While I wouldn’t go so far as to say it was the plan all along, I seem to have embarked upon something of a runDisney editorial series over the last month or two. First we discussed registration improvements, then the challenges the organization is choosing not to solve in favor of Club runDisney, and then an examination of runDisney field sizes over the years.
Some of my approaches to these topics might be deemed neutral, some downright negative. While I try to make it clear that my criticisms are born of love and a desire to make things better, I would hate for anyone to walk away thinking that runDisney is so riddled with problems it’s not worth the hassle!
Thus to balance out the universe, I would like to add one more post to my accidental runDisney series. Let’s wrap this up with a final question: what does runDisney do BETTER than most other road race organizations?
I asked myself this question and thought of quite a few things. I asked my Instagram followers, and they added quite a few more! Certain points may seem obvious. Others you might not realize, never really thought about that hard, or assume are the norm across all race organizations.
So cue the fireworks, because it’s time to celebrate runDisney when it’s at its best! Starting with…
runDISNEY HAS THE BEST ON-COURSE ENTERTAINMENT
This first one is a no-brainer – people come to runDisney expressly for its on-course entertainment! Running through theme parks is quite the novelty. Plus there are the character photo stops, many of them uncommon in regular park operations. Of course, this being Disney, runDisney takes it even further.
There are some pretty incredible musical acts, encouraging deejays, high school bands with tons of spirit, fan service bits like the Adventurer’s Club or the Star Wars Mile, and much more. And no runDisney race would be complete without a sendoff at the final mile from the gospel chorus!
AND A SUPPORTIVE COMMUNITY
It’s not just the entertainment out there cheering. runDisney courses have some of the greatest spectator coverage of any race I’ve ever run. In the small portions where civilian spectators are not permitted, Cast Members are more than ready to pick up the slack.
And hey, when all else fails, you have a cheering section all around you! Your fellow runners will hype you up, check in on you, urge you on when you’re riding high, and give you strength when you’re feeling low. I know there are anecdotal cases of people being difficult, but I truly believe they are outliers, not the majority. Most of the field is in your corner!
That goes for ALL athletes, too. Whether you’re fast or slow, on legs or blades or wheels, runDisney makes sure to celebrate each kind of competitor equally. Fireworks send offs are for every corral. Confetti is for the first place AND last place finishers. I’ve seen plenty of runners with disabilities like vision impairment or in need of a service dog out there on the course and nailing it. If you’re wondering if there’s space for you, the answer is unquestionably yes.
runDISNEY IS ORGANIZED AS ALL GET OUT
It’s no secret that race production is a tough job, and things can go sideways quick ‘n easy. Mind you, no one is immune to the occasional hiccup. Yet for the most part, runDisney has gotten the basics down pat. That’s pretty impressive when you consider how freaking MANY runners they serve!
I’ve run enough non-runDisney races to know that they are plenty generous with the porta potties. Okay, I admit sometimes the bus drivers get lost. Nevertheless, transportation is still a major operation that they’ve largely sorted in the last ten years or so. Start times are almost always punctual. In those very rare cases when they aren’t, it’s due to extenuating circumstances, not disorder. And their Galloway pacers? Accurate af!
AND THEY HAVE MORE OF WHAT YOU NEED NO MATTER YOUR SPEED
Is there anything worse than showing up at an aid station only to discover that they’re out of everything? Okay, maybe it’s about as bad when the aid stations are so far apart you can’t properly count on them for anything in the first place.
No such problem exists with runDisney. I have never encountered a race with such a fabulous track record of supplies and frequency. It doesn’t matter how far toward the back of the pack you are; you WILL receive water and snacks, and they WILL be many and near between. I believe runDisney generally puts about 1.5 miles between water stops, which is so close I use them as sort of ad hoc run-walk intervals.
Oh, and ditto for the med tents – you’re never far away from one, and they have all kinds of helpful sundries! Of course they’re prepared for emergencies, but they’re also there for all your Vaseline, Biofreeze, and pain reliever needs.
runDISNEY RACE PHOTOS ARE PLENTIFUL AND FUN
Most if not all major races have on-course photography, sometimes even for free. But you’ll never walk (run?) away with as many photos as you do during a runDisney event, especially if you stop for characters!
Even if you’re not a character person, there are lots of photographers stationed on the course. They’re easy to spot in their green tents, and they’re situated in such a way as to cover the breadth of the field. I know I’ve occasionally been disappointed to discover that I’m not in any of the photos from a race. In the case of runDisney, I think it would be impossible to make it through the course without any photos.
And while runDisney photos aren’t free as such, they haven’t been run by an outside company in years. If you have a Disney photo package, you can download your pics.
AND THEY ENCOURAGE SARTORIAL CREATIVITY
Race costumes are by no means a runDisney exclusive. I’ve seen people in various levels of costumery in everything from a local 5K to the Marine Corps Marathon. And yet I don’t think I’ve personally encountered a race that is as encouraging of race costumes, both officially and unofficially, as runDisney.
Fancy outfits are by no means a requirement – indeed, I myself went many years of runDisney racing before I so much as ran in a pair of Minnie ears – but now that I’m a part of it in my own small way I am shocked by how satisfying it is to assemble an ensemble.
If your race costume gets good response in your socials, that’s great. If it gets callouts on course? So much the better. And if you run into the same character whose movie you’re representing? Priceless! I will never forget Jack Skellington informing me that my Mayor costume was the most horrible he’d seen yet. 😂
WHEN SOMETHING GOES WRONG, runDISNEY SHOWS UP
Perhaps most notably, runDisney is amazing at handling weather postponements and cancellations.
I have witness one full cancellation and participated in two separate half marathons that were more or less cut in half, all due to weather. Weather is one area that runDisney genuinely cannot control. While we do sign waivers, a contract wouldn’t protect them legally in the face of negligence. I’m confident no one on runDisney’s team WANTS to curtail or cancel a race, and they only do so over true safety concerns for everyone on the course, from the runners to the volunteers to the spectators.
I’m sure of this because there’s NO WAY it wouldn’t be easier to just cancel rather than attempt to adjust to a shorter course at the last minute, even assuming contingency plans are pre-arranged. And yet they demonstrably put in the effort when a shortened course is needed.
In those rare cases of cancellation? Why, runDisney does the unthinkable and offers refunds! Or at least the option of a refund. When the 2017 Walt Disney World Half Marathon was cancelled, I seem to recall the choices were to request a refund eventually, accept a Disney gift card immediately, or switch to the marathon. When COVID took out an entire race season, registrants could go virtual or get their money back.
I’m guessing allowing deferrals would cause too much of a headache when getting a runDisney bib is tough enough in a normal year. Still, I’m sure the fine print would allow them to offer us nothing. Whether it’s purely for PR reasons or not, it’s nice to know you can count on runDisney doing the right thing in the face of a force majeure.
WE’RE GLAD YOU’RE HERE
As I said in my earlier post, just because you love something doesn’t mean it’s immune to critique. I offer my opinion on runDisney’s pain points because I believe it is important to call out issues, even when it feels futile or proves unpopular. If I think of other potential opportunities for improvement, I intend to share them – because I care!
So let me say it one more time: I truly do love runDisney. I’m grateful to have been a part of it in the past, and I hope to keep it in my future whenever I can. Considering how quickly bibs sell out of late, I might not always get a bib every time I want to – but that will only make every race I do make more meaningful.
And I’m glad you’re part of it too, because as that one song says, we are the magic! Specifically, whenever your next race may be, I hope every mile is magic. See ya on the course!
Don’t forget, you can follow FRoA on Threads @fairestrunofall and on Instagram @fairestrunofall. If you have any questions or thoughts, leave a comment or email fairestrunofall@gmail.com. See ya real soon!