Springtime Surprise Weekend 2025 (April 3-6)

[Zutroy]

Hi! My sister and I are doing our first ever rD event with the 10k this coming weekend! We are super excited, but also starting to get a little anxious with how everything will run. Any advice for these newbies?!

We are also starting to get a little nervous that we might not be able to stay completely with our registration pace (especially being from NY)--based on what we are seeing, we think we should be okay if we don't run exactly the pace we thought we could (as long as the balloons don't get us!) anyone have any experience with this?

If you don’t run the estimated pace you put in your registration, when you cross the finish line Mickey will look at his watch with disappointment and then shake his head disapprovingly at you. But seriously, depending on which corral you end up in, you may find it difficult to run the exact pace you want because of the crowding. With the character stops and photo ops, many people run what is called a “party pace.” Don’t worry about what you put in the registration—everyone lies and puts in the fastest non-POT possible. Enjoy, have fun, and good luck!

 

[1lilspark]

Hi! My sister and I are doing our first ever rD event with the 10k this coming weekend! We are super excited, but also starting to get a little anxious with how everything will run. Any advice for these newbies?!

We are also starting to get a little nervous that we might not be able to stay completely with our registration pace (especially being from NY)--based on what we are seeing, we think we should be okay if we don't run exactly the pace we thought we could (as long as the balloons don't get us!) anyone have any experience with this?

it’s fine if you don’t run your projected pace that’s more for seeding purposes
Have fun!!!!

 

[Baloo in MI]

Hi! My sister and I are doing our first ever rD event with the 10k this coming weekend! We are super excited, but also starting to get a little anxious with how everything will run. Any advice for these newbies?!

We are also starting to get a little nervous that we might not be able to stay completely with our registration pace (especially being from NY)--based on what we are seeing, we think we should be okay if we don't run exactly the pace we thought we could (as long as the balloons don't get us!) anyone have any experience with this?

I’m also from the north and have been challenged by the change in temp and humidity for the races down in Florida - especially for Spring Surprise! so totally understand that concern. But, runDisney races are a very fun and welcoming environment, and you can go at what ever pace works best for you. People will be there to PR in time and/or PR in fun. Have a great race!

 

[nancipants]

Report from a local: today I started my run at 8:11 and finished around 9:37. The T+D was 135 when I started and 143 when I finished.

Thankfully, the races will be much earlier than this, but start hydrating now!

 

[radiodome21]

I was at Target yesterday to pick up some energy gel for our 10k. My running friends suggested having a few just in case. Target app said they were stock but what was in stock were the empty boxes. My wife doesn’t think we’ll need them and that we should be fine. This will also be our first runDisney race so I’m wondering if we’re overthinking this or not. More concerned about the water stations honestly.

 

[Naomeri]

I was at Target yesterday to pick up some energy gel for our 10k. My running friends suggested having a few just in case. Target app said they were stock but what was in stock were the empty boxes. My wife doesn’t think we’ll need them and that we should be fine. This will also be our first runDisney race so I’m wondering if we’re overthinking this or not. More concerned about the water stations honestly.

I wouldn't worry about fueling for a 10K, and if you haven't used gels before, race day isn't the time to try them for the first time.

Disney is pretty good about water stations, so as long as you start the race properly hydrated, you'll likely be fine.

 

[nancipants]

And if you really want/need fuel, the expo will have them.

 

[PrincessV]

I was at Target yesterday to pick up some energy gel for our 10k. My running friends suggested having a few just in case. Target app said they were stock but what was in stock were the empty boxes. My wife doesn’t think we’ll need them and that we should be fine. This will also be our first runDisney race so I’m wondering if we’re overthinking this or not. More concerned about the water stations honestly.

Nothing new on race day! If you didn’t train with gels, race day is not the day to try them. Stick with what’s worked for you in training!

 

[PrincessV]

I know folks are more focused on weather, but for those with seasonal allergies, be warned: the pollen situation in central FL is apocalyptic right now. It may ease a little with some expected rain the next couple days… or the rain may just stir it up and make it worse. I’d bring your preferred allergy med if it’s a concern for you.

With care,
A Floridian triple-dipping Zyrtec, Flonase, AND Benadryl today

 

[Naomeri]

I know folks are more focused on weather, but for those with seasonal allergies, be warned: the pollen situation in central FL is apocalyptic right now. It may ease a little with some expected rain the next couple days… or the rain may just stir it up and make it worse. I’d bring your preferred allergy med if it’s a concern for you.

With care,
A Floridian triple-dipping Zyrtec, Flonase, AND Benadryl today

I don't usually have issues with pollen, but I do have occasional problems with the sun, and I haven't been spending a lot of time outside since Dopey, so I'm already building the Zyrtec up in my system

 

[sandam1]

I was at Target yesterday to pick up some energy gel for our 10k. My running friends suggested having a few just in case. Target app said they were stock but what was in stock were the empty boxes. My wife doesn’t think we’ll need them and that we should be fine.

The universe just saved you. As others have mentioned, you do NOT want to try fuel that you haven't used in training. That's the recipe for potential emergency trips to multiple porta-potties (or worse).

Repeat after me - nothing new on race day!

This will also be our first runDisney race so I’m wondering if we’re overthinking this or not. More concerned about the water stations honestly.

Yeah, you are probably overthinking things. But you are a runner! Most of us are overthinkers. Welcome to the family!

 

[fatmanatee]

I know folks are more focused on weather, but for those with seasonal allergies, be warned: the pollen situation in central FL is apocalyptic right now. It may ease a little with some expected rain the next couple days… or the rain may just stir it up and make it worse. I’d bring your preferred allergy med if it’s a concern for you.

With care,
A Floridian triple-dipping Zyrtec, Flonase, AND Benadryl today

Could not believe how bad it was two years ago when I did this weekend, Epcot was an absolute nightmare for me.

 

[radiodome21]

The universe just saved you. As others have mentioned, you do NOT want to try fuel that you haven't used in training. That's the recipe for potential emergency trips to multiple porta-potties (or worse).

That's one of my worst fears.......in all of life. I have a U2 concert in 2011 that still haunts me. Sticking with water it is.

 

[Mr_Incr3dible]

I know folks are more focused on weather, but for those with seasonal allergies, be warned: the pollen situation in central FL is apocalyptic right now. It may ease a little with some expected rain the next couple days… or the rain may just stir it up and make it worse. I’d bring your preferred allergy med if it’s a concern for you.

With care,
A Floridian triple-dipping Zyrtec, Flonase, AND Benadryl today

Georgia says, "Hold my beer" in regards to pollen. It was over 14k today. Cars going down my street are leaving swirling wakes of yellow behind them.

 

[sandam1]

That's one of my worst fears.......in all of life. I have a U2 concert in 2011 that still haunts me. Sticking with water it is.

When you train for another race (especially if you go for something longer), you might want to try some different types of fuel and see what works best for you. But the time to do it is definitely during training.

Personally, I'm careful to make sure that I'm doing a loop course near home or a longer run at the gym when I try something new - just in case.

 

[radiodome21]

Thanks. The wife and I did almost 4 miles this afternoon. What a beautiful morning in the Chicagoland area. We're both super pumped for this weekend. Can't wait and we're ready!

 

[DJFan88]

Quickie question: bib pick up: can i just grab a special bus anytime (w/in pick up hours) at any resort to get to ESpn?

 

[jmasgat]

Quickie question: bib pick up: can i just grab a special bus anytime (w/in pick up hours) at any resort to get to ESpn?

Yes.

 

[PrincessV]

Could not believe how bad it was two years ago when I did this weekend, Epcot was an absolute nightmare for me.

Georgia says, "Hold my beer" in regards to pollen. It was over 14k today. Cars going down my street are leaving swirling wakes of yellow behind them.

Yep, we’ve got literal foot-deep drifts and piles of it here. The oaks are the worse of it and they’re done now: once we get a couple heavy rains, it’ll wash away. But the flowering trees and shrubs are in full bloom, too. Why must the best weather come with a heavy dose of pollen?!

 

[nancipants]

Yep, we’ve got literal foot-deep drifts and piles of it here. The oaks are the worse of it and they’re done now: once we get a couple heavy rains, it’ll wash away. But the flowering trees and shrubs are in full bloom, too. Why must the best weather come with a heavy dose of pollen?!

We have an oak tree in front of our house and my husband has been miserable for weeks. Thankfully it's finally starting to get better.