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Jul 1, 2024

Disney World Marathon Runner Comments

Back to Disney World Marathon Information & Reviews

Course 4.1

Organization 4.3

Spectators 4.0

Number of comments: 818 [displaying comments 91 to 101]

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A. R. from Georgia (1/30/2012) "The memories stay with you" (about: 2012) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Disney World Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my first marathon. I have to say what a great time it was; I'm so glad I chose this to be my first. I came with a large group of people- just 1 other runner for the half- the rest were spectators. We stayed off site at a rented condo about 10 minutes away- completely recommend if going with a large group and looking to keep costs low. Getting to Epcot was no problem for either the full or half, just a little traffic. But remember where you park!! Lots of port o potties so no wait was a huge plus. Overall, a spectacular experience. Only two downsides- the stretch between Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom is long, boring, and actually really smells in one spot(sewage treatment nearby?). Second, the road is often tilted, which was murder on my injured left foot. But... as soon as I got home, I wanted to start planning for the 2013 race :)
S. B. from Rainy River, Canada (1/29/2012) "Most FUN I've had at a marathon!!" (about: 2012) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Disney World Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 It was an early start to the day, but since my training has been done in sub-zero temps and snow, I was happy to go early and beat the heat. Pretty much the only negative part of the day was not the fault of the race but of my hotel; Nobody told me I had to pay for the shuttle ride to the race, and since they offer free rides to the parks all day, I assumed it was free. I had to run back to my room to get some money while everyone waited for me. The run was great!! It was so fun going through the parks, and yes there were some highway stretches, but how else do you get from point A to point B? The aid stations were well organized and CLEAN!!! People raking up cups and other garbage as soon as it hit the ground. I was in corral B and other than the first mile, had no problem with crowding. Would love to do this course again, it was so much fun, and I ran a personal best time :)
J. R. from Middlebury, Vermont (1/29/2012) "A great first marathon!" (about: 2012) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Disney World Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was my first marathon. I had done research in advance and knew about all the lonely back roads, the photo ops, etc. I went with a first-timer's goal of Finish Upright. (And be able to walk around the parks the next day!) My knee crapped out very early in the race, the finish time I thought I'd have was off by an hour. Still, I thoroughly enjoyed myself. I had to limp/walk two entire miles, and then a shuffle run/walk the last few. I have no experience with marathons so I was very happy with the number of water stops. I had a fuel belt and just refilled it when needed instead of guzzling water. Tons of first aid stops. And the photo ops, for those who don't care about a PR, were incredible! Yes, the sewage plant smell was gross, but it was quickly forgotten. Yes, the walk to the corrals was long, slow, and shoulder to shoulder people, but I knew about that in advance, too. While the medals (and the long-sleeve tech shirts) were really great, with all the money I spent on a week at Disney with 7 people in my family, (including another marathoner, and a Goofy runner) some kind of perk for us would've been nice. Discounted lodging rate, meal plan, or room. Maybe some coupons? SOMETHING! However, the wonder of the whole marathon experience for a first-timer was only enhanced by the Disney Magic. One of the best days of my life.
Wendy Akeson from Ashland MA (1/18/2012) "Loads of fun at the Disney Marathon" (about: 2012) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Disney World Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my first Disney marathon and 26th marathon overall. I had heard some people whine in the past that there is too much of the marathon run on boring highway type roads but having run the Disney Princess Half 2 years ago I was prepared for this. Yes there is a lot of running on roads outside the parks, BUT Disney does a great job lining up characters and entertainment along the way. There were high school bands, antique cars and their owners, many many characters to see and you could get your picture taken with them (which would later be displayed on Brightroom.com for purchase) and the photgraphers were super nice taking photos with personal cameras as well. Running through the parks there were employees all along the way waving at you. Yes we did run by a sewage treatment plant (in Epcot I believe) but it was for a minute or so and then you are past it. If you are looking for the perfect marathon you are out of luck because there is no such thing. This one comes very close and was so well organized but as others have stated in their reviews, there will always be ups & downs in every race you run. I was sick with an infection during this race and my feet were hurting a lot but I still had a great time. The volunteers were very helpful and friendly. Yes it takes time to walk to the start from the staging area (where you park or get off the bus() but it's a nice chance to warm up your legs. There are thousands of other runners there so you need to allow yourelf enough time to get to the start. I have run 25 marathons before Disney and I have never seen so many port a potties. I hope no one complained about that. The medals were great, the shirts were great, the post race food was awesome. I would do this race again in a heartbeat.
C. S. from Atlanta, GA (1/17/2012) "Great First Marathon!" (about: 2012) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Disney World Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my first marathon, and a wonderful one to start with! Florida is nice and flat in general, and this marathon lived up to that. In addition, the organization of the marathon, from the expo, to the pre-race entertainment, bag check, parking and port-o-potties, were planned out wonderfully. I love how the Disney Marathon is run on a separate day from the half marathon, so you know everybody on the course is facing the same challenge as you. Disney requires that you have proof of your time if you expect to finish in under 5 hours, and they actually check your corral when you start, which I considered a positive, since it can be difficult trying to get around people that put down a much faster pace than they could maintain (which I've dealt with in the Savannah Rock 'n' Roll half marathon). I ran this with another person who had to show proof of her time at the expo to get her corral changed, which was quick and painless. After getting to the expo, I discovered a smaller shirt would work better for me, and it was no problem changing that. The shirts look and feel great as well - they're blue technical long sleeved shirts. The medal - big, bold and beautiful! It features Mickey Mouse, and was given out right after crossing the finish line as you'd expect. There are characters all along the marathon that you can stop to get your picture taken with, which was really neat. There are also photographers all along the course, so you'll have plenty of pictures to commemorate the experience with (they took about 45 of me!). Water stops and port-o-potties along the course are plentiful. I would have liked food closer - the first stop for Gu wasn't until mile 14. The only other downside to this marathon is the long distances run on highways with very little change in scenery. I understand that's the nature of the beast to see all four Disney World parks, but it is worth keeping in mind - I wouldn't run this race for the scenery, but for the entertainment, characters and parks. Lastly, I was really impressed with the spectators along the course. I had heard they could be far and few in between, so I was quite impressed with the numbers. Especially at the end, when there were so many spectators they were in bleachers cheering everyone on as they finished. I loved it, and someday (after I try many others) I'll run it again!
J. S. from Philadelphia, PA (1/17/2012) "Great Race to do for Fun" (about: 2012) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Disney World Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Every marathon I've participated in except the first, I've done with the goal of a PR or a Boston qualifying time. I went to Disney with a completely different approach, which was to just have fun. If that is your goal at Disney, you will love it. If you want a PR, go somewhere else. Disney places characters along the course, and you can stop, line up and have you picture taken with them. I ran with a friend, and we stopped at virtually every character. We also stopped for pictures at Epcot and Cinderella's castle in the Magic Kingdom. All told, we probably lost at least an hour for these photos, but so worth it! Running around the Magic Kingdom was probably the most purely joyful race experience I've ever had. On-course organization was ideal. There was a water stop every mile. There were at least two gel stations, and two banana stations (yes, it occurred to me that slipping on a banana peel at the Disney marathon would be too ironic for words). Even better, there were medical aid stations almost at every mile, and they had lots of vaseline and giant jugs of Biofreeze. Biofreeze is my new favorite substance; I credit it solely for making the last 8 miles of this race the most pleasant I've ever had in a marathon. Of course, it helped that the weather was so nice. Some drawbacks, though minor. One, you have to walk a long way to get to the start. Between that and the slow course, you will be on your feet for a loooong time. Two, the course is extremely congested. Unless you are all the way at the front, you will have to do tons of passing, and much of the time there isn't the space to do so. Three, I'd like to see something with protein in it at the finish line food tent. Four, and this is a me problem and not a race problem, but when you park your car in a Disney lot at 4am for a marathon, try to remember to note where you put your car before scurrying off to run 26.2 miles with another 1.5 of walking. Even with these 'drawbacks,' I plan on heading back next year, for Goofy this time!
J. A. from San Diego California (1/16/2012) "Disney" (about: 2012) 11-50 previous marathons \| 2 Disney World Marathons COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 This is my second time doing Disney Marathon. This time certainly enjoyed staying at off-site hotel. The Hilton had regular shuttle and allowed late checkout. Last time I stayed at Disney property and unbelievably they did not allow a late check out for runners. Simple advice-check with Disney hotels before you register because you will want to shower... The course was flat, fast, a few too many turns for my liking and not that many spectators. Goofy challenge was fun. Unfortunately for those of us racing both races there aren't age group awards or ranked results-bummer. Terrific medals though and well organized events. But what is up with the 3 a.m. staging...Bottom-line 3 a.m. staging for Disney is just plain stupid. I have done 26 marathons and yes indeed New York is a 4 a.m. staging deal-but- and this is a huge- but-NYC marathon is one of the greatest work marathons it my humble opinion that Disney is not even close. So, lets end this positively-later start, bring back Marathon Monday where athletes get in the park free on Monday after the race, rank the athletes that are racing in the Goofy challenge. Award the folks who race the challenge with age-graded results and awards. Looking for world class Marathon try Chicago, New York, Boston, Barcelona, Amsterdam just to sample a few...keep on smiling and enjoy the run...
E. R. from Tucson, AZ (1/16/2012) "A great experience" (about: 2012) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Disney World Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Disney knows how to do a marathon. They are masters at organizing large crowds. This was my second Disney marathon and 1st Goofy Challenge. I enjoyed the course and loved the spectators. After mile 22 they really made a big difference for me. Overall, I found the course so entertaining I didn't use my ipod. It was a great experience and one I am sure I will always remember.
L. P. from IL (1/15/2012) "MOST FUN MARATHON EVER" (about: 2012) 50+ previous marathons \| 3 Disney World Marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was my 3rd Disney. I was super slow as I took over 80 pictures! Every kid should experience Disney; therefore, every marathoner should do Disney. The medals this year were the best so far. LOVED the 1/2 medal. Mickey & Goofy were better than the 2009 ones. I can't speak highly enough about the organization, cleanliness, & the wonderful volunteers from the moment you walked on the property to pick up your packet. Many were senior citizen snowbirds who had to get up at 3 a.m.! So thankful for their support & encouragement. I LOVE THIS RACE. It truly is worth every penny & magical!
T. M. from USA (1/15/2012) "A lot of fun" (about: 2012) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Disney World Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This was my sixth marathon. I can take or leave Disney, so I approached this race with some trepidation, but I must say that I was pleasantly surprised. The race is extremely well organized. You know how frustrating it is at mile 20 when you stumble on an abrupt change in the gradient of the pavement? Well, Disney puts a 'cast member' there to point out the gradient change. Bring a camera, because there are great photo opportunities throughout the course.For example, they had a Haunted Mansion themed graveyard, and runners were lying next to headstones for a picture. In Animal Kingdom they brought out some of the animals so that runners could pet them and take photos. Oh, and Disney has a cast member at each of these little attractions who will take the picture for you.

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