Amazing runDisney Marathon Tips for Race Day
What’s the most important question about runDisney? How does the race work? Even long-time runners wonder what Disney does differently at their events. MickeyBlog previously discussed the planning phase of a runDisney competition. Now we’re ready to talk about the main event some amazing marathon tips. Here’s everything you need to know about competing in a runDisney event.
Words of Caution
Are you a frequent marathon runner? When you compete in 5k or 10k events, you may not be used to a high level of structure. When you do half- or full marathons, however, you’re likely expecting a lot of communication. runDisney doesn’t work that way.
A few weeks before the race, Disney will email you with “instructions” about how to proceed. It’s really just information about your gift card and after-party ticket. You don’t get those things yet; it’s a notification about how you will get them. Then, you’ll receive a referral to runDisney, where the other information is available…you know, the information that you need. Frankly, it’s not great communication, and Disney should try a bit harder.
My friend, Heather, whom I interviewed for the last article and this one, vents:
“With other races, I usually get a series of emails almost monthly and then the email with details about one month prior. So, the lack of communication from runDisney was unexpected.”
Our point is that Disney is quite laid back about runDisney once you’ve paid your entry fee and gotten your bib. From the company’s perspective, those are the essential aspects. They figure you can figure out the rest once you’re onsite. While that’s true, it’s less than ideal. Should you have questions, ask for details when you check into your resort. If the cast member doesn’t have them, they can point you to someone who knows.
You Don’t Have to Run Fast
One of the misconceptions about long races is that they’re only for the fleet of foot. That’s not true in general, and it’s certainly not applicable at Disney. While some competitors will race for the prize of runDisney champion, the overwhelming majority of participants are just there to have a good time.
Disney knows this and builds the event around fun, not competition. You’ll run past character stops at certain points. You’d never see this during an Olympic event. At a Disney theme park, however, much of the entertainment stems from the distractions, not the running. Don’t get so caught up in the proceedings that you forget the photo ops!
As a racer, you’ll receive several opportunities to interact with the characters. Disney has set up stations throughout the race path. You’ll capture a beautiful moment in time by stopping at these photo ops to get your picture taken. Plus, playing with the characters will distract you from any stress you feel about the race. It’s a fantastic respite during your run, one that can reinvigorate you. You’ll get your second wind while messing around with Disney’s finest.
About the Complex and Check-in Process
The ESPN Wide World of Sports complex is massive. It’s effectively the size of an Olympic Village. Don’t stress about navigating the campus, though. Park officials are aware of the overwhelming nature of this site. They’ve got signs up everywhere that will direct runners to the appropriate locations. Should you get lost, look for a helpful cast member. They’ve worked countless races over the years and can anticipate virtually every question you have.
Your first step is to grab your bib. I cannot stress enough the importance of the bib. For security purposes, Disney associates your bib with you virtually as much as your photo ID. Speaking of which, a cast member will take a photo of you with your bib. This is done to guarantee that the same person runs in each event. It prevents you from passing your bib along to someone else, allowing them to skirt the entry fee.
By this point, Disney knows all of the tricks about runDisney cheating, and their rules are airtight to prevent it. Unless you’ve run one of the major races like the Boston Marathon, this will be one of the most bureaucratic processes you’ve experienced prior to an event. While it sounds annoying, it goes quickly.
Lines are rarely long, and the picture-taking is almost immediate. Think of the situation like a mall cop following you around, eyeing you as a potential shoplifter. It’s not ideal, but as long as you’re doing anything wrong, everything’s fine, just a bit aggravating.
With bib in hand, you’re through with the negative aspects of runDisney. Now, you’re ready for the fun stuff. Your entry fee entitles you to a shirt. Since you paid a significant entry fee for runDisney, it’s an extremely high-quality piece of outerwear. Even better, you’ll get a shirt for each race you run. Heather got three different shirts for her weekend events and was thrilled with all of them. She stated that they’ve held up well over repeated washes, too.
Should you want additional merchandise, you’ll head to a different building. This sales center is where the in-demand products are. Racers who want generic gear won’t have an issue. Heather warns that runners seeking special pins and jackets should pre-order. Some people groused that the stuff they wanted had sold out. Also, you should understand that you’ll pay Disney pricing, which is to say that nothing’s cheap.
Welcome to Race Day!
The course for runDisney events depends on the length of the race. Sometimes, you’ll run on backroads and even Florida highway for stretches. The local government closes down many roads for these events. You won’t have to worry about traffic much, but it’s not the greatest terrain. You’ll have the best racing experience when you run in the parks.
During Heather’s half-marathon, she entered parts of Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, AND Epcot. While Disney provides entertainment at almost every mile marker, the quality of activities is highest in these parks. She commented that while she did a lot of highway during this race, it wasn’t problematic for her. When she was on the road, she could look forward to seeing the next park. The anticipation fueled her through her second (and third and fourth) wind(s).
She adds this anecdote:
“The coolest thing was coming in a back entrance to Animal Kingdom and seeing a rhinoceros just kind of standing behind a building. We also ran into Hollywood Studios from the path right along Tower of Terror. It was a different perspective to enter from the top of that hill and then run out through the front of the park.”
Look, you can run in a lot of races in your life. During most of them, if you see a rhinoceros, something’s gone very, very wrong. At runDisney, you’re relishing in the spectacular environment of a marathon set in a theme park based on a zoo theme.
The park parts of the race are also best for a different reason. When you’re running on the highways and other temporary race paths, you’re stuck with portable toilets as your only options. Let’s be honest. Those are gross. When you’re at the parks, however, you get to use the facilities already in place, the ones that cast members diligently keep clean. In other words, during races that go through the parks, hold it until you get there. You’ll be thankful that you did.
Once you’re done with the race, you’ll get your medal. Don’t be offended when the cast member carefully evaluates you. They’re not judging you for your speed or the current state of hygiene. They’re comparing your picture to the one you took at check-in to verify that you’re who you say you are. Once that’s done, you receive your hard-earned medal that proves you’ve finished a runDisney marathon. Congratulations! It’s a huge accomplishment, and you should be extremely proud!