That is the question. Last week, RunDisney announced some massive changes to their marathon course and regulations and it’s been quite the online conversation ever since. This got me thinking about the reasons why races change their routes and protocols, and how it works out with runners and participants.
Reasons Races Might Make Major Changes
There are so many incredible “legacy” races in the world, famous for so many different reasons. Runners who participate can feel safe knowing what to expect, and they may even have a sense of nostalgia as they log miles on familiar roads. However, races are subject to all kinds of outside forces: weather, construction, permitting rules, and sometimes, things have to switch around. When the Jaguars Stadium underwent major renovations a few years ago, the historic Gate River Run had to adjust their parking lot, start line, and finish line to accommodate the interruption. People grumbled, but made it work.
Sometimes, Change Is A Good Thing
Conversely, changes can be voluntary. Maybe a race director notices that a course just isn’t performing well. Maybe the event has worn out its welcome with locals, or runners provided feedback that the course is boring and no longer worth the cost of registration. Making changes to a course can revitalize a race and running brand, and make it fresh and exciting again.
Change Can Be Problematic, Too
The old adage “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” can also hold true. Major changes are not always met with positive responses and race directors should be prepared with a simple and honest explanation for their decisions. Runners want to know that decisions weren’t made lightly or without concern for their feelings, and while they might not be happy even after hearing the reasons, at least they can have a better understanding and make decisions accordingly. Modifications made for no good reason are less likely to be taken in stride.
So What Did RunDisney Do?
Allegedly, RunDisney sent out a survey for feedback regarding their insanely popular race series. In the last few weeks, they issued an announcement indicating that the race would now start at 4:30AM instead of 5, and the course would remove the World Showcase at the end of the race. The reasoning provided is the updated route would provide more course time in the actual parks. And in Florida, an earlier start time is always preferable due to sun and heat (in my opinion). Disney devotees, however, are usually intense planners, and with less than 100 days to go until race day, these modifications were not warmly accepted.
How Did RunDisney Get It Wrong?
RunDisney fans are among the most dedicated on the planet, but that also means they can be the most vocal when they are displeased. Disney races are expensive, and include the time and financial investment of several days. Even locals have to make several trips to the property (paying for parking or ride share) to visit the expo for packet pickup as there is no way to get your packet morning of. When you have paid hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars (when you consider hotel, transportation, food, and registration), last minute changes are never welcome. Registration is already long over for the RunDisney Marathon Weekend, and with no refunds or deferrals, runners have to just accept these changes, despite how they may feel. How it goes remains to be seen.
How do you feel when a race makes big changes?
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I didn’t know about this, but I dont really think its fair to make these changes for this year’s race. They probably could have just said they would go into effect next year. Although I think I would prefer than 4:30 am start in Florida!
Honestly, I think 4:30 sounds amazing. But people are already getting up at 2AM for that 3AM or 3:30AM bus, and that can be brutal, especially if you are doing Goofy, Dopey, or any combo of events.
I know runDisney has faced a lot of challenges post Covid. Registration is still up and everything still sells out fast, but there were definitely grumblings about the quality of the experience, especially for the money. Will this end up solving some of those problems? It remains to be seen.
Oh wow, post-registration changes are never a good idea!
Moving the start by 30 minutes earlier doesn’t sound like a big deal at first, but it can have a lot of impact on people’s planning.
Another question I’m asking myself: do the parks close down for marathon day?
As a little context… Disney are huge. Tens of thousands of people. Most stay on property on race weekends, simply because the logistics of transport and parking are so overwhelming. Even Disney transport doesn’t always get it right. When I ran Disney races (I did the Tower of Terror 10 Miler, Princess 10K and Half Marathon, and Disney Marathon), there were two mornings busses… One was at 4:30 for a 6AM start. The other one was earlier, and I was always on that earlier bus. The staging at the start line was massive. If you started in one of the later corrals, you could conceivably have about a one mile walk to get there. The marathon course, in particular, was set up in such a way that if you timed it right, you could actually hop on Everest in Animal Kingdom in the middle of the race, and then you could stop in World Showcase in Epcot in the last miles to grab a pretzel and a margarita to have in hand at the finish line. This is in addition to all the character stops and photo ops. This is what people look forward to. I missed the roller coaster because I got my monthly on the morning of the race and had to opt for a restroom stop instead (sob), and yes. I did get a margarita at the end. Now, people will have to figure out a new system.
Caveat: Disney Marathon is a serious marathon with super speedy runners and people even BQ here. However, there are also a lot of “party pacers” who are out there for the love of Disney and the experience. No right or wrong, but these changes absolutely change the name of the game.
Oh, and no. The parks do not close down. The way it was when I ran it… we ran through a lot of parking lots, overpasses, and causeways. We ran down Main Street and through Cinderella’s Castle for Magic Kingdom, around the back part of Animal Kingdom (that’s where you could ride Everest), I’m sure there was a part in Disney Studios, but that must have been where my soul left my body because I can’t remember what we saw there, and then through the ESPN area, the Boardwalk area, and into Epcot/World Showcase. World Showcase didn’t open until 11AM, so that gave the majority of runners the chance to be through the area before guests arrived.