WDW Marathon's and Disabilities

[BWV Dreamin]

I am reading a lot about the different type of Marathon's that Disney hosts (F&W, Princess, etc.) I don't see much about if they accept participants with disabilities. Does anyone know if they hold separate events for those with disabilities? I have asthma, and while I try not to think of it as a disability, the fact is I could never compete with "regular" folk. I would appreciate any info.

 

[BillSears]

The world record for the fastest ran marathon is 2:03:38. I'm not sure what the wheelchair world record holder is but at the 2004 Boston Marathon the wheelchair racer ran a 1:18:27 marathon.

The top end wheelchair marathon runners blow away the top end regular runners. So maybe you'll want to run with the standard runners.

 

[crashbb]

What do you mean by "compete with "regular" folk"?

The WDW races all tend to have very generous time limits (though they are strict about them), so if asthma slows you down, you can still participate in the races. Many people will walk the entire race.

If you mean that you want to be able to place in the top 3 (top 10, whatever) and don't want to be compared against "regular" folk, then I do not think that there is a special category.

Actually, I've never been in a race where asthma would qualify one for the Achilles/disabled category (they are usually very specific and, often, have different sub-categories).

Bill is correct though - unless you are in a wheelchair or handchair, there is no way that you'd be allowed to (or would want to!) go with those racers.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

I guess I should clarify...I mean people that have no issues with running. What ever that would be from limbs, to respiratory, etc.

I didn't know you could walk in the Marathons. I thought everyone had to run them! For the record I would NEVER want to compete against people in wheel chairs. They would definetely blow me away with their time. Also, many wheelchair participants train heavily for these events. I would not be in any of those categories. I just thought I would look dumb walking when everyone else was running. But, if walking is aloud, maybe others would be walking too? Yes, unfortunately, asthma is considered a disability. When it comes to competitions, I have no idea how they are classified.

 

[crashbb]

Walking is definitely allowed at WDW races.

I'm not disputing that asthma can be disabling, I was merely speaking from the point of running categories. These are generally based on the same (or similar) categories in the Paralympics and would not include something like asthma. It is a moot point, since (as far as I know) none of the WDW races have special categories anyway.

If your only concern is being slow (as opposed to actually "competing") - do not worry at all!! There are many walkers and/or slow runners at the WDW races. If it makes you feel better, look up some of the results from previous races - you'll see what a wide range of finish times there are and the number of slower finish times.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Disney requires the abiliity to finish in seven hours. This works out to 16 minutes per mile. There are certain pace points and if you fail to reach them on a timely basis yoiu will be disqualified and removed from the course.

 

[Mary976]

Disney frequently has 5K races during the same time frame as the longer (marathon distance) events. That might be something worth looking into. Even if you were going to walk a half or full marathon, you'd probably be wanting to do quite a bit of training. The prep for walking a 5K is much easier.

Mary

 

[KPeveler]

I am very interested in racing in Disney marathons in a wheelchair... but as others have said, you would have to be in one of the categories which involve using your feet to finish the race (walking, running, etc).

There are other shorter races as part of the Disney marathon weekends you may want to look into as well.

 

[goofieslonglostsis]

The world record for the fastest ran marathon is 2:03:38. I'm not sure what the wheelchair world record holder is but at the 2004 Boston Marathon the wheelchair racer ran a 1:18:27 marathon.

The top end wheelchair marathon runners blow away the top end regular runners. So maybe you'll want to run with the standard runners.

I'm wondering how long it will take before this will be used for another "those darned spoiled rotten entitled wheelchair and ECV-users should just get their own bus and wait like normal regular people"-rant.

 

[crashbb]

I am very interested in racing in Disney marathons in a wheelchair... but as others have said, you would have to be in one of the categories which involve using your feet to finish the race (walking, running, etc).

Actually, that isn't true. There is a wheelchair division for the Disney Marathon.

Not sure how many atheletes competed, but I the top two male times were 1:47:13 and 3:20:21. I didn't see any third place awards (or any female awards) so there may have only been these two atheletes.

There was also at least one male in the half marathon.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

Disney requires the abiliity to finish in seven hours. This works out to 16 minutes per mile. There are certain pace points and if you fail to reach them on a timely basis yoiu will be disqualified and removed from the course.

Disney frequently has 5K races during the same time frame as the longer (marathon distance) events. That might be something worth looking into. Even if you were going to walk a half or full marathon, you'd probably be wanting to do quite a bit of training. The prep for walking a 5K is much easier.

Mary

Thanks for this info!! I did think there was some time requirement for the races. Breaking that down, I don't know about the 16 min/mile.

Now the 5k race...how many miles does that compute to? How do I find out about the 5K races and during which marathon's they are held?

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Check out www.rundisney.com as your starting point. Anything about any sports at WDW.

And 5mk = about 3.1 miles.