Marathon Weekend 2027

[Psymonds]

Also Rundisney fixed my account this morning and I can see all my registrations again!

 

[marty3d]

I'm not going to rehash a lot of the points that people who are much more articulate than me already made. Ultimately, the trend towards gatekeeping of events is one that disturbs me because like many, what drew me to long distance running was the inclusivity of the sport and that you don't have to be an elite runner to participate in these events.

Ultimately, I think there's room at rD events for all types of runners - from those who want to run fast and PR to those who are there for the experience. What's more important than where you fall on the continuum is having respect for other runners and knowing how your race impacts them. People walking or running 4 across on the GF walkway doesn't make it a great experience for anyone. Where rD could do better is really overemphasizing race etiquette given the number of first time runners and increasing the number of corrals requiring POT to better spread out the field. That being said - it also goes back to my point about showing respect for your fellow runners. I have a B POT but I am not running out of B at my race pace- so I won't start from the front and I'm hyper aware of faster runner at the start.

I also think this all started with some improper assumptions based on incomplete data. In the original reddit thread, they talk about a 19% DNF rate. Assuming the stats are correct (big assumption) - for rD it's 19% of registrants who don't complete the race - so that combines DNS and DNF. As far as I can tell, very few major marathons publish the number of registrants. They compare finishers to starters. There's anecdotal evidence that rD races have a very high DNS rate compared to other races. And while I believe rD has a higher DNF rate, I doubt it is anywhere near double digits. As others have pointed out, other races acknowledge that they factor historical DNS rates in how many registrations they accept. I'm certain rD does the same. So while those DNS registrants are fighting with us for queues on registration day, they aren't artificially reducing the number of available bibs.

I'll also echo this is one of the reasons I like this forum - we can have a conversation where we don't all fully agree without making it personal.

 

[lhermiston]

I'm not going to rehash a lot of the points that people who are much more articulate than me already made. Ultimately, the trend towards gatekeeping of events is one that disturbs me because like many, what drew me to long distance running was the inclusivity of the sport and that you don't have to be an elite runner to participate in these events.

Ultimately, I think there's room at rD events for all types of runners - from those who want to run fast and PR to those who are there for the experience. What's more important than where you fall on the continuum is having respect for other runners and knowing how your race impacts them. People walking or running 4 across on the GF walkway doesn't make it a great experience for anyone. Where rD could do better is really overemphasizing race etiquette given the number of first time runners and increasing the number of corrals requiring POT to better spread out the field. That being said - it also goes back to my point about showing respect for your fellow runners. I have a B POT but I am not running out of B at my race pace- so I won't start from the front and I'm hyper aware of faster runner at the start.

I also think this all started with some improper assumptions based on incomplete data. In the original reddit thread, they talk about a 19% DNF rate. Assuming the stats are correct (big assumption) - for rD it's 19% of registrants who don't complete the race - so that combines DNS and DNF. As far as I can tell, very few major marathons publish the number of registrants. They compare finishers to starters. There's anecdotal evidence that rD races have a very high DNS rate compared to other races. And while I believe rD has a higher DNF rate, I doubt it is anywhere near double digits. As others have pointed out, other races acknowledge that they factor historical DNS rates in how many registrations they accept. I'm certain rD does the same. So while those DNS registrants are fighting with us for queues on registration day, they aren't artificially reducing the number of available bibs.

I'll also echo this is one of the reasons I like this forum - we can have a conversation where we don't all fully agree without making it personal.

Great point about race etiquette. It should be emphasized and over emphasized, but I could say that about a lot of races, not just rD.

 

[nancipants]

I feel like no matter how many times they emphasize race etiquette, the people who need to listen, aren't going to. The race announcers mention it, pre-race emails mention it, people on social media preach the importance of course etiquette. Yet there are still going to be people running five across and filming dance videos while knocking into people. I ran with two friends during the Princess half and the only time we all ran side by side was on World Drive.

 

[jrsharp21]

I feel like no matter how many times they emphasize race etiquette, the people who need to listen, aren't going to. The race announcers mention it, pre-race emails mention it, people on social media preach the importance of course etiquette. Yet there are still going to be people running five across and filming dance videos while knocking into people. I ran with two friends during the Princess half and the only time we all ran side by side was on World Drive.

Agree with this. How many times do Carissa and John mention it? It's a given they talk about it around 15 minutes before each race start. No one is really listening in the corrals. What they need to do is make some type of funny video about it and play it on the big screens before the race. I think more people pay attention when something pops up on the video screens than they do to what is happening on stage or being said by the duo. Case in point, how many times have they asked for a moment of silence for fallen military and people in the corrals keep on with their conversations? Maybe some type of visual or video making light of how walking/running four across impacts people behind them. Then show how the proper way to walk/run in a group.

 

[fatmanatee]

I don't know if this is a coincidence with that guy who demanded proof of marathon completion to run Dopey but there was a different post on Reddit from someone who had just started a couch to 5k program three *weeks* ago and asked if it was feasible to do Dopey. Perhaps not coincidentally that's when themes were released, and OP mentioned being a huge fan of Donald, so maybe there's a question about how much of this is about enjoying running vs. participating in an event dedicated to Donald. Most people said no, not feasible, you should see how you feel after getting to a 10k and half before jumping into the deep end, but there were a couple who were like "why not, go for it, yolo". You'll see similar questions come up over the course of the year and it usually goes the same way.

(He decided to take most people's advice)

Mentioned this a couple of months ago but there was an influencer couple that had signed up for Dopey this year, posted through the races, until they got to the full, where they DNS'ed because they had never done a half marathon before and were completely wiped out doing that on Saturday. Was sort of unclear if they had done any training, they're IG famous for a completely different reason (having a herd of delightful dogs). I don't know, I know everyone's on their own journey and I want everyone to succeed when they sign up for this but part of that is giving people advice to put themselves in a better position to succeed. Sometimes that means giving it some time before going for Dopey.

 

[The Expert]

Maybe some type of visual or video making light of how walking/running four across impacts people behind them. Then show how the proper way to walk/run in a group.

This made me think of the MuppetVision pre-show and Gonzo showing how you can trip if you wear your 3D glasses too early. I LOVE this idea, and MAKE IT MUPPETS!

 

[WDW 4 ME]

frankly very fit runners also end up with serious medical issues

THIS!!! Everyone has good runs, bad runs and everything in between. A training block can go perfectly and you are feeling peak and then you are slammed with the flu on race week. Or take a misstep on the course which leaves you with an injury. There are a million scenarios out there of why someone would be a DNS or DNF. I am fortunate to not have one under my belt yet, but know there will come that day. And I hope that any fellow runner would give me grace in that situation. Not shame me for it. Or shame me for my pace, whether that is because I’m super speedy or have to walk the entire thing!

I’m frankly disgusted by the judgements on the LA marathon. Like it or not, the race organizers made a call for what they thought were safety reasons. Could some of those folks that finished at 18 miles made it to 26.2? For sure. Would some of them had medical emergencies if they continued? Obviously no way of knowing that. But I have been on a course where a very experienced local runner was passed out halfway through with EMT working on him. I don’t want that for anyone. And the people criticizing runners for taking the easy out would be the same ones screaming that the race organizers needed to make it safer for the runners, if something tragic happened. I applaud the organizers for recognizing that it may not be the best day for some and the priority was safety. And the medal debate…they had the medals already. Would you rather they throw them away?

Truly…run your race, your pace and get whatever it is that you want to get out of it. Celebrate others wins, INCLUDING securing a bib, as others have done that for you before, and it’s the kind thing to do. And DONT walk 4 wide on ANY course. Or stomp your feet loudly behind another runner to get them to move out of your way. (This is another pet peeve of mine. I know you are back there. I have nowhere to go, dude. Throwing a tantrum back there doesn’t improve your scenario!)

 

[smrt1]

Great point about race etiquette. It should be emphasized and over emphasized, but I could say that about a lot of races, not just rD.

I’d like to add, please don’t stop for a selfie in the middle of the race course. Other than that, go as fast or as slow as you’d like, and have fun

 

[lhermiston]

I don't know if this is a coincidence with that guy who demanded proof of marathon completion to run Dopey but there was a different post on Reddit from someone who had just started a couch to 5k program three *weeks* ago and asked if it was feasible to do Dopey. Perhaps not coincidentally that's when themes were released, and OP mentioned being a huge fan of Donald, so maybe there's a question about how much of this is about enjoying running vs. participating in an event dedicated to Donald. Most people said no, not feasible, you should see how you feel after getting to a 10k and half before jumping into the deep end, but there were a couple who were like "why not, go for it, yolo". You'll see similar questions come up over the course of the year and it usually goes the same way.

(He decided to take most people's advice)

Mentioned this a couple of months ago but there was an influencer couple that had signed up for Dopey this year, posted through the races, until they got to the full, where they DNS'ed because they had never done a half marathon before and were completely wiped out doing that on Saturday. Was sort of unclear if they had done any training, they're IG famous for a completely different reason (having a herd of delightful dogs). I don't know, I know everyone's on their own journey and I want everyone to succeed when they sign up for this but part of that is giving people advice to put themselves in a better position to succeed. Sometimes that means giving it some time before going for Dopey.

I mean, thousands of runners sign up, right? So there are undoubtedly examples of the runner who didn’t train and didn’t start, the runner who trained perfectly and didn’t start, the first-timer who DNF, the multiple finisher who pulled themselves from the course. I have no doubt they exist.

The issue (and I know you’re not saying this, I’m speaking broadly) is this mentality of finger pointing and saying, “YOU took My Spot.” As if it’s some sort of one for one thing. It’s silly, entitled and demonizing the wrong people because ultimately there will be influencers who finish, first timers who finish, under trained people who finish, etc.

We’re in a running boom which is a great thing and can also be less ideal. The awesome thing is (*whispers so as to not anger the rD gods) there are some incredible races out there you can enter with zero hassle whatsoever.