What It is Like To Run a Race at Disney

From age 12 to 30, I ran competitively—at my peak, I used to be operating 65 miles per week and coaching to interrupt three hours within the marathon. I solely knew one operating velocity: quick. And all of a sudden, I needed to cease operating altogether.

I used to be attacked and suffered extreme accidents that made it not possible to run. My entire life had revolved round coaching and operating—the chums I frolicked, what I regarded ahead to, my each day routine—and it was inextricably tied to my profession as a operating coach, private coach, and health author.

I felt like I misplaced an enormous a part of my id, not to mention my ardour, psychological well being coping mechanism, social community, and construction in my day. I grieved the lack of operating in a lot the identical manner that one grieves the demise of a liked one.

Nonetheless, after years of not with the ability to run, I made a decision to attempt to get again into the game final summer season after a piece journey had me testing out treadmills, which pressured me to run.

I found just a few issues: operating now may be very painful; the mobility challenges from my accidents make it not possible to run easily; and I am unable to run anyplace close to as quick as I used to.

However, I additionally found I can run.

Final fall, I used to be given the chance to attempt the runDisney occasion in January 2024 at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. I hadn’t run a race in over seven years, however I had heard Disney races are tempo inclusive to runners for all ranges, so I made a decision to be courageous and provides it a shot.

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Why runDisney races are distinctive

Because of the inclusivity of the occasions by way of the cut-off occasions and welcoming environment, runDisney races are tremendous well-liked for novices trying to begin operating, runners who’re returning to the game after a protracted break (equivalent to postpartum mothers attempting to start out operating once more), skilled runners who wish to full their first marathon, and aggressive runners alike.

Tons of dates and distances

There are a lot of Disney races all year long, and at varied Disney parks, which makes it simple to seek out one to suit your schedule. Along with the Walt Disney World Marathon occasions, there are a number of different runDisney races at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, Disneyland in California, and digital races as effectively.

(Take a look at the present runDisney race calendar right here.)

One of many advantages of the runDisney occasions is that even should you can’t attend one of many races in individual at a Disney theme park, many of the races provide a digital choice. This lets you register for the elevate after which full the gap at house wherever you reside utilizing a GPS watch. You’ll nonetheless obtain a finisher’s medal, a T-shirt, and the entire swag.

The Walt Disney Marathon weekend, which is held each January at Walt Disney World theme park in Orlando, Florida, is the preeminent runDisney occasion on the race calendar.

The weekend features a 5K on Thursday, a 10K on Friday, a half marathon (13.1 miles) on Saturday, and a full marathon (26.2 miles) on Sunday. Some runners tackle what is called the runDisney Dopey Problem, which includes operating all 4 races on back-to-back days.

Though I want that I used to be in form sufficient to deal with the Dopey Problem, I knew that the complete marathon was going to be out of my wheelhouse in my restricted coaching time.

As a operating coach, I all the time advise runners to prioritize their security moderately than attempt to do one thing their physique just isn’t prepared for. So, I settled for doing the opposite three shorter Disney Marathon Weekend races: the 5K, 10K, and half marathon.

Beneficiant cut-off occasions

The entire RunDisney occasions have very beneficiant cut-off occasions as a way to stroll with out being pulled from the course. The environment is all about embracing the enjoyment and magic of the confluence of operating and Disney moderately than essentially aiming to your quickest race time.

I knew that operating three occasions could be greater than bold, because it has been 7 years since I’ve run a single race. Nonetheless, I imagined that my vitality and confidence could be buoyed by the enjoyable environment and basic inclusivity of the runDisney race surroundings (spoiler: it was!).

In truth, inclusivity for runners and walkers of all capability ranges is baked into all Disney races: The cut-off time for the complete marathon is seven hours, the half marathon is 4 hours, and for the shorter races, it’s a must to preserve a 16 minute per mile tempo. That is a brisk strolling tempo that’s attainable with coaching for most people.

So should you think about your self a “gradual runner,” you’ll not solely have loads of firm alongside the race course—you’ll be an official finisher.

Many marathons have a lot quicker cut-off occasions and also you’ll be requested to depart the course if you’re nonetheless making your manner towards the end line at a slower tempo. Plus, you don’t get the glory and confidence increase of truly crossing the end line and incomes your race medal.

Spectacular group

The entire runDisney races are additionally very effectively organized: There are beginning corrals primarily based in your anticipated common tempo or end time. Which means if you’re a brand new runner and plan to make use of a run/stroll method, otherwise you wish to stroll your complete race distance, you can be seeded with contributors of comparable capability. Equally, if you’re a aggressive runner, you may submit a “proof of time“ race consequence for the Disney half marathon or Disney marathon. Your earlier race consequence will then be used to provide you a bib quantity for the next beginning corral alongside runners who will likely be sustaining the same race piece.

The races all have all the things you’d count on from a top-tier street race equivalent to water stops, clearly marked programs, medical tents alongside the course and on the end line, and a free breakfast field with snacks while you end the race.

Sadly, a tropical storm required last-minute adjustments to my half-marathon race, shortening the course to solely 7.2 miles. All the runDisney group pulled off a large change within the closing hours earlier than the race and made it an ideal expertise.

(On that word, one other perk of the runDisney races: The swag is superior! The race medals are enormous and have Disney characters in 3-D that transfer, plus, you get a long-sleeved technical T-shirt for every Disney race that you just run.)

Strong group

The setting and your fellow runners are different particular elements of Disney races. Whether or not you’re doing one among these runDisney races at Disney World or Disneyland theme parks, you get to run by means of the totally different parks.

Tons of contributors put on Disney-themed costumes, and each mile or so, you may cease and take footage together with your favourite iconic Disney characters, from traditional favorites (like Mickey Mouse and Snow White) to trendy ones (like Elsa and Moana). There may be additionally loads of leisure on the race course in addition to within the beginning space and end line areas, with music and extra character experiences for picture ops.

I had the chance to look at the complete marathon, and though loads of runners within the quick beginning corrals wore costumes, the corral with the walkers was positively the celebration vibe race expertise. The entire walkers and joggers appear to be having the time of their lives, many clad in costumes of their favourite Disney princesses, villains, and superheroes.

It’s actually a enjoyable environment—and will be an thrilling distraction if you’re struggling throughout your race.

There have been components in a few of my very own races the place I wasn’t totally in it, however I used to be captivated by the vitality of the runners round me, the joy of Disney World, and my very own deep pleasure for having a race alternative that felt so approachable and celebratory—regardless of the place I used to be in my operating journey.

Find out how to prep for a Disney race

Coaching for a Disney race isn’t inherently totally different from coaching for another street race. Nonetheless, if you will be doing a number of Disney occasions again to again (like I did), or you’re taking on the complete runDisney Dopey Problem or Goofy’s Race, you will need to tailor your coaching plan accordingly.

Operating a half marathon and a marathon on consecutive days is extraordinarily taxing on the physique, and coaching requires doing back-to-back longer runs. Because of this, the Dopey Problem is often greatest reserved for knowledgeable runners who’ve been coaching for a few years and have already run a full marathon.

However novices can completely do the complete Disney Marathon—and lots of the triumphant finishers are certainly first-time marathon runners.

One of many cool issues about the entire runDisney occasions is that accepted contributors get a free Jeff Galloway coaching plan to assist put together for no matter occasions you might have registered for.

There are totally different coaching plans primarily based in your health degree, and the Jeff Galloway incorporates a run/stroll method for newbies.

Echelon Health additionally sponsors the Disney races, so you should use the Echelon Stride treadmills with the Jeff Galloway run/stroll coaching applications to arrange for the races. These treadmill exercises are an ideal choice for runners who stay cold-weather climates who’re coaching for the January Disney races.

Final, runDisney introduced me again to racing

I completely liked my expertise on the 2024 runDisney Marathon Weekend, and whereas my end occasions have been nowhere close to as quick as they was, I felt a lot pleasure and gratitude that I used to be in a position to run once more, not to mention in such supportive races.

Going into it, I used to be admittedly anxious to see how it might be to take part in a race in a very totally different gentle than I had run a race earlier than. I had additionally by no means been to Disney World or any Disney theme park, so I knew that I used to be in for an eye-opening expertise.

Finally, I used to be extraordinarily impressed with how well-organized the runDisney races have been and the way welcoming, supportive, and celebratory your complete environment surrounding the occasions was.

I like the truth that you may go there to run your coronary heart out and attempt to obtain a quick time, or go there and attempt to rejoice the beginning of your health journey. Both manner, runDisney appears completely dedicated to organizing operating occasions which are memorable and empowering.

For me, simply being in a bodily state the place I may lace up my favourite trainers and take part within the very sport that has been the best reward and fervour in my life was actually the real-life embodiment of the particular magic that Disney motion pictures and Disney parks are all about.