Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend

[GimpYancIent]

As a Platinum member who bounces around Corral A and B because of having a POT to be there, I blame cR and just putting Plat in B. I get a bump up in a Corral, but when people don't submit a time and still get placed above C which has also been POT lately is changing the demo.

Fully agree with that statement. A / B / C corral runners should be slotted there based on merit (earned placement) corroborated, as in verified. A reward for all the hard work and training to achieve fast-paced times. Sadly, there are folks that buy their way into those corrals. It takes away from the integrity of the organization and event.

 

[Rteetz]

As a Platinum member who bounces around Corral A and B because of having a POT to be there, I blame cR and just putting Plat in B. I get a bump up in a Corral, but when people don't submit a time and still get placed above C which has also been POT lately is changing the demo.

I agree. I am gold and obtain a POT to be in A-C depending on the race.

 

[LAKid53]

As a Platinum member who bounces around Corral A and B because of having a POT to be there, I blame cR and just putting Plat in B. I get a bump up in a Corral, but when people don't submit a time and still get placed above C which has also been POT lately is changing the demo.

I was surprised that Platinum members were assigned to Corral B. We were expecting a bump up, say from D to C or E to D, based upon our estimated pace.

 

[CAV]

Correct! BUT! an energetic stroll that will give those in the F / G / H corrals, yes, the back of the pack, the stragglers, the folks that (for multiple reasons) not in running shape / condition the opportunity to complete an athletic event. It's Disney, as I said before Not an Olympic qualifying event. Maybe, just maybe, the fact the sloths, turtles and snails got to complete an event will motivate them to improve their physical condition, qualify for inclusion in faster corrals plus want to come back to Disney for more events. I consistently start in the C corral with an occasional B corral start and at the finish I am in the midst of a lot of B corral bib's sooo I get to hang out and observe the folk's as they finish, do some spectating and cheering. It is something special to see the faces and reactions of people that are the turtles, sloths and snails coming across that finish line completing an event. It's Disney! For those that want P.R.'s, physical challenge and be about the run I suggest (for instance) the Marine Corps Marathon (I have done 22 of them) the Disney events are supposed to be enjoying Disney while running. For those that want to do P.R.s I say go for it but most of the participants just want to enjoy the run event. Oh yeah, I never said just "average pace for average people" there is more to the statement if you are going to quote do so correctly don't cherry pick, 18 minutes per mile is a reasonable minimum pace. The so called "average person" in some kind of reasonable physical condition can absolutely / definitely go faster. How about corporate pay attention to guests, visitors, participants enjoying being at Disney, doing the event's and having a good time instead of clearing the course as fast as possible to return the parks to routine operations as soon as possible.

Then call it strollDisney.

 

[GimpYancIent]

Talking to runners, not just Disney fans. Some posters talk about run Disney races as challenging, don't want them to be a stroll. The fact is run Disney is about fun and entertainment while being an athletic event not particularly challenging. There are photo ops, characters, meet and greets, lands (Kingdoms) to run through, can even take a sidestep off the course ride a ride then get back on the course, I emphasize entertainment as in some fun. The Marine Corps Marathon (MCM) IS an athletic event, in a historic place and it is challenging. So, for those runners that are looking for a challenge, a personal record (P.R.) and a historical / significant place to do it. I suggest this event. Oh, and just want to mention there is a Marine Corps Runners Club, however, to become a member you must finish 5 MCM's first. A person cannot buy their way in; it must be earned.

 

[pdude81]

Talking to runners, not just Disney fans. Some posters talk about run Disney races as challenging, don't want them to be a stroll. The fact is run Disney is about fun and entertainment while being an athletic event not particularly challenging. There are photo ops, characters, meet and greets, lands (Kingdoms) to run through, can even take a sidestep off the course ride a ride then get back on the course, I emphasize entertainment as in some fun. The Marine Corps Marathon (MCM) IS an athletic event, in a historic place and it is challenging. So, for those runners that are looking for a challenge, a personal record (P.R.) and a historical / significant place to do it. I suggest this event. Oh, and just want to mention there is a Marine Corps Runners Club, however, to become a member you must finish 5 MCM's first. A person cannot buy their way in; it must be earned.

I've heard a lot of great things about this race, but isn't it just as hard to get into as Marathon Weekend? I've seen notes from friend sin the past few years about getting shut out, but I haven't tried personally to get in yet.

 

[pdude81]

In other news, I just went to lock up some dvc rooms here between 9 and 10 months ahead of time, and all 3 of my home resorts are booked out on friday and saturday nights for marathon weekend. That never happens, so I'm assuming there are a number of people who aren't coming this year and trying to pick their spots for rental reservations. Will probably be a lot of days dumped when we get to early december and nobody has rented them yet.

 

[Rteetz]

View attachment 913136

Talking to runners, not just Disney fans. Some posters talk about run Disney races as challenging, don't want them to be a stroll. The fact is run Disney is about fun and entertainment while being an athletic event not particularly challenging. There are photo ops, characters, meet and greets, lands (Kingdoms) to run through, can even take a sidestep off the course ride a ride then get back on the course, I emphasize entertainment as in some fun. The Marine Corps Marathon (MCM) IS an athletic event, in a historic place and it is challenging. So, for those runners that are looking for a challenge, a personal record (P.R.) and a historical / significant place to do it. I suggest this event. Oh, and just want to mention there is a Marine Corps Runners Club, however, to become a member you must finish 5 MCM's first. A person cannot buy their way in; it must be earned.

While MCM is most definitely on my list of races to do, I am not a fan of the under tones here.

26.2 whether at Walt Disney World, Washington D.C. or in Nebraska is still 26.2. It's an athletic event that is hard. I have run races all over the country at this point and you still need to train and prepare for these things no matter where it is and no matter what it involves. This is like saying the New York City marathon isn't legitimate because they allow people to finish like 10 hours after it starts.

 

[Rteetz]

I've heard a lot of great things about this race, but isn't it just as hard to get into as Marathon Weekend? I've seen notes from friend sin the past few years about getting shut out, but I haven't tried personally to get in yet.

It used to be a lottery. They have since opened it up and increased the field. This happened within the last few years so fairly recent.

 

[GimpYancIent]

While MCM is most definitely on my list of races to do, I am not a fan of the under tones here.

26.2 whether at Walt Disney World, Washington D.C. or in Nebraska is still 26.2. It's an athletic event that is hard. I have run races all over the country at this point and you still need to train and prepare for these things no matter where it is and no matter what it involves. This is like saying the New York City marathon isn't legitimate because they allow people to finish like 10 hours after it starts.

Correct it is necessary to train for any endurance event that is common sense. 26.2 is 26.2, a certified course is a certified course, and a legitimate event is a legitimate event. Because participants are limited / restricted to only those that can maintain a minimum pace requirement does not make an event more or less legitimate. You point out The New York City Marathon, absolutely legitimate with the best / fastest, most proficient, world class athletes participating, a top-notch world-class marathon. YET! the New York Road Runners Club has worked it so the average participant, the non-athletes that (maybe the one major event in their lives) get to finish the distance, complete a marathon by keeping the course open for 10 hours. If New York Road Runners Club and the City of New York can conduct a world class (legitimate) marathon considering the best in the world and the back of the pack average person so can Disney. Actually, it should be easier for Disney since run Disney is not trying to attract the world class runner with prize money and the events occur entirely on Disney property reducing the amount of government coordination to be done. The minimum pace requirement set by run Disney is dumb resetting it to 18 only makes sense. There is no maximum limit, if a participant wants to set a course record, P.R. or simply enjoy a fast run, go for it. A quote from Fred Lebow (founder of the New York City Marathon) "whether you finish first, in the middle of the pack or last you can say I finished, there is a lot of satisfaction in that".

 

[GimpYancIent]

I've heard a lot of great things about this race, but isn't it just as hard to get into as Marathon Weekend? I've seen notes from friend sin the past few years about getting shut out, but I haven't tried personally to get in yet.

Yes, the field has been expanded over the years, yet it still does fill very quickly. Your friend is correct about runners getting shut out. run Disney has no exclusive on filling the field quickly once the events open for registration. The MCM is a do not hesitate type of registration.

 

[pdude81]

So now my challenge is to get in decent enough shape for something like a 2:15 half before the POT deadline, but summer distance races are not super common. Plus as my fitness increases, the daily average temperature also increases.