runDisney Race Season 2026 - 2027

[GimpYancIent]

I can remember the races not being so character focused in the mid 2000s. There were not set ups, character meets, and photo pass. I can remember Cruella and Gaston clapping and cheering for us off Osceola Pkwy during a Tower13K and nobody was stopping for a photo…bc we were all there to run. They were just on the side of the road cheering us on. Times have changed. 45mins you say?? Yikes!

Yes, times have changed. I consistently am a C corral runner though I have met the time / pace requirements for the B corral several times. Supposedly by having people with like running paces start in groups with the fastest pace groups of runners in front a smooth start and flow to the event will result. Also considering there is a two-minute space between corral starts. To my irritation, every event, for the first half mile it is an obstacle course of maneuvering / speeding up then suddenly slowing down to get around an assortment of Sloths, Turtles and Snails with A, B and C corral BIB's that should not have been any closer to the front than the E corral. If Disney is going to have a corral system with pace / time requirements for each corral with rules to how a person can get into said corrals, then how do so many (that do not meet the requirements) get into those early corrals? Hence, have a minimum pace requirement of 18 minutes per mile not the current 16 minutes per mile so there is reduced pressure on the Sloths, Turtles and Snails about completing the course (finishing) reducing the incentive for the slow runners and walkers to want to start from the front and be nothing more than mobile roadblocks. God bless all the participants for being out there, just want to see everyone enjoy the events being courteous, reasonable, fair and honest.

 

[Rteetz]

I am very interested to see how they go about the 5K being bigger. They are crowded enough already. Character lines unless running from A and even then get 20+ minutes long. Even on the 10K lines can get bad.

 

[Rteetz]

Hot take but 5k doesn't need more spots. All other distances should increase back to close to what they were before covid. Marathon and half used to be over 20,000 people. They reduced once they came back from covid. They should reduce the number of dopey bibs available (about 8,500) because that takes up a lot of 5k and 10k entries. Goofy (the original real challenge) now only has about 1,000 bibs. runDisney is already incredibly popular and promoting it like this and the constant influencers are not needed.

They can't go back to 20,000+ because of the current set up. They no longer start on the road which allowed them that extra space. Disney park ops wants minimal disruptions to the parks too. Epcot specifically has been raising a stink this year. They aren't going to reduce Dopey either when that sells out instantly all the time too. Back in 2018-ish when the races were 20,000+ Dopey had even more bibs then.

 

[GimpYancIent]

They can't go back to 20,000+ because of the current set up. They no longer start on the road which allowed them that extra space. Disney park ops wants minimal disruptions to the parks too. Epcot specifically has been raising a stink this year. They aren't going to reduce Dopey either when that sells out instantly all the time too. Back in 2018-ish when the races were 20,000+ Dopey had even more bibs then.

Do the races need to start at EPCOT? There is a tremendous amount of parking lot space where the now ancient history, NASCAR track, once was for example. There is plenty space for an expanded start area on property. Also, the first 1 - 2 miles of any course can be routed through a wide section of road, WDW has that availability also. A lack of initiative, motivation and creativity on the part of Disney seems to be the problem. WDW could handle 30,000 plus per event easily. Any single day disruption to routine park operations is negligible compared to the $$$$ (something corporate understands) to be made during said events. A refresh to the starts and routes would be a good thing.

 

[Rteetz]

Do the races need to start at EPCOT? There is a tremendous amount of parking lot space where the now ancient history, NASCAR track, once was for example. There is plenty space for an expanded start area on property. Also, the first 1 - 2 miles of any course can be routed through a wide section of road, WDW has that availability also. A lack of initiative, motivation and creativity on the part of Disney seems to be the problem. WDW could handle 30,000 plus per event easily. Any single day disruption to routine park operations is negligible compared to the $$$$ (something corporate understands) to be made during said events. A refresh to the starts and routes would be a good thing.

Do they need to? No. It is really wherever Disney will allow. The used to do point to point races with an MK start and Epcot finish. Again that’s more work. They seem to like to streamline as much as possible.

I will tell you runDisney has and is always looking at options. A lot comes down to what park ops allows. The whole selling point of runDisney races is running through the parks. People complain tons already about the non-park time.

runDisney is often the ugly step sister of the company. They don’t allow them to do what they may want or even need to at times. No matter the money they bring in.

 

[surfsupdon]

@Rteetz runDisney and the races from Disney Endurance Series were not streamlined in the past. The streamlining came around the late 20teens as I recall.

 

[Rteetz]

@Rteetz runDisney and the races from Disney Endurance Series were not streamlined in the past. The streamlining came around the late 20teens as I recall.

Yep, and the streamlining now helps them save on extra costs. I don't think they want to change that now but Epcot ops may force them to if Epcot continues to push them out.

 

[bmr1591]

Yes, times have changed. I consistently am a C corral runner though I have met the time / pace requirements for the B corral several times. Supposedly by having people with like running paces start in groups with the fastest pace groups of runners in front a smooth start and flow to the event will result. Also considering there is a two-minute space between corral starts. To my irritation, every event, for the first half mile it is an obstacle course of maneuvering / speeding up then suddenly slowing down to get around an assortment of Sloths, Turtles and Snails with A, B and C corral BIB's that should not have been any closer to the front than the E corral. If Disney is going to have a corral system with pace / time requirements for each corral with rules to how a person can get into said corrals, then how do so many (that do not meet the requirements) get into those early corrals? Hence, have a minimum pace requirement of 18 minutes per mile not the current 16 minutes per mile so there is reduced pressure on the Sloths, Turtles and Snails about completing the course (finishing) reducing the incentive for the slow runners and walkers to want to start from the front and be nothing more than mobile roadblocks. God bless all the participants for being out there, just want to see everyone enjoy the events being courteous, reasonable, fair and honest.

Corral B has club runDisney members who pay to be in B so they won't get swept. That's probably a large group that you're facing.

 

[GimpYancIent]

Corral B has club runDisney members who pay to be in B so they won't get swept. That's probably a large group that you're facing.

So, then there is no integrity at run Disney. A. Every person with a bib at each event has paid for the right to be there. B. Club runDisney members get to register ahead (as in earlier) of non-members assuring them entry. C. All participants upon registering are required to enter projected finishing times based on prior performances and refer to those events results in order to meet the required times for each corral. What you say is a sloth, turtle or slug can buy, purchase $ their way past persons that have earned the right to be (in as you say the "B" corral). Then scrap the qualifying BS, why require times and references? Just put a price (a dollar sign) for entry into each corral with A the most expensive and graduate the price down until you get to H. RunDisney has established rules, requirements and policies it needs to adhere to them. Buying a spot in a front corral has no integrity. RunDisney Club members get swag, early entry and other niceties but to cheat and bypass the requirements that everyone is supposed to meet for a few dollars is not acceptable.

 

[Rteetz]

So, then there is no integrity at run Disney. A. Every person with a bib at each event has paid for the right to be there. B. Club runDisney members get to register ahead (as in earlier) of non-members assuring them entry. C. All participants upon registering are required to enter projected finishing times based on prior performances and refer to those events results in order to meet the required times for each corral. What you say is a sloth, turtle or slug can buy, purchase $ their way past persons that have earned the right to be (in as you say the "B" corral). Then scrap the qualifying BS, why require times and references? Just put a price (a dollar sign) for entry into each corral with A the most expensive and graduate the price down until you get to H. RunDisney has established rules, requirements and policies it needs to adhere to them. Buying a spot in a front corral has no integrity. RunDisney Club members get swag, early entry and other niceties but to cheat and bypass the requirements that everyone is supposed to meet for a few dollars is not acceptable.

Mind you this is just for Platinum club members. I am a gold member and do not get this perk however I have a proof of time that typically still gets me in B anyways.

Putting in a projected pace or time isn't exactly great either. People always lie on that. runDisney and Track Shack know that too but there isn't exactly a better system to prevent that. Most races as for an expected time or pace to help place you. Some races don't have any corralling system at all and just one start. B is not the front corral either. Club runDisney has been around since what 2019-ish now? so also nothing new either.

I don't like that they get B mind you. However also, some of those that are "buying" B are also good enough runners to be there. It's not everyone who shouldn't be there. I know platinum members who are able to run those paces.

Many people overlook the AWD athletes as well. They for marathon weekend started at the back of C. Push chairs trying to maneuver there is not easy at all. Visually impaired runners struggle in the crowds too.

 

[GimpYancIent]

Mind you this is just for Platinum club members. I am a gold member and do not get this perk however I have a proof of time that typically still gets me in B anyways.

Putting in a projected pace or time isn't exactly great either. People always lie on that. runDisney and Track Shack know that too but there isn't exactly a better system to prevent that. Most races as for an expected time or pace to help place you. Some races don't have any corralling system at all and just one start. B is not the front corral either. Club runDisney has been around since what 2019-ish now? so also nothing new either.

I don't like that they get B mind you. However also, some of those that are "buying" B are also good enough runners to be there. It's not everyone who shouldn't be there. I know platinum members who are able to run those paces.

Many people overlook the AWD athletes as well. They for marathon weekend started at the back of C. Push chairs trying to maneuver there is not easy at all. Visually impaired runners struggle in the crowds too.

I was a charter member of club runDisney, full disclosure, I have not renewed my membership. The return does not justify the investment for me. I am happy to register with the masses. As for the wheelchair, push chair, blind and other participants with challenges I say they all should have a special 15-minute head start on the A corral, their own distinct start. I have nothing but respect for them and their support personnel. They absolutely should be allowed to be down range and clear of the start so they can enjoy their experience. The challenged participants, I have noticed, are the most polite, reasonable and respectful participants on course, unlike some of the able-bodied participants. My issue is with able bodied people that cannot cut the mustard, as in meet the pacing requirements, for corral placement so they buy a spot.

 

[Rteetz]

I was a charter member of club runDisney, full disclosure, I have not renewed my membership. The return does not justify the investment for me. I am happy to register with the masses. As for the wheelchair, push chair, blind and other participants with challenges I say they all should have a special 15-minute head start on the A corral, their own distinct start. I have nothing but respect for them and their support personnel. They absolutely should be allowed to be down range and clear of the start so they can enjoy their experience. The challenged participants, I have noticed, are the most polite, reasonable and respectful participants on course, unlike some of the able-bodied participants. My issue is with able bodied people that cannot cut the mustard, as in meet the pacing requirements, for corral placement so they buy a spot.

I agree, all AWD should get the head start. I think the back of C is not right for them. I was just pointing out that they don't get a big head start.

 

[bmr1591]

I was a charter member of club runDisney, full disclosure, I have not renewed my membership. The return does not justify the investment for me. I am happy to register with the masses. As for the wheelchair, push chair, blind and other participants with challenges I say they all should have a special 15-minute head start on the A corral, their own distinct start. I have nothing but respect for them and their support personnel. They absolutely should be allowed to be down range and clear of the start so they can enjoy their experience. The challenged participants, I have noticed, are the most polite, reasonable and respectful participants on course, unlike some of the able-bodied participants. My issue is with able bodied people that cannot cut the mustard, as in meet the pacing requirements, for corral placement so they buy a spot.

And that's understandable. I also understand Disney's desire to sell spots for $1000+ per year to a few hundred people. It doesn't really affect that many people.