You are going to love the WDW marathon. The parks are spaced apart just enough to give you a motivational kick. It is a great firt timers marathon. Just a warning, don’t be discouraged about running through the parking lots to get to the parks. It isn’t as bad as some would make you think. Go to http://www.steverunner.com for a great podcast about distance running.

It’s not really the parking lots that I’m so worried about. It’s more the long roads. I think the transit from Animal Kingdom to MGM will be tough.

[...] marks the official start of my 18 week training program for the Walt Disney World marathon. My training up to this point has basically been preparation for a simulated 10K run that I should [...]

how’s training going? this is my first marathon. getting v.excited but also a little nervous. live in UK so training lately has been in cold/wet conditions. Hope it’s not too hot on ‘the day’! now up to 20 miles (just over 3 hours) not sure where the other 6.2 miles will come from but people keep telling me i’ll get carried along..here’s hoping. I just want that medal!

You’re a little further along than me. I’m up to 18 this week and then 20 the next before tapering down. I’ve got some pain in the right side of my butt that I’m hoping is not too serious. I’ve got an appointment with my chiropractor on Friday. Hopefully, a simple adjustment will have me up and running again. As it is now, I don’t think I’d make it much more than 6 miles.

your going to love the wdw marathon, it was my first last year, dont worry about the miles, if your running 20 miles now, the other 6 will come from just the excitement of it all. the medal is a wonderful reminder of the day. Dont forget to bring a small camera, lots of people have their pics taken with all the characters along the way, you feel like your a part of Disney. Have fun, wish I were going this year !!

Hey everyone, this will be my second marathon run and I believe it’ll be my most exciting!

I have registered to run the marathon and will not be able to this year. I hate to waste my spot and wondered if anyone would like to take my place. They can’t change the name on my registration, but someone can use my number to run. Let me know if you know of anyone who is interested.

oh my goodness!!!! Jill I am doing this for the first time and I based it on wanting the metal too!!! I am so excited.

Debbie,

Would love more information. A friend of mine has trained with me, but is not registered.

I thought you needed photo ID to pick up the packet? I have a friend who can’t run for health reasons and would love to find someone to take her place.

ps…please email me at gibbons.mp@gmail.com with any info
Thanks so much!!!

That is true. The number is non-transferable and a photo ID is required to pick it up at the Race expo. If you miss this year, you are guaranteed a spot in next year’s race, but you have to pay again.

Hi! disney will be my 2nd marathon and i’m excited (NOT excited about the 6am start, though!) i ran my first marathon in 3:30 but all of my training runs (including 3 20-milers) were at 8 minute pace too. i’ve done the same thing this time around, perhaps a little faster even and am thinking i definitely underachieved last time around. any ideas on what pace i can hope for if my long runs are at 8min pace?? thanks and good luck!

This is my first marathon. I just started running the day after my husband finished the marathon last year. I never ran before in my life. I worked pretty hard all year. Last week, because I lifted something stupid, I woke up unable to walk, or stand up without terrible pain. I have worked with a chiropractor and a pain management doctor ever since. I even had a MRI. I have a bum disc at L5-S1 but I am feeling better, and going for it. Please pray for me. I want to finish more than anything even if it is in 7 hours!

funny …we are all so different yet so rhe same. I am a first timer also and decided that disney was the best pick. nice temperate weather,well kept surroundings and of course…THAT metal!!!

Oh, yes, that medal. Which by the way I got !! Yahooo, the back held up and we made it. One of the greatest days of my life!

I was one of the many who completed the 1/2 marathon but when we got to the part to pick up our Donald Medal, they did not have any. What kind of people would not make sure that everyone received their Medal at the end. Instead we were told to give our name and it would be mailed but when we went to do that they said that they new who did not receive them. I have been emailing them everyday this week and still have not been given any answers. If anyone has any answers for me, please respond. This is my 2nd year doing the 1/2 and maybe the Last….

I also finished the 1/2 marathon and did not receive a medal. I was told the same thing as Vickie was…and that if we were staying at one of their resorts, they would contact us there so we’d know where to go to collect it. Never received word. Got home Tuesday night to a message in an email telling me to pick it up on Sunday (the 13th) at the awards ceremony. How funny is that? There isn’t a single computer for public use at the resort, yet this is the way they choose to communicate with me. I shot them an email back and although they did not respond, they did send my medal out the next day day via UPS overnight and I received it yesterday (Friday). You may say ‘All’s well that ends well’, but I was a bit let down seeing the multitudes walking around with their medals hanging from their necks and mine was bare.

Got on the bus at 3:30am for the marathon but the driver didn’t know how to get to the site. Instead of a 10 minute ride, we drove around for an hour trying to figure out how to get to Epcot. The driver didn’t have a radio to call anyone, the taxi driver wasn’t any help nor was the policeman that was directing the traffic. No one knew how to get there. It was funny at the time but soon began to get really scary. Everyone thought they were gonna miss the start. In the end, everything turned out fine and we eventually found our way to Epcot. Thank you to the lady with the cellphone for trying to get a hold of someone for directions. Code word is “Bus Ride” for those that were there. All in all, it was an awesome venue.

Jennifer,

Glad to hear that you received your Medal. As of 1/22/08 still have not received any word via email nor have I received my medal. If you have any contact number or email addresses please send them to me. I have sent several emails to different addresses and still nothing. I am very disappointed in Disney.

Thanks,
Vickie

Awesome marathon account. I ended up finishing in 6 and a half, 45 min slower than my first marathon - will train better, but still, as you are, proud that i finished!!! I, too, think I could have gone forever IF THEY CUT MY LEGS OFF!!!
Congrats on a great run, really! Hope to see you next year!

My son-in-law ran the Disney World marathon and it was such an experience for him that my husband, son and I signed up for the next one. Then I remembered - I’m not a runner! As in, there would have to be a Popeye’s Chicken at the end of the block to get me to run. So we all went to our local runners club/store. Had consultations, bought the right shoes, signed up for classes. We then decided the best place to start would be the Disneyland Half marathon. We’re signed up and start training today. I want that medal! I will be so disappointed if they don’t have them to hand out. I want to walk around Disneyland with it around my neck beside my husband, son-in-law and son.

I have a question for you all. Since I’m new at running, I’m not too proud to admit that I will likely walk a good deal of the time. When I registered, one the of questions was whether or not I was a walker. Is this what it means or is there a separate category (allowing more time) for those who are incapable of running? I don’t want to get in the way of the true runners by getting put into the wrong corral. But I also don’t want to get put into a walk-a-thon corral.

Hi Pam,

I don’t remember such a question when I registered for the 2008 WDW marathon or the 2009 WDW half marathon. Perhaps they do have a separate category for walkers in the Disneyland half marathon.

In any case, I wouldn’t worry about being put in a corral that’s too far up. If it’s your first time and you don’t have any proof that you deserve to be in a higher corral, you’re probably going to be in the last corral anyway. That’s what they did with me.

So, if you plan on doing any running at all, I wouldn’t call yourself a “walker”.

Ok Guys this is your chance to be in the cover of a runners book, well. I need a few photos of runners with an interesting Disney background, please email them to me and please be advise that the budget is limited so if your pictures is cool I will get back to you for more details. I’m working on a book about the 50 most amazing marathons in the world, so please take a minute and go through your files and send me a cool picture. If Mikey is there that is also cool.
best
Jmartinez@randomhouse.com

Hi

I’m looking to obtain a 1/2 marathon number if anyone has to dropout I’m happy to buy it from you. Please contact me at pdgiorgio@aol.com

the 2009 half marathon is full. Anyone know how to get a spot ?

Hi,
I’m registered for the WDW 2009 Marathon. It will be my first question. Does anyone one know what type of food they provide on course? I want to try to train with the types of food that will be available.
Thanks!

@ HGB

I remember Clif gels at mile 16 and candy bars at mile 23. I believe there was fruit at mile 14, but I think I was running with my eyes closed at that point so don’t quote me.

First marathon and just cant wait. Ive been training since last October. training in the cold months in jersey is tuff. running outside in 25 degree weather is no fun but is worth it for the experience. But the treadmill is just not the for me . anyone has any tips please let me know as it is my first marathon. I CANT WAIT.
where r we going to celebrate with the clubs in pleasure island closed.

@Boxcar. That’s a good question. Raglan Road will still be open I believe.

there is a couple cool places on the boardwalk.. jelly rolls is awsome except for the smoke

Doing the WDW marathon in 09, does anyone know if you can use headphones or an ipod?? i thought I read that they weren’t allowed, I don’t know that I could make 26.2mi without my ipod. Thanks!

@Lisa

Headphones are officially banned from the WDW marathon. It’s not really enforced, though. I saw hundreds of people wearing headphones in this year’s race.

Having said that, I encourage you to run without them anyway. There are 18,000 fellow runners to entertain you on the way to the finish and they have music along the entire route anyway. Heck there was one point this year where the course split and you could choose between country and 80’s pop for a half mile stretch.

Try running with a pace group. The pace group leaders are great at keeping conversation going between those in the group and the whole thing becomes a team effort with cheers, jokes, songs and advice.

Thanks for the advice!

It is great to hear about everyone’s experiences running the WDW Marathon. I’m signed up for 09. This is the first real physical activity that I suffered a knee injury 21 years ago. I’m a bigger guy too so this is going to be interesting. A friend talked me into joining our local chapter of USAFit and here I am.
I’m trying to take it easy to start my training so that my body can get use to it and I don’t get injured. Does anyone have any advice for a complete newbie? I will finish this race if it kills me but I would very much like to train so that I can enjoy it.

@Graydon

I suggest starting with one of Jeff Galloway’s programs. His are known to be gentle on newbies. He’s run every WDW marathon so far, so it’s likely you’ll be able to thank him in person.

Check out the program to finish here:

http://www.jeffgalloway.com/training/marathon.html

It’s a 32 week program, so you’d be 7 weeks into it already. Take a look at week 7 and see if it’s about at your level. If not, then I suggest working through some of the early weeks and then switching to Hal Higdon’s novice 1 program once you’re 18 weeks out (sometime in September):

http://www.halhigdon.com/marathon/Mar00novice.htm

Finally, don’t forget to do strengthening exercises for your legs. These will help you avoid shin splints, IT band syndrome, runner’s knee, plantar fasciitis and the other common running problems.

Good luck, and keep me posted on how you’re doing!

I will be running my first marathon at WDW in 09!! I’m really excited and feel the butterflies at the same time. I’m training now for a half-marathon in Sept. I got my training program from runnersworld.com…very encouraging!

I will be running my first marathon at WDW in 2009! I am really excited and really nervous! I have been training for a half marathon in September. The longest I’ve run now is 16.5 miles, so I’m trying to boost that. I’m using a marathon training guide that I got off from a running website.

Do you have any hotel reccomendations? We are hoping to stay in a Disney hotel/resort but we are worried about catching the bus for the early Half M start. Any feedback is welcome. This will be our first time for the Disney half plus the first time to take our kids to the Disney park.

@ Robin

There will be special marathon weekend transportation running from all Walt Disney World resorts on the mornings of both the half and full marathons. You won’t have to rely on the normal Disney buses.

If you stay at one of the monorail resorts, you might want to check about transportation. I believe the monorail will be running to EPCOT for the start rather than buses.

In any case, if you’re staying at a Disney resort, you won’t need to worry about transportation. Be aware, however that the last bus will usually leave the resort at around 4:00 AM. Because of road closures, it took the bus nearly a half hour to get to EPCOT last year.

As far as which one to pick, the Polynesian is great if you’ve got some spectators who don’t want to get up and catch the bus with the runners in the morning. They can get up much later and simply walk to the transportation and ticket center to view mile 4-5 of the half and mile 8-9 of the full. Afterwards, they can take the monorail to EPCOT for the finish. It’s pretty expensive though.

I’ve stayed at almost every Disney resort and they’re all great. Rooms are always clean, and there are plenty of amenities. The “luxuriousness” increases with price, though.

I am looking for a spot in the half marathon, if you have one and cant run, PLease contact me at primmc@gmail.com

hi - i’m looking for someone who has a spot in the circle of life 5k that they can’t use. i’d very much like to enter it as it would be my first 5k, and my husband is running the marathon (his very first!) as well. please contact me at cspohrer@bellsouth.net if you can help. thanks!

Vickie, & Jennifer,

Sorry to hear the news about you folks not getting your medals at the Walt Disney World Half Marathon. I just completed the Disneyland Half Marathon in Orange County California, and they had plenty — probably more than enough. I was contemplating on competing in doing the Disney World Half Marathon, but it does not sound as organized as it should be.

Hi I have a spot in the WDW marathon and am not able to make it! I need to sell this thing so my family can all meet in Disneyland instead (apparently I’m not priority number one!) Send me an email if you’re interested. konan19@mac.com

I’d be careful purchasing spots in the marathon or the half. They are non-transferable and photo IDs are checked when you pick up your packet.

Thanks for the tip. I was worried about that too!

Alright, here’s the scoop. Less than a week ago a co-worker of mine mentioned he was doing the WDW Marathon…and now, I want to as well (mainly for that medal).

As for my history, I’m not out of shape by any means. I do a lot of strength/weight training as it is 4-6 days a week. I’m in the Army and ran 2 miles in 13:15 (in the Texas May heat) after 2-3 weeks to prepare for it on my last PT test. I ran track for 10 years and cross-country for 3. The most I’ve ever ran is 10 miles continuously, though. I eat healthy, don’t smoke, and yada yada…what are my chances seriously of finishing the WDW marathon in 5 hours? I’ve never ran one before, obviously, or I wouldn’t be asking. Now that it’s at 97% capacity, I’m registering either way after I submit this.

I picked up David Kuehls’ “4 Months to a 4-Hour Marathon” and will be living by it religiously for the next 3 months. I realized there’s a month difference there, or I wouldn’t be here right now. I honestly don’t expect to run a 4-hour marathon, but I would like to set a goal for 5 hours. My mother’s cousin has ran a marathon in each of the lower-48 states. I don’t intend on fulfilling that any time soon, but living in Houston, I’m already interested in running the Mardi Gras marathon as well. If those two go well, then Chicago and so forth. In all honesty, I miss my days of track and the feeling of getting the awards. Yeah, there’s more behind the awards, but I want these medals :)…anything to push me is better than nothing, right? They’re a sense of accomplishment as any of you marathon novices have already experienced.

I know I have a lot mileage ahead of me, I’m going to set out to see what I can do tomorrow in an hour working my way up to a 9-minute mile. If you would be so kind, lay it to me straight, I’d be much obliged. I know nothing about marathon distance running, only 5k and below…5k’s I use to run in the 18’s if that helps any.

@Evan

I think that given your history and current level of fitness, 5 hours is a reasonable goal. Your biggest challenge is to stay injury free. I don’t recommend skipping the first month of a training program. It’s the portion that builds your base so your body is equipped for the pounding and the higher intensity workouts later in the plan. For a 5 hour finish, having this base is far more important than the speedwork. If you don’t build that base then shin splints, runners knee, IT band syndrome, plantar fasciitis or some combination of all those will keep you from running the higher intensity stuff (and possibly the marathon) anyway. If anything, I’d say cut the month just before the taper out….or cut the first week then the 3 weeks before the taper.

You only need to run 11:27 minute miles to finish in 5 hours. So, don’t try to push your runs too fast. You may feel great during the run, but it will catch up to you later. The marathon is about discipline. 5 hours is a long time to exercise at that intensity, so take it easy.

Since the longest run you’ve ever done is 10 miles, you won’t have proof of time for a decent corral assignment. That means you’ll be stuck in the back of the pack. This will help you contain your excitement in the beginning. The fireworks will go off and you won’t go anywhere. It may take 10 minutes or more to cross the starting line. After that, you’ll be with a lot of people who just want to finish in 7 hours, so traffic will not allow you to go much faster than 11-12 minute miles anyway. Relish this pace (you don’t need to go faster to finish in 5) and do not waste energy trying to go around people. Things will open up around mile 6. If you can find the 5 hour pace group (they will start ahead of you) at that point, do so and let them pace you the rest of the way.

Approx how much should you save up for this marathon, if you were to stay for at least 3 days? Any suggestions? I want to run in the 2010 Disney marathon.

@ Lori

As a ballpark, the entry fee will probably be around $120, I’d budget at least $150/day for hotel if you’re staying on property (highly recommended for race day transport), $60-$70 per person per day for park tickets if you want to go to the theme parks and $50/per person per day for food (minimum). So, for three days, one person you’re looking at about $800 plus the transportation cost to actually get there.

Great, thanks Brian!

looking to run the circle of life 5K if anyone has an extra spot.

Thanks for the word, Brian. Training has been going pretty good so far (officially started on the 9th). The hardest part really is just going out and doing the mileage, which is of course the whole reason. Probably the more miles I get in, the better I feel about this whole thing and I start to look up other events I might be able to take part in (currently looking at 5). The WDW Marathon is a definite now since I’ve already registered myself. After a couple weeks of running, I really don’t see why I won’t be able to complete the run 3 months from now. That is if I tone down my pace a little since I think I’m pushing myself a little too much (my old track/cc racing mentality). So far, the runs I’ve had already:

9-Oct ~ 2mi @ 10:10 (7:30)
12-Oct ~ 2mi @ 10:10 (7:30)
14-Oct ~ 2mi @ 10:10 (7:25)
20-Oct ~ 6mi @ 10:10 (8:30)
22-Oct ~ 3mi @ 10:10
23-Oct ~ 3mi @ 10:10 (9:13)

Of course, there’s the date I ran, distance, pace I was suppose to run and if applicable the time I actually ran it in parenthesis. My last run yesterday I’ve felt the best so far. After finishing the run I wanted to go for more, but figured not to overdue myself. I’ve always had shin splits in my track days (a lot of toe running in spikes), but after 18 miles so far I haven’t felt them at all.

I need to find a decent means of getting some icing, though. About a half hour after my 6-mile run I suddenly missed my track days in college with the ice baths/whirlpools. I am planning on getting some heat packs to take on the road if/where I go as well to help with warming up. I signed up for my first Half-Marathon in Dallas on Nov. 2nd since I’ve been feeling as good. It’s close to me, not too expensive, and it’d be a good time to see where I’m at before I book flights/hotels…most likely run around 11:30 pace. Hopefully try and weed off of my iPod somewhere before then which will be the hardest of all (I’m pretty sad the USA T&F is enforcing against them) and slow my runs down.

I don’t know, I guess I was just curious if you had any more food for thought as I go forth with this? 15+ mile weeks start Sunday.

I just suggest cooling it on your pace. Just because you can run faster doesn’t necessarily mean you should. You definitely want to stay well below your lactate threshold at this point. The faster pace puts more impact on your legs and that will take its toll as you add more mileage.

For icing, I typically fill the bathtub with cold water to cover my legs, then dump in a 20 lb bag of ice. I sit in that for about 20 minutes - but only after my longest runs. For other runs, it helps a little to run the cold water over your legs in the shower before turning the heat up.

I just registered for the marathon last week. I am extremely excited and so nervous. This will be my first marathon, but hopefully not my last. It’s comforting knowing there are many people who feel the same way as I do and who are doing this for fun as well.

I am being realistic about this marathon. I workout 5-6 days a week, which has kept me in pretty good shape. I was running a few days a week with a running partner until my schedule made me pressed for time. I started back up 2 weeks ago and did 5 miles in 45 minutes. Not too bad for taking 3 months off.

My plan is to run and walk through this marathon. My goal isn’t time, but just to complete it and have a memorable experience. It is a shame I am doing it on my own and can’t share the experience with friends, but I will have a story to tell them for years to come. Who knows maybe it will encourage them to tackle the next one with me.

Don’t worry, Jennifer, you won’t be completing the marathon alone. There will be 18,000 others participating with you and the length of a marathon is plenty of time to make some new friends.

This will be my first marathon, and was wondering what people thought of the course, is it flat, hilly?

The course is very flat. The only things that can really be considered hills are the overpasses and a few bridges. None of them are all that steep or particularly long. You can read my report from last year’s marathon here:

http://www.arunnersblog.com/2008-walt-disney-world-marathon-my-experience/

Just finished my first marathon yesterday, the DRC Half in Dallas. Went out hoping for somewhere around a 2:30:00 finish but ended up moving up to finish at 2:07:53 (chip time). It was the longest distance I’ve ran at one given time before, so I’m definately happy with my results. Still plenty of work to do beforehand after hitting that wall at mile-10, but I can’t wait till the Disney Full in ‘09 now!

Again, thanks for the words of advice Brian.

Can anyone tell me what to do or what to look out for when parking my car at the start for the Disney Marathon 2009?

Does anyone know if you can transfer from the marathon to the 1/2? I know for some other marathons you can, but wasn’t sure about the WDW.
thanks

I’m running my first goofy challenge next weekend. Does anybody have any information regarding transportation to and from the Expo for packet pick up if staying on property? we are staying at the Wilderness Lodge. Thanks!

Best of luck to you and all of the other runners in the 2009 Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend.

I wanted to let you know Brian, that I have found all of your blogs extremely interesting to read and very insprirational. I am not a runner, but you have made it tempting to start.

I also wanted to let you know that I have written a story on Examiner.com about your blog. I am attaching a link if you are interested in reading it. I would love to hear about your experience during this year’s half marathon and possibly write a story on you during the race.

Feel free to email me at heather_leigh73@yahoo.com and I will be at the Marathon Weekend to cheer you all on! Happy Running!

http://www.examiner.com/x-1712-Walt-Disney-World-Travel-Examiner~y2009m1d4-Runner-offers-inspiration-through-his-blog

@Jennifer I believe Mears Motor Coach buses run approximately every 20 minutes from the Disney resorts to the expo and back.

Brian , I just found this blog : the evening before my departure from Canada to Disney World …I am so excited … I am going to cross the finish line with about 50 Team Diabetes Canada members. Look for our bright coloured singlets and please cheer .I, as a walker , 68 plus, tried last year for the full marathon…keep telling my friends I set a new record : I made it to 22 miles with 100 percent humidity …my diabetes ( type 1 ) got in the way …Saturday for me the 1/2 …I like to bring a medal home to British Columbia …all the best to all the runners .

I completed the race yesterday. It was my first marathon and one of the best days of my life!

I too completed the 2009 marathon, it was my first marathon. I have never ran in a race before and did not have a lot of time to prepare. This was the most memorable weekends of my life. I’ve never been more proud of myself and to have finished within a reasonable 5:45:16. I am sore and swollen, but would do it all again and just may next year!

Congrats to all! I just found this blog and am about to register for the 2010. Need lots of info..
Brian, It sounds like know about training for this marathon. Can you recommend a training plan. I know we have about 49 weeks left until 2010, but I have been training consistently for about six weeks. Should I be weight training, or just consistently running to train? Also, about how many miles should I be training at right now? I am running 5 days a week & hit 8 miles last week.

@Angell I suggest getting the Daniels Running plan by Jack Daniels from your local library or bookstore. Start building your base during the spring and summer, then follow one of his marathon training plans starting in August. Done correctly, you’ll be in great shape for the Disney marathon in January. Good luck!

Hi Brian! I ran my first half marathon this past year, 2009, at Disney. With registration filling up quickly, i am debating on whether to do the half again or try for the full. I have never run a full, and trust me am not the biggest runner, but I think it would be such an accomplishment. My question is, are there people at the Disney Marathon that walk the whole thing? I guess I am scared I will be the last one finishing in the marathon!! Let me know what you think, thanks so much!

@Kelly

I’m not sure if anybody walks the whole way. You do have to maintain a 16 minute per mile pace so in theory if you walked briskly, you could pull it off. There are plenty of people who do a significant amount of walking though.

When I did the full in 2008, I was in some pretty serious pain and I alternated a half mile walking with a half mile lame jogging for about 9 miles before walking the entire last mile. I finished in 5 1/2 hours (7 hours is the limit).

If you can jog a mile for every mile you walk, then I’d say you can still finish pretty well ahead of the last finishers. Even if you are one of the last finishers, you’ll be in a pretty big group of people bringing up the rear…and I suspect there’s a bit of a festival atmosphere in that group.

I didn’t enjoy the 2008 marathon experience during the event. Over time, I grew fonder of the memories. Certainly lessons learned from that experience have made me a much better runner and the memory of my perseverance has stayed with me and helped push me through other challenging situations in life.

It’s certainly an experience you’ll always remember. If you can commit the time to train for it, then go for it…or you can sign up for the half marathon again and run with me!

[...] a side note, my most popular post (73 comments) was almost exactly 2 years ago.  Check it out.  You can bypass all the detailed [...]

I am really excited about running my first marathon this year at Disney but I am worried about getting there the day of the race. We are staying outside the park, where and how do you get to the start line. Do you drive or is there a shuttle. Any help would be appreciated