During the last decade plus of teaching, myself and my workforce, I’ve helped numerous runners put together for runDisney races from a 5K to the Dopey Problem.
It’s at all times a blast placing collectively the coaching plan and determining the logistics for ramping the physique up for the weekend’s back-to-back race challenges. We now have numerous expertise making that occur.
However having lastly accomplished a runDisney race at Walt Disney World Resort, I now have a brand new bevy of tricks to impart! Thanks a lot to Enterprise for giving me this chance.
Why folks love runDisney?
There are numerous solutions to this query and a few of our athletes, like Stephanie, who’ve achieved a TON of those races would most likely sum it up by saying “as a result of they’re enjoyable!”
Listed below are a couple of extra key causes:
- Races really feel actually inclusive to all paces, all our bodies, all ages
- It’s much less severe because of the ambiance and the costumes
- Likelihood to see the parks otherwise
- An excuse to expertise just a little Disney magic
What number of runDisney races are there?
The precise variety of races appears to vary just a little annually, however there’s excess of the massive weekend in January when of us do the Goofy Problem, Dopey Problem and the Walt Disney World Marathon.
The Dopey Problem is doing a race every day: 5K, 10k, Half Marathon and Marathon.
For instance, in March was the runDisney Springtime Shock Weekend which had a 5K, 10K, 10-miler and a problem if you happen to accomplished all three. In the meantime there’s additionally the Disney Wine and Dine Half Marathon Weekend and the Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend.
What’s included in your race price?
Your race entry doesn’t embrace entry to any of the parks. However it is possible for you to to park at no cost previous to the race as a result of the parks are usually not open but.
The next are included:
- The race itself (plus on target help)
- Race shirt
- Race medal
- End line meals (banana, drink, a couple of different issues relying on the theme)
- Buses to and from the resorts
13 Newbie runDisney Suggestions
Placing on each my teaching hat, my runner hat, and my like to journey hat, I’ve obtained a couple of key suggestions that I believe will make sure you a enjoyable time. Whether or not that is your first race ever or just the primary one you’ve achieved like this,
Let’s work by issues so as!
#1 Expo
A couple of week previous to the expo, you’ll get an e-mail that it’s good to screenshot. That is your entry cross to the expo and obligatory to choose up your bib.
If you registered and created an account, it additionally requested you to login and signal a digital waiver. You probably have not signed that waiver, you gained’t obtain that cross. That is all exterior of the My Disney Expertise App.
The runDisney Well being & Health Expo is at all times held at ESPN Extensive World of Sports activities Complicated.
- Parking is free right here
- You’ll see indicators that simply information you thru the expo
- Cease 1 is to choose up your bib
- There you’ll be able to look by all of the distributors (it’s nonetheless a big expo in comparison with most races)
- Cease 2 within the subsequent constructing shall be your race shirt
- On the way in which out you’ll be able to go in to a 3rd constructing for different merchandise
#2 Race Pictures
You probably have the My Disney Expertise app, then you’ll be able to join your race bib to simply see any of the pictures after the race. They’re posted quicker than any occasion I’ve ever participated in!
You’ll must know the code for the race and your bib quantity to hyperlink the 2.
Right here’s the place to search out your race code:
Presently the choices given to buy your pictures are both all of your Disney pictures or simply your pictures from at some point. When you’re doing the parks that day, you will get a number of different enjoyable group pictures and purchase your entire day for $79.
#3 Character Pictures
One of many causes folks do these races is to cease and take pictures with characters!
- Anticipate strains, however know that they transfer rapidly
- Pictures are being taken by the professionals for PhotoPass
- Working in a gaggle will enable one individual to sprint forward to get in line
- One individual can go determine who the characters are at that cease
- The primary characters you come throughout might have the shortest line
- Traces get longer because the race continues as a result of folks understand they haven’t stopped but for pictures
#4 Your Personal Pictures
Races all begin after park hours, which suggests it’s probably going to be darkish for a lot of the race. To get pictures of your self, wait until you hit areas the place there are numerous road lamps, or you’ll be able to dart to a aspect angle close to some characters which I’ll have achieved.
Don’t be afraid to say hello to different runners in costumes and ask to take their picture. 99.9% of them are THRILLED as a result of they liked taking the time to create such superior costumes!
#5 Wake Up Time
The one space I used to be nervous about was the three:30AM get up. Particularly since my physique would suppose it was 1:30AM.
But it surely’s race day! You rise up, the adrenaline will get pumping, and also you simply go.
#6 Begin Line Parking
I’m at all times nervous about driving to races and discovering a large line of vehicles. However the runDisney workforce are specialists at dealing with vehicles and transportation, so this was tremendous clean.
Having our Enterprise rental automotive was so handy and a giant aid as we nervous about potential rain. I knew we might dangle within the automotive if wanted!!
After parking, plan for roughly a 30-minute stroll out of your automotive to the beginning corrals.
You probably have household supporting you and never working with you through the race, there are bleachers the place they’ll hang around and wait so that you can end and entertain themselves with a couple of meals vehicles.
#7 Bag Examine
If you decide up your race shirt, you’ll be supplied with a transparent bag that you should use for bag test initially line. The method is tremendous straightforward.
You’ll see vehicles lined up with indicators. Give your bag to a volunteer and go run the race!
Publish-race, as you exit the road to your complimentary banana, you’ll see the gear test indicators and discover the identical truck. Exhibiting them your bib, you’ll then have your sweat free gear again.
#8 Beginning Teams
After getting into the race space, we discovered TONS of porta potties. Actually I’ve by no means seen a race the place I didn’t have to attend in line till this one!
You’ll then see every beginning group marked. Somebody is on the entry to attempt to maintain folks going the place they need to.
Your beginning group is marked within the prime nook of your bib (nobody talked about this to me!)
Anticipate that there’s a WIDE vary of paces in your beginning group.
When you’re hoping to run greater than stroll, get there early sufficient to work your technique to the entrance of your corral, and be exact in your deliberate end time.
#9 Begin Line
In my previous races, every corral was its personal wave and that’s what I anticipated right here. Nevertheless, we discovered that inside every corral there ended up being 4-6 beginning waves.
This was enjoyable since you obtained to see fireworks every time, that they had nice announcers and music to maintain issues full of life.
Additionally, this was really key as a result of a lot of the course is slim and with out these waves it might have been not possible to run.
#10 Bear in mind the Focus is Having Enjoyable
Whereas I do know a variety of our runners have had PRs at these races, that’s extra of a bonus than the main focus. As an alternative of worrying about tempo, dial it again.
This can be a nice likelihood to keep in mind that you LOVE to run. And every part about these occasions is designed to maintain issues enjoyable. From the costumes of your fellow runners to the characters on target.
Letting go of tempo means you’ll be much less annoyed in areas the place the course narrows or you end up behind a gaggle gong a bit slower.
#11 Costumes
I’ve achieved a couple of Halloween races in costume, however actually not many in my twenty years of racing. This nonetheless felt like I would really remorse not placing collectively one thing!
I imply see level 9!
It’s a lot enjoyable to see everybody going off of the race theme or just creating costumes that make them blissful. The extent of pleasure and the enjoyable they add to your pictures is fairly cool.
Learn my massive tips about working costumes >>
#12 Dodging and Weaving
When you’re strolling or run/strolling, that’s superior! It’s a good way to do any race. However observe the lead of so many skilled runDisney runners and lift your hand to point you might be transitioning from a run to stroll.
This enables anybody behind you to keep away from working in to you as you decelerate. If you can even transfer to the aspect that can enable you really feel like you might be much less crowded and simply transition to strolling.
We made a sport of your entire factor and turned it in a enjoyable fartlek exercise. We’d discover a gap and sprint forward for some time, then decelerate to get better or take some pictures.
#13 Balloon Women
When you’re on the tail finish of issues, look ahead to the balloon women. In the event that they catch as much as you, then the race is over.
They’re conserving at 16-minute/mile tempo and are designed to be the ultimate folks to cross the end line. So if you happen to’re nervous about being final or the character strains are getting lengthy, simply maintain your eyes open for the balloon women.
Don’t fear they’re tremendous good. If you find yourself with them initially, they’ll attempt to encourage you alongside to stay with them and end the race.
Finally, if you happen to’re unable to take action, a sweeper van will decide you up and take you to the end.
BONUS TIPS
A number of further issues to consider if you’re hitting the parks!
After ending the race, we hiked again to our Enterprise automotive and dashed to the lodge. We had garments laid out and a few meals pre-packed, in order that we might snag super-fast and refreshing showers then get on our method!
All of the recommendations on arriving to the park for early entry are 100% correct.
Since we have been staying on property at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort, we entered Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park at 7AM and Disney’s Hollywood Studios earlier than 8AM.
In every case, we have been in a position to get by the highest 2 hottest rides earlier than there have been any strains. After that we might decelerate and easily take within the parks and all of the unimaginable particulars.
David’s thrill at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge was equal to seeing the animals at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park for me.
Total, I had a tremendous time working the races and spending time on the park. As soon as once more thanks Enterprise for offering me with a chance that shall be so memorable to me.
*Opinions expressed are solely my very own and don’t categorical the views or opinions of Enterprise. It was nice to accomplice with them for this race expertise.
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