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Disney World Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Disney World Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.1 
Organization 4.3 
Spectators 4.0
Number of comments: 818 [displaying comments 201 to 211]
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c. b. from nj
(1/11/2010)
"fun race; well organized; great transportation" (about: 2010)
6-10 previous marathons
| 4-5 Disney World Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I run this race every year, and this year was very cold. I love this race. The transportation is great - very well organized. Plenty of water stops, and the help is wonderful. I truly love to come back every year. | |
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E. W. from Sarasota, FL
(1/11/2010)
"Did the Goofy" (about: 2010)
6-10 previous marathons
| 2 Disney World Marathons
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 The course is easier to run the second time since you come to expect the boring runs along the access roads. Disney does an overall good job trying to keep you entertained along these routes. The high school bands and cheerleaders are great. The gospel choir at the end always sounds great. The weather was bad (29-degree start on Sunday) this year, but nothing Disney could do about that. However they should have taken precautions at the water stops to prevent the ice build up on the roads. I saw, and heard of others, slipping on frozen water and PowerAde. A little sand on the ice could have helped. Kind of tough on the noggin' to consider ice in Orlando, but it did happen. The post-race food continues to disappoint. Considering how expensive these races are, you would expect better food than a banana, cup of fruit and a bagel without any toppings. The event is still fun and the bling is cool. The 5-year anniversary Goofy medal is fantastic. | |
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B. H. from Pennslyvania, USA
(1/11/2010)
"poor handling of conditions" (about: 2010)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Disney World Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 5 I did the Goofy Challenge, and while I can maybe give Disney a pass for not providing any accommodations to the athletes for the (forecasted) frigid weather for the first day's half-marathon, it was inexcusable to again have nothing on the second day of running in sub-freezing conditions. Staying at a Disney hotel, we were told that the bus/shuttle service doesn't guarantee on-time delivery to the start unless you catch a bus by 4:00 a.m. The race doesn't start until 5:40 (first wave). Both days the 4:00 bus dropped us off at the staging area by 4:15, leaving 1.5 hours to stand in sub-freezing conditions - in running shorts, tech shirt and windbreaker. No protection from the elements was provided - no seating was available. On Sunday morning, it was even colder (although no sleet/snow/humidity) and again I arrived by 4:15 hoping that Disney would have provided some tents, gas space heaters, seats, ANYTHING to help with the 1.5-hour waiting period. Unfortunately, the only reprieve any runners could find was huddling around the exhaust of the diesel powered light generators. I of course don't blame Disney for the weather, just how they mishandled providing for it. The only other complaint I have is the lack of advertising the distance of the start from the staging area - a good 2/3 of a mile. I missed the first wave of the half because I wanted to stay as close to the generator for as long as possible before the start, leaving it around 5:35, only to discover I had a long haul to cover to get to the start. So I sat shaking for 1.5 hours, then sprinted 2/3 mile to get to the start (only to miss it) - I was physically an emotionally exhausted before the race even started. I was certainly more prepared on Sunday for the full marathon, but still disappointed by Disney's failure to provide better accommodations on day 2. I have nothing new or novel to add about the course/race itself. It was as advertised and as described by previous posts. I would like to commend the support staff, volunteers and crowds for braving the conditions. They were amazing!!! | |
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M. H. from Carmel, Indiana
(1/11/2010)
"Not like I expected." (about: 2010)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Disney World Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 4 This course was a real disappointment. My time was really affected by the bathroom situation. There were many times when there was only one porta-potty available for a race with over 22,000 people. My only other complaint about this course is the fact that they take you up and down on and off ramps; I have a bad ankle and the stress that the angle of these ramps puts on it is terrible. Other than that, the crowd is nice and running through the parks is magical! | |
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Sid Busch from Goose Creek ,SC
(1/11/2010)
"What Happened to GLOBAL WARMING?" (about: 2010)
50+ previous marathons
| 6+ Disney World Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was the coldest Marathon Weekend in Disney history, but it did not stop a lot of us from doing it. The half started in snow, and ended with frozen rain. The full was run with clear skies, but with temps at the start of 26 degrees. I was running my 5th GOOFY,and this is a fun place to run - not for time, but to enjoy being a kid again. I found it strange that runners, when on the course running, go out of their way to help other runners, but once they get back in their cars, that feeling is all gone, and road rage sets in. With around 16,000 half marathoners on Saturday trying to leave the Epcot parking lot at the same time, traffic came to a halt, and when cars tried to merge into the exit lanes, they were cut off and not allowed by drivers in these lanes. I saw 2 runners almost come to a fist fight before calmer heads took over. The volunteers were exceptional, standing out in this really bad weather, but still smiling and cheering every runner on. My hat's off to them. | |
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D. I. from Gainesville, FL
(1/11/2010)
"Disney won't disappoint!" (about: 2010)
50+ previous marathons
| 2 Disney World Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 First-rate marathon experience! Disney always delivers great organization and friendly staff/volunteers. The expo offered a great variety of products and speakers. Packet pick-up went smoothly; going as early as possible is better! The course was well marked and well staffed... and the Disney scenery and characters are fantastic. The weather was awful... COLD! But, Disney can't control everything! I also did the Goofy Challenge... lots of fun and the medals are great! I have done multiple running events at Disney and have never been disappointed. It's a must-do destination marathon. Thanks again, Disney, for yet another great experience! | |
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Lyle Fitzsimmons from Ocala, FL
(1/11/2010)
"Goofy... and Happy." (about: 2010)
1 previous marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my first time at Disney, and, by definition, my first Goofy Challenge. I read the comments going in with some caution, but at least for me, the event exceeded every expectation. Sure, it's a long way between parks. And sure, it was SNOWING for the half-marathon on Saturday morning, but as a whole it was a great experience. Running through Magic Kingdom, finishing at Epcot, reading the 'Sharpie' signs, hearing accordion music, slapping hands with the characters. Priceless. I stayed off-site and drove in both days with zero problems. Was parked and inside within 10 minutes. A little traffic on the way? Sure. But not L.A. or New York level. And the medals rock... especially the fifth-anniversary Goofy. Makes the soreness worthwhile today. | |
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B. E. from Farmington, Missouri
(1/10/2010)
"Great experience" (about: 2010)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Disney World Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 This was my second marathon, and I did the Goofy Challenge on very little training. The course and spectators kept your mind occupied. Runners were polite, and volunteers were helpful. Plenty of water and food stops. Great marathon experience. | |
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T. C. from St. Louis, MO
(12/7/2009)
"Fast, Flat, Fun Run" (about: 2009)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Disney World Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I ran this in 2009 and signed up for the 2010 race also. I have been looking forward to this all year!!! | |
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s. e. from Durham, North Carolina
(11/25/2009)
"fun; well organized; caters to slower runners" (about: 2009)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Disney World Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I really had a good time at the 2009 Disney Marathon, so please don't let my comments below convince you otherwise. This is a very well organized event, but in many ways it is more of an event than a race. I made this trip with my wife and her cousin for their first marathon, but of course I had to run too.... Pros: 1. Everything I observed was very well organized - parking was easy, plenty of buses, etc. 2. Fun start (could use some more restrooms near the start) 3. Flat, easy course 4. Plenty of volunteers and fluids at water stops 5. The medical aid station at the finish is really first class 6. Transportation to and from the race was well done (buses) 7. Running through the parks was very fun - can't say the same for walking trough them the following day (ouch)! Cons: 1. Long walk from the check-in area to the starting line; who wants to walk for 10 minutes before a marathon? 2. I knew this race started early, but geez... 5:40? I was halfway done before the sun came up, and it made the race seem really long.... 3. After the finish you can make only one pass through the food/refreshment area and then you cannot come back in. This was very frustrating because I had to wait a couple of hours for my running buddies, before we could leave to get lunch. 4. It's pretty hot and humid for a winter marathon, though, of course, the weather is just a roll of the dice My Perception: I am from a competitive running background, and I know that my opinions are not shared by everyone. If you want to participate in a fun run and have a great time with family and friends, then this is an awesome event. This is why I made the trip, so mission accomplished. This is also a fun place to include family with running, and to make running fun. These are great things, but they do not make a competitive atmosphere. If you are a fast runner, don't expect a competitive environment at Disney for racing - do this race to spend time with family and friends, but if you want to run fast and be competitive, pick another race. I probably will not do this race again because it is a lot of work putting in all that mileage and long runs to go run alone in the dark through the Magic Kingdom.... I know this event is a commercial venture, and that Disney is in business to make a profit and sell tickets, so it makes sense to try and get as many runners to the starting line as possible, and by proxy as many family members and friends there to support them. This race really caters to Disney fans and large fund-raising groups - which is great - but this does not make a very competitive atmosphere. This becomes clear when you look at the results and see fewer than 100 people in a race this large (flat course) who crack 3:00. This is a good marathon for a first-timer who is looking to complete the distance somewhere in the 4-6 hour range. You will have plenty of company. This is a "slow and steady wins the race" atmosphere. Disney does a great job putting this event together, but it is not a competitive marathon. |
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