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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 101 to 111]

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Bernie Skoch from Arkansas (1/13/2012) "Always a GREAT Marathon" (about: 2012) 6-10 previous marathons \| 6+ Disney World Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This is an AWESOME marathon! Pre-race is crowded, and the walk to the starting corrals is a hike. The early start doesn't help. But after that, it's awesome! The start is superb as Mickey, Minnie, Donald, and Goofy wave you off to fireworks. Yes, you have to run on the roads between parks, but the race support is the best I have seen ANYWHERE! And as for having to run on roads, Disney owns them, they are immaculate. There is NO traffic, the volunteers, water stops, food stops, 'surprises' (high school bands, full-size hot-air balloons with gondolas, Disney characters, and other COOL stuff!). The course has some hills, but they aren't too bad, and the roads are wide enough that you can always grab the crown. I know of NO better marathon anywhere, I love this race and will keep coming back!
R. K. from Tennessee (1/13/2012) "Enjoy Disney by having the correct expectations" (about: 2012) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Disney World Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I really enjoyed myself. Getting to start in corral B was a big plus to my enjoyment which I was allowed since I had previously run a marathon under 4 hours. This allowed me to go for a PR which I missed by 1 minute. I had read before going to the race that only about 25% - 30% of the course are the Disney parks otherwise you wouldn't know if you were in Nebraska, Indiana or Florida on the back roads so I wasn't disappointed since I expected it. The marketing that every mile is 'magical' may only be true if you get an extra boost out of knowing your running on land Disney owns and not because you're looking at familiar Disney landmarks along the entire route. I stayed off about 10 minutes from Epcot. Woke up at 2:00 and arrived at Epcot by 2:30 am to beat the traffic jam that was coming (I was by myself on the Disney road coming in). I kicked back in my car like many others I saw and set my phone alarm in case I fell asleep. At 4:10 I walked (I counted 200 steps so I could easily find my way back to the car afterward) to the tents and waiting area to get ready to go to the start line. At 4:30 they opened the gate and it took another 20 minutes to walk to corral B. I waited from about 5:00 to 5:30 for the elites and corral A to start and 5:35 or so for Corral B to start. I may only do this once but it was worth doing the Goofy Challenge at least once in my life. I was satisfied along the route enjoying what I called the Disney signature moments that no other marathon can offer. I can't speak to the experience if one was in corrals C - H but my guess is that you want to be in Corrals A - C. You can't avoid the crowded running in any of the corrals but my guess is the farther back the corral the more crowded and frustrating it becomes. I do remember a smell on the outskirts entering Animal Kingdom. Maybe that was the sewage plant mentioned in one comment? I thought it had to do with the animals but I don't know. It seemed to be only a 5 minute issue when I was in that area. Good quality medals. I love the Mickey and Goofy medals. The 15th Anniversary Donald medal was alright but a bit 'busy' looking. Next year is the 20th anniversary of the marathon so they may do something different with Mickey as well. Go enjoy the race with the correct expectations if you're thinking about it. I personally thought of the 39.3 miles over 2 days as 'running boot camp' to get me kick started for 2012 after all the holiday laziness. Getting in corral B and less crowds was a surprise so I ran it harder than I planned and almost had a PR.
K. B. from North Carolina (1/12/2012) "LOVE LOVE LOVE DISNEY" (about: 2012) 11-50 previous marathons \| 3 Disney World Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my third Disney Marathon and I enjoy it more each time. In reference to other reviews that were disappointed in the 'Sewage portion' and the stretches on highway, I suggest running some more marathons around the country and you will see that they all have high and low points. It is correct that the 'eau de toilet' was a little stronger this year than in years past, but I guess the wind was just blowing in the wrong direction (Or maybe the animals ate Mexican the night before :)) but, really, it's only about 100 yards-not a deal breaker. Miles 18-22 are a little lonely and arguably the 'gut check' portion of the race, but I knew that going in even the first time (thanks to the great reviews on MG.com) so I treated that portion as just a 4 mile race-within-a-race and ticked them off one at a time. I was then rewarded with a run through Hollywood Studios (Looked just like I was in NYC), a beautiful run along a shaded path next to a river, a thrilling run through EPCOT where the fan support is unbelievable, rounding the corner to see the gospel choir singing their hearts out and a finish line worthy of a rock star. And that's just the portion AFTER mile 22...The early morning start with fireworks and music, running through EPCOT with the park lights sparkling, running through the Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom are so fun. Yes, there are highways in between, but HOW ELSE COULD WE GET TO GO THROUGH ALL FOUR PARKS WITHOUT TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY??? They aren't side-by-side. Again, I suggest researching any race you want to do by reading the great reviews on this site. If you do, you will not go to Disney expecting 26.2 miles of non-stop entertainment. You will know that you get about as close as any race can come to providing that. 26.2 miles is a looong way. There are always going to be some dead zones. Disney is my favorite for sure.
c. s. from ny, ny (1/12/2012) "AWESOME RACE!!!" (about: 2012) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Disney World Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This is definitely one of the best marathons the US has to offer! I dont see how any one who loves marathons can say otherwise! (ok fine one negative....waking up at 3AM for a 5:30 race start....but thats about it). the start is awesome - with fireworks...running thru the parks is amazing....even running on the streets in between was great. there was tons of post race food. getting to and from my hotel was so easy (if you stay at a disney hotel and u get shuttle busses to and from the race....very easy to get to....right by the finish area). very well organized, great expo.... ill be back!!!
R. L. from Adrian, MI (1/12/2012) "Amazing logistical feat pulled off by the Mouse" (about: 2012) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Disney World Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I am not sure what people expect...maybe it's just runners like (have to?) complain! The Marathon course winds between the parks and takes you to some behind the scenes areas of the Mouse's house. Where else will you see the greenhouses and the animal pens. Aid stations are well staffed. Water/food stops are thought out well. Entertainment abounds. I never once felt board, or put out by the course. The volunteers and especially the staff of Disney are enthusiasticly cheering you on as you run by and make a point to call out your name. In addition guests of the parks and resorts are out in full force to cheer you on. As to the comments about the smell...folks, that wasn't sewage, that was the compost pile. As for the comments about food at the end...I got a bottle of water, bottle of poweraid, banana, orange, bagel, clif bar, clif shot, gummies, can of pop. What else do you want? Furthermore there were food trucks in the runner reunion area. You want more, go get it. I had a wonderful cupcake! The food trucks were an awesome touch...nothing like breakfast with the family. Also, the buses back to the resorts...I waited 5 minutes tops, in the bus.
T. R. from Pensacola, Florida (1/11/2012) "Great fun race" (about: 2012) 2 previous marathons \| 1 Disney World Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 The race was phenomenal. 17,000 people running was great and a spectacle. The course opens up enough that if you need a BQ it can be done. There are some tight spaces but mostly one has plenty of room to go at your own pace. I am not fond of getting up at 2:30 am for a 5:30 am start. There are lots of people and lots of waiting once you get there. If one has the money, it is best to stay at the Grand Floridian or Polynesian since we get the tram instead of a bus and the busses can get backed up. We stayed at the Floridian and got there super fast. Do the race retreat! You get a heated tent with chairs, food, coffee, your own drop bag place and can hang out before and after the run. Well worth it versus sitting in a large parking lot. Get to the start line early. The 10 minute walk turns out to be 30 minutes and you may miss your corral so I say start walking at 445 am.
B. H. from Datona Beach, FL (1/10/2012) "Good race, well staffed, and fun." (about: 2012) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Disney World Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 Disney does what they do very well. They handle crowds and create unique experiences. Of course you have to wait in line sometimes, and the the early start is painful. This race is fun. It seemed like every mile had a water station and Disney experience. The music was always changing as you were greeted by new characters and floats. The time really did fly by. The course challenges are not hills, it's twist, turns and chagnes. Runners narrowing from an 8 lane boulevard to a walking trail can be difficult. This is a nice race for recreational runners, first timers, and Disney fans.
A. M. from St. Augustine, FL (1/9/2012) "Disney does not cater to runners" (about: 2012) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Disney World Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 This was my first marathon, and I was pretty disappointed. Running through the parks was very cool, but that was about 25% of the race. You are mostly running behind the parks on service roads. Spectators are very limited in where they can go to cheer. Also Disney does not cater to runners. Our hotel checkout time was before I finished running the marathon, and trying to push it back was difficult. If you do this race, stay until Monday. After the marathon I was forced to walk (limp) 30 minutes to a bus and go straight back to hotel to check out. There were limited food and celebration after the race as well. There were a lot of food and water and medical stops during the race, and the Disney volunteers were very helpful and encouraging. All in all, it was a bit of a disappointment.
j. w. from Midwest (1/9/2012) "An absolutely OUTSTANDING event!" (about: 2012) 50+ previous marathons \| 2 Disney World Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I can't begin to think of anything wrong with this race. And why would I (or anybody) try? It is nothing but FUN start to finish... It's amazing The Disney employees and volunteers work as hard as the athletes, cheering so enthusiastically for so many hours. They deserve true gratitude from all of us runners. Really...If you run, this is a 'Must do'. I did the Goofy Challenge the past two years, and will be back!
R. W. from Minnesota (1/9/2012) "If you love Disney you will love this raced" (about: 2012) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Disney World Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 A great place for my first marathon. As other have said though, they need to improve the distractions from miles 18 to 21. They added a lot of porta-potti's at the beginning and along the course to minimize the tree watering. Where else can you bask in the glory of a marathon finish with others for a day or two following the race at the parks.

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