Run Disney is hotter than ever with new themed races attracting all levels of runners. Disney fans who haven’t run a mile since high school eagerly sign up for Run Disney races for the thrill of running through the theme parks. Even families team up and train together to conquer magical miles together.
©RunDisney
But if you you’re new to the Run Disney scene, you may not even make it past registration! From the moment you decide to dish out the dough for a Run Disney race, you better know whats up…or else you’ll be swept before you even begin!
Below are my “8 Rookie Run Disney Mistakes” that everybody has made at one point. Learn from the Run Disney alumni runners and avoid these common pitfalls…
8 Rookie Run Disney Mistakes
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You Misjudge Registration.
48.6 miles throughout Walt Disney World, in the Dopey Challenge, sounds like a blast to you. But you casually log onto Active.com the night of registration AND POOF! It’s sold out! Don’t miss the party. Sign up for a reminder email, via Run Disney, for registration information so you don’t miss out.
2. You Don’t Submit a Proof of Time.
You might think submitting a proof of time is a waste of time, but it’s best to submit something rather than nothing. Sign up for a certified local race at home to submit a proof of time online for your Run Disney race. It’s also great practice for race day.
3. You Don’t Train.
Even though Run Disney races are walker friendly, it’s smart to train at a 15 min/mile pace at least. You’ll need to take into account any stops for the bathroom or photos. You’d be amazed how many runners don’t prepare for a Run Disney race.
4. You Forget to Test Run a Costume.
Everybody loves to run in fun costumes at Run Disney races. It’s smart to test your costume for a few miles before race day. Sometimes runners have to shed costume pieces mid-race. Run a few miles on the treadmill or outside in your costume.
5. You Don’t Take Advantage of the Expo Guest Speakers.
Run Disney provides amazing running resources at the expo with their guest speakers. Former Olympian, Jeff Galloway, provides runners with sound race advice. Registered Dietician, Tara Gidus Collingwood, talks to runners about proper fueling and wellness. I recommend any of the guest expo speakers to newbies!
6. You Bring a Selfie Stick Or Ignore The Costume Rules.
Run Disney just re-enforced new costume rules at the 2016 WDW Marathon Weekend. If a costume doesn’t follow guidelines, you may be asked to change or not run. It’s best to read the costume rules prior to the race weekend. Also, selfie sticks are strictly prohibited.
7. You Don’t Learn Race Etiquette.
Take the time to read race etiquette tips in your race weekend guide, provided by Run Disney. They offer valuable race etiquette tips that will keep you safe on the course. Last thing you want to do is stop suddenly for a photo and trip somebody.
8. You Book a Dining Reservation Too Close.
So many runners book a dining reservation close to their estimated race finish time but stress over it mid-race. Run Disney races can take you longer than expected since most runners stop for photos with characters. It’s best to give yourself plenty of time to make a reservation. Transportation time can always take longer as well.
Need some help with your training? Jeff Galloway, the official training coach for Run Disney has great half marathon training tips in his book, “Half Marathon, You Can Do It”.
Have any training questions or travel questions? Leave a comment below!
I don’t think I will ever participate in one of the Disney runs, or any runs for that matter, but I love how people get all into it. Especially the people who run in costume.
The next time we see Disney it will not be for running! Although I think anyone who does any of the races at Disney are amazing!
It definitely looks like a fun thing to do! I’m not a runner type, but I’d love to do it – I love the whole idea of running in a costume 🙂
I’m heading there next week…. it will be my second race! 🙂 GO ATLrunsDisney!
My daughter and I both ran in our first Disney race a month ago (2016 Disney World Half-Marathon) and had a blast. In fact, we enjoyed it so much, we just signed up to do the Dumbo Double Dare at Disneyland in Sep. My wife did her first full marathon at Disney World last month as well, but she is a runDisney veteran having run in the Princess Half last year. I’ve never run a half marathon as slow as this one (stopped for lots of pictures), but I’ve also never had as much fun running a half marathon either. I’d add a 9th Rookie Mistake as well: Don’t expect a personal best time at a runDisney event…there are too many pictures to take and memories to make.
I think it is important to research before you run particularly for a huge event like run Disney! Fantastic tips
Even if I train for months, I’d never be able to do a Disney race. LOL. But they look really fun- I’d be that girl in way too much glitter taking way too many characters photos.
I’m not a runner but my son (19 & 17) want me to do a 5K down in Disney for my first ever 5Krun next January.
I just signed up for one in July as a practice run. I already booked my hotel room. I just need to wait for the registration date to open. I’m starting to panic at times of not doing the race but how I get from the hotel to the race and to the packet pick-up site if I don’t have a car and what day is the 5k usually held on? is there anything the days after the race that I need to stick around for or can I go home 2 days later? so many questions and sometimes I feel that there stupid ones but to a newbie who’s never done it before…ugh
The 5k is held on Thursday in January. It’s the first race. There really isn’t anything that you need to stick around for. If you drive into Disney, leaving can be tricky with morning road closures during the races. I’d plan to leave late morning or early afternoon!
Wow, that sounds like a really fun thing to do. Costume running sounds right up my alley!
These are all great tips! I have always wanted to do one of these Disney races. They sound amazing!
My daughter and I have done a lot if Disney races. She is more into photo opps. And I am more into placing in my age division. For that reason, I am the only one that does the half marathons! We have a blast at Disney races. Yes, the expense is starting to get to us and we hate that most pass holders are blocked out race weekends, but as we complain, we sign up!
I haven’t done Run Disney. But I was supposed to do a Family Fun Run this Saturday but it is going to be a balmy 25 degrees in Kansas City so that’s happening.
My first half marathon was Disney Princess, and I wish the other runners had read this before the race! I loved my experience but it was definitely not perfect due to lots of terrible race etiquette (walking 6 people across, stopping right in front of me with no warning, giant fairy wings smacking me in the face) and I wish that someone had let people know that it’s not a total free for all out there! I know there were lots of first time race runners out there but a simple knowledge of how to safely stop to walk can help prevent injuries and frustration. Thanks for posting this!
I am not into races, but this sounds like a fun thing to do. I will share this with my cousin who loves to run.
A Disney race sounds like so much fun! I don’t run, but would love to be able to walk something like this, I had no idea there were so many rules when it came to running races! Very enlightening!
I would imagine test running a costume is a huge deal. You have to be able to move in it well. I’m not a runner but these are great tips.
I think it is kind of cool that people were costumes to do the run. I wish I was good at running, because this sounds like so much fun. Thanks for sharing such great tips.
I’m not much of a runner myself but i think this sounds like a lot of fun!
With the last one sometimes people also don’t realize that start times are staggered – so even though it says the race starts at 5:30, you might not actually start running til 6 or 6:15 depending on what corral you are in.
These events looks so fun! I love the princess themed runs.
I am soooo excited! First trip to Disney and I am participating in the Food and Wine Luminere’s Challenge this Novemeber. Love me some runcations! I am currently looking for the perfect costume???
I’m running Disney for the first time next month for my 39th birthday. Neverland 5K (Friday) followed by the Pixie Dust Challenge (10K Saturday & Half Sunday). I might add to this list “practice getting up SUPER early, as most runs start at 5am.” I know I want my usual breakfast + time to, er, relax and get ready…
I’m doing my first run in Jan 5& 10 k crazy friend convinced me and helped me register for both.
You’ll have so much fun! As long as you train, you’ll be ready to go!