I ran the Goofy Challenge and enjoyed running the courses on both days. The half course is the same as the Princess Half which is run the following month, and the experience, overall, is magical. The marathon takes you through all four parks, and I was pleased with the scenery throughout, including the characters and speedway track with many surprises. The race is well-organized with aid stations and the park is equipped to accommodate the thousands who run this race. However, my main concern is better organization and lining of porta-potties at the start and first few miles. I was appalled by the sight of so many runners, both men and women, publicly urinating alongside the course and in the grassy areas around the start. This is something which can and should be prevented by monitoring the area and supplying more facilities, especially in a place which is supposed to be kid-friendly. I would definitely run this race again.

WDW Marathon Weekend is about life, and the many reasons so many run. it is not the race to run the fastest, nor the most intense. WDW is the race because you love fun, and remembering what it is to be young, live wonder, love people, and be joyous. I have run intense, and fast, and determined. There are races for that. And this one is for Joy.

This was my first WDW Marathon. I signed up for the Goofy Challenge but decided that I wanted to take advantage of the flat marathon course, and try to PR it. In other words, I bailed on the half marathon on saturday in order to be fully rested for the full marathon.

I have to say that this was the right decision for me!

A few things:

EXPO: Insanely crowded, but at Disney this is what I expect. Try and find a place at Disney that doesn't feel crowded! The expo had a certain way that you were supposed to navigate between the buildings and this was not obvious. Signs telling runners which order they were supposed to go through the expo would have been very helpful. I encountered several runners that did the exact same thing that I did.

Marathon Race: We stayed at the Hilton Lake Buena Vista. We've stayed on-property the last 2 visits to WDW, and wanted to try off-property hotel, so we chose the Lake Buena Vista Hilton, which is across the street from Downtown Disney. We did the parks all day on Saturday, then got to bed around 9PM on Saturday. After 6 hours of sleep it was 3AM. I got a reserved cab for $25 to the race parking lot and walked to the entry zone. At around 4AM they called the runners of corral A and B to walk over to the corrals. There were plenty of restrooms. This is my 6th marathon, and these were the shortest lines for restrooms that I've encountered; this is probably a testament to the sheer number of restrooms that Disney provides.

We did the 20 min walk to the corrals, which was fine, and the race started on time without problems.

The Race: Flat. I mean Flat. I'm used to the hills of Atlanta, which can be rather brutal at times. The hills of Atlanta trained me well enough for a PR in this race. I was in corral A and the crowds and walkers were minimal, but I saw the marathoners finishing hours later, and there were many (MANY) walkers in the later stages of the race. There were many health stations (with Vaseline), water stations, and the volunteers were amazing. Every single volunteer was so dedicated, nice, and friendly. People talk about how this isn't a PR course. I think that probably applies to the runners in Corral C and onwards, where there is a strong mix of runners and late-walkers. In other words, I can imagine that the narrow course (at times), plus the curves, plus the crowds would make it difficult to earn a PR. However, I can tell you that if you can get in an early corral, run with a pace group, and train in the hills, you can definitely PR this race.

Post-Race: Nice medal, though i really don't care about the medal. T-shirts were long-sleeved tech t-shirts. Fine, whatever. They were good colors and fit well, but its just a T-shirt so i don't to excited or worked up about the shirts. There was beer at the finish line which was a nice reward. And, gear check was super easy to get your stuff.

Summary: Awesome, awesome race. Being able to combine: A Race + Vacation + Where the Kids wanna Go = perfect mix. This was great and we're planning on making this a tradition every year.

I ran the Goofy Challenge (both half and full marathons) this year and had a ball. Disney is the model for how marathons should be done. If you stay at a Disney hotel, you get complementary bus transportation to the start line and from the finish line. The buses run nonstop, so minimal waiting. The water stations are well stocked and ideally spaced apart on the course. The medical tents are also well stocked and have great staff. Running through the four Disney parks is just magical to see the Disney characters, exhibits, and rides, and experience the happy, fun atmosphere. Lots of course photographers, so you're assured of getting multiple in-race photos of you taken. Loved this year's medal to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the marathon. The course has very few hills, mainly just overpasses, and is mostly flat. Because this is a popular race, the course can get congested in places. So not the best race to try for a PR. All in all, a good race for both the novice and the veteran.

This is the 3rd time my wife and I ran the marathon and 2nd on my birthday, this time my 59th. We started in Corral B and the course was congested at spots but hot unlike other large marathons.

Disney really ramp-ed up the entertainment this year and it was better than before. I enjoyed the race track and WW of Sports changes, but was surprised to still have to run past the sewer plant. Nobody does it better than RunDisney, we will be back!

This was my first Disney running event and I chose the Goofy Challenge. We planned our vacation around this event and it was the best vacation we ever had and the most FUN I've had running ever!

First, throw away any thought of PR and just enjoy running and enjoy running with lots of stuff around.

Second, remember that you are surrounded by folks with lots of various reasons for being there. Take pleasure knowing running bonds you.

Everything was great. We stayed at Disney and transportation was great. Bag drop was easy and navigating the walk to the start line was well marked. Hard to get lost with 20K other people.

Yes, the course does narrow in places but Disney was not designed with marathoning in mind. It's short lived and you will survive. I was pleasantly surprised by the loop around the motor speed track. Nice touch with the music, the car clubs, and Speed McQueen.

I was equally pleasantly surprised with the ESPN sports complex loop. The cold sponges and food were perfect.

I usually do not run for the medal or the shirt, but the shirts and medal are top notch.

My only regret is not stopping to get my picture with Jiminy Cricket! Therefore, I must return next year.

I would do this event and any Disney running event again for the pure sake of running coupled with a family vacation.

This was my third straight WDW Marathon. Finished in the top 25 this year. The course officials do a great job keeping the start relaxed and fun. Not like big-city marathons with swat teams patrolling the corrals. The Expo speakers series is delightful, but poorly attended. Bill Rodgers and Desi Davila meet and greet was great there. Even talked to Billy right before the start at the start line!! Please take out the WideWorldSports section that was added, way too many turns in that part of the race!! Got wacked by one of the Hensley Brothers in Cinderella's castle. B. Hensley watch out, I'm bringing sharper elbows next year. Overall my favorite marathon in the world's happiest place. I've run Boston and I like WDW better. Much better. The weather was perfect, but I live in FL and am used to a little heat in winter.

I must have been at a different race than some who have posted here. For me it started at the EXPO, boy oh boy talk about too many people trying to get into a small venue. I was lucky to grab my stuff and get out alive. I actually enjoy going around to the various vendors but you could not do anything but be pushed and shoved to the exit.

The WDW Marathon was already too crowded at 18,000 runners so what does Run Disney do but add another 7000 runners for a total of 25,000. Yes indeed 25,000 runners on a course that could not handle the 18,000 in years prior. Clearly Run Disney should be renamed Walk Disney as walk is what I had to do a lot of given the crowding on the course. Be warned this has become a walk not a running race and is for and about the Purple People walking three and four abreast and the like. I have nothing but respect if even by walking you are off the couch. The problem now is this race attracts so many walkers and is so narrow at so many locations you will get bottled up. At least in the past you could run in the grass and weave you way past most of the problem children but with the entry up to 25,000 you don't have a chance.

None of the Disney races have ever been about a PR given the large number of walkers in these events. Disney races have always been about fun and a more relaxed pace and just go with the flow. The problem is now I feel like a salmon trying to swim upstream for 26.2 miles. The folks at Walk Disney have managed to even remove the fun out of this event and make it a struggle. No more for me until they reduce the numbers.

This was my first marathon and it was definitely a good one for first timers. For the 2013 marathon it was very warm pushing 90 by mid morning. If you were not in Corral A or B this was not a good thing. Disney handled it very well with frequent water stops with lots of volunteers. This marathon was crowded. If you have a certain average pace you want to keep you should mentally add 30 seconds - seriously. There are many bottlenecks along the way and a lot of people. On the flip side there is entertainment and cheering crowds the whole way. Never a dull moment. There are also a lot of people who stop for photos and walk the whole distance. Even if you jog the marathon you will place in the top 30%. The race starts early and I had to wake up at 4AM. We left the hotel about 4 mi from Epcot at 4:30 and got there at 5:00PM. Plenty of time to get there and into your corral even if you are in A. I have only one complaint. There was no hand sanitizer in the porta-johns. I hate porta-johns until I need one and waking at 4AM you are going to need one. I caught a stomach virus and it had to be from that. Bring a small bottle of hand sanitizer!

Goofy's Race & a Half Challenge
Disney World, Orlando, FL
January 12 & 13, 2013


I ran the Goofy's Race and a Half Challenge which consists of running the Disney Half Marathon & Full Marathon on consecutive days. I flew into Orlando on Thursday, 10 January, & stayed in Disney's All Star Music Hotel for four nights. The complimentary express shuttle service from & to the airport was provided by Disney. The packet pickup & Disney's Health & Fitness Expo were in ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. The packet pickup was efficient. As a Goofy's Challenge participant, I received three long-sleeved technical shirts for running the half, full, & both. There were a large number of vendors in the Expo.

At 3:00 AM on both Saturday & Sunday, I took the shuttle from the hotel to the start zone in the Wonder Parking lot at Epcot. There was a long walk from the start zone to our corrals. Both races started at 5:30 AM. Donald Duck, Mickey Mouse, & Goofy were present at both starts. There was some firework as each corral started the run. On both days, temperature ranged from low 60s to low 80s. The 5:30 AM start was helpful, as it began to warm up quickly once the sun was out, which made the second half of the marathon tough.

The half marathon course consisted of running on World Drive to the Magic Kingdom Park, running through Tomorrowland & Cinderella Castle, returning to Epcot, & running through Future World to the finish line. There were nine water/sports drink stations & Clif products were distributed at mile 9. A large number of volunteers, Disney characters, & music bands made it a fun-filled journey. The Donald Duck Finisher's Medal was very nice.

The first seven miles of the marathon were the same as the half marathons. After leaving the Magic Kingdom, we ran around the Walt Disney World Speedway where a large number of antique cars were awaiting our arrivals. We then ran through Disney's Animal Kingdom, ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, Disney's Hollywood Studios, Disney's Yacht & Beach Club Resort, Epcot, & crossed the finish line. The Mickey Mouse Finisher's Medal was very nice & a bit heavy! And the coveted Goofy Medal was icing on the cake! There were 21 water/sports drink stations; bananas at miles 11.5 & 18; Clif products at miles 15 & 19; wet sponges around mile 17; & chocolates between miles 22 & 23. There were plenty of entertainment & the opportunity to take photos with Disney characters throughout the course. There were a very large number of cheerful volunteers staffing the aid stations.

There were 23,126 (13,128 female, 9998 male) half marathon finishers. The winning times were 1:05:26 (overall male), 1:14:56 (overall female), 1:14:23 (masters male), & 1:25:23 (masters female).

There were 20,679 (10,618 female, 10,061 male) marathon finishers. The winning times were 2:21:16 (overall male), 2:48:30 (overall female), 2:25:26 (masters male), & 3:22:14 (masters female).

I did not take either race seriously & had the most fun running/jogging them. I treated the half marathon as an easy warm-up run for the marathon. I treated the marathon as an easy jogging tour of Disney's theme parks & made a large number of stops to take photos with Disney characters along the course. This was my 97th marathon.