2005 WDW Marathon

Best Time I've had With My Running Shoes On!

An Account of the 2005 Walt Disney World Marathon

by Deborah Rodriguez

Debbie Rodriguez with MIckey and Minnie

Among my many loves, there are two that have never overlapped until recently. I love to run and I love Disney. Though I have participated in many road races over the years, including a half marathon, running a full marathon has been a goal I've had for the better part of 15 years.

My family just spent a glorious 14 days in WDW at the end of August (yes, we braved the crowds and heat and even a hurricane) and I even managed a two-day trip to Disneyland while on a business trip two months later. I knew without a doubt that the best place for my first (and possibly only) marathon had to be Disney World.

I won't repeat the details that others (Laura Gilbreath and Len Testa) so wonderfully shared of the half marathon (congratulations, by the way), but I do have some additional observations. I researched the many websites covering marathons and though the vast majority of comments about Disney's marathon were very positive, few had any perspective of the true Disney fan.

We arrived close to midnight two days before the race. Checking in to Port Orleans Riverside was relatively easy at that hour. The front desk staff was very knowledgeable about race details. I was handed a packet of hotel and marathon information at check-in. The hotel was filled to capacity for the weekend, mostly with runners. Despite the late hour, we were able to find a nice pizza snack just before the restaurant on site closed.

My following day was spent picking up my race packet and an "easy" day at the Studios. I was able to maintain a slow, easy touring pace while also hydrating and "carbo loading." I retired early for the night while my family enjoyed a swim at the hotel.

Marathon Runners in Epcot The run itself was magical, once you actually started. At the staging area (in the Epcot parking lot), there was a large stage, band, announcers, some porta-johns, baggage drop off and lots of opportunities to do some early morning chatting, sitting (bring trash bags to sit on), snacking, and even some last-minute napping. Then we were off to the starting line. This 0.6 mile trek was through the service roads around Epcot (not scenic, but some friendly cast members were around for encouragement -- tough job at 5 a.m.). We were like cattle being herded to our corrals. There was lots of fun discussion, sharing of memories of previous marathons, and lots of people darting off for bathroom breaks (warning to the ladies: lines are long at the porta johns and the men are not in the lines, they are at the edge of the woods). The starting corrals are separate for the half and full marathon, but very similar. Corral placement is based on anticipated finish time. Word to the wise: people tend to underestimate their time and unless you have verification of previous sub three-hour finishes, you will be assigned to a corral in the middle if you request it. Being in one of the middle corrals, I neither saw the start nor the official race starters: Mickey, Minnie, Donald, and Daisy (look for the stage and position yourself on that side of the corral to see the characters as you run by the starting line). I heard the start and saw the fireworks (very fun).

My observations of the first 13.1 miles were similar to other accounts -- absolutely spectacular. The start through Epcot is gorgeous. The run through the back of Epcot, though fascinating for a Disney fan, is well, less than magical (like running through an industrial park, including a run through a parking lot). Entering Magic Kingdom was wonderful. Running down Main Street with cheering crowds along the side and seeing Cinderella Castle was awesome! Running through the castle was even more spectacular.

Saying goodbye to the half marathoners about this point was exciting and also quite daunting. Hearing the cheers of their finishers made me wonder what I was getting myself into. To the cheers and encouragement of the half marathoners, we separated and began the next part of the quest (this will be different next year).

The next two miles along Bear Island Road, leading to Animal Kingdom, were very pretty with lots of trees along the sides. This is also a quiet part of the run, no crowds, just the fellowship of runners. Water stops were more frequent (every mile) and essential. The sun was shining bright and there is no shade, only concrete and asphalt for much of the remainder of the run. My nose let me know I was near an animal facility before my eyes could discern that this was different from most roads. Coming closer to the park, things got a little more interesting. Animal Kingdom staff was out with some of the tamer park inhabitants, although a small heifer and turtle tried to run in our path. We made a back entry into the park at Asia, entertained by cast members from the Lion King. There was now music, and Mickey and Minnie (I brought my camera, something "serious" runners wince at).

Running through Animal Kingdom was wonderful. Though the park was closed, many cast members were out cheering us on. We ran by Expedition Everest, Discovery Island, then to the Boneyard and out to the front entrance. Here at mile 18, I saw my family for the first time. I carried a cell phone with me, so was able to locate them easily. Getting rid of some extra cargo that I had been carrying and getting to see and feel my family's encouragement gave me the boost I so needed. I waved goodbye and headed to the Studios, they headed to Epcot. (They wanted to see me at the Studios, but using Disney transportation would have taken too long.)

We then headed to probably the most difficult and also the most mundane part of the run. Miles 19-22 are along the Osceola Parkway between Animal Kingdom and Disney-MGM Studios. Aside from occasional groups of families and friends, there was little to no Disney entertainment, no park atmosphere, and no characters (maybe something was around for the elite runners who had passed an hour earlier). There is even a switchback at the Wide of World Sports Complex from miles 20-21. This is the part of a marathon where most runners need some extra encouragement -- the so-called "bonk" can happen somewhere in this stretch. Fortunately, there are so many other runners that you are never alone. Finally, cheering spectators were gathered as well as super sized inflatables of the Incredibles right before we entered the Studios at mile 21.

Debbie Rodriguez with Buzz and Woody Mile 22 took us into the Studios. Entering a back entrance behind Tower of Terror, we circled the back of the park, reentering at the Studios backlot (where Woody and Buzz and several cast members cheered us), then down New York Street, around the Sorcerer's Hat, and out the front entrance. By this point in my run, the park was open. There were some cheering crowds, as well as guests probably wondering what a crazy group of people was doing running through the park. One advantage to being an elite runner is running through empty parks the entire way, but what fun is that?
Leaving the Studios, we headed toward the Yacht and Beach Club resort along Crescent Lake.

Turning onto the Boardwalk at Mile 24, I finally saw my goal, Spaceship Earth! We entered Epcot over the International Gateway, then ran "around the world" in one mile. I had tears in my eyes by France and America! We passed Mexico and then through the archway to Future World. Cast members from each of the regions were dressed in their native clothes, holding his/her country's flag, cheering us on! There was a gospel choir "singing us home" just before we left the park for our final stretch. I am amazed that all this entertainment continues for seven hours, for the fastest runners as well as the slowest (thanks, Disney).

The glorious finish line is just outside the park with cheering friends and family in a series of grandstands. I crossed the finish with arms extended over my head in victory. Getting my fabulous finishers medal placed around my neck by the wonderful volunteers was an experience I will never forget. I posed for a few pictures (Disney contracts with a sports events photographer to capture pictures of runners along the race), grabbed some much-needed food and water (volunteers will even open the bottles for you) and found my family. The family reunion area is near the staging area in the Epcot parking lot (where we first started). It is very loud (music and entertainment) and very crowded. Then with a smile that would last for days, I headed to the hotel for a quick shower and then I celebrated my victory the Disney way -- eating and drinking my way around the world. Never has Epcot food tasted so good!

To all you runners who are thinking about running your first (or 50th) half or full marathon and who love Disney, you will have a great time on this one. And enjoy yourself. I laughed, danced, limped a little, and loved the entire event. I'll be back next year.

Some other thoughts about marathon weekend…

To stay on property or off. Staying off property allows you to use your own private transportation to the staging area and this can be at a more reasonable hour. Many even stay in the car as late as possible (an advantage when the race start is 35 degrees as in 2004) and leave quicker. Many marathoners are more interested in the run and not the "experience." For those who want to be a part of the Disney experience, staying on property is much preferred.

Disney Transportation. Though the literature from Disney states there will be transportation to and from all resort hotels to all marathon events, this was sadly not the case. I tried to pick up my race packet early Saturday morning (day before race). I wanted to be there at opening, 8:30 a.m. Unfortunately, the only transportation leaving the hotel from 7-8 a.m. was chartered transportation to the Family Run (also a highly recommended event). Disney transportation was only taking guests to character breakfasts. The hotel staff and other Disney staff had no idea how to get several of us to the Sports Complex at such an early hour (this was a common criticism from previous marathons as well). We happened to have a most wonderful driver, Bob, who asked his dispatcher if he could make a "detour" from his usual route (he had no other park guests at that time) so that we could avoid a 1-2 hour, one way trip from our hotel to the Studios to the sports complex. (Thank you, Bob!) Fortunately, by the time I had my race packet; chartered buses were making their rounds from the sports complex to the hotels.

Spectators. Transportation on race morning was great for runners, but not so great for spectators. Because my family had to rely on Disney transportation, they were at the mercy of the Disney schedule. I believe Disney is great at running parks, including transporting guests, but they have some work to do with running such a large event as the marathon. Transportation after the race was also disappointing. After completing the run of my life, the advertised chartered buses taking runners back to the hotels was more than two hours behind in making rounds. We opted for Disney transportation. Thankfully, we had so much experience from our previous visit, we knew exactly where to go (TTC to Studios to the hotel -- can Disney improve this, by the way?) There were many runners and family who had no idea alternative transportation was available. Perhaps Disney can improve this, too.

Carbo loading and food. As many of you know, dining in the parks can be challenging when you have certain dietary requirements. Depending on which park you visit, if any, you may not find a good lunch or dinner that is not high in protein and/or fat. By planning ahead, we had a lovely pasta dinner at Mama Melrose while at the Studios, bypassing the advertised pasta dinner at All Star resorts. Along the race, there is plenty of food and water and Power-Ade. Goodings Grocery also provides bananas, oranges, chocolate bars and even bag of hard candy (not a good idea -- not for eating or cleaning up). PowerGel is also provided. I only ate my energy gel that I carried with me.

Traveling with children. Most children (and even spouses) will not be able to get up for the 6 a.m. start. Unless you have your own car, traveling from park to park to see your runner is not feasible with small children. The parks and especially the finish line are very crowded, so be prepared. But the reward after the run is being in a most wonderful location which everyone is sure to enjoy.

Volunteers. The enormous number of volunteers along the run was great. To all the countless smiling, cheering people handing out water or PowerAde; to those that picked up all our trash (tons of it); to the people who shouted encouragement to me; to the medical personnel (lots of Biofreeze and quick attention available); to the cheering cast members; to the young people who played in the bands along the way, a huge thank you -- you are wonderful and very appreciated. You made this a truly Disney event!

Other guests. Marathon weekend is now so popular that many hotels are filled and attraction and food lines can be longer than other January weekends (certainly not as long as summer). Next year may prove to be more interesting as events will be spread over two days. My advice is if you must go during marathon weekend, be prepared for large groups of people to be flocking transportation hubs, restaurants, and parks through most of the weekend. And if you happen to be around the morning of the race, cheer the runners on, it is much appreciated.