Posted by Because no one writes about this. Like you try looking it up and there’s no data. RunDisney communities feel like a completely different world. People are talking about congestion, character lines, walkers, balloon ladies, saying you don’t need headlamps. It’s not accurate for those of us who push hard and place in the top 25 or so.
Note: This may not completely apply to WDW marathon weekend as it does attract a faster contingent. I’ll revise this in 2027 when I run it.
Spoiler alert: It looks like this, complete with blurriness.
- First off, it’s dark. Holy emo, Batman. Some parts of the course are so poorly lit that you basically need a headlamp. Other runners at the front of A don’t have them and I think it’s odd. Do you want to fall on your face? Then again, in Provo Canyon at 5:30 am I often see solo runners just cruising without headlamps and I can only assume they are either witches or have a strong desire to get mauled by a moose.
- Seriously, the dark swamps are full Over the Garden Wall but like, tropical style. I glance over at them and feel like I’m going to get eaten by an alligator or something.
- It’s so quiet. Uncomfortably so. The spectators are sometimes lively, but often just kinda look at you in a confused manner, then half-heartedly cheer.
- You are isolated from others for most of the race. (BIG EXCEPTION for mile 1), but most likely not completely solo. When you do see people, you are likely just passing them because they went out too hard.
- The first mile sucks. It’s extremely congested and you’re forced to go slow until all the…slow people (sorry) finally fall back, because A encompasses like 8 minute pace and everything faster. The main thought is “am I going to trip because that would REALLY HURT” followed by “am I going to trip someone else by accident because I would feel REALLY BAD”
- you will think that you’re winning the race. You are not. There is some random dude 10 minutes ahead of you and maybe 15, 20 people spread out after that. You just won’t know that until later.
- there are effectively no character lines but it’s so dark you probably won’t see the characters anyway. Or at least, I only see them for the first few miles then I’m redlining too hard to notice.
- The finish line is a ghost town. You have free pick of the merch, I guess.
- you can pretty much throw out all data on what the race itself is like. At the front, we are pushing hard, probably making weird noises or cussing due to the pain. Some of us may also spit. I try hard not to but when I’m feeling sick it’s almost involuntary. I also try to aim it far away but am not perfect. Sorry if you’ve ever been in my splash zone.
- you can likely rope drop or at least make early entry if you started in the A waves and did a 10k or less. You likely won’t see any other race finishers in the parks for hours.
- Your finish photos may be distinctly unsexy. But some front-of-the-pack people are able to pull off good finishes. I, on the other hand … Yeah. Florida is humid and threshold or faster pace makes my tum-tum hurt. 😛
Here I am in 17th for men, 18th overall. There were 12712 finishers according to TrackShack.
I see a lot of those top names frequently yet I have no idea who they are or why they’re not in any RunDisney groups. But, there you go.
Mr. Russo in particular is clearly fast enough to BQ yet I see his name almost every race weekend, including the ones that are directly in contact with Boston like this one, and not only that, but he always does the challenge (based on bib) and STILL runs these insane times.
