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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 451 to 461]
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K. M. from United States
(1/10/2007)
"I LOVED it!" (about: 2007)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Disney World Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Wow! Reading everyone else's comments on it kind of surprised me. Disney World was my first half-marathon and I thought it was great! I went with the Team in Training and everywhere I looked there were people cheering us on. Yes, it was pretty hot out there, but we ran early so it wasn't too bad. I got to high-five Minnie Mouse on the way across the start line, and I ran through Cinderella's castle. Also, having started at 6, I saw the sunrise - in DISNEY WORLD! You can go in Disney World any time of the year and see it bustling with people, but only 2 days of the year can you experience it like this. There was a sense of calm, despite 16,000 people sweating and straining to do their best. (~: I don't know if it's just first-timer shock, but I personally thought it was a great run. The course was mostly flat but had a few hills to keep your attention. I liked the expo, but once again, that's the first one I've ever been to. And the fans were incredible and so supportive. I would recommend it to anyone looking for a FUN race to go to. But if you do it, try not to work yourself up so hard about being "in the zone." This one's about experiencing what's around you. | |
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T. R. from Ithaca, NY
(1/10/2007)
"A Little Disappointed" (about: 2007)
1 previous marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Being Disney, I admit I had high expectations. The start was definitely a thrill with large screens, lights, and fireworks. But the excitement quickly faded a few miles from the start. I had forgotten how far separated the different parks are from one another. The majority of the race is spent on the highways in between parks and the heat made these portions nearly unbearable. It definitely was exciting running through the parks for the brief period it lasted. For a large portion of the race, the only spectators are employees and the occasional scattering of people who had stopped their cars on the shoulder of the highway to cheer. There were plenty of aid stations and an abundance of volunteers. I guess it is the best it could be for what is available, but my expectations left a lot to be desired. | |
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M. z. from Washington, DC
(1/10/2007)
"The Mouse was Minnie" (about: 2007)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Disney World Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 My 8th maraton - I ran this course with the expectation that Disney was top-notch. I found the expo lacking Gu and other necessities. I counted 11 miles on the highways - thank goodness for the pre-race advice to run on the high side to get a level ground. A sewage plant was located halfway through, and miles 18-22 were on the roads. Someone complained at my sister ringing a bell for runners. What a spoilsport. I was also disappointed at having to walk a bit at the finish to water. Come on - it was 85. Put the water right after the finish line with the chips. Now that I got that out, I appreciate running through the parks and liked the characters cheering runners on. I also like the medal. | |
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Carmen Ludtke from Florida, USA
(1/10/2007)
"A wonderful first marathon" (about: 2007)
First Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 I wanted to run my first marathon at a fun place, and I thought, "What better place than Disney?" The best part of this race is running through the parks and meeting all the Disney characters along the way. Everyone was very friendly and helpful along the course. And it's the perfect place to travel with your family and make it a mini vacation. I didn't encounter some of the problems that other runners mentioned. I found plenty of water and PowerAde at every station, but I did have to go over to the last tables. We also got bananas, oranges, candy, and sponges. Unfortunately, it was extremely hot that day and that made the run a lot tougher. I wish they had had more bathrooms in the first few miles. At one point I had to run behind the bushes... and I'm a girl! While running through the parks was great, some of the "backstage" areas were not very nice. Some places even had an unpleasant smell. Also, you run for a long time on some lonely roads from park to park. We stayed at a Disney resort and the last bus for the race leaves at 4:00 a.m., so you don't get much sleep that night. The expo was so-so... mostly clothes vendors and Disney prices. The "goody bag" was disappointing, but the t-shirt is beautiful! I wish they had some quality pasta dishes at the Disney resort where we stayed, but the food was mediocre and over-priced. We ended up going to Romano's Macaroni Grill in Kissimee, where you can get a great bowl of pasta for $9. There was great crowd support during the race. That really helped get me through it. When you finish, you have to wait in line while they take a photo before you can exit the runner's area to go meet your family. By that point, my legs just couldn't take one more second standing. All in all, this was a great run, despite the heat. Disney does a good job of entertaining you throughout the course. My favorite part was running through Cinderella's castle. Disney's slogan this year was: Live Your Dream. I lived mine. | |
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T. M. from Cincinnati, OH
(1/10/2007)
"How do you run out of medals???" (about: 2007)
6-10 previous marathons
| 4-5 Disney World Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 4 Ran the 1/2 on 1/6/07 only to finish and find out they had run out of medals!!! How do you run out of medals, WDW??? The best part was that I got to stand in line with hundreds of others with a tired body for what seemed like forever to give them my name so they could mail it to me. 'At-a-boy, WDW. The expo has really fallen to new lows. We found out from a "cast member" that WDW has jacked the rates to the max for those wanting to have a display, so many have said no thanks. I think WDW is making enough money without jacking exhibitors to the point of driving them away. We heard they had some water problems on Sunday but we had no on course problems in the 1/2. | |
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f. w. from Fort Worth, Tx
(1/10/2007)
"The happiest race on earth" (about: 2007)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Disney World Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 What is not to love about this race? A flat course, great organization, plenty of water and first aid stations, and great spectators including all the workers who were offering encouragement along the way. Running through the parks and getting high-fives from the characters was a blast, and last but not least, the medals are absolutely the best. I will make this a yearly run. | |
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T. S. from Dallas, Texas
(1/10/2007)
"This race is about Disney making money!" (about: 2007)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Disney World Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 1 Expo was about you buying stuff that Disney or their sponsors were making money from. No gels to be had! Middle water stops were OUT of water (around 85 degrees). If sponsors are going to step up to the plate on the 10th largest marathon in the U.S., bring the goods or stay on the porch with old and little dogs. The logistics of this run coupled with mismanagement on runner relief made for lots of people taking a DNF. | |
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Roger and Kathryn Casey from New Brunswick, Canada
(1/10/2007)
"Experience of a lifetime" (about: 2007)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Disney World Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 When my husband saw that I had reached the level to do a half marathon, he immediately checked Disney to see if they had one. Over the years he has developed an acronym DDR ("Disney Does it Right"), and this time he was right again. We then got caught up in the excitement of the Goofy Challenge, so 4 of us from Moncton, NB, Canada flew down to participate. We expected a lot of fun throughout the course, but we were still amazed and thrilled beyond belief along the way. Now we keep saying, "WE DID IT!!!" Now we are making plans to come again with even more plans to get that secretive 15th anniversary medal!!!!! The only difference is next time we will raise funds for ALS-Lou Gehrig's Disease in honor of a fellow worker. Thank you so much for all who worked to put this wonderful event together. In spite of the kinks along the way, we have only the highest praise!! | |
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S. G. from Virginia Beach, Va
(1/10/2007)
"My first marathon experience was great" (about: 2007)
First Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 I did not know what to expect for my first marathon. I had a great time and the crowd support was better than expected. I did run with a fuel belt and stopped at every water station along the way due to the heat this year. The volunteers were super and it would not be possible for us to run without them. THANKS!!! It was also my first time in Disney, so I had a blast. Main street in Magic Kingdom was the best part of the run. I'll be back for sure. | |
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Jim Croft from Maryland, USA
(1/10/2007)
"2007 was hotter than normal." (about: 2007)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Disney World Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Biggest problem: Nothing available with which to dry off face/glasses during the race and afterwards. I would have given anything for just a paper towel at the finish. A kind volunteer was able to locate one for me. There were plenty of fluids available throughout the course on this hot day. The organization of the event was first-rate. |
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