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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 601 to 611]
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S. S. from New Jersey
(1/16/2005)
"5th time Disney Marathoner - a little disappointed" (about: 2005)
11-50 previous marathons
| 4-5 Disney World Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 This was my 5th Disney Marathon. I obviously love this race or I wouldn't keep coming back. Many of the positive comments have already been addressed (shirt, medal, super-friendly volunteers, etc) so I won't go over that again. I would like to say that unlike most, I really LIKE the 6 AM start. It's the coolest thing to run through EPCOT in the dark. Also makes for a nice day in that you're finished so early you can lounge by the pool the rest of the day! However, the one thing I really missed this year is the lack of entertainment along the course. In 2003 there were big Jumbo-Tron screens with music and someone on the microphone talking to the runners as they went by. There were also more characters and cast members out along the course. I missed those things this year. I'm also bummed that Disney has decided to move the half marathon to Saturday next year. This is family event for us and now it forces the marathoners to be on their feet running around the day before the event in order to spectate the half marathon. I would much rather Disney stick with their original plan -- all half and full marathoners starting together so we can experience the race simultaneously. It would be very hectic going through the pre- and post-race ritual twice in one weekend. | |
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Milehigh Runner from Golden, Colorado
(1/16/2005)
"Simply the best organized event anywhere" (about: 2005)
11-50 previous marathons
| 6+ Disney World Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Thank you Jon Hughes (Race Director) and Creigh Kelly - you guys are simply the best in the business, thank you both for another successful year. It is an event I look forward to each and every year. Also, special thanks to the Disney cast members for getting out there so early to cheer us on ? it is appreciated! This was my 13th marathon, and my 6th Disney Marathon in a row - I have run Boston 3 times as well as several triathlons including Ironman Hawaii in 2003. If you have not run this event you are missing the best - it is truly a world-class event. Marathon Weekend is about family values, fun and fundraising for a good cause to fight a terrible disease. It?s nice to know this event is more than just another marathon - it's also good to see it's not about prize money as there is none and will never be - as it?s not the purpose or direction of the event. It stands alone for an event of its size and is truly special. Positive improvements this year: - Fireworks at the start were a bit better this year as well as the pre-race music. - Band in the waiting queue was a great idea! I sure hope this is here to stay. - Course change was great, even the out-and-back near Wide World of Sports was fun. - Shirts are now hi-tech material - Support stations on the course are textbook perfect - Florida Health does an awesome job with the medical aid stations - Transportation to and from the race: Luxury tour busses! After finishing the race I walked not more than 100 yards and was brought back to the front door of my Disney Hotel. A nice perk for staying on Disney propriety - it just don?t get any better than this anywhere! - Entertainment on the course - love the gospel choir and bands are great and getting better each year. PLEASE KEEP THIS TREND GOING! - Disney characters are just too much fun and love the trivia questions. - Post-race party! Entry to Pleasure Island is free of charge to runners and 1/2 price to family and friends the night of the marathon following the race. A very cool as a perk ? THANK YOU! - The coolest medal Suggestions for next year: - Please bring back the Jumbo-Trons from the 10th anniversary they are missed. Also my pet peeve - PLEASE bring back the 100% embroidered sweatshirts (like 2000 and 2001) as a purchased souvenir ? QUALITY COUNTS, the silk screened stuff is pretty bad. YES, the organizers do listen and improve a little each year directly from comments here. I have seen this race change and mature - and that's not all! Next year in 2006 you can race the double (like Pike's Peak Ascent and Marathon offers) with the 1/2 marathon on Saturday and the marathon on Sunday. All I can say is keep up the great work I can't wait for next year! | |
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D. R. from Washington
(1/14/2005)
"Best time I've had with my running shoes on!" (about: 2005)
1 previous marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 As a mother, Disney fan, and first-time marathoner, this was an AWESOME experience for me. I have run many road races before, inlcuding half marathons, and this was the most fun I have had with my running shoes on! The great things about the race: running through the parks before they open; running 'behind the scenes' of the parks; large number of water stops, aid stations (with Biofreeze), food stops (for those who need it), and porta johns; great spectators throughout (though miles 18-21 are sparse); Disney characters and entertainment; the great finish line; and the many congrats I received while visiting the parks later. The downsides: too early a start (purely to get us out of the parks before they open); too long a walk from the staging area to the corrals then to the starting line (for some of us); and the Disney microstructure (transportation, hotel staff, even grounds workers) is just not as adept at handling this type of event as they are at running the parks. The buses are great for getting guests to the parks while they are open, but they are not as good at getting runners and spectators to locales at 5am. This race was definitely geared for those who want to have fun and for those who love Disney... I took pictures throughout the course, danced, and laughed, and managed to do it in under 4.5 hours. I will definitely be back... | |
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W. M. from Florida
(1/14/2005)
"Excellent Experience" (about: 2005)
First Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Disney was my very first marathon, and wanted to make some comments about the experience. I am a local, so did not stay on the grounds, but rather drove to the race the morning of the event. Expo--race packet pick-up/registration was a breeze. Went down on Friday evening, in and out very quickly. Not much to the expo itself, lots of vendors selling a bunch of running gear, that is about it. No seminars or anything like that going on when I was there (although some were scheduled later). Race Start--yes, getting there at 4 a.m. is very early, but the time went by fast. The staging area was well organized with lots of (actually, tons of) port-o-johns. The music on stage was great, and the guy did a great job making general announcements. Corral Start--great--tons of room in the corrals. Music videos playing with announcements every so often. Disney did a great job passing the time. Race Course--overall, just great. A couple of boring stretches (run from Magic Kingdom to Animal Kingdom comes to mind), but Disney tried to do a good job with a few bands and Disney characters along the way. More than enough volunteers and tons of water/Powerade stations. We needed a ton, as warm as it was. Actually this was the warmest start in Disney Marathon history. Overall, just a great experience, the hundreds of volunteers that gave up their time to help did a super job, thank you!! Disney is expensive to run, but everything is very well organized. Disney is an expert at moving thousands of people around very quickly. See ya next year, with the marathon and half-marathon on different days for the first time. Thank you to the event coordinator, EMI, another super job as always! | |
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scott gaye from oakville ontairo canada
(1/14/2005)
"better than expected after reading last year's com" (about: 2005)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Disney World Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 Disney must be reading this site. All the negative comments that I read must have been addressed by Disney. Great technical long-sleeve running top that I can actually use, being from Canada. Not a lot of crowds along the way but I expected that; but the ones that were there were great. You also had your name printed on your bib and I had people cheering me by name. Early start was nice - I was finished by 9:30, so I had the rest of the day. The expo could have been a little bigger but I still found a good deal on a new pair of Asics. Another thing I liked was that there were lots of porta-potties, lots of bushes and lots of aid stations. The course basically is pretty easy; I ran Boston, Chicago & New York this year and had my best time at Disney. I stayed at the All-Star resort and it was only $77.00, which I thought was a good deal (sat by the pool all day Saturday and met lots of runners, which was nice and motivating). Race morning, lots of buses to take you to the start. I am thinking I might go back next year... | |
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Shellie Notzon from San Antonio, Texas
(1/14/2005)
"Fun marathon course through theme parks" (about: 2005)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Disney World Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 This is my 3rd marathon and my 1st Disney. It was a fantastic experience and very well organized. I agree with other runner comments however that the expo is smaller than I expected for such a large marathon, and there aren't any samples or any interesting booths. Also, the web page for the marathon is seriously lacking. They need to look at other marathon sites for guidance. The volunteers at water stops and spectators are very friendly and supportive (many yelled out my name off my customized race number as I passed by). The weather (which the organizers can't control or predict) was too warm for January--even if this is FL. The medal is very nice and so is the tech shirt. Although it is an extremely early start to get out by bus, I was pleasantly surprised that it didn't seem that long of a wait till start time. Also--unlike the other marathons I have run--there was no lack of porta-johns during the race, which is nice. Overall I would recommend this marathon to anyone who loves the idea of running through the Disney parks and who likes going up there to ride some rides before and after the marathon as some vacation time. One word of caution for those trying for a PR--this is more of a 'walker's' marathon--as there are many people attempting their 1st marathon at Disney who are walking rather than running. This could make it difficult to get past them during the race - especially the first few miles if you don't get one of the first corrals (A,B). | |
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J. L. from Jacksonville, FL
(1/14/2005)
"Outstanding Event!" (about: 2005)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Disney World Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my first marathon and it exceeded all of my expectations. There were plenty of beverage/food tables, the support was excellent and the specators were extremely enthusiastic. The 6am start was early but worth being able to run through Epcot while it was lit up. | |
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M. M. from Birmingham, AL
(1/14/2005)
"Race is awesome, but more is needed" (about: 2005)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Disney World Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 5 If I would limit my comments to just the race itself, this would be an excellent review. I was extremely impressed with the course and the efforts made to entertain runners during difficult stretches. In particular, the trivia questions during the boring uphill run from Magic Kingdom to Animal Kingdom were a great idea. Also, using the corrals for starting positions is very favorable. I was in Corral B and finished with a time of 3:48. I was very pleased with that performance. However, let me make a few comments of criticism. First, as mentioned earlier, the communication and webpage was horrible. Also, you would think that a race of this size would offer some nice perks besides medal and shirts, which are very nice. I must be spoiled from my previous marathon in Birmingham, AL (Mercedes Marathon), but the pre- and post-race offerings are lacking. I am a serious runner, but I am not a 'health nut.' I would have liked to see some type of food at the end besides fruit and Rice Krispy treats. Also, my previous marathon offered free massages at the end. I was taken back that you had to pay for a massage. Also, I can understand that adult beverages at the end may not be appropriate for Disney. No big deal, but would have been nice if available. Overall, I would still do Disney again!!! | |
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D. V. from Durham, NC
(1/14/2005)
"Spectators were great" (about: 2005)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Disney World Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 This was my first marathon in over 20 years. The race itself was well organized and even when the half and full marathon runners ran together, the marshals did a great job directing the runners appropriately. The course is flat. The only negatives for me were that running through the parks was on concrete, which is pretty hard on the legs at the end and there was a stretch early on behind a concrete plant which had just foul air. The shirt was very nice quality and the medal is tremendous. The pre-race expo was held on Friday and Saturday inside a very nice complex with a soccer tournament out back. Even with the large crowds, I got in and out pretty quickly. This is a very good first-timer race with plenty of support along the way, both in terms of mental from the large groups of cheering fans and physical from well-staffed water and aid stations. I heard that some of the previous races had revolting porta-johns in the latter stages of the race, but that wasn't the case for me. I truly enjoyed getting back into the race with Disney. | |
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S. B. from Buffalo, New York
(1/12/2005)
"My first marathon" (about: 2005)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Disney World Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my first marathon ever. My friend ran it with her mother last year and recommended that I try it. I trained on my own. I ran it by myself. That did not matter, however, because this marathon was so MUCH FUN!!! It was organized so well and at every turn there was some Disney character or music to get you through. The fans were amazing. There were at least 5 different bands, most of them with young children or teens in them, that came out on their own time on Sunday to play for the runners. It was the most amazing thing I have ever seen or done. This year the weather happened to be in the 80?s by the afternoon and Disney provided enough water, PowerAde, and nourishments. Later in the night there was a ceremony and we were able to get into downtown Disney?s bars free along with our friends. I would like to run at least 2 more marathons this year, but I do not want to be letdown by them because Disney?s marathon has caused my expectations to be so high. I would recommend this race to anyone. I will be signing up this weekend for Disney?s 2006 marathon. |
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