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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 301 to 311]
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A. B. from Glastonbury CT
(1/25/2008)
"A silly sideshow with a stupid medal" (about: 2008)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Disney World Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 5 Call me "Scrouge"; call me an elitist snob. Perhaps I even missed the point of this race. But this race was too loud to allow me to sink into a rhythm. I like to run, but how could one train for this insanity? I could live with the numerous turns, and twists in the parks; I could live with the sewer smells, and the Disney-convenient starting time. These were all challenges to be met. What I could not deal with was the music. I liked the bands, but was really distracted beyond simple disassociation by the blaring loud speakers churning out a constant ever-changing mix of noise. It made it very difficult to concentrate, self monitor, or get in a groove. Disney seems to feel that more is always better. Running at its core is a simple endeavor. The medal was simply ridiculous. I mean are we so shallow that we need a 5-pound medal? I am amazed that so many people could stand wearing it around the park. On the bright side, the paid volunteers and the people running were as nice as anywhere. I loved running towards the Castle, and later into the New York City set. However, do not dare to compare this marathon to NY, Chicago or Hartford, where a runner can have fun, be supported, and still think. Disney, never again. | |
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C. D. from Boston, MA
(1/25/2008)
"Awesome first marathon" (about: 2008)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Disney World Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my first marathon, after running one previous half marathon 6 months before. I thought of no better place to run your first than Disney and my expectations were definitely exceeded! Organization is Disney's key, and everything from hotel transportation to the expo to the race were superbly organized. My only complaints were that awful u-turn between mile 20-21 - that absolutely killed me! Also, I found it hard at times to maintain a consistent pace - the course widens and narrows quite frequently with the crowd thinning out and then getting more compact. I am registering for the Chicago Marathon (Oct. 12) but plan on doing Disney again next year as more of a "fun" run since it is still only 3 months after Chicago. Well done, Disney, I already can't wait for next year! | |
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D. G. from KC
(1/25/2008)
"Disney's Positives & Negatives" (about: 2008)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Disney World Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 First the negative stuff: Every race should have ICE! None to be found at the half marathon nor the whole.... At the very least it should be at the finish; it's not very cool to drink hot water after running 26.2. I support anyone's effort to gain fitness, however please send a MEMO to the spirited walkers to: A) not walk 3 abreast and B) please stick to the right side of the lane so runners can get by with ease. Need bagels or bread at finish (to go along with the cold water) instead of the packaged muffins. Please throw oranges in with the bananas for selection to eat during the race. Positive stuff: Porta-potty heaven! Race personnel were helpful and spirited. Big kudos to the volunteers handing out aid, and the Disney characters (esp. Alice in Wonderland, and Mary Poppins looking hot) being supportive as you run by. The finishing medals for Goofy/Donald were awesome.... Mickey's lanyard needed a little work, but was ok. Goofy shirt rocked. Weather was great for most of the races. Overall the race was pretty good except for the few tweaks needed... esp. the ICE. =) | |
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K. D. from Massachusetts
(1/24/2008)
"too many walkers" (about: 2008)
2 previous marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I liked most everything about the 1/2 marathon except that there are way too many walkers. I think there should be a separate race for walkers. There were walkers the entire race and my friend and I had to use so much energy running around the groups of walkers. | |
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Alan Birdsell from Hesston, Kansas
(1/24/2008)
"WOW! Agree with all positives!" (about: 2008)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Disney World Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I agree with all of the positive comments posted. Concerning the expo, this is a trip to run a race and to enjoy the Disney experience. This is not primarily a shopping trip. I had read the previous years' comments, and the entire experience completing outdid what I expected. My time was slow, the weather was hot and humid, the race was crowded, and you actually have to run from one park to the next. And it did not matter. A personal note: I ran this race 32 weeks after quadruple bypass surgery. So of the five I have run, this is number one. Not that the others weren't great, but this one was spectacular. Save up the money, come early, enjoy Downtown Disney, go to Cirque du Soleil, take the kids to the parks, and have the time of your life! And next year my running partners and I are running the Goofy! | |
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S. C. from Georgia, USA
(1/23/2008)
"Great race in a great location!" (about: 2008)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Disney World Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Super location with a great course through Disney's Magic Kingdom (including Cinderella's castle), Animal Kingdom, MGM Studios, and finally Epcot (the start and finish). I have only run the Marine Corps Marathon before Disney, and that was many years ago. It took the first 7-10 miles before you actually had space to run due to the very large crowd of runners. Otherwise, the race was superb. Plenty of aid stations with great PowerAde, water, ice, fruit, candy, gels, etc. Also, each of the medical tents had Vaseline and BioFreeze. The organization was incredible. Numerous porta-potties before the race and throughout the race. You could even use the restrooms along the course in the Magic Kingdom. The medals and t-shirts were both of high quality. I would go back next year to do this race. Lodging: We stayed at the Boardwalk Inn and thought it was an ideal location. There were three restaurants along the Boardwalk. Disney provides plenty of shuttles to and from the race and throughout the weekend to and from the expo. | |
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Steven Latour from Nashua, NH
(1/22/2008)
"An entirely pleasant experience." (about: 2008)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Disney World Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I have absolutely no negative things to say about this marathon. I was amazed at how smooth this was even though there were 13,000 people running at the same time. From the well organized start (with fireworks and live entertainment well ahead of start time) to the characters in each of the five parks, the time just flew by. There was so much going on during the run, with local high school bands and cheerleaders, taiko drummers, a live band, and speakers set in between playing music. Even a parking lot was made interesting, with a choice of running to country or 80's pop music. My time was even slower than normal, but it was totally unimportant. I have already signed up for next year (and I will be trying the Goofy Challenge of the 1/2 marathon on Saturday and the full marathon on Sunday). Simply wonderful. | |
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L. S. from St. Louis, MO
(1/22/2008)
"The Disney Marathon is my favorite" (about: 2008)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Disney World Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I did the Goofy Challenge. The Disney marathon was by far the best marathon I've ever experienced. Loved everything about this race. What I loved the most were: Fireworks at the start Spectator support Running through the Disney parks (scenery) Disney characters along the course Music on the course, especially the choir around mile 25 Plenty of PowerAde/water; bananas and oranges, chocolate, gels, BioFreeze and the cold water sponge (greatly appreciated) All 3 medals - especially the 15th anniversary marathon edition All 3 tech shirts (very nice) Post-race celebration at Pleasure Island Overall, a very good experience and very memorable. | |
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Anne Marie Lax from Charlotte, NC
(1/22/2008)
"This Marathon was Magical!!" (about: 2007)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Disney World Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my very first marathon (after running 4 halfs). It was absolutely incredible. The water stations were well stocked. Volunteers were friendly and helpful. The joke signs all along the course were awesome. I couldn't wait to read the next one. It really was a perfect distraction. I also loved the opportunity to send my split times to my family and friends in real time. Every time I ran over one of those chip pads, I just felt the power of my family and friends behind me. It was so wonderful. Also getting to "high-five" all of the Disney characters was a highlight. This one is not to be missed!! | |
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S. M. from Lakewood Ranch, FL
(1/22/2008)
"Disney learns from its mistakes (and others)" (about: 2008)
6-10 previous marathons
| 3 Disney World Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Like previous posters, I don't want to rehash a lot of things that have been said, but I do want to comment on how superbly Disney responded to warm, humid temps. Clearly, they learned from the debacle of Chicago (which I also ran) and were prepared. There were MORE than enough water stations, more than enough volunteers, and plenty of food and gels. Also, they had those AWESOME wet sponges, which were a God-send! My only complaint is the expo. It does seem to have gotten smaller since my first Disney in 2004. AND, there was very little race merchandise left when I got to the expo on Saturday. (Early on Saturday, not like I was bringing up the rear.) There seemed to be very little selection and literally only one item in my size. Finally, my nit-picky item: It would be soooo nice to have a goody bag at the finish to carry all of your food, drinks, etc. They do such an outstanding job with post-race food and drink that I was having a hard time juggling everything! And bending over to pick my dropped stuff up was tough. BUT, the Diet Coke that was available made my day. I almost cried when I saw those! Thank you, Disney, for another FABULOUS experience! Can't wait for the next one. |
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