Do they really sweep during 5k runs?

[Tigger1988]

Asking for a friend who wants to sign up for a future RunDisney 5k but is concerned by the 16min pace they mention.

Is sweeping during the 5ks common? Or do they just mention the pace to keep people from thinking it's a Sunday stroll?

 

[dreamfinder]

Well, most of them are untimed (exception being Dopey runners in the Jan 5k), so no way to really officially sweep. However, they do still need to clear the park prior to whatever point they need to open it for the day.

That said, I would have them look at why they don't think they cannot do a 16 min pace for 3.1 miles. If they properly train (IE don't sit on the couch eating bon bons every afternoon) pretty much by getting out and walking at that pace, most people can reach the endurance needed to maintain that pace over 2-3 months of regular walking at a decent pace. It may mean they spend say 6 months working up the race, but it's doable. I've been at races where people trained for the 5k to hit that 16 min pace with the same effort, intensity, and dedication of time that many of us do for the Goofy. And them finishing on pace was no less of an accomplishment.

If they are concerned about not maintaining the pace for a health reason, then they really should have that conversation with their doctor.

 

[FerretAfros]

As mentioned, they have to shut down the course at a certain point to open the park. While eating breakfast in DLR's DTD I've seen the sweeper golf carts go by at the end of a race, and I've heard stories from friends who took a leisurely pace that the golf carts were following them (though their group was too big to fit on the carts, so they couldn't have been swept anyway! )

That said, if you're able to make some form of forward progress you should be fine. I've done the Marathon Weekend 5K several times with my mom and we've started in the last corral and done a "brisk walk" pace, typically finishing in about 55 minutes. With other walkers around us and people waiting in lines for characters, we've never felt like we were the back of the pack or like we were in any danger of being swept.

If it takes your friend 2 hours to complete a 5K, then they may have issues. But if they're worried about hitting the 16mm pace exactly, they should be fine

 

[ShuffleonHome]

While standing in the coldest, longest line for Dopey after the 5K in Jan, I was able to see the last people finish. Clock time was just under 2:30, so even if they were the absolute last people to start at an hour in, they still took about 90 min to finish. They looked to be struggling (one was carrying a cane) but they kept the finish line open for them to finish

 

[kap91]

I've done the jingle 5k multiple years. They DO sweep, but more at like the 25-30 minute per mile pace. As long as you're close to a 16 minute pace you should be more than fine.

 

[lukacseven]

Keep in mind the 16 min. per mile pace clock starts when the final runner in the last corral crosses the start, so "runners" in the forward corrals already have a cushion. I believe the sweepers apply more to the half and full races. I've seen first hand people being swept on those courses. Most races have "milestone" cutoffs in order to re-open courses to traffic. I've also heard there are milestone cut-offs somewhere on the Disney half and full courses. For both races, runners need have completed their course through MK in enough time for them to clear the park of spectators, pick up race cones and prepare the park for the daily opening celebration. For the half, runners must enter Epcot by a certain time to allow full re-opening of roadways. Same goes for the full - runners must have arrived at and entered DHS. Once past those marks, you are now exclusively on pedestrian walkways only and should be allowed to finish within reason even if you no longer maintain the technical posted pace.

 

[Missymoe4]

While standing in the coldest, longest line for Dopey after the 5K in Jan, I was able to see the last people finish. Clock time was just under 2:30, so even if they were the absolute last people to start at an hour in, they still took about 90 min to finish. They looked to be struggling (one was carrying a cane) but they kept the finish line open for them to finish

Awww, how sweet. Did you do the 5k that is at the beginning of February (I don't know what its called, but I'm considering running it). Do you merely run through the parks, or are there characters to meet and greet with?

 

[JasonDeyoung]

I know during Everest they closed the course at a certain time and if you werent done bikers escorted you to the finish. They seemed pretty relaxed from what I seen but they also didn't have to have the park open soon as the other 5ks do morning runs

 

[Stellajack]

09/18/2015 results----
5 elevation gain
56:58 total time
4.00/6.37 mi distance
14:15 pace

I would appreciate some input here. I have registered for the Enchanged 10K in Feb. Have NEVER run before but have been training on IFIT program on Nordic Track since registering for the run. I have mapped the EPCOT route which I can follow on my wifi enabled treadmill program.

I believe I have accomplished the 'couch to 5K' training and am working on 'couch to 10K'. These were my results from yesterday's workout. For experienced runners, is my goal for Feb. too lofty or on target? Age is 60+.

 

[Texas84]

09/18/2015 results----
5 elevation gain
56:58 total time
4.00/6.37 mi distance
14:15 pace

I would appreciate some input here. I have registered for the Enchanged 10K in Feb. Have NEVER run before but have been training on IFIT program on Nordic Track since registering for the run. I have mapped the EPCOT route which I can follow on my wifi enabled treadmill program.

I believe I have accomplished the 'couch to 5K' training and am working on 'couch to 10K'. These were my results from yesterday's workout. For experienced runners, is my goal for Feb. too lofty or on target? Age is 60+.

February? Sounds like you are ahead of schedule. If you are consistently around a 14 pace you're fine. Good luck!