runDisney: Racing with Character
Some of the best times I have had as a runner were through the run Disney races. Here are some of my tips on how to make the most of your runDisney experience as a beginner.
RunDisney is the organization that’s behind all the Disney race weekends. These weekends are a themed series of 5k’s to marathons that course through the Disney Parks. Most race weekends consist of a 5k, a 10k, a half marathon, and sometimes a full marathon. You can sign up for one or more individually, or you can sign up for a challenge. Challenges vary depending on which race weekend it is, but usually consist of two or more races that you can gain an extra metal for completing.
How to Get In
Registering for a Disney race can be very stressful and expensive. Current races range from $95 to $195. Registration opens at 9:00 AM Eastern time on a particular day, and races tend to sell out in minutes. So have your device and credit card ready! Know which race you want to participate in before the registration window opens. Some runners make the mistake of signing up for races they are not prepared for, so if you’re a beginner think about trying the 5k first.
What to Wear
A large part of planning for race day is knowing what clothes to bring. There are two big things to remember when packing outfits: safety and weather. I say safety because the races start early. You’ll be running a portion of the first half of the race in the dark. So, you need to wear bright colors, meaning nothing black, brown, grey, etc. Neon is usually the way that people go. Weather is a major factor because in Florida it could be 99 degrees outside one minute and flood-like rainstorms the next. A big mistake that people make is not being prepared for the sudden changes in weather, and they pay for it by having to buy an overpriced Disney poncho. Another noteworthy topic that I must cover is one of the reasons that some people choose to participate in runDisney: Costumes. Some dedicate months to planning out what costumes to wear. A favorite of mine was during the Princess 5k of 2017, when I saw a mother and daughter dressed up as Mrs. Potts and Chip from Beauty and The Beast. If you keep things bright for safety, you can be as creative as you want.
How to Prepare
Training is essential for any of these races. The first thing to keep in mind while training is that you must have a certain speed that you maintain throughout the race, or else you will be disqualified. That speed is an average of 16-minute miles and is enforced at all races. This is a rule because these races take place in parts of the Disney parks, which have a set time that they open. The parks don’t close for the races; there’s a time that the races must be done so that the families who paid for a Disney vacation are not inconvenienced. My recommendation to you is to start training the day you register, or before if you can. Especially if you aren’t at that average when you register and if you are doing anything more than the 5k. To avoid getting hurt during this experience, I suggest looking into practicing the basics of running form while training so it will come naturally during the race. Everyone’s different but the general rule of thumb is to keep your strides short, not to land hard on your feet, and to keep your body in sync with itself. Know your limitations. That’s why it’s recommended to start training early, so that you can go at your own pace. This isn’t something that will change overnight, it takes time and effort to have a safe and successful run. Remember to keep yourself hydrated and well rested throughout the training process, especially in the days before the race itself. Don’t eat anything super heavy and avoid alcohol the night before the race (runDisney).
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The day before your scheduled race, you’ll have to attend the runDisney Expo. This is where you will pick up your running bib and learn your coral number. It’s also a great place to pick up runDisney merchandise.
What to Do
The morning of the race is very exciting. You’ll want to get to the pre-race area early because it will get very crowded, very fast. Thus, you should also line up in your designated corral early. Beginning to warmup early is essential. There is a lot going on around you and you are bound to get distracted. During the race, you will see PhotoPass photographers taking pictures on the sides of the course. Many racers try to pose for them because you can look back at them later for a laugh. There will also be photo opts with various Disney characters with a line of runners wanting for photos. You should be selective about which line you get in, as it will affect your average time. The parks are empty except for other runners, and you will be running through parts of the parks that are not open to the public, so be sure to take a long look around. When you finally cross the finish line, don’t stop try to stop unless it’s an emergency. There will be Disney cast members there to keep traffic flowing, but it is also to ensure that you have a safe cool down. You should eat and drink the snacks that are provided after your cool down to help with recovery.
If you are a runner or are thinking of trying running, you should participate in a runDisney race. These races are exciting because you get to dress up as your favorite character and earn a fun, Disney themed medal. The best part of running a runDisney race is that you do not have the pressure to be a very fast runner. It’s a race that you only worry about having fun in, not winning.
“Training Tips and Race-Day Prep.” runDisney, https://www.rundisney.com/running-tips-race-day-prep/ . Accessed 22 August 2021.