@LAKid53 - Thank you for the great detailed reply! I never received that email, but my husband did. If someone else doesn't get the confirmation email "It's Virtually Race Time" they can go here (
https://www.rundisney.com/virtual-running-shorts/) and follow those same instructions after looking for "finisher certificates" at the bottom of that page.
Funny you should suggest the Dark Side 5K! A friend and I have registered for that exact event. I am not a huge runner, but doing a 5K at Disney has been on my bucket list. Any advice is greatly appreciated
Happy to hear you're finally going to run on property! You will enjoy all the excitement of running at WDW.
Couple of things. Do some training, even if you plan on walking a majority of the race. Disney doesn't track your time for 5k races (no Balloon Ladies, thank goodness), but you should try to maintain the 16 minute mile minimum pace. There are some good Couch to 5k training programs. Expect to be assigned to one of the last corrals, so you might not start until 6:30 am. This year's races were warmer than last year's, so make sure to dress accordingly. If you plan on buying new running shoes, make sure to break them in several weeks before the race. Visit the training section on the runDisney site. While Galloway doesn't provide a training schedule for the 5ks, read what he has to say about hydration and resting before your race for one of the 10ks.
The past 2 years the 5k was run in Epcot, so I assume the same for the 2018 race. The race starts and finishes in the Epcot parking lot. An email will be sent out when race waivers are available - the email will also contain a link to the digital race guide. Make sure you read it, especially the sections on race transportation and your particular race. If you are staying on property, each Disney resort will have a board in the lobby with bus and start times for each race. Plan on getting up about 1 hour before you need to be at your bus stop. I show up at the stop about 15 minutes prior to the "need to be on bus time". Unless you are staying off property, ride the charted buses to/from the race. There will be road closures, resulting in traffic delays for all traffic.
You will need to pick up your bib and any preordered merchandise at the Expo on Thursday. Print out the race waiver
before you arrive at WDW. While there are printers at the expo, you need to attend the first day, which will be a zoo. If you are interested in any of the race merchandise (pins, magnets, jacket), PRE-ORDER them through the registration process. The runDisney race merchandise area was packed this year with a long line to both enter the merchandise area and for cashiers. Preorder is especially important if you want one of the Dooney & Burke bags sold for each race.
In the running forum, there is a thread for the SW Dark Side. I'd watch that thread, so when it starts getting used again, you'll get notifications of postings. Most of them will be along the lines of "when are the waivers/guides available?" [around 2 weeks before race weekend] "I'm in Corral ?" [followed by joy or sorrow] "Can you believe the course for the (race name - usually the half)? Hardly any park time!" and comments like that. Plus, it's a good place to ask race specific questions and some may post photos from previous races.
In the running forum, there is a thread titled "How Many Disney Miles Have You Run". Make sure you join that thread. Your Virtual 5k miles are included, since they are official runDisney races, even if not on property.
@Texas84 manages the thread and he will add you to the list.
Most important thing? Have fun.... and relax. Running on property is so much fun, you will meet lots of not just running enthusiasts, but Disney nerds. And costumes. There was a group dressed as TIE fighters for this year's 5k. And character photo opportunities - your race registration now comes with Photopass.
Good luck - I'll see you there! And hopefully this won't be your only WDW race.
