News and Developments for Future In-Person runDisney Events

[camaker]

Everything you and PrincessV have written makes perfect sense, assuming rD is still trying to hold live events for W&D, Marathon Weekend, and Princess. They won't want to make an announcement on the return to live events until everything is set up and they're 100% sure live events WILL happen. However, if they've already decided W&D (and maybe the others?) will be virtual only, what would be the reason to further delay that announcement? I'm assuming the fact no announcement has been made means there's a chance a live W&D could still occur, but that's just an assumption on my part.

I'd definitely love to be in the room while these discussions are going on - it'd be fascinating!

I think it’s a big assumption that W&D might exist as a virtual only event. If you look back, other than the Star Wars Virtual and the Summer Virtual Series which were designed as virtual from the get-go, there haven’t been any “straight to virtual” established race weekends. Every race weekend that has gone virtual was planned and registered for as an in-person race. I see those virtuals as medal and shirt dumps in an attempt to salvage whatever could be recovered from the weekend. I have my doubts as to whether rD wants to dilute the brand of one of their existing in-person race weekends by going exclusively virtual from the start. I wouldn’t be at all surprised if 2021 became the year of the ”lost” W&D weekend, instead. I could be wrong, but it will be interesting to see.

 

[BikeFan]

I think it’s a big assumption that W&D might exist as a virtual only event. If you look back, other than the Star Wars Virtual and the Summer Virtual Series which were designed as virtual from the get-go, there haven’t been any “straight to virtual” established race weekends. Every race weekend that has gone virtual was planned and registered for as an in-person race. I see those virtuals as medal and shirt dumps in an attempt to salvage whatever could be recovered from the weekend. I have my doubts as to whether rD wants to dilute the brand of one of their existing in-person race weekends by going exclusively virtual from the start. I wouldn’t be at all surprised if 2021 became the year of the ”lost” W&D weekend, instead. I could be wrong, but it will be interesting to see.

I meant just the 2021 version of W&D going virtual only, not the whole race itself on a permanent basis. At least I hope that doesn't happen - I've done W&D twice in person and it was great fun. An in-person W&D weekend is definitely something I'd do again.

 

[camaker]

I meant just the 2021 version of W&D going virtual only, not the whole race itself on a permanent basis. At least I hope that doesn't happen - I've done W&D twice in person and it was great fun. An in-person W&D weekend is definitely something I'd do again.

That’s what I mean, as well. There have been no race weekends that are normally in-person that have been virtual from the start. Only race weekends that were registered for as in person races and then subsequently converted when conditions didn’t allow. A 2021 Virtual W&D announced as such would be a first of kind thing and I don’t know that they’ll want to do that.

 

[PrincessV]

Just my thoughts as a Floridian on rD and the virtual game... I view the summer virtual series as a combination place/interest-holder and fairly easy money grab. Live racing in FL summer is too dangerous for rD to consider, plus it's a busy season at WDW, so no need to get more heads in beds. But it's also a long stretch of time between April (or Feb. before EEC or SW races came along) and Oct./Nov. A long time in which almost all the other big races are happening, taking up runners' dollars, vacation time, and attention. The rD summer virtuals keep rD fresh in people's minds, bring in some money, and inspire/maintain brand loyalty during rD's off season. It's kinda brilliant, really.

I've never seen the summer or SW virtuals as an indication of replacing live races. Completely the opposite, actually. So I've viewed this summer's virtual series as a good indicator of live racing coming back. I would not be surprised to see "W&D" happen this year. (I'm only putting quotes on W&D because it was already rebranded once and I could see it being rebranded again, maybe. But a live race weekend somewhere in the Novemberish time.)

 

[Goofed98]

I don't feel like virtual runs are the end-goal for rD. I can see the hesitancy in making an announcement and opening things up, not because of the concern about actually holding an in-person event, but, the ability to hold an in-person Disney event. rD has volunteers, entertainment, character stops, etc., an amazing atmosphere (I know others do, as well), but combining the desire to hold an event most similar to previous events, in conjunction with trying to staff up and open other areas of the parks...I can see rD being back-burnered a bit, and maybe looking at April to re-launch, with a newly themed weekend.

How much can you diminish MW weekend before it becomes a money-grab, as opposed to an EVENT? No character stops? minimal volunteers? Where is the line between what you have come to expect vs the minimal you would accept?

 

[EPCOT-O.G.]

I don't feel like virtual runs are the end-goal for rD. I can see the hesitancy in making an announcement and opening things up, not because of the concern about actually holding an in-person event, but, the ability to hold an in-person Disney event. rD has volunteers, entertainment, character stops, etc., an amazing atmosphere (I know others do, as well), but combining the desire to hold an event most similar to previous events, in conjunction with trying to staff up and open other areas of the parks...I can see rD being back-burnered a bit, and maybe looking at April to re-launch, with a newly themed weekend.

How much can you diminish MW weekend before it becomes a money-grab, as opposed to an EVENT? No character stops? minimal volunteers? Where is the line between what you have come to expect vs the minimal you would accept?

I think people have accepted virtual runs as a pacifier for the bizarre times we're in (hey, this isn't great, but it's better than nothing). The past few weeks have shown me people are very eager to get back to "normal," and I think virtual concerts, events, work, and runs are going to get old, fast.

 

[EPCOT-O.G.]

I did a little back of the envelope layout (okay, it was Microsoft Word) to see where things stand with the top 10 races by finishers as per 2019 numbers. Here's what I'm seeing:



Now, it's distressing we still have not heard word on WDW, but many of those shown just announced in the last month or two (or opened up registration for) their respective races. Again, I think this ultimately comes down to the purpose of the organization hosting. NYRR, BAA, etc. - all of those entities exist to host races, and there is tremendous internal pressure to justify their continued existence by putting on their marquee event. runDisney likewise exists to host many races - on numerous properties and virtually - but it is accountable to and beholden to a very large, diverse company that may have more powerful segments that view on-premises races as a nuisance and financial loss than something that should be encouraged.

EDIT- Oh, another observation: Most appear to be offering a reduced capacity, ranging anywhere from 50% to 66% of their past in-person capacity.

 

[Onceuponamarathon]

I did a little back of the envelope layout (okay, it was Microsoft Word) to see where things stand with the top 10 races by finishers as per 2019 numbers. Here's what I'm seeing:

View attachment 579640

Now, it's distressing we still have not heard word on WDW, but many of those shown just announced in the last month or two (or opened up registration for) their respective races. Again, I think this ultimately comes down to the purpose of the organization hosting. NYRR, BAA, etc. - all of those entities exist to host races, and there is tremendous internal pressure to justify their continued existence by putting on their marquee event. runDisney likewise exists to host many races - on numerous properties and virtually - but it is accountable to and beholden to a very large, diverse company that may have more powerful segments that view on-premises races as a nuisance and financial loss than something that should be encouraged.

EDIT- Oh, another observation: Most appear to be offering a reduced capacity, ranging anywhere from 50% to 66% of their past in-person capacity.

I've wondered about that. It's not clear to me if the capacity was capped, or if due to hesitation to register/travel limitations/etc. the registrations are lower. I know Boston capped, but didn't Chicago admit everyone that applied?

 

[jimrpa]

Well, one small sign of normalcy I wasn’t sure of until just now. There WILL be a 2021 EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival and according to the Disney website, it will feature live entertainment. Since W&D is themed to that, it gives me a very faint glimmer of hope that maybe Disney might have at least a 100 meter sprint through the EPCOT parking lot this year

 

[EPCOT-O.G.]

I've wondered about that. It's not clear to me if the capacity was capped, or if due to hesitation to register/travel limitations/etc. the registrations are lower. I know Boston capped, but didn't Chicago admit everyone that applied?

Probably - they say on their website they're "preparing to welcome 35,000 participants," which is not that much less than pre-pandemic levels. I could see how they admitted everyone that applied

 

[Z-Knight]

I did a little back of the envelope layout (okay, it was Microsoft Word) to see where things stand with the top 10 races by finishers as per 2019 numbers. Here's what I'm seeing:

View attachment 579640

Now, it's distressing we still have not heard word on WDW, but many of those shown just announced in the last month or two (or opened up registration for) their respective races. Again, I think this ultimately comes down to the purpose of the organization hosting. NYRR, BAA, etc. - all of those entities exist to host races, and there is tremendous internal pressure to justify their continued existence by putting on their marquee event. runDisney likewise exists to host many races - on numerous properties and virtually - but it is accountable to and beholden to a very large, diverse company that may have more powerful segments that view on-premises races as a nuisance and financial loss than something that should be encouraged.

EDIT- Oh, another observation: Most appear to be offering a reduced capacity, ranging anywhere from 50% to 66% of their past in-person capacity.

fyi, 2020 finishers were 14116 for marathon and 2019 was only 11936 ...I think the half marathon had way more both years

 

[EPCOT-O.G.]

fyi, 2020 finishers were 14116 for marathon and 2019 was only 11936 ...I think the half marathon had way more both years

Are you telling me the good people at (checks notes) Bibmagnets.com may be mistaken? How dare you!

 

[BikeFan]

it gives me a very faint glimmer of hope that maybe Disney might have at least a 100 meter sprint through the EPCOT parking lot this year

Don't they already have that most every morning? It's called the Rope Drop Run and it finishes at Soarin'.

 

[EPCOT-O.G.]

Don't they already have that most every morning? It's called the Rope Drop Run and it finishes at Soarin'.

you're not supposed to run. You have to walk really fast, straight legged. Bend the knees and lean forward and they ask you to slow down. It's the power walk-a-lympics.

 

[camaker]

fyi, 2020 finishers were 14116 for marathon and 2019 was only 11936 ...I think the half marathon had way more both years

Those don’t look like full capacity numbers to me. Do they include Dopey and Goofy Challenge runners? If so, are we sure they were sell-outs. My recollection is that normal course capacity for the WDW Marathon is in the 22,000-24,000 range.

 

[opusone]

fyi, 2020 finishers were 14116 for marathon and 2019 was only 11936 ...I think the half marathon had way more both years

Interesting... does anybody know the reason why the big drop from 2018-2019? They had over 20k finishers in 2018 and only 59% of that the very next year.

 

[Z-Knight]

Those don’t look like full capacity numbers to me. Do they include Dopey and Goofy Challenge runners? If so, are we sure they were sell-outs. My recollection is that normal course capacity for the WDW Marathon is in the 22,000-24,000 range.

Those are the totals from the Marathon results - that includes all marathon result finishers:

For example here is 2020

https://www.trackshackresults.com/disneysports/results/wdw/wdw20/

Marathon

Men	6579​
Women	7537​
Total Finishers	14116​

Half Marathon

Men	8783​
Women	12850​
Total Finishers	21633​

Here is 2019

https://www.trackshackresults.com/disneysports/results/wdw/wdw19/

Marathon

Men	5973​
Women	5963​
Total Finishers	11936​

Half Marathon

Men	7802​
Women	10617​
Total Finishers	18419​

Here is 2018

https://www.trackshackresults.com/disneysports/results/wdw/wdw18/

Marathon

Men	9267​
Women	10825​
Total Finishers	20092​

Half Marathon

Men	8529​
Women	12288​
Total Finishers	20817​

 

[BikeFan]

Interesting... does anybody know the reason why the big drop from 2018-2019? They had over 20k finishers in 2018 and only 59% of that the very next year.

2018 was the 25th anniversary year for the full, so that was probably a big draw. That special anniversary bling got me down there for the full in 2018!

 

[opusone]

Those don’t look like full capacity numbers to me. Do they include Dopey and Goofy Challenge runners?

I spot checked a few, and it does include Dopey and Goofy. Still wonder why the big decrease in 2019.

 

[opusone]

2018 was the 25th anniversary year for the full, so that was probably a big draw. That special anniversary bling got me down there for the full in 2018!

Understand, but there were still almost 18k in 2017.