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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 371 to 381]
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Kent Mu from Orlando, FL
(8/26/2007)
"Brilliant 1st-timer marathon" (about: 2007)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Disney World Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Please, please, please... ignore the whiny comments from other runners. This was my first marathon, and it was literally the most beautiful moment of my life. I've watched my close friend run this race for three years, and last year I decided to do it myself. What a great decision! Yes, yes, it was very, VERY hot and humid, but this is Florida. And it only adds to the challenge. You're running a marathon... please don't complain about it being "hard on your joints" or "too hot." This is supposed to be the hardest physical feat of your life. Running through the parks was amazing. True, there was a lot of back roads running and boring highway running, but think realistically. If you want to run through all four parks, you need to run on the highways that service them. Plus, the fact that Disney shuts down all these roads, and all these theme parks pathways, just for us runners, is something to celebrate. My only complaint: Miles 20-21. That darn u-turn on Osceola Pkwy!!! Ugh. All in all, an excellent beginner's marathon. I'm doing the Goofy Challenge this year, and I can't wait. | |
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K. B. from Southington, CT
(8/25/2007)
"Fun race; full of Disney moments!" (about: 2007)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Disney World Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 As most of the others who commented on this race, I am a huge Disney fan. I am also an avid distance runner, and have run many marathons, including New York, Boston and Chicago. This race has become one of my favorites. Maybe I just understand the complexities of organizing a long, complicated race while still catering to the non-running tourist, but I found nothing to complain about regarding this race. I like the early start time; being finished and at lunch by noon was terrific! The volunteers were friendly and enthusiastic, and though the spectators were sparse in certain parts of the course, that's true of almost every marathon. It's par for the running course. Seeing Peter Pan, Aladdin, Snow White, Cinderella, Cruella, etc., on the course was so fun, and I loved that they would take pictures with the runners if we felt like stopping. Fun fun fun! And, of course, running through the parks was, again, FUN. Seeing the Magic Kingdom overtaken by running was a spectacular sight. One of my favorite parts was the Gospel choir at mile 26. I just thought it was so inspiring, and at that very moment, almost finished, it was the perfect energy boost. I applauded THEM as I ran by! While the wait to take pictures with Mickey or Minnie after the race was rather long, again, it's something that just has to happen. They are popular characters, and people need to learn patience to get the end results. My guess is that once the pictures of the runners and the famous mice were developed, the runners were happy they waited in line. I loved this race. I am signed up for the Goofy Race and a Half Challenge for 2008, and am thrilled to be a part of that event. Hopefully I'll leave in 2008 with the same happy feeling I have now. Do this race: it's just FUN!! | |
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R. R. from Chicago
(8/11/2007)
"Good but Could be Great / Needs Improvements" (about: 2007)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Disney World Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 4 The starting time for this race is too early. You have to factor in shuttle time to a remote start area and I run very early in the mornings, but this start time was a joke. Secondly, they had a typical amusement concession stand selling hot dogs near the start corral. Not exactly the choice for serious runners. The expo was not the easiest to get to and was held in a building too small to handle the crowd. I love Disney and I love running this event; it has the potential to be great, but they really need some runners for input. The theme parks were great and the photographs were the best I have ever seen. Please be warned it was extremely hot and humid in 2007, so be prepared for a challenging race. I don't understand how at the time of my registration I could sign up for the full and the half if I wanted to but not the Goofy Challenge. Many positives, but I had very high standards considering this was a Disney event; I was expecting a more organized event. I would run it again but I hope they make some improvements. | |
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a. k. from ohio
(6/30/2007)
"interesting experience" (about: 2007)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Disney World Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 Let me first start by saying I LOVE Disney, and the whole experience so of course I was excited at the opportunity to run the full marathon this year. A few comments from my experience: - Running through the parks was AMAZING. I would recommend carrying a camera if you're able to as the sights are great and many characters are out along the way (stop and take a picture with them!). - Stay at the Pop Century resort: it was a great location and affordable considering the expense of the Disney experience and race. - Running past the Shades of Green resort was very emotional as dressed service men were cheering me (ME!) along, after all they do for us. A special moment. - The crowds were very overwhelming. The first 5-6 miles were sooo congested, I ended up running on the grass to get past the groups of runners taking up the whole path (at times too narrow). I found this very frustrating and was locked into a 11-12 min. pace, when I am more comfortable at 9:30. - The lack of spectators was disappointing. It was impossible for family to find me, except if they were inside the parks (which is paid admission after certain times). Go online ahead of time to have text messages sent - this allowed my family to more easily know where I was. - I am glad I did the race once, but I won't repeat it; I will continue to visit Disney, but just as a tourist. | |
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K. T. from Houston, Texas
(6/9/2007)
"Great for a first-timer!!!" (about: 2007)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Disney World Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was my first marathon and I walked the entire thing. Now, before this comment is disregarded by runners as unimportant, please take the time to read it. I have always loved Disney World and this race motivated me to change my entire life... eating habits, weight, etc. For 9 months I dreamed of what the race would be like and it didn't disappoint for the most part. Very well organized as I was coralled with people of my same speed and fitness level. Heading towards each park is motivating and fun. However, it was hotter than you-know-where after leaving the Magic Kingdom and we weren't even halfway done. No one's fault but it was someone's fault that there were no drinks left toward the end. It was excruciating to feel so dehydrated and I just couldn't believe Disney would take the chance they could be sued if someone was hurt as a result. Time checkpoints were set up to ensure that everyone remained on pace (16 minutes per mile = 7 hours total). I was on pace until the very end but as long as you make it past the final point (22.5 miles) in time, they allow you to finish. HOWEVER, while I did recieve my medal, my name was not included as an official finisher (7 hours, 11 minutes, 19 seconds) and I received no certificate. I have a medal and pictures, but no piece of paper. I'll live though. Spent that night at Epcot watching fireworks, and talking to one of the elite, invited runners who posted his worst marathon time ever because of the heat. So be prepared - it's Florida, so it could go either way. Overall, it's fun, motivating, and a great place to do it for the first time. I wish I could go back for 2008 but will have to take a few years in between Disney races becasue of the HUGE EXPENSE!!! Would highly recommend it to a first-timer or someone out for fun - it was great! | |
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jeffrey lee from st. paul, Minnesota
(5/23/2007)
"A must" (about: 2007)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Disney World Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I ran the Goofy Challenge with a 5K being my longest run before it. But I felt completely comfortable because the Disney Marathon is a little more laidback than the ones I have run since. It seems most people wanted to take their time and enjoy the scenery, running the through the parks was amazing, and coming out under Cinderellas Castle was inspiring. Doing something so exclusive as the marathon through one of the most recognizable figures in the world was worth every minute. | |
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j. t. from ohio
(5/1/2007)
"Where is the water?" (about: 2007)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Disney World Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 4 Ok. For us pokey slow runners, there was 1 water stop from miles 15 to 19. All the others just shrugged their shoulders and said they were out. In 90-degree weather, that isnt right. Everyone slowed to a walk at that point. It was my second marathon. I will never runner that one again. No water or PowerAde? You gotta be kidding me. | |
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D. O. from Normal, IL
(4/8/2007)
"This Race is a "Must Do" if..." (about: 2007)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Disney World Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 1) You're doing the Goofy Race and a Half Challenge. It is truly a unique event. Not many people can say they've run a half one day and the full the next. Did pretty well (1:50 in the half, 3:45 for the full). I attribute part of my success to the corral system on race-day. I thought they did an excellent job of making sure everyone went to their listed corral. Just as it's inappropriate for me to start up front with and impede the sub-3:00 runners, the walkers and 6-hour shufflers should start in their appropriate place as well. Let everyone move at their own pace. Just make sure you put proof of finishing time on the application where requested. Heard from a couple of people that they're serious when they say that if you don't supply this info, they'll put you in the slowest group. 2) This is your first marathon and you plan on running sub-10-minute miles. This race seems to attract a lot of slower runners and walkers. Nothing wrong with that, but if you plan on being a bit faster than the norm, you can avoid a lot of the pack. Plus, Disney has mastered the fine art of moving people from one place to another. This is helpful, especially if this is your 1st marathon and you're unfamiliar with race-day logistics. I found the bus system to be highly efficient (although I heard they reduced the number of buses from 300 last year to 160 this year) and never had to wait more than a couple minutes for a bus. Again, it seemed if you were a little bit quicker than the pack, you could catch a bus quicker as well. 3) You're looking to combine a vacation with a race. Disney makes it pretty easy to combine the two, albeit at a price. Otherwise, this is an OK marathon. Not bad but not a "must do" either. Why? 1) Although running through the parks was truly a special experience, the majority of the course is on access roads and in parking lots. Not saying this should or could be changed, because there is a certain reality here: to run through the parks, you gotta run to the parks. Just remember that the folks in the promotional materials who are blissfully running through Cinderella's Castle near mile 12 were probably muttering under their breath as they were running up an offramp at mile 22. 2) The race expo, while OK in terms of picking up your race packet(s), is not runner-friendly. It's a combination of a Disney gift store and major vendor showcase for stuff you don't need and can probably order cheaper online. While most experienced runners should certainly know to pack and bring the gels and glide they've trained with (and know works), most inexperienced runners and walkers (the folks Disney seems to maket this event to) are probably not going to know this. OK, you've been warned!! Bring your own gel and Body Glide!! Don't expect to find anything you'll actually need for this race at the expo. 3) While the long walk to the start and down time before the race didn't bother me - actually helped me wake up!! I can see how this could be very unpleasant if it were cold and/or raining. Sitting around for a couple hours in cold or rain??? Not fun. Thank goodness it wasn't an issue this year. 4) Even if you don't stay on Disney property, this is an expensive race(s) to run. If you stay on property?? It can be a budget buster. If cost is a major concern, there are better options out there. All in all, I'm glad I did this because of the Goofy, but see no reason to do it again. | |
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J. W. from Roanoke, VA
(3/12/2007)
"What an Amazing Experience!" (about: 2007)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Disney World Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 This was my first full marathon and it was indeed everything I thought it would be. The highlight was definitely running through the parks! Not only was it fantastic to high-five the characters, but having all these strangers able to cheer for us by name was pretty cool. The weather was horrendous, but not something that race organizers could do anything about. I was a little irritated to hear that many runners did not have water at the stations, but fortunately I was not personally affected by this. There were plenty of potties, thankfully, as many of us had to make quite a few extra stops due to the weather. I would have to agree that the U-turn at mile 21-22 was the worst aspect of the marathon.... What an awful feeling to see runners heading back towards you when you can't even see how much farther you have to go. It was not my most memorable moment from the weekend. I personally didn't like all the cloverleaf overpasses either, I found them hard on my knees since I hadn't trained on angled roadways. It was just awkward. The medals were exactly what I would have expected from Disney. I did think the after party left a little to be desired, as I would have expected more from Disney. Fortunately, I was not really in the partying mood anyway after the hot day. I would definitely consider doing this event again and would recommend this for others. Just plan on any and all types of weather for January in Orlando. | |
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B. S. from Arlington, Tennessee
(2/12/2007)
"Totally Awesome Weekend" (about: 2007)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Disney World Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 My husband and I ran the Goofy Challenge. A little much on the body, but totally worth it. Sign up early!! The heat was a bit much, but hey... none of us (not even the course director) can change it. It wasn't the end of the world. Drink a few more fluids. The medals are GREAT - exactly what I would expect from Disney. We stayed in the POP Century resort and had a blast. The course was a little boring on the highways, but that is made up for with the crowds/excitement when you enter the parks. This was the most organized marathon I have ever run. The only 2 negatives: 1. Having to catch a bus at 3 a.m. is a little early because all we did was lie around in a parking lot at Disney when I could have still been asleep. Then walking a mile to the start... a little much.... 2. They were selling bananas/water at the start. Nothing was free. ...on the other hand, there is A LOT of great, free stuff at the finish. I would do this one again. It was wonderful!! |
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