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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 331 to 341]
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D. C. from Mountain View, CA
(1/16/2008)
"Good Marathon Celebration, just don't try to PR" (about: 2008)
4-5 previous marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 This is a great marathon for any runner interested in a laid-back race where you experience the moment. Two hours before the race, the temperature was surprisingly comfortable. You shouldn't feel comfortable at 4 a.m. wearing just a pair of shorts and a t-shirt. Luckily, cloud cover for most of the morning kept the temperatures in the mid-70's, and thus we only had to deal with high humidity and not killer temps. However, future racers are unlikely to set PRs unless you get unseasonably cool weather. The start of the race was great. The fireworks were unexpected. Once we started moving, the back of the pack was really congested. It literally took 10 miles before we could run without having to constantly evade other runners. I've run other large marathons but not in the back of the pack, so I'm not sure if it is a common problem or one specific to Disney (there are many places on the course where the course width shrinks and the runners bunch up). The first 2 water stops ran out of PowerAde, although they still had plenty of water. I was a little worried that this would continue, but then the water stops became more frequent and they had plenty of drinks for everyone. While running between the parks, you are on roadways with very few spectators. But when you enter the park, the crowd support is great. We saw plenty of characters and even stopped to take pictures with several of them. The finish was also great. Plenty of food, even 5 and a half hours after the start. The medal is very nice, as is the long-sleeve technical shirt. Transportation to and from the Disney hotels is convenient but slow. The expo had a tremendous group of speakers including Jim Ryun, Bill Rodgers, and many others. Unfortunately, the booths at the expo didn't compare. I expected more merchandise (like technical shirts with Disney characters) and more free samples from vendors. The expo pales in comparison to the Marine Corps Marathon. Overall, I recommend the marathon to people not looking to PR, but wanting to have a relaxed race where they enjoy the experience and celebration of a marathon. | |
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S. M. from USA
(1/16/2008)
"My favorite marathon" (about: 2008)
4-5 previous marathons
| 2 Disney World Marathons
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was my second Disney marathon and first Goofy experience. I LOVE this race. The organization is fantastic, volunteers are wonderful, plentiful water stops and lots of porta-potties (plus you could always jump into the restrooms within the parks). I love the spirit of this marathon with lots of people getting into wearing Mickey ears and costumes. The weather is the big wild card in this race... some years it's super cold, and others it is super hot. This year was very humid but luckily the sun stayed away for the majority of time during the full. The only hills are on-ramps. A lot of the race happens between the parks, but the magical miles within the parks will keep you going. The course does narrow in several points, making it hard to pass, and you have to be aware of not tripping on walkers. I am a huge Disney fan, and this race probably appeals most to people like me. I don't have kids, but I can't imagine anything better than bringing the whole family and making a vacation out of it. There's also the half, 5K and kids fun races, so everyone can go home wearing a medal. Highly recommend and will definitely be back many times again! | |
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B. B. from San Antonio, TX
(1/16/2008)
"A "MUST DO" marathon (but do not expect a PR)" (about: 2008)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Disney World Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This marathon was a great experience from start to end. Running through the parks (even with their narrow lanes) and the character greetings (even with people grouping around them) were exceptionally fun! Runners should realize these aspects will inherently slow the overall pace of the race (so PRs are very difficult). The corrals were staged very well, as I did not have any difficulties with walkers or slower runners at the beginning (like at prior large marathons). Realize the weather can be very humid and PRs can once again be hard to obtain - it is Florida, after all! The only small complaint is my Garmin (Forerunner 305) showed the race to be 26.77 miles for corrals A, B, & C (considered the blue marathon start line). Anybody else note this distance? If so, hopefully they will correct it - no need to run another 1/2 mile.... I prefer to leave that to the Goofy runners! Overall, this was my first marathon to not hit the wall and the BioFreeze was awesome along the course! And last but never least, there was an abundance of porta-potties. Once again, a must-do marathon for anybody! | |
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M. G. from Tampa, FL
(1/16/2008)
"My First Marathon!!!" (about: 2008)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Disney World Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The Disney full was my first marathon, and while there were some low points, overall it was great. There is so much to see going through all the parks and the characters and spectators are so supportive. The only low point is the space between Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom because there aren't a lot of spectators or music or anything, but there were plenty of water stations and medical stations. The gospel choir right before the finish was so inspiring. It was such an amazing experience to finish. I want to do the Goofy next year. | |
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d. c. from PA
(1/16/2008)
"wonderful experience" (about: 2008)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Disney World Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I ran the Goofy and it was one of the best running experiences I have ever had. Fluid and nutrition stations were plentiful and well staffed, shuttle buses were always ready, and there were lots of porta-potties and nice shirts. The medals were great, especially Mickey. The spectators were enthusiastic and I liked the "Sharpie signs" along the street; they helped take your mind off the sections that could have otherwise been boring. Having the characters available both on the course and afterward for photos was great. If I had to make a suggestion, it would be that those walking from the beginning should start in a separate corral in the back of the runners. Many of the roads are narrow for the amount of people on them and it was very difficult to pass all the walkers that started in the corrals ahead of me and were often walking 3 and 4 people across. I think I ran several extra miles zig-zagging around walkers. All of the runners I spoke to during and after the 2 runs really liked the races. I would encourage all to give it a try! | |
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B. S. from NH
(1/16/2008)
"1st Disney and 1st Goofy" (about: 2008)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Disney World Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was our first year heading down to the Disney Marathon weekend and we were not disappointed. I ran the 1/2 with my husband and the full with my mom. The volunteers were great. We definitely appreciated all the water and aid stops, plus all of the fabulous cheering! The crowds were wonderful and it was so much fun to run through the parks. My in-laws are long time DVC members and it was a treat for them to see their son run his first half at Disney. We will definitely be back! | |
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S. U. from Dayton, OH
(1/16/2008)
"Went Goofy!" (about: 2008)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Disney World Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 As my 3rd marathon and 2nd half marathon, this was the best yet! Everything from beginning to end was seamless... Disney does it best! Kudos to all the volunteers, the entertainment, the supporters... they helped make the 39.3 miles over 2 days fly by. Would definitely do this one again and again! Can't wait to see all the pictures we took along the way to relive the events. Thanks for making this the best time ever! | |
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Scott Warren from Phoenix, AZ
(1/15/2008)
"Disney Rocks" (about: 2008)
3 previous marathons
| 2 Disney World Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 After a few uncharacteristic slip-ups in 2007, Disney once again grabbed the gold ring in 2008. Thanks to all the WDW staff and volunteers who helped raise the bar back up to "Mickey" standards. Special thanks are in order for having Bio-Freeze all over the course - outstanding. Flying Pig and others take note. The finisher's medal for the marathon was just fantastic. Well done, WDW.... | |
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S. G. from Cincinnati, OH
(1/15/2008)
"Disney is truly a MAGICAL PLACE!" (about: 2008)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Disney World Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I am just home from a fantastic marathon weekend. My friend and I took on the Goofy Challenge - and did great! We participated as walkers, and were under pressure to complete in the alloted time (3.5 hours for the half, and 7 hours for the full). We LOVED the photo ops with the costume characters, and took LOTS of pictures along the way (a benefit to being a walker)! The medals are so beautiful. The water/PowerAde stops were wonderful at nearly every mile. The volunteers were so supportive. There was music along the more boring stretches of the route that really helped keep the beat, and keep us motivated. We even had real bathrooms to use, in the theme parks - a nice change from the port-a-potty routine. Overall, my favorite marathon!! Areas for improvement: 1. The shirts are nice - technical fabric. However, the half and full were both gray, and the Goofy was navy. I would have loved a more colorful shirt. Also, there were not different shirts for men and women - a more fitted women's cut would be a good idea. 2. We were watching for candy at Mile 23 - but there was none. It was all gone by the time we got there. That was the only thing we missed - Disney did a great job to be sure that there were plenty of fluids at every stop!I think every marathon has learned from the trouble in Chicago (10/07). 3. Some of the roads were narrow at times - which made it hard to pass slower people. This was more of an issue during the half, rather than the full. | |
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A. V. from Pearland TX
(1/15/2008)
"Great First Marathon and Goofy Experience" (about: 2008)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Disney World Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my first marathon as well as my first Goofy experience. We stayed in a sports resort. Shuttles and buses were the best - you get picked up and dropped off right where you need to be. From airport to resort to start line and back, we never had to wait too long. Expo very efficient - especially if you're Goofy. Pasta meals and sports drinks were available on resort cafeteria menus. Took us 20 minutes to get to the 1/2 marathon start line and 12 minutes for the full. Refreshments ample at the finish line and spectators carry you through when they yell out your name (which is on your bib). I would recommend that every runner must have at least one Goofy weekend. The half marathon prepared you for what to expect on the full if you are new to the Disney experience. The early start is great. I did not find the runs between the parks boring - I read the backs of other runners' T-shirts! It is good to have a limit on Goofy participants - it makes the medal so much more worth it!! |
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