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Disney World Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Disney World Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.1 
Organization 4.3 
Spectators 4.0
Number of comments: 818 [displaying comments 751 to 761]
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A Runner from Annapolis, MD
(1/23/2002)
 "A disappointed first-timer" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 2 I ran the half-marathon as part of the Team in Training program. In a word, the event was disappointing. Unlike most of the other runners posting on this site, I found the volunteers poor. They ran out of water at some stations and cups at others - that's not their fault, but their reaction to the situation was less than nice. I trained for the race on a very boring bike trail so the lack of entertainment did not bother me EXCEPT at the pasta dinner before the race we had been told that there were going to be 100s of entertainment 'events' during the race. There were none that I saw other than a DJ with a van at the side of the road shouting out nonsense as people ran by. Most everything was geared to the marathon leaving the half-marathon to feel like the ugly stepsister. Our official race 'conducktor' Donald wasn't even present at the finish line. Silly complaint maybe, but all the literature leads you to believe that the experience is going to magic, silly and totally Disney all the way. Some unknown volunteer placed the medal around my neck as I was pushed along towards the refreshment tent. I am proud to have run in honor of the Leukemia Society, but I really expected more from an event hosted by Disney. | |
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A Runner from Atlanta, Georgia
(1/19/2002)
 "I love my Mickey Mouse Medal" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I love my Mickey Mouse Medal,and would go back for Donald next year. This was my first marathon, so it was all good. I would recommend this race to anyone; the medal is really worth it. Other comments regarding the course are true but that is the course, I kept thinking about that medal and I made it. I do agree with the comments regarding those negative signs out there, I think you have to be as positive as possible especially when your at 22 miles and it's cold and raining. Signs telling you that 'you should have stayed in bed' etc. should be changed or removed. | |
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A Runner from Jacksonville, Florida
(1/18/2002)
 "Not the happiest place on earth" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 The 2002 Walt Disney World Marathon was my first marathon, and as first marathons go, perhaps I expected a bit too much. Afterall, this was Disney!!! And not having any other marathons to compare it to, I really wasn't sure how to rate this one overall. However, I have run the Gate River Run in Jacksonville, and can honestly say that the expo, course, entertainment, and spectator support far outranked that of the Disney Marathon!!! For the amount of money we runners paid to participate in this race, the very least Disney could have done is put some speakers along those long, desolate stretches between parks and let us hear some music!!! And perhaps they should leave out the Animal Kingdom part altogether-running through the backside of the park in the pouring rain with nothing but the smell of animal dung to push us on was not the most pleasant experience in the world! I will, however, take along some wonderful memories with me. The volunteers were amazing, and running that marathon and crossing that finish line with my sister (this was her third marathon)was an unforgettable experience. Would I run it again? Probably not, but will I do another marathon elsewhere? Absolutely! | |
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Jeff DeDekker from Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada
(1/18/2002)
 "It was everything I hoped it would be." (about: 2002)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 It's very interesting to read the many postings with negative comments about the Disney Marathon. It appears that in every case each area of complaint was dealt with in pre-race information packages. For example, only 4.5 of the 26.2 miles were actually run in the parks. Just by looking at the course map anyone can figure this out. The 6 a.m. starting time, along with the 4:30 a.m. arrival time in the starting area, was included in all pre-race information I received. And for those who complained about the price of being at Disney, please, let's put at least one foot in reality and admit that the majority of adults realize Disney World and Disneyland are expensive places to visit. This shouldn't have been a surprise to anyone. This was my first marathon and it had everything that I needed. The course was flat, there was loads of aid and water stations and the spectators and entertainment along the route was good enough for me. I didn't enter this race to be entertained or to get free beer at the finish line. I entered to run a good marathon and that's exactly what I got. I would recommend this marathon to anyone who is interested in combining their love of running with the Disney experience. | |
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A Runner from Coatesville, PA
(1/18/2002)
"The Volunteers Make This A Race To Remember" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 I am a member of Team in Training and this was my first marathon. The crowd support is outstanding. The volunteers do a tremendous job. Arriving at the starting line 2 hours before the race is a little crazy but this race did have 20,000 participants. It is a very flat course and great for first timers. The medal itself is worth the trip. I've read the negative comments from others and I just don't see it. Perhaps if you are a very competitive runner this isn't for you. But I can tell you this, as a race walker I had an awesome experience and will return (with my wife) in 2003. | |
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A Runner from Southern Indiana (Louisville Kentucky area)
(1/15/2002)
 "Maybe my expectations were too high..." (about: 2002)
COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 2 The only thing I thought was top notch about the race was the finishers medal. It was by far the best I have received yet. But,.... 1) The race is expensive 2) Sitting shivering on the cold pavement for the 1-1/2 hours before the 6am start time really sucks (you have to be at the starting line at 4:30am) 3) Unless I just missed out, Disney did not do ANYTHING special for me even though I was staying on property and informed them that I was coming down to run in their marathon 4) The majority of the race is ran through ugly areas outside the parks such as past a gas station 5) ***My wife and daughter walked from our hotel to watch us run by. She had to stay back at least 50 feet from the road. Also, while she was there another woman with her child tried to get a little closer for a photo and a police officer got right in her face and threatened to take her to jail. I thought this was Disneyland and not LA. 6) Chicago had free Sam Adams beer at the finish line, fireworks as we passed the baseball stadium and fans jam packed the ENTIRE way. Top that! 7) The 'special' marathon price for one plate of pasta at the Disney Sports complex was $11 and did not include a drink. The Disney Marathon in no way compares to the Chicago Marathon!!!!! | |
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A Runner from Virginia
(1/15/2002)
"I would not go back" (General Comments)
COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 Having run multiple marathons, this is not one I would recommend. Many of the previous comments are right on point. Things that disappoint me about the Disney marathon include: having to get to the start two hours or more before the start time; having to walk all that distance from the pre race corrals to the start (it had to be a mile or more); a very, very spectator unfriendly race. My wife has followed me to most of my 15 marathons (she is a saint) and she said this one was almost impossible to see; the race course was great for seeing the back lots of Disney and the service roads, but I barely remember running thru the parks; in a lot of marathons, you hit the big crowds at a lot of places and have a lot of lonely places, in this race I remember the big crowds only very sporadically. Positives-It is the best medal, the course is fairly flat and logistically it was well run. I've done it once, would not do it again. | |
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A Runner from Pittsburgh PA
(1/14/2002)
 "Disney continues to miss a great opportunity" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 I agree with many of the other comments listed. Disney is notorious for overdoing everything but for the marathon they clearly missed a great opportunity. Disney has the facilities and know how to create a spectacular race but instead chose to create an average marathon. The organization and finishers medal were great but everything else was average. The expo was average, the pasta dinner was average, the shirt was average, the course stunk except for running through the parks. Getting up at 3:00 a.m. for a 6:00 a.m. start is ludicrous, but you have no other choice. I am glad I can cross this one off my list. Overall a good run but not up to Disney standards, and for sure not worth the cost. | |
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A Runner from UT
(1/13/2002)
"Get rid of the reverse psychology signs" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 Obviously whoever put these signs up is not a runner. You may think it's funny and cute but after running for hours it's not!!! Just when you are starting to drift off and need a little encouragement you read comments like: I bet you wish you were in bed! Go ahead, quit now! Not to mention many others. It's not funny!!!!!! | |
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A Runner from Enterprise, Alabama
(1/12/2002)
"So So" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 5 Disney should be better than this. Running through the theme parks and seeing a bunch of the characters were great. The VOLUNTEERS were awesome. BUT, a lot of the course was along the sewage treatment canals, there was little entertainment, there was an interminable wait (04:30 to 06:00) for the start, some of the bib numbers had an hour wait to check baggage (8001 - 18,500 were in one tent) and no spectators at the start were a little much to bear. Had this not been a trip for my entire family I wouldn't ever consider doing it again. |
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