As we approach summer 2010 there are signs indicting that the 2011 Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend is losing the momentum it has enjoyed over the last decade.
Recent Marathon Weekend History
Back in May of 2002, for its 10th anniversary, the Walt Disney World Marathon capacity was increased from 13,500 to 16,000 participants. This race was so popular it reached capacity by mid-spring. Meanwhile, that same year, the Half Marathon with its 6,000 slots, reached capacity during the first few days of May. A total of 22,000 participants ran on Marathon Weekend 2003.
Moving ahead a few years we saw WDW race officials bump capacities again in 2005. The Full Marathon saw an increase of 2,000, while the Half Marathon, sporting a running distance that was becoming more popular every year, saw a boost of 3,000 for its capacity. (Note that in 2005 the Half Marathon reached capacity in late August while the Full Marathon closed registration in early September. WDW Marathon Weekend continued to enjoy tremendous popularity and success).
Jumping ahead two years we found that as early as March 2007 the 2008 Full Marathon registration was already at 50% and the 2008 Half Marathon was even further ahead already surpassing 60% capacity.
Despite the capacity ceilings both races were enjoying healthy registration rates.
Marathon Weekend 2010
This snowball was not to be stopped. This year some 55,000 participants ran during Marathon Weekend 2010 and there was no end in sight. There was even some consideration in early 2009 that perhaps there was a need to hold two WDW Half Marathons for the 2010 Marathon Weekend. That’s right. There was a plan that if registrations continued to grow as history had shown, that there would be a Half Marathon on both Friday and Saturday of Marathon Weekend. However, this decision would obviously have to be made relatively early in the year and as registrations slowed down, the two race plan was dropped, or at least on hold.
Following the 2010 WDW Marathon Weekend, there was no telling what the next threshold would be”¦but there are signs that the telling is becoming quite clear.
As of early June, the 2011 Half Marathon registrations moved to just over 50% capacity while the big brother Full Marathon had not approached 50% capacity status”¦at least that is the assumption.
Why the sudden drop? Perhaps there are several culprits who are responsible for this slowdown.
The Economy
First, we need to take into consideration that the economy serves as a major catalyst for a lot of things. If the economy is healthy and in full swing then we all benefit. If the economy slows down then it’s a no-brainer that the slowdown will impact many industries, especially the travel and vacation industry where disposable income tends to land.
The domino effect is quite apparent.
Airfare Hits the Stratosphere
Airfare has gone through the roof and that perhaps has many people hesitating about doing Marathon Weekend. Over the last five years or so I have seen the cost of airfare for me not quite doubling but coming close and it has caused me to rethink not just the frequency of trips, but length as well.
Obviously if it costs more to fly to WDW then the alternative is to take fewer trips but if possible, extend stay. This increase in airfare could easily be a factor in the low registration rate this year. Let’s say for instance that you take your family to WDW once or twice every year and also go down on Marathon weekend. With the cost of airfare so high now you may need to think about cutting back”¦do you eliminate one of those trips? Is Marathon Weekend a likely candidate?
High Registration Fees
Another issue for some potential participants may be the race registration fees.
Take a look. Ҭ
The fee for the Mickey Mile is $25.
The fee for the Disney Family Fun Run 5K is $45.
The fee for the Half Marathon is $135.
The fee for the Full Marathon is $135.
The fee for the Goofy is $310.
If you do the “Dopey” (5K and Goofy) the fee total is $355.
For first-time participants, the fees, plus the reminder that they could be swept, could serve as deterrents.
Other Contributing Factors
Let’s not forget that the cost of park admission has gone up, so if you bring the family for Marathon Weekend then you need to consider that cost, as well.
Another component goes back to what I had mentioned before. With the capacity of the races basically being as high as possible, it gets pretty crowded on those courses and for some people, too crowded.
I would estimate that there were 20-20% fewer participants in the Princess Half Marathon than the WDW Half Marathon in January and still there were portions of the course”¦TTC”¦Main Street USA”¦just leaving TMK”¦and parts of Floridian Way”¦that were very congested, and I found myself trying to avoid bumping or running into my fellow runners while trying to keep my pace.
Perhaps for a lot of runners this large field has hit its limit and maybe WDW race officials need to seriously reconsider their 2009 idea about holding two Half Marathons.
One other thought. With the WDW Endurance Series now holding three Half Marathons during the year we may be seeing runners making a choice.
Weather could be a factor, especially after this past January where my fellow runners and I walked to the corrals during a cold, windy, and sleeting morning in Orlando.
Running in late Feb./early March or late September or early October is more appealing, especially the latter where the Annual Walt Disney World International Food and Wine Festival is in full swing.
So mull on all those factors and think for yourself if one or a combination of those factors may be holding you back.
The Carrot?
Recently WDW Race officials announced what could be termed as a “carrot” to entice those on the fence to make the plunge and register for the marathon. This carrot is that those who participate in the 2011 WDW Full Marathon will be able to use their Marathon medal as a ticket to a Disney park on the following Monday. I don’t know if that is enough of an incentive to convince more people to register”¦and I mean register now.
The decision to offer marathon registrants a “park pass” in the form of a medal may bring with it some problems. It may not sit well with those who are doing the Half Marathon, who may feel slighted because the same carrot has not been extended to these participants. No medal for running 13.1 miles, I guess,…even though”¦and please, everyone pay attention”¦the fees for both the Half and the Full are the same!
I hope someone IS paying attention.
Maybe offering a discount on the 2012 races would have been a better, fairer carrot? We’ll see what happens as we move into the summer months.
For the record, I am registered for the Half Marathon”¦for now”¦and I will use my Annual Pass to enter one of the parks on Monday, thank you.
The 2011 AllEars Running Team continues to grow and as we move into the summer months and are within six months of Marathon Weekend 2011 decision time is quickly approaching.
We will be closing team registration by September 1st or when team membership reaches 100, whichever comes first. This is necessary to underscore the need for time for our fund raising commitment.
There are no plans to close registration for Team AllCheers.
So if you are planning to run the 5K, Half-Marathon, Full Marathon, Goofy, or Dopey next January and/or interested in cheering on the AllEars Running Team please email Team AllEars Co-Captain Michelle Scribner-MacLean at [email protected] with your request.
Team AllEars® will be broadcasting LIVE on Monday, June 28th at 8 P.M. ET. AllEars Founder Deb Wills, Team AllEars® Running Co-Captains Michelle Scribner-MacLean and Mike Scopa will be welcoming Gordon Harvey from www.runtodisney.com to talk about Marathon Weekend 2011 and to answer your calls.
This broadcast will be heard LIVE on MouseWorldRadio and will be available later for download on AllEars.
Keep checking with AllEars for more information.
As a veteran of 5 WDW marathons, put me in the category of “just too expensive.”
The $135 fee is just crazy. No marathon in the country charges that much. I’m signed up for 2011, but that will be my last one unless the fees come in line with other marathons.
I see where you can purchase a ChEar package in order to get to the finish line of the half-marathon and marathon. Is this just for reserved seating? Can you still get to the finish line without this package or do you have to purchase this package in order to see your runner finish?
I was eagerly waiting for registration to open for the 2011 Princess Half to sign up for my first running event. We were going to register the hubby & both sons for the Royal Family 5k. When registration opened the fees would’ve added up to a hefty chunk. We opted to wait until we were absolutely sure about everyone running. Now that 2011 hotel/ticket rates are released we’re definitely reconsidering. Also, the fact that the Princess Half weekend still appears to be on the same weekend as ESPN The Weekend plays a major role. Having both at the same time sounds like a whole lot of hub bub for 1 trip plus it takes some of the specialness away from the running event. I don’t know that I want to spend that much to feel not as special. That’s just me.
Great article! We were there on vacation during the marathon weekend this year. I’ve never been so cold in my whole life! It leaves an impression. We’ve been in January 6 times but now we have no desire to go then gain. Silly, huh?
Good points!
The “carrot” was the final blow for me for 2011. They want the same $$ for a half as a full and they aren’t giving near the same benefits. IMHO that’s a rip off and I won’t play!