. I suspect that what we are seeing here is just an extension of that.

I am a very optimistic person. I believe that the pendulum will swing toward love again soon. Until then, live, love and find joy where you can.
There’s a park I run regularly. Folks come and go; lots of new faces every week, as I live in a very touristy area. But there’s maybe 10-15 of us regulars who see each other if not weekly, then at least a couple times each month. Been like that for more than a decade. In that time, we’ve all aged, of course, and some no longer run, but are out there walking. One moved to a bike. Another I only see sporadically and he limps with a walker now. We don’t know each others’ names, have never spoken more than a brief hello, or comment on how stupidly hot it is. But we smile and nod or wave every time we see each other. We’re genuinely happy to see one another every time. And the joy of that is something I’m at a loss to put into words. It’s entirely possible some of them are terrible people who would despise me if they knew anything about me or vice-versa… but when we’re out there doing the thing we love, we’re a united community. I love that so much.
 

I have been running for 40+ years - a sub-4 hour marathoner for much of that (father time does take his toll). But the running community has always been one of the most inclusive and supportive communities that I have ever been around. To be honest, that is the only reason that I run in races - to interact with that special group of human beings.

I don't know why people in general have become so angry, but it has creeped into every aspect of our lives - including the running community. It is sad to see, and for so many reasons that are far more impactful than runDisney races. I suspect that what we are seeing here is just an extension of that.

I am a very optimistic person. I believe that the pendulum will swing toward love again soon. Until then, live, love and find joy where you can.
I started running in 2003, I had stopped smoking after decades of 20+ a day and it probably saved my life or extended it by many years. I signed up for the WDW marathon having never run before and had a year to train. I told everyone I was doing it because I knew I would have to stay off the cigarettes to do it and it kept going as I didn't want the embarrassment of not following through, it was only because it was Disney I decided to do it.

My training was full of mistakes and I had serious ITB problems but I found the Team Penguin group on Yahoo and got a lot of support and advice.

I met many of the group prior to the start for a photo I still have, some no longer running , some still going strong. Kind of like this group and the light pole (I did look for people when I did the springtime surprise a few years ago but didn’t see anyone 😭)

I am still running 20 years later and am in touch with many from that pre-race photo.

I have had APs and benefitted from them when registering in the past and recall when the Marathon used to take weeks to sell out. I did London twice through charity in 2004 and 2006.

I didn’t think I will ever be able to run London again unless I get lucky 🍀 a good for age place is way beyond beyond me and I am resigned to the fact that Chicago, New York etc will be travel company packages if I ever want to do them, and possibly WDW as well.

Despite never being quick I have goals and take them seriously and have respect and admiration for all those who are out there chasing theirs 🫡

Running has given me a lot and running communities such as this one are a big part of that for me. I appreciate you all.
 
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SAFD:
  • Lion King over Little Mermaid
  • Beauty & the Beast over Encanto
  • Toy Story over Incredibles
  • Up over Coco

  • Enchanted over Pirates of the Caribbean
  • Who Framed Roger Rabbit over Mary Poppins
  • Raiders over Guardians of the Galaxy
  • Rogue One over Empire Strikes Back -- my head says Empire but my heart says Rogue One
 
There’s a park I run regularly. Folks come and go; lots of new faces every week, as I live in a very touristy area. But there’s maybe 10-15 of us regulars who see each other if not weekly, then at least a couple times each month. Been like that for more than a decade. In that time, we’ve all aged, of course, and some no longer run, but are out there walking. One moved to a bike. Another I only see sporadically and he limps with a walker now. We don’t know each others’ names, have never spoken more than a brief hello, or comment on how stupidly hot it is. But we smile and nod or wave every time we see each other. We’re genuinely happy to see one another every time. And the joy of that is something I’m at a loss to put into words. It’s entirely possible some of them are terrible people who would despise me if they knew anything about me or vice-versa… but when we’re out there doing the thing we love, we’re a united community. I love that so much.call them my “running friends.” Same as you said, I’ve never exchanged more than a quick “hello” with the vast majority of them. I worry when I don’t see some of them for awhile. I always wonder if they worry about me when I’m not out there.
I’m fortunate enough to have a really awesome 9+ mile (and growing!) rail trail right down the street from me. Much like you, I see the same people all the time and we have never really exchanged anything more than a quick “good morning.” When I don’t see one of the regulars I worry about them. I always wonder if anyone worries about me when I’m not there.
 
The recent difficulty in getting a bid has obviously increased the frustrations of the rD "regulars" (after 15+ weekends I consider myself one of those). My 2 rD marathons were in the 6-hour range which was longer than my other 3 trail marathons.

The angst and vitriol has been mainly directed not so much towards new rD runners but towards inexperienced runners who may seem to be running only for the Instagram photo op and/or because it's now what the "cool kids" are doing. These runners are seen by many as "less worthy" not because they have no right to be there but because they are potentially preventing regulars from getting a bib.

There is no easy solution for this and perhaps not even a difficult solution. Increasing the size of the field would help but causes other issues. I worry about the dangers of running a marathon poorly trained, but I guess individuals have the "right" to be stupid. Would strictly enforcing a 14 or 15 minute per mile pace for the marathon keep poorly trained runners from entering, or just make the chance they will crash and burn even more likely while preventing trained but slower runners from enjoying the photo ops? For the shorter distances, even poorly trained runners can finish if they stop at enough photo ops.

Unfortunately the days of when we regulars had the races to ourselves has ended, at least for the near term. I may not like it, but what I like or dislike has no bearing or impact on reality
 
There is no easy solution for this and perhaps not even a difficult solution. Increasing the size of the field would help but causes other issues. I worry about the dangers of running a marathon poorly trained, but I guess individuals have the "right" to be stupid. Would strictly enforcing a 14 or 15 minute per mile pace for the marathon keep poorly trained runners from entering, or just make the chance they will crash and burn even more likely while preventing trained but slower runners from enjoying the photo ops?
No, please. Signed, a 6hr45min marathoner who did a lot of training. 😭
 
I'm not going to post it, because who however unlikely wants to give Disney ideas, but if they ever wanted to go back to not having the race sell out right away, or they wanted to favor one and done customers over repeats, there is a very easy lever for them to pull.

(Hint: Capatalism.)
 
I'm not going to post it, because who however unlikely wants to give Disney ideas, but if they ever wanted to go back to not having the race sell out right away, or they wanted to favor one and done customers over repeats, there is a very easy lever for them to pull.

(Hint: Capatalism.)
Yeah.

I do edge towards being more cynical most of the time but I’m going to try to be optimistic and think there are still execs up to the very top who understand the value of loyalty.
 
SAFD - my votes:

Lion King
Beauty & the Beast

Toy Story
Up

Enchanted
Roger Rabbit

Raiders of the Lost Ark
Empire Strikes Back
 


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