Marathon Weekend - Kids races

[hops&dreams]

Which kids races are worth it? Based on prices... ???

Kids Races - $10 - tshirt, finisher medallion, goody bag (what's in that?), post race refreshments, personalized bib.

Mickey Mile - $25 - same stuff as kids races, plus Mickey Mile Finisher certificate, d-tag timed race.

Family Fun 5k - $50/person - t-shirt, finisher medallion, official race program guide (I'll already have one from the half), goody bag, bib, refreshments.

Also, it says that the Mickey Mile is on Fri at 12:30, at ESPN, which pretty much kills a good chunk of your day. (I'll have already been to the expo for my packet, planning on going on Thurs.). As for the kids races, it says they are Fri and Sat at 11. I'm running the half on Sat... I'm pretty sure I'm going to be in an ice bath by then. ???

Have your kids done the races? Did they enjoy them?

Kiddo is 7, will have just turned 8 when marathon weekend is finally here. We're doing 2.5 mile runs 2-3 times a week now together (slower than my pace, but kiddo enjoys running with me). She wants so badly to do a race, and Disney would be a GREAT one for her. I'm thinking about doing the 5k with her, so that we don't screw up our WHOLE Friday, but 6:30 am is early to get up on vacation for a 5k. And $100 is a LOT of money to shell out on top of my registration for the half, all so an 8 year old can do a race??? Am I crazy for thinking that?

So, back to my question - have your kids done races during marathon weekend? Did you think they were worth it? Would you do them again?

 

[jbucci]

Very good questions. We have done a variety of different kids races, so I'll tell you our experiences.

The shorter, $10 races are sort of controlled chaos around the track. They let the kids run by age group and have random wave of children to stagger the start. It is impossible to tell who wins or loses and I think that is half the point. The race is really for the fun of going around the track and getting a medal (rubber-type medal). The goodie bag is minimal and the shirts are a cute design with "I did it" on the back

The Mickey Mile is much more organized: everyone starts at once and there are "mile markers" at the .25, .5, and .75 marks. There is a water station at the half mile then the race ends on the track. The medal for marathon weekend was different for this race than the shorter ones(still rubber type). This felt much more like being in a "grown up race." Same goodie bag and shirt that says Mickey Mile with "I did it" on the back

The 5K is a Disney 5K with entertainment on the course and characters. Fun, but really early in the morning. Much more of a race with crowded start. Cool medal (still rubber) Slightly better goodie bag and shirt themed to whatever the theme of the 5K is that year.

Getting to the kids races after the half is REALLY TOUGH. I sprinted with my daughter to the track after the half 2 years ago because we almost missed her race. Between taking the bus back to the room, showering and changing there is really very little time to get back to WWoS, especially if you bus timing is not perfect.

I hope this is somewhat helpful.

 

[stitchfan18]

If this is a one time thing, I think the 5k would be totally worth it. It does start early in the morning, but if you plan an early bed time, that shouldn't be too much of a problem. My mom came down for the princess weekend with me this past February, and we did the 5k together before I did the 1/2 on Sunday. I thought it was a lot like a shorter version of the 1/2 marathon. There were fireworks at the start, Disney characters along the course, you got to run through the parks, and you cross the same finish line the other races do later in the weekend. We didn't find the course to be too crowded, and had so much fun stopping for pictures along the course. I think for an 8 year old, it would be so much more fun than the kids races. Maybe you can trade the cost of doing a 5k for something else you usually do on your Disney trips, like a character meal.

 

[kaj1436]

I think it is totally worth it to do the 5k...I have signed up my whole family for it during the W&D weekend. If your child is used to running I think she will get more out of the 5K then the other smaller races. I know it's alot of money but what at Disney is not alot of money? You are already there so might as well make the most of your trip and do what you think you will enjoy the most.