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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 251 to 261]
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f. k. from brooklyn, ny
(1/15/2009)
"well organized and excellently run marathon" (about: 2009)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Disney World Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Who else but Disney can organize and manage a marathon? The standards and expectations were high. The expo was well organized, the crowd control was excellent, and rest stops, medical tents and DJ's were well spaced. The school bands were a nice touch, especially the gospel choir at mile 26.1. Running through the parks, especially through Cinderella's Castle (and at night) was very nice. I agree that getting up at 3 a.m. was pretty harsh, but getting sunburned at miles 11-15 and miles 18-26 made me appreciate an early start. I was surprised to find crowds on the highways and overpasses cheering us on, as well as the hundreds of park-goers encouraging us. I am even planning my training for 2010. | |
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K. F. from Tallahassee, Florida
(1/15/2009)
"Good Organization, Poor Course" (about: 2009)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Disney World Marathon
COURSE: 1 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Disney was very well organized, the corral concept was very much appreciated so that faster runners are not blocked by slower runners. There were signs posted along the way that had twisted/negative connotations - we don't need that during a race! Parts of the course are routed behind buildings and past garbage dumpsters - we don't need that either. The course also had a great deal of concrete; my knees have never hurt worse after a marathon (this is my 5th). Many parts of the race are beautiful and fun, but I will not be returning. | |
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W. R. from USA
(1/14/2009)
"First Disney Marathon" (about: 2009)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Disney World Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was my first Disney Marathon. I thought it was a great race. It was good that packet pickup was at a different location than the expo. The expo was not bad. It just needs to be done in a bigger facility. There needed to be more bathrooms at the start. There were already a bunch, but the lines were really long. It took me a hour before it was my turn. The course itself was great. There are many miles that are really boring, but that's the case at every marathon. It was 55 in the morning - the perfect time to start the race. Expect this race to be hot by the time you pass the halfway point. The PowerAde and water were in different cups, which made it really easy to jump into a water station and get what you need. The race had two starting lines this year, which met at around the 4.5-mile mark. That was great. It was still packed, but it would have been so much worse without it. At the end of the race the support was fantastic. Also, if you're running for fun, take your camera. The course has all of the Disney characters along the way to get your picture taken with. Overall, I give it five stars. A lot of people complain about the cost, but Disney is a corporation. Would you expect anything else? I also noticed that the price was high, but they had sponges and bananas along with the Clif Shots and gels along the way. To me, it was worth every penny. | |
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J. G. from Washington DC
(1/14/2009)
"So Much Fun, & A Great Course!" (about: 2009)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Disney World Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I've done a few marathons of different sizes before, but this was definitely the best. Getting up early wasn't bad, especially once you get around the thousands of others - and you beat the heat by starting early. The course was flat and the race was well organized. The fans were amazing (especially at Disney) and I can't begin to thank all of the volunteers and bands and cheering squads along the course. They did a spectacular job. Some people complained that it is spread out, but I don't think that at all. I'll be back to run this one again. | |
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E. S. from Atlanta, GA
(1/14/2009)
"Great race for first-timers!" (about: 2009)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Disney World Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 The Disney Marathon is a great race, especially for first-time marathoners. I ran with my friend for her first marathon. The course is relatively flat (there are very slight hills inside the parks and on overpasses) and very well organized. There were multiple food stops (bananas, chocolates, gels, etc), water and PowerAde stops at every mile, and Vaseline and Biofreeze stops. The spectators were great in the park areas, but between parks were somewhat sparse. Some parts of the course were on very narrow roads/paths, which made it difficult to avoid other runners. The expo was very well organized - I was in and out in 15 minutes, getting my number and shirt. I would definitely do it again! | |
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D. P. from Philadelphia, PA
(1/14/2009)
"Do this run; it's a lot of fun, but not spectator-" (about: 2009)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Disney World Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 Amazing course. It was fun seeing the Disney characters, running through all of the parks. They had good music, lots of water stops, medical tents and GU packs; and there was fun signage and great sights. We had excellent weather, a flat course, and overall, an exceptionally well-organized race. It's not great for spectators - organizers were too controlling of spectators - and cross-walkers were allowed and weren't well-controlled. But they had cool, large, heavy medals. And the early start is not an issue. I want to do it again! | |
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T. S. from Utah
(1/14/2009)
"Best time not in the numbers." (about: 2009)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Disney World Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 We decided to embrace the event and don costumes. The crowds were incredible. They yelled and cheered, and in the down miles we got to recompose ourselves. Our time numbers will never match the great time we had with the characters, the crowds and the event organizers. It was by far the most organized event I've ever run and the most fun. I don't know how I'll top it. | |
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N. A. from Damascus, MD
(1/13/2009)
"Flat, fast race, but beat the Florida heat" (about: 2009)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Disney World Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This was my first Disney Marathon, and overall I think it is a good race. I was worried about the race starting at 6 a.m. and having to get up at 2:45 a.m., but I saw why near the end of the marathon. You want to beat the Florida heat towards the end. I have done the Marine Corp Marathon before, and unfortunately the spectators don't compare. For the expensive registration fee, I would think Disney would be able to give each runner a free day in the park. Also, it kind of sucks that your family has to have a Disney ticket to watch you run through the park. This is a very flat race and I was able to maintain the same pace for 20 miles. | |
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R. R. from Memphis, Tennessee
(1/13/2009)
"Great Course, Great Fun- Parking Terrors!!" (about: 2009)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Disney World Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 This is a "MUST DO MARATHON" for those looking for a fun run on a flat course and a million things to keep their minds occupied. It's an early start (5:50 a.m.) but Disney in the dark is as amazing as it is in full sunshine. Lots of attention to detail keeps the course interesting, and many photo shots are available to the casual runner. As for me, the course was flat and the weather was picture perfect. I improved my time by over 20 minutes from my last marathon (Memphis). The parking, however, is a nightmare! My wife picked me up by the finish line after paying $12 for what was supposed to be a quick in-and-out trip for her. They then told her that she would not be able to leave for 2-3 hours - "until the other lot clears!!" Scores of stranded motorists were brought to a standstill for over an hour before we revolted and en masse shifted our cars in reverse to make an escape toward the entrance. The parking attendant was lucky not to be run over but I had to get out so I could drive the 800 miles home and still let my kids get some sleep before the school day on Monday. Other than that, it was not just a good experience - IT WAS AWESOME!! I'm coming back next year for the Goofy Challenge (half marathon on Saturday followed by the full marathon on Sunday), but I do hope the parking situation is fixed by then! | |
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L. M. from Parker, CO
(1/13/2009)
"Too spread out." (about: 2009)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Disney World Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 I ran this race specifically to PR and qualify for Boston. So, in that sense, it got the job done. However, I was surprised by the amount of the race on the roads between the parks where no one was cheering. There were many areas where I didn't see any spectators at all. After running Chicago, Twin Cities and Boston, this was a bit disappointing. |
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