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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 311 to 321]
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R. K. from Ann Arbor, MI
(1/22/2008)
"Do The Goofy!" (about: 2008)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Disney World Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 If you really want to challenge yourself, sign up for the Goofy Challenge. Run a half marathon on Saturday followed by the full marathon on Sunday. It sounded like a good idea when I signed up, but between the half and full marathon I found myself asking, "What was I thinking?" Both the half and full marathon were well run. The expo was organized and conveniently timed. The race courses were relatively flat, with the exception of some inclines due to overpasses and underpasses on the roads. There were water stops about every 1.5 miles, and there was plenty of volunteer support. I was impressed that the marathon director used volunteers solely for the purpose of cheering runners on at strategic places on the course. Because the course is through the theme parks, your family and friends may not have full viewing access unless they purchase theme park tickets. But, there are plenty of places on the course outside the parks for them to see you if they have transportation. Be advised that this marathon starts at 6 a.m.! If you stay on Disney property, there are free shuttles to the start, but the last shuttle leaves the resort at 4 a.m.! | |
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J. K. from Omaha, NE
(1/22/2008)
"Goofy was worth the effort; great time" (about: 2008)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Disney World Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my 10th marathon, and I did the Goofy. As everyone has already stated, the organization is top-notch and unlike anything I've seen (including NY and Chicago). The half marathon should be a case study on how to handle water stations, and most importantly, the finish area. I crossed the finish line, got my chip off, blanket, medal and photo all within 3 minutes. Awesome. This compares to almost an hour in the NY finishing area. The full was almost as good with a few hiccups, but overall, amazing. I particularly enjoyed the Sharpie signs along the course. One last note: Someone told me my legs would feel better after running the Goofy then they normally do after just a marathon, and they were right. I felt like running the next day (but didn't, out of common sense). Great job, Disney; I'll be back. Psalms 26.2 | |
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Matt Sawyers from Texas
(1/21/2008)
"mostly flat" (about: 2008)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Disney World Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This was my first 1/2 ever. I had a ball. Four other family members and I did the 1/2, and one did the Goofy Challenge. The course is fairly flat, with the exception of the overpasses/bridges. It was a lot of fun to run through the parks. There weren't many spectators, though, especially in between the parks, as there was really no way for the spectators to get there unless they walked several miles from where they parked. Still, there were quite a few in Magic Kingdom (near the entrance), and Epcot; by the time I went through it, several people ("park-goers") had arrived and the staff was cheering people on. | |
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S. W. from CA
(1/20/2008)
"Disney Health Expo Sinking Fast" (about: 2008)
11-50 previous marathons
| 6+ Disney World Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 I won't rehash all the positives already stated regarding the full and 1/2 except to say: well done, Disney. My only bone to pick is the poor quality of the Disney Health Expo. Every year it's worse than the previous year. In speaking directly with the vendors over the past few years I know why it's slipping to un-Disney-like standards. Disney keeps raising the price each year to the point most are saying it's harder and harder to make a profit for their efforts. Come on, Disney; cut these folks some major slack. It's one thing to cover your costs but another to run vendors away because you're trying to make a huge profit. All you need to do is look at this past expo versus several years ago and wow, what a decline. Even the goody bag has dropped to the point of being a joke. Please talk to "The Flying Pig" folks because they do it the best I've seen to date. Bottom line: make vendors want to come instead of driving them away. Believe it or not, a lot of us look forward to seeing what's new, as well as the stuff that has been around. | |
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J. W. from Chicago, IL
(1/20/2008)
"If you're a Disney fan, this is a MUST" (about: 2008)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Disney World Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I love Disney movies and spent countless hours watching Disney Afternoon. So to have my first marathon be one where I got to see so many of the Disney characters was an absolute thrill. I know they're just people in costume but the magic for some reason works. The course does have a lot of drab parts, with nothing but road and trees, but the times in the parks themselves made up for most of it. There were 22 water stations, so literally almost one every mile. The organization for everything from parking to staging to the entire course was perfect. You couldn't expect any less from Disney. The medal is gorgeous! I want that Goofy medal so badly that I've already signed up for Goofy in 2009. My only complaint was the lack of merchandise. Many were eager to spend money but there just weren't any marathon shirts to buy except XXL. Nobody wins like that. | |
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L. M. from Sammamish, WA
(1/19/2008)
"Running Disney Style" (about: 2008)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Disney World Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was my 1st Disney race and I opted for the Goofy. Both races were very well organized. The 1/2 marathon course is a little disappointing: too much time on the highways and not enough time in the parks. The full marathon course is better but still a lot of highway running. BioFreeze at the medic tents and ice cold baths after both races were lifesavers!!! Transportation to the expo and races from Disney resorts was flawless. Be prepared to run in the humidity. I was DRENCHED in sweat by mile 2 both mornings. The medals are by far THE BEST!!! I'm glad I ran the Goofy but won't be back - too expensive and far too many other races to run. | |
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K. B. from Southington, CT
(1/19/2008)
"Ran the Goofy - Fantastic Experience!" (about: 2008)
11-50 previous marathons
| 2 Disney World Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was an incredible experience for my 16th marathon! I won't repeat the details that everyone before me has said about the characters, the half-marathon course, and taking your time, etc... . Just know that this is a fun, exciting experience with fantastic volunteers almost every mile of the way, that every marathoner should do at least once. I ran the marathon in 2007 and vowed to do Goofy's Race and a Half Challenge in 2008, which I did. I felt so special after finishing; people made a huge deal of it. Unfortunately, due to scheduling difficulties, I will only be able to do the full marathon next year, but I'm going to do that to keep my string going. It's just so much fun! One note: mile 20-21 SUCKS!! It's an out-and-back that leads nowhere... a miserable mile at a miserable point in the race. That is my only negative comment. I got a picture of me with Captain Jack Sparrow, which more than made up for that, though! Don't be fooled by "Flat Florida": there are a few hills, but I didn't mind them since I got to take a picture with Winnie the Pooh. Yes, I love Disney, but even if I didn't, I would still find this marathon to be a worthwhile, highly recommendable experience!! | |
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Vicente Romero from Monterrey Mexico
(1/19/2008)
"Excellent and unforgettable" (about: 2008)
6-10 previous marathons
| 2 Disney World Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I live in Mexico and I've run various marathons in Mexico, but nothing compares to the Disney Marathon. It's unforgettable. It's a good, safe route, good organization, and excellently-stocked aid stations with water, PowerAde, Biofreeze, etc. If I could, I'd run it every year. I ran the Goofy Challenge - which means running the half and the full - and they had excellent, beautiful medals. | |
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M. F. from Wayne, NJ
(1/18/2008)
"Great destination run" (about: 2008)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Disney World Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 I ran the Goofy. What a treat! Overall, the courses were pretty good, although I wouldn't even THINK of trying to get a PR here. It's too tempting to stop and take pictures of all of the characters and the parks. And if you don't take a camera, you'll be cut-off by someone who did or stuck behind dressed-up people who are yukking it up on some of the more narrow parts of the course. I thought the marathon was much nicer than the half. The half goes through two parks, with lots of desolate stretches in between. The marathon goes through all four parks, as well as many resorts and backstage areas. The only big negative I can think of was that the race organization didn't clean out or restock the porta-potties between the two races. Bring toilet paper and wipes if you're doing the marathon. On the upside, the aid stations had almost everything you could think of: water, PowerAde, gels, bananas, Biofreeze, Vaseline (but no salt).... All of the events fill up early. It's a unique experience. Go slow and enjoy it. | |
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P. N. from Texas
(1/18/2008)
"Amazingly well organized" (about: 2008)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Disney World Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The best organized and produced event I've ever attended, anywhere. I only ran the half; my husband did the Goofy. This is my 35th half marathon, and his 21st marathon. Both of us were amazed at the amount of work and attention to detail that the organizers put into this race. That, combined with the illusion of running in a movie set, made a most enjoyable event. Highly recommended. |
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