This is PART TWO of my DOs & DON'Ts of RunDisney post and it covers race day - if you missed PART ONE (registration and planning), check it out now!
Once upon a time, I was scrolling Pinterest and saw a photo of a woman running at Walt Disney World. In a tutu. And I said, "I'm going to do that someday." About seven years and 12 medals later, I've definitely earned my RunDisney crown and it's my favorite thing to recommend to friends and family! But what about registration? And early wake-up calls? And costumes? Let's break down my biggest DOs and DON'Ts of running Disney!
To learn more about the race schedules and themes, distances, challenges, times, and locations, visit rundisney.com
DON'T Sleep through your alarm
If you're staying on property, race transportation usually begins at 3 or 3:30 AM with a firm cutoff time to guarantee runners make it to their starting corrals. (This is for Walt Disney World, at Disneyland you're usually within walking distance.) Once you arrive, you can expect about a 10 minute walk to the staging area. Even though it's dark and early, there is usually a DJ getting everyone pumped up, and characters out for photos. It's best to jump in these lines early, or plan to come back after your run as this area gets pretty crowded. As you head to your corrals, you will see that event volunteers are encouraging everyone to pack in tightly. RunDisney releases each corral in waves, so as your group works its way to the start line you will be asked to start and stop until it's your turn to hit the course! One fun thing about Disney races is that they use a countdown with some extra magic for each wave - not just the first corral. It's super special!
DO Enjoy the race course
While you do run through the theme parks in a Disney race, each course is a little different. At Walt Disney World, running through the castle is reserved for Marathon runners and select Half Marathon weekends. Just about every race will go through EPCOT and the Boardwalk area, since that is where race staging is usually set up. Select events may go through Animal Kingdom and/or Hollywood Studios. You get to see a lot of backstage areas, which I always find really fun and interesting. But a lot of the course is on the highways, so this is where you'll find film and cartoon clips, DJs, marching bands, character photo ops, and more to keep the magic going. Disneyland races are just returning after a multi-year construction hiatus, so we're not 100% sure about their course. Historically you would spend a little more time in the parks (as they're closer together), and the road running is through the city of Anaheim so there's a lot more to look at. If you're running longer distances and the parks open during your race, consider it a right of passage to hop on a ride during your run (Expedition Everest is popular with Marathon runners because of its Single Rider queue). It's also celebrated to grab a snack or adult beverage just before your finish line photo op! You're there to have fun - just watch your time and make sure you stay within pace requirements.
DON'T Fear the Balloon Ladies
New and experienced Disney runners love to ruminate on the infamous Balloon Ladies. So who are they?? Well, they're a group of two or three women who maintain a perfect 16 minute per mile pace. Their job is to be the LAST RUNNERS to cross the start line. Remember, RunDisney requires a 16 minute pace - once the Balloon Ladies cross the starting line, anyone who falls behind them is subject to being swept from the race course (for 10k races or greater, there's no pace requirement for the 5k). To help runners and race staff gauge their location, the Balloon Ladies wear - you guessed it - BALLOONS tied around them that can be seen above the heads of the runners! I know many people who have finished just ahead of or with the Balloon Ladies, and everyone says they're extremely kind and encouraging. If you do fall behind, Disney transport may pick you up and take you back to the staging area. You will still earn your race medal in most cases, however challenge medals are only awarded for completed races. You may have also noticed I said they are the last runners to start the race, meaning if you are in an earlier corral or even an earlier wave, you have some extra time built into your run. This is how so many people are able to stop for lots of photos and whatnot during the race - you just have to beat the Balloon Ladies!
DO Invite your favorite fans
RunDisney welcomes & celebrates your chEAR squad with special transportation and race viewing locations (sometimes inside the parks before opening hours). Spectators will be escorted in and out, meaning you wouldn't be able to stick around if you didn't have a valid theme park ticket & reservation. Friends can also line up along select roads throughout the resort, and special resort areas like around the Walt Disney World Boardwalk and Yacht & Beach Club resorts. Check the website or Event Guide for spectator info for your specific race weekend. If you're running solo, don't be afraid to make friends in the corrals or around the parks. My favorite thing about RunDisney is the amazing community spirit and support! One of my running groups even assigns "Fairy Godmothers" to track and be in contact with runners from home, which has made all the difference during tough runs. If your friends or family can't attend and they want to track your progress, they can do this online!
DON'T Think the magic ends when the miles do
You ran a Disney race!! Wear your new bling with pride, Cast Members and guests alike will want to compliment you on your amazing achievement. Celebrate in a way that is special to you. Connect with your new RunDisney community on social media. And best of all - start planning your next Disney race weekend!
If you're ready to go the distance with RunDisney, let's talk about which race weekend is right for you!
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