Race Report: Walt Disney World Half Marathon
My first race of 2011 is in the books. It was a very surprising result and I hope it is a sign of positive things to come from my year of running. I ended up hitting a PR by 10 seconds with a 1:39:14. Considering that I went into the race not wanting to try and PR and with not aggressively training it was a pleasant surprise.
I’ve been debating over the past few days how I would present my review of the Disney Half Marathon and I realized that I have to be as honest as possible. I am going to preface this by reiterating what I said in my race preview, and that is that I love Disney World and spent many wonderful times there as a kid. I was excited to run Disney since I heard from countless people that it was one of the elite big races and that its crowd, expo, transportation and experience rivals other big races.
(Big races from here on out will be considered the NYC marathon/half , Chicago marathon and Rock n Roll races. If Disney puts themselves in the elite big race category then they need to be compared with the others in this category. I have run the NYC marathon/half, Chicago marathon and Rock n Roll Philly)
The Expo: Not what one would expect from a large race, especially one that had 27,000 half marathoners and 15,000+ marathoners in one weekend. I liked how they separated the bib pick-up with the expo section. Getting your bib was seamless and pretty standard to other big races. I thought that the bib design was a bit funky, not your standard size, pretty big and not sure what the wasted space was for. I ended up folding over the bib to create a standard size bib to clip to my shirt. After bib collection you make your way to the expo building; I now know why they had bib collection in a different building and it was not by design. The expo was in a very small building and was too small to accommodate over 40,000 runners and families during a weekend. Packed into the space was all the standard people you expect to see at an expo, the quality was definitely there. What wasn’t available was the inventory, the Timex booth said it would be sold out of watches and one guy said he sold the watch on his wrist. The Nike booth was one of the most anemic I have seen at any big race; limited gear and not much selection. The space was cramped and there was too many people- I almost felt like I was on a crowded NYC subway platform during rush hour. Other big races have ample space, fantastic/unique booths that have loads of room and no crowd control problems. This expo was not big race worthy.
Race Transportation: As I said before one of the reasons I wanted to run Disney was to experience a big race in a place that was totally unique. One of the selling points to Disney was that I was told they were “masters” of people transportation and logistics. In my opinion and from experiences during the weekend the Disney people failed multiple times.
Runners were told to board a bus from their resort between 3:00-4:00 am to ensure they got to the staging area with enough time to check bags and get to the corrals. Disney warned that they would close corrals at 5:00 am for a 5:30 am start. Okay, easy enough, I could follow these directions. We boarded a bus from our resort at 3:45 am; they loaded us up and put people in the aisle to stand. When we left there was at least another 200 people in line waiting for the next bus. The person at the loading area was clueless on the logistics and timing as he sent a bus away completely empty. At 5:00 am we were still on the bus sitting in traffic. There were other buses all around us sitting in traffic. Why didn’t they have one lane designated for buses into the staging area? Why did we have to sit in the traffic? There was no traffic on the other side of the road.
We ended up getting dropped off at the staging area at 5:05 am, 5 min after the corrals closed- we still had to check bags, go over a half mile to the corrals, get a final stretch and final pee. I checked my bag and literally ran through thousands of people to get to corral A. Along the way you had Disney employees saying “hurry up, you are not going to make it to your corrals, they are closing”. Talk about unnecessarily causing stress! Wasn’t like I overslept or missed the bus….your stupid transportation put me in this position.
After the race there was zero information or direction on how to catch buses back to hotels. One person said to walk a half mile across the parking lot of Epcot, once there no bus. No signs. Nothing. We walked with other frustrated runners to another section of the parking lot that rumored to have the buses, nothing. We ended up taking a cab back to our Disney hotel.
Let’s compare this to NYC, which was efficient and worked like a well-0iled machine. It brings more runners than Disney to Staten Island via boat with no issues or confusion. Disney can not A) charge runners $135 for a race that has such terrible transportation and B) consider itself a big race when there is such confusion from runners.
The Race: This was the best part of the day, actually running. I knew it would be dark for a majority of the race and I was okay with that. I was okay with the dead areas as you ran between parks because again I was prepared for that. The course entertainment was good, when there were crowds they were supportive and loud. The course has lots of twists and turns and the course narrows in many sections causing bottlenecks; almost to a walk (even from corral A). Running through the Magic Kingdom was awesome- great crowds, characters everywhere and fun to run through the park that I loved so much as a kid. It was a great feeling and was the highlight for me. I felt that the course was great, there really are no major elevation changes but from mile 10-12 you cross some overpasses that make the final miles of the half very challenging; they were well placed. Running in Epcot at the end of the race was a bit disappointing as there were no crowds cheering in the park; you quickly exit to the Epcot parking lot to the finish with thousands of cheering fans.
My Race: I went out at about an 8:15-8:30 pace over the first three miles; since I rushed to the start I wanted to start slowly. Just before mile 3 I stopped to go to the bathroom- when I got back out I glanced at my watch to see where I was at over the first 5k; I did not look at my watch again until mile 11. I took the advice of Shalane Flanagan, I was patient and let the race come to me. When I did look at my watch I realized that I had a pretty good shot to finish with a strong time. I ended up making up about 2 min on the final 2+ miles and had a strong kick to the finish. I felt strong throughout and was thrilled with how my body reacted each time I tried to push myself. Overall it was a great race and solid race experience. Water stations were plenty and stocked, course logistics (including the start and finish) were perfect. The Donald Duck medal was very, very nice, too.
Final Word: You can’t charge runners $135 to run your race and have the issues with transportation that we saw. You can’t charge $136 and stuff in as many runners as Disney did and have an expo with the deficiencies that we saw. Disney calls itself a major/big race, well compared to NYC marathon/half, Chicago Marathon and Rock n Roll Philly half, Disney failed on many many levels. This is my opinion, I know many others love Disney. I just don’t think that it should be ranked up there with NYC, Chicago and Rock n Roll races.
Also, not only was $135 t
he race fee, but we spent an absolute fortune! Disney must have made out like kings! Why didn’t half finishers get reduced entrance into a park on Saturday? If, and this is a big IF, I run Disney again I would probably stay at a local hotel and not in the park which has a marathon special. For example the Hilton Bonnet Creek had a deal for runners that included reduced room rate, transportation to/from event, pasta dinner, reduced spa fees and other. No way would I have given all that money to Disney, I likely would have gone to Universal and avoided Disney altogether. We did enjoy a bar crawl through the Epcot countries later in the day.
This is tough for me to say considering how much I love Disney. I really, really wanted to write a good review and have positive things to say- but I can’t. In my opinion it was very disorganized and too expensive for the experience. In fact, I would not recommend this race to a first time runner of a marathon or half marathon. Imagine if you trained for your first half marathon, paid to go to Disney and were sitting on a bus at 5:05 am when corrals have supposedly closed. Imagine the stress you would have felt during your first race.
I just could not believe how unorganized Disney was. On Sunday when we were trying to see my sister run the full, the monorail went down with people stuck trying to get to the finish area to see loved ones cross the finish line. These problems do happen, I get it, but just too many things happened for me to think that this race is a well-oiled machine like NYC, Chicago and the Rock n Roll series.
Congrats to the wifey who ran a solid half and also congrats to my sister who ran a marathon PR by 5 min and her friend Tabbi who also ran a PR by 41 min.
this is an awesome race report. i found the same issues last year, but i stayed out of the resort and did not have transportation isues. the expo though – was a cluster last year too. great race for you and your wifey and your sister!!!
It is just frustrating because you read from Disney how great THEY are.
Agreed the Disney expos are not that great. I did Princess Half in 2009 and Goofy Challenge in 2010. I figured I was just spoiled by the fabulous Rock n Roll expos! (I’ve done several) Our Disney buses took forever, too, but I wasn’t that late for any races. Maybe our hotels were closer?
I might run another half there someday but probably won’t run the full unless I do Goofy again (I might be that crazy) … the dead zones on the highway make it a pretty tough race!
The Goofy runners are nuts. Half on Sat, full on Sun. Crazy.
I hate that you guys didn’t have as great an experience as me & the Hubs did. We LOVED it! Although, we didnt experience any of the problems you did.
We boarded our bus at 3:15 and made it there before 4, we also paid for the race retreat package so we had a nice non crowded tent to check our bags, eat a great breakfast and mats for stretching. But outside of the tent, I agree it was a MESS! We didn’t even know what direction to head in towards the corrals. We went one way then had to turn around and walk all the way to the opposite end. It was pure chaos out there with all the other runners.
The race itself we thought was great. The only part we didn’t like was the one narrow section of miles but when we finished ( way after you did lol) there were a lot of people out cheering.
After the race we went back to out race retreat tent and enjoyed a great brunch, lots of tables to sit and eat at and when we went to pick up our bag they saw my number and had it waiting before I could even make it to the table. Finding the buses to go back was out of pure luck, lol. We just happened to see them lined up in a clearing in the crowd. We also got incredibly lucky that there wasn’t a line for our bus. We climbed right on, waited two minutes and were off. (We stayed at Coronado Springs)
The expo was crowded but I loved all the vendors. I did the country music half that is part of the Rock n Roll Series and that expo didnt even compare to this one but I also haven’t ever seen an expo for the other big races you’ve been to so I can’t compare.
We will definitely do other Disney races but I doubt we would if we had had the same experience you did. And we also haven’t experienced the other big races you’ve done so I dont really have anything else to compare it to.
And yes, it definitely cost a fortune to participate in this race lol. But everything went smoothly for us and the customer service from every worker was phenomenal.
So happy you guys had a great experience, happy that it all went smoothly. The race retreat sounds like it was worth it.
From what I read on Twitter, you’re not alone in the experience. You should email this to the race director(s).
I was thinking about doing that. I’m sure it would not get a response.
I think your review would be good feedback for the race directors. You’re not over-reacting or bashing them, simply recounting the areas that they need to improve upon.
Congrats on the PR- at least there’s a bright spot to your experience!
-Melissa
If I knew who ti send it to, I would!
My mom ran the full yesterday and I was there as a spectator, something I’m going to write about later this week. I totally, totally agree with you about the expo. Basically, my mom and I just walked through the expo and left because it was just too crazy. Too many people, not enough room. I felt claustrophobic!
There were a lot less marathon runners so transportation wasn’t really any issue. (Plus, we left at 3am because my mom was worried about traffic concerns.) It sucks you had that happen to you…sounds awful.
Oh…and I wish there was some food for spectators. I would’ve paid $10 for a pretzel to just eat SOMETHING.
Congrats on the PR, though! That’s an amazing pace!!
Congrats to your mom!
On Sunday, for the full, we waited 2 mins for a bus at 3:50am, and was at epcot by 4:20am…so dumb luck, a race of this size will have positive and negative experiences. Also, for transportation back to the hotel after, waited 10 min, on the bus, and were shuttled back efficiently.
But the complaints of all my family, the spectators, were unprecedented compared to the Disney halfs/marathons I’ve run before. No buses to be found…broken down monorails. My parents met other spectators that were literally in tears as they couldn’t meet their loved ones on the course. Again, chalk it up to big race numbers.
But totally agree with Scott…if Disney wants to be amongst the most heralded of race events, it has to get more consistent. Especially with the Disney costs (entry fee, hotel, food, etc) associated with it.
I’ve done Disney events because they were close to home…but even though I had a memorable race, I’m ready to spread my wings to try another major event. The motivation to do that, personally, is now so palpable I can taste it!
Also…the expo…I didn’t get to Disney until 4:30 on Sat. And it was empty. Different from other races, where I was there early on either Fri or Sat, and it was jammed. Again…inconsistency. That’s a major theme here, especially for someone like me who has run different Disney races over the years. Especially for a destination who prides themselves, in everyday operations, to moving crowds efficiently.
Sorry, one more thought…the volunteers and employees on the course were out of this world. Encouraging, upbeat, welcoming…and most probably didn’t know the first thing about running, but they were cheering and smiling and clapping…especially since there were definitely areas no spectators were allowed access to.
Thanks sis for the comments! Congrats again on your marathon finish! Next stop, NYC marathon.
Great recap. You make a lot of great points on both ends of the spectrum. For me, some of the roads were just too narrow for that many runners. Also, I understand they gave out the finisher’s medal to runners that were swept of the course. Is that a standard practice that I’m just not aware of as a newbie?
Anyways, I’m glad that this Disney half was my first 1/2 marathon experience. I am proud to say I reached my goal of “finishing strong” with a 2:45:05 official time. My first (of a few) recaps of the entire weekend go up in the morning!
Congrats again on a solid first race of the year! Here’s to many more for you in 2011!
Great race and congratulations on your first half marathon!
Congrats on a solid race! Too bad the rest of your experience wasn’t as pleasant.
It was a great 13.1 miles, the rest was a bit frustrating. Oh well.
I am amazed by your time, congrats! After having run the half the last 3 years, this year we hopped on a bus at 3:15 and made it to Epcot in less than 15 minutes (but we were staying at POFQ, which is unbelievably close – the main reason we stay there). In past years, I had heard similar stories to what you experienced, so we always make sure that we’re on the “early” side of the time span they state. I also think the Expo crowds vary widely, and really depend on time of day and what day you’re there. We picked up packets Friday afternoon, and yes, it was crowded, but not unmanageable… This is one of the races where being a “back of the pack-er” really works in your favor, because the parks are open by the time you reach them, so I always get to see plenty of spectators! I do agree that the entry fee of $135 is really steep (last year you at least got a cool mesh bag & disposable camera out of it), especially since it’s now the same price as the full marathon! I’m really sorry that you had some negative experiences outside the race – it can definitely color the whole experience. Hopefully you’ll run it again and have a better experience next time!
I just can’t get over race fees increasing and the bang for your buck decreasing.
I’m really sorry you had such a bad experience… My boyfriend and I ran our first half marathon on Saturday and really enjoyed all of it. I agree with you that the Expo was extremely over crowded and as far as merchandse I’m not sure because I wasn’t interested enough in it to look around… But, we stayed at a monorail resort and transportation was flawless. We boarded at the Contemporary at 3:45, got directly on an Epcot monorail at the Ticket & Transportation Center and were at the bag check by 4:10. After reading your review, I’m really glad we made the decision to stay at a monorail resort! I hope you try another race someday and have a different experience!
Great advice for all future runners, stay at a hotel that has monorail transportation!
Scott,
So happy you ran a great race there. I also had a great day on Sunday in the marathon. I wish I had known that you were going. This was my 11th year in a row at Disney. What I have learned in 11 years has been enormous. One big lesson I learned years ago was rent a car and stay off Disney property. This reduces the stress incredibly and allows you to be much more in control. If you plan on going back and I hope you do you and I should talk because Disney Marathon weekend can be done perfectly you just have to know the tricks of that weekend.
GO SU FOOTBALL KICKERS!!!
I’ve heard the same complaints from a few people and I hate that people had a bad experience! Things were definitely different this year and it doesn’t make sense as to why. A few of our friends were also stuck on busses at 5am and had to sprint to the start lines. I swear last year they did have bus specific lanes, not sure why they didn’t this year. Heard a lot about the crowding during the half and I think Disney has officially figured out that 27k runners just isn’t feasible unless they spread out the waves more. Luckily the full wasn’t as chaotic. The busses back to the resort have been in the same location every year so it’s Disney and the volunteers faults for not knowing. I feel like this is just information that NEEDS to be shared amongst people helping to run the show.
If you post your race report on the disboards, someone will see it – they have plenty of disney spies over there – but better yet, I would go to the rundisney.com website – on the left hand side they have a contact us section – just choose any race and it will bring up their e-mail address. Disney loves feedback and although I had a great experience at the WDW Marathon I do know where you are coming from. But, I do always stay off-site during all the races to avoid more hassles. The problem with Disney runners is that most are really novices so they get confused and create confusion around them it seems. But, after running one Disney race you do learn the ropes really well and learn that there are more benefits to staying off property usually. The medals and the mood of the race are what keep me coming back.
Thanks for your report. It was great and I do hope that you contact the Disney folks to help them change things for the better.