Sep 19, 2024
Current Year Results
Results Search
Biggest/Best Boston Qualifier
2024 Results
2023 Results
2022 Results
2021 Results
2020 Results
2019 Results
2018 Results
2017 Results
2016 Results
2015 Results
2014 Results
2013 Results
2012 Results
2011 Results
2010 Results
2009 Results
2008 Results
2007 Results
2006 Results
2005 Results
2004 Results
2003 Results
2002 Results
2001 Results
2000 Results
☰
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 731 to 741]
|
A Runner from Canada
(4/25/2002)
"Forget this race" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 3 I have done a lot of marathons in different states and Canada so I can give you a comparison. I do not wish to dwell on the many negatives of this race. This race is only good for runners with very deep pockets and first timers. If you wish a good race in January/ February, then do the New Orleans race and take in Mardi Gras. New Orleans race is small which is not good for me since I like a large race. However it is inexpensive and has lots of good Cajun food at the end and best of all they are not money grabbers like Disney. It is nice to have lots of spectators, flat roads, good scenery etc but sometimes this is not possible. I am baffled with some runners comments that they will return for this race given the inadequate conditions. Why ?? Have they tried another race like New Orleans to compare??? | |
|
A Runner from Lindford, Nr London, England
(4/15/2002)
"Absolutely superb organisation, great crowd supp't" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was the best organised marathon I have run. Great route and superb crowd support. For a native of the UK, I found the humidity a bit tough and it was a hard struggle to keep under the 3 hour mark. I would recommend it to anyone. We had a brilliant 2 week family holiday afterwards, Disney has a great vibe. Best Regards, Andrew | |
|
A Runner from salisbury,NC
(4/9/2002)
"Love Disney as a vacation but not a marathon cours" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 I've done better marathons and I have done a few worse. The 6 am start has to go, it just requires getting up too early and then waiting. I liked running through the parks but that is only four miles or so of 26, the rest is through the flat swamp lands and those 'inspirational' signs have to go go go!! Reverse psychology just does not work at Mile marker 12, 16, 20 etc. Although is does make for interesting conversations after the race. Over all it is a good way to get the family to go to a race with you but save the parks with the family to after the race or your legs will be tired. | |
|
A Runner from A runner in NE Florida
(4/8/2002)
"Won't try it again..." (about: 2002)
COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 This was a disappointing marathon for the cost of things. Expo was crappy, compared to 'smaller' big races like the Gate River Run in Jax. Everything WAY overpriced, no discounts for participants and a boring course. The medal is the only redeeming feature and I did not even get the opportunity to finish and get one! The person playing Timer Nazi was using the course clock, but those of us in the back of the pack took 15-20 minutes to cross the starting line! Our chip times were within the time to finish, but we were not allowed to. Those who were pulled for time constraints at the 9 mile mark were, needless to say, furious. This was my first race after a bad car accident derailed my training and I found the DNF far more demoralizing than the villains with the negative psych signs! I will definitely waste my cash somewhere else, where the marathons are far more impressive and less pricey. | |
|
A Runner from Los Angeles, CA
(4/1/2002)
"did not live up to what you'd expect from Disney" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 1 As a former employee of Walt Disney World I am very disappointed in how the marathon was set up and run. The pre-race expo was pathetic, the 'goody bag' was by no means a goody bag, and the organization was unacceptable. This is my 4th marathon and by far the worst, even though I had my best time. It is nice and flat, that's the only good thing. | |
|
A Runner from Sanford, FL
(3/11/2002)
"You'd think they'd do better after 10 years" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 2 It was my first marathon and I left my house north of Orlando at 2:30 am to get there by 4:00 (I was misdirected and got there after that). Parked the car and decided not to check my bag (left it in my car). I was glad I didn't as it would have meant an extra half hour wait at the finish. Waited in the starting chute for about an hour--- way too long. I was psyched up and ready to go and all I could do was stand there. The finish area was okay but traffic getting out was poor and not aided by volunteers. Great medal/poor t-shirt-- you have to buy a cooler one. The course was all but forgettable and had signs meant to be discouraging like 'give up now' and many of the disney villans were after the signs. It ws good to have my first marathon done but I won't be doing Disney again even though I'm local. | |
|
A Runner from Columbia, MO
(3/8/2002)
"Just a suggestion & gen'l. comments" (General Comments)
COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 1 Would be nice if posters given away and sold at all marathon expos were standard poster frame size. Otherwise, we end up with rolled up posters and nothing to do with them. They are a great memento and yet not something someone wants to spend a lot on for custom framing. In general, a good experience. Just having run the Chicago Marathon three months earlier, and the fantastic spectator support there, Disney was a bit of a disappointment. The fans had a look that said 'why in the world would anyone be doing this?!? And, there were such limited areas where they could actually view the race. The course was somewhat boring, the great distances on the road between theme parks. I agree with the comments on early bus times; seems a lot of time was wasted, standing around for start time. There could have been much better organization for picking up drop bags post-race. One group, in particular, had to wait at least 45 minutes in line and in the cool, drizzly conditions. None of the above will keep me from coming back ... 10th anniversary WDW Marathon, here we come!! | |
|
Jerry Sumrell from Atlanta, GA
(3/6/2002)
"One of the worst marathons in America" (General Comments)
COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 1 First, the course is awful. Instead of running through the parks where things are interesting, you spend 80% of your time negotiating dull Florida terrain. Yeah, it's flat, but it's BORING. There is a stretch that goes on FOREVER while you are headed down to Wide World Of Sports... and you don't even get to wws! No spectators. Nothing to look at. Second, the expo is sub-standard. Third, you have to get to the starting line at 4am and stand in the cold for nearly 2 hours before you are fed up to the start. The water stops are sub-standard also. Finally, the COST is outrageous. Disney has now hiked the cost of the marathon to $90 (plus a processing fee) making it one of the most expensive marathons to enter. For this you get the horrible course AND a cheesy shirt! And, for that kind of bread, do you get any other breaks? NO! Disney CHARGES for bagels and coffee at the start. I'm surprised they don't charge you for the medals and the blankets at the end! If you need a Florida marathon, I guess this one is worth it because at least you can go to Disney. But, otherwise, save your money and go to New Orleans in February where they know how to put on a race. | |
|
A Runner from San Francisco, CA
(2/19/2002)
"up-lifting event!" (General Comments)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 The race was a lot of fun. I did this race as my first marathon and even though there were not a lot of people through out the race to cheer you on, you had all of the Disney Characters! Mickey, Donald Duck, etc... That was really cool, to have a bunch of characters spread out over the race to give you a high five. There was a few mile stretch of parking lots...but there was a lot of music the whole way through. This is definitely a good race to do as a first race, with all of the characters around you and being inside Disney World, is really exciting! The event is huge, like 13000 participants, the pre-expo is fantastic as well. They had a lot of pre-talks by marathon gurus available. Great event! | |
|
A Runner from Sarasota, Florida
(2/14/2002)
"Not what I expected," (about: 2002)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 1 I have read many of the gripes which I whole heartedly agree with, especially the negative 'pain ahead', and other quotes along the route. My biggest gripe though, is Disney allowed the official 'picture' clock to short out in the rain and my very first marathon has ZEROS for my finish time. That is so disappointing! Disney just does not cater to the runners - accept that and move on. If you like a flat course that takes you to remote areas this is really for you. I enjoyed myself and am really glad I finished. I am also disappointed that my family and friends were not able to get to the finish line, the parking staff said the lot was full and in fact it was not even close to being full - once they got in. So, I am glad to have finished my first marathon but very disappointed in the finish and the refreshments. Disney needs to cater to the runners more, look at the $$$$ we bring that week! |
Quick Links
Marathon Search
Upcoming US Marathons
Upcoming International Marathons
Search Marathon Results
Latest Running News
Recent Newsletters
Race Director Tools
© 2000-2024, All Rights Reserved by MarathonGuide.com LLC
