OG Runner
Well-Known Member
I couldn't cut the course. According to my watch I ran 26.64 miles.
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Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend
- Thread starter wdwmagic
- Start date
DznyGrlSD
Well-Known Member
- In the Parks
- Yes
I know nothing but POTs, non-POTs and start group placement were ALL over the place. I don't know who's in charge of placement whether it's Disney or Track Shack but hoo-boy I heard stories....ONE of which I can confirm...
2 that stand out: Husband/Wife (friends of mine) had no POT but both put the same estimated finish time - HE got S3 and SHE got S6
Did all platinum CRD get put into S2? That's the rumor.
2 that stand out: Husband/Wife (friends of mine) had no POT but both put the same estimated finish time - HE got S3 and SHE got S6
Did all platinum CRD get put into S2? That's the rumor.
Rteetz
Well-Known Member
Lol, I am not talking about elites. Its a non-issue for a stranger to hand out a twizzler at mile 17 or something.
Rteetz
Well-Known Member
I have't heard of the majors changing yet.
Rteetz
Well-Known Member
That's just it. The estimate random and then actually having a PoT unless you're elite had no benefit. I had also heard CRD got S2.
Swissmiss
Premium Member
I was just explaining why there is the rule.
Demarke
Have I told you lately that I 👍 you?
I think it was only Club runDisney platinum that got s2. From the reports on the Facebook group, they all got s2 regardless of estimated time. I’m silver level and got placed in s4 for all four races despite putting estimates in line with sub-8:30/mile pace for the 5k and 10k (what I was doing in November), sub 5:00:00 full estimate and sub-2:30:00 halfs (which I would have gladly provided proof of times for).
I’ve always treated starting group estimates like I would golf, I’m not going to lie about my times any more than I would lie about my handicap or cheat to get into a better (or easier) flight in a golf tournament. Sure, some people may bib mule or get through the cracks with fake proofs in a race, like some people may build up an inaccurate handicap in golf over a period of months, but at least there’s a little bit of a hoop to jump through in each situation that deters people and makes it generally more difficult than casually putting in false info at registration to get ahead.
I gotta tell you though, runDisney is testing that theory for me, as it appears abundantly clear that they don’t care about what happens or how many bottlenecks occur or how many people have to run the first few miles in the grass beyond s1. I thought the old 2:45:00 half marathon (12:35/mi pace) proof of time was about right, beyond that you’re probably walking most of it anyway and a little more walking in one spot probably means you can run a little more in another. But when folks that can run 13.1 at a 9:10/mi pace (just over 2 hours) are just outside of eligible to submit a PoT and have to zig zag past 3000-4000 walkers if they were honest in their submission, there’s something wrong with that.
It’s been an open secret for years that people encourage others to just lie on their PoT estimate in order to take more pictures or avoid the balloon ladies, but with PoT’s where they are now, runDisney seems to just be encouraging this behavior to the detriment of those that may be chasing their own PR or have a specific finish time goal in mind (a crazy thought for a race, I know).
Sorry for the rant, I still love the races, but what they’ve done with this issue bugs the hell out of me!
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EllieBadge
Member
Hi all,
I mostly lurk, but this talk of starting groups is making me nervous. My husband is running in the Princess and has historically been in the first corral. Is there any reason to believe this could change with the upcoming race (he's only gotten faster)? He has submitted POT and not an estimate. I'm only concerned because, depending on who shows up, he may actually stand a chance of winning. His hopes would be dashed if he was placed further back
I mostly lurk, but this talk of starting groups is making me nervous. My husband is running in the Princess and has historically been in the first corral. Is there any reason to believe this could change with the upcoming race (he's only gotten faster)? He has submitted POT and not an estimate. I'm only concerned because, depending on who shows up, he may actually stand a chance of winning. His hopes would be dashed if he was placed further back
lukacseven
Well-Known Member
Unfortunately, this is not a new issue or unique to runDisney. I've seen this for years where walkers or 11 min/mile runners would sneak into corral...sorry...start group A or B. Why ask for proof of time if it's not going to be used to properly seed people? 10-15 years ago, it did seem like people were more honest about at least lining up with the start group they were assigned. I always thought in more recent years Disney did a fairly good job of checking bibs at the designated start group points of entry and turned back runners who were not assigned there. As far as walkers being placed in forward start groups, that's on race management not doing their job. It also seems like since Disney no longer did this internally and Track Shack took it over, it really started to become an issue. Bottom line is if you don't provide proof of time from a previous race of at least 10 miles for the half or full, then you should be considered a walker. You should not be able to purchase your way into a start group that you do not belong in.I think it was only Club runDisney platinum that got s2, but from the reports on the Facebook group, they all got s2 regardless of estimated time. I’m silver level and got placed in s4 for all four races despite putting estimates in line with sub-8:30/mile pace for the 5k and 10k (what I was doing in November), sub 5:00:00 full estimate and sub-2:30:00 halfs (which I would have gladly provided proof of times for).
I’ve always treated starting group estimates like I would golf, I’m not going to lie about my times any more than I would lie about my handicap or cheat to get into a better (or easier) flight in a golf tournament. Sure, some people may bib mule or get through the cracks with fake proofs in a race, like some people may build up an inaccurate handicap in golf over a period of months, but at least there’s a little bit of a hoop to jump through in each situation that deters people and makes it generally more difficult than casually putting in false info at registration to get ahead.
I gotta tell you though, runDisney is testing that theory, as it appears abundantly clear that they don’t care about what happens or how many bottlenecks occur or how many people have to run the first few miles in the grass beyond s1. I thought the 2:45:00 half marathon (12:35/mi pace) proof of time was about right, beyond that your probably walking most of it anyway and a little more walking in one spot probably means you can run a little more in another. But when folks that can run 13.1 at a 9:10/mi pace (just over 2 hours) are just outside of eligible to submit a PoT and have to zig zag past 3000-4000 walkers if they were honest in their submission, there’s something wrong with that.
It’s been an open secret for years that people encourage others to just lie on their PoT estimate in order to take more pictures or avoid the balloon ladies, but with PoT’s where they are now, runDisney seems to just be encouraging this behavior to the detriment of those that may be chasing their own PR or have a specific finish time goal in mind (a crazy thought for a race, so know).
Sorry for the rant, I still love the races, but what they’ve done with this isue bugs the hell out of me!
Greenlawler
Well-Known Member
I think part of the issue is that these races lure more "casual" runners. To be clear nothing is wrong with casual runners, nothing.
But lots of folks are fudging their times so they don't get swept, or can stop for characters.
I was in s3 which is probably right for my current speed/age. But my wife was in s2. We still have no clue how that happened. We turned in slower POT for her.
But lots of folks are fudging their times so they don't get swept, or can stop for characters.
I was in s3 which is probably right for my current speed/age. But my wife was in s2. We still have no clue how that happened. We turned in slower POT for her.
Swissmiss
Premium Member
I can only imagine how frustrating it must be for those of you who run fast, because I am by no means a fast runner (my 10k pace estimates that I should be able to run a half in 2:40 to 2:45, but I am always around the 3h mark for a half) and the one WDW race I ran, I had to weave around people for the entire 3 hours. I was really not expecting that because my only other Disney races have been at DLP, and there are fewer people running and even fewer slower runners like me.
On the other hand, it was a great experience for me to run the entire time surrounded by other runners
On the other hand, it was a great experience for me to run the entire time surrounded by other runners
RunningKoen
Well-Known Member
Sounds like I'll be going for a dead last start with this system ... 
If you miss a timing mat, does that show up when you go to get your challenge medal?
I noticed for the Two Course Challenge rD wasn't checking our race bibs as has been done in the past. Could that be because photos weren't taken? If the same happened for Marathon Weekend, that would be ripe for cheating as no way to confirm YOU ran all 4 races.
I noticed for the Two Course Challenge rD wasn't checking our race bibs as has been done in the past. Could that be because photos weren't taken? If the same happened for Marathon Weekend, that would be ripe for cheating as no way to confirm YOU ran all 4 races.
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Sounds like I'll be going for a dead last start with this system ...
And not because you are not a fast runner.
Only Platinum level get a bump up on starting position.
I think it was only Club runDisney platinum that got s2. From the reports on the Facebook group, they all got s2 regardless of estimated time. I’m silver level and got placed in s4 for all four races despite putting estimates in line with sub-8:30/mile pace for the 5k and 10k (what I was doing in November), sub 5:00:00 full estimate and sub-2:30:00 halfs (which I would have gladly provided proof of times for).
I’ve always treated starting group estimates like I would golf, I’m not going to lie about my times any more than I would lie about my handicap or cheat to get into a better (or easier) flight in a golf tournament. Sure, some people may bib mule or get through the cracks with fake proofs in a race, like some people may build up an inaccurate handicap in golf over a period of months, but at least there’s a little bit of a hoop to jump through in each situation that deters people and makes it generally more difficult than casually putting in false info at registration to get ahead.
I gotta tell you though, runDisney is testing that theory for me, as it appears abundantly clear that they don’t care about what happens or how many bottlenecks occur or how many people have to run the first few miles in the grass beyond s1. I thought the old 2:45:00 half marathon (12:35/mi pace) proof of time was about right, beyond that you’re probably walking most of it anyway and a little more walking in one spot probably means you can run a little more in another. But when folks that can run 13.1 at a 9:10/mi pace (just over 2 hours) are just outside of eligible to submit a PoT and have to zig zag past 3000-4000 walkers if they were honest in their submission, there’s something wrong with that.
It’s been an open secret for years that people encourage others to just lie on their PoT estimate in order to take more pictures or avoid the balloon ladies, but with PoT’s where they are now, runDisney seems to just be encouraging this behavior to the detriment of those that may be chasing their own PR or have a specific finish time goal in mind (a crazy thought for a race, I know).
Sorry for the rant, I still love the races, but what they’ve done with this issue bugs the hell out of me!
I hear you. I was surprised Platinum level CRD were put in S2 for the Half - I was S2 for both the 10K and Half. My understanding is that unless you provided a POT, you'd be placed in the first corral of slower runners - which under the old system would have been E.
Given the questions asked when you register - is this your first 5K/10K/Half/Full; 1st rD race - I think pacing isn't the only factor in start group placement for those that don't provide a POT.
Greenlawler
Well-Known Member
I never knew about the seedy underbelly of cheating on races. I have been running for 20 years and never really heard much about it. Then I start reading the recent posts on this thread and I have been down the rabbit hole today. Holy Crud! What is wrong with people?
Other than an additional medal...and bragging rights...do the top male and female runners receive a cash prize?
Otherwise, why? If caught, I assume you'd be banned from all future rD races.
Demarke
Have I told you lately that I 👍 you?
People do it for all sorts of reasons. Some to win, some to place, lots to try to qualify for Boston, some to brag about times on social media, some to scam their way into sponsorships, some just to finish without having to run or walk the whole thing, some to promote their fitness business/instagram/whatever, etc, etc…
Check this out if you ever want to go down that rabbit hole: https://www.marathoninvestigation.com/
Here’s some about Disney specifically:
Disney Marathon cheaters number at least 300, says Marathon Investigation - Canadian Running Magazine
Disney's multiple fancy medals the main incentive for folks to cut the course
Claims of an 'Elite' Runner Unravel at Disney - MarathonInvestigation
The conditions at The Disney Marathon were rough. It was warm and humid, slower runners were diverted to a shorter course due to the heat. Michael ran a Personal record, despite these conditions. He was an active participant on The 6AM Runner Facebook page. Leading up to the race he posted that...
www.marathoninvestigation.com
Cheating at the Disney Marathon - Elbowglitter
Once again, there was plenty of cheating at the Disney Marathon
elbowglitter.com
RunDisney Bib Thief Finally Caught And Detained By Police At Disneyland Half Marathon [VIDEO] - Inquisitr News
Early this morning, thousands of guests gathered together to run the Disneyland Half Marathon and take pride in winning their medals, but there was something
www.inquisitr.com
Cheating at runDisney Races
www.mouseplanet.com
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