Runner Etiquette – WDW Marathon Weekend

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I’m fairly new to running — my first race was the WDW Half Marathon four years ago and I was scared to death for many reasons, one of which was that I didn’t know the “rules for running.” What I mean is that having played sports all of my life, I figured that there was a certain protocol for what to do and what not to do during the race. Not only was I nervous about finishing my first race, but I was also nervous about committing some sort of faux pas that would give away the fact that I was a complete newbie at running.

runDisney to the rescue! When I picked up my race packet the day before that first race, it was full of lots of materials. Being someone who reads every detail, I carefully perused through it and out slipped a flimsy sheet of paper that I almost overlooked. One the back was listed Runners Etiquette — a set of rules and suggestions for running Disney races. Yipeeee!! This was just what I needed!! Although I wasn’t able to remember all of them, they were very useful for teaching me the “lay of the land” when I got out there and started running.

Now a few years later and a few half marathons under my belt, I not only understand these rules, but understand WHY they have these rules. They make sense to me now, so I though it might be helpful for me to share what these tips include and the rationale for having them.

This list was included in my race packet when I ran last year’s January races. It is subject to change, but you’ll find that everything on this list is applicable to every race at WDW”¦or any organized race.

Please pay attention to pre-race instructions both print and verbal. What you hear will keep you safe.
Safety is #1. runDisney wants everyone to have a good race, but they also want you finish with a big smile and a medal. It is important to read everything they give you — it will let you know about everything from course conditions,to tips for running to hydration to how to get help along the way. Reading carefully will not only keep YOU safe, but will help keep others around you safe.

Please enter your correct start corral and correct wave. This will entire that you are running with people who have similar pace.

When you sign up for a race, you’re asked to give an expected finish time and this is used to assign you to a corral (the letter listed on your race bib). This assignment is important because it’s the way runDisney sorts you into categories — in race terms, these categories are your corrals. Why should you be with others who run a similar pace? Because it’s the safest place to be. If you’re really fast and you’re with all walkers, you’re going to find yourself dodging and swerving to get past people (and all this swerving adds distance and time to your race). You may bump into someone or they might bump into you. If you’re slower and find yourself with faster runners, you might get clipped or bumped as they go by. Starting in the right corral means that everyone around you runs at about the same speed

Run or walk with no more than two abreast. Other runners will want to get by you. If you are walking in a group, please start in the last corral.

This is an important one. Many people sign up for WDW races with their friends and families, so it makes complete sense that you want to stick with that person throughout the race. However, it’s important to consider that people run and walk at different paces. If you’re in a group of three, four, or five across, you’re effectively creating a human wall and others can’t get by. So please be aware and move single file, especially in those narrow areas.

If you want to run with a friend and they are in a different corral, the faster of the two can move back to the slower corral.
What they are saying here is that your friend can’t move up to the faster corral with you. This ensures that similar paced folks stay together.

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If you are stopping at a water or food station, move away from the table. Grab water and move away from the table so that others may get water, too.

After you’ve been running for a while and you see the oasis in the form of a water station, your tendency might be just to stop, rest, and drink your water, but remember that there are loads of people behind you. If you grab your water and keep moving forward, it will cause fewer backups. You don’t have to run with your water, but just walking forward will help.

Move to the side if someone behind you says “Excuse me” or “Coming Through.”
I like to use my iPod and listen to music while I’m running, but I make sure that the volume is low enough so that I can hear people passing me from behind. If you hear someone say “excuse me,” they are most likely asking you to move to quickly but safely the right so they can pass on the left. Before you move, first take a quick glance to your right to make sure that you’re not bumping into another runner.


Feel fee to shout words of encouragement to other runners. You will hear words of encouragement in return.

Show the love, get the love. It’s good karma.

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When you are approaching the finish line, you may see loved ones cheering you on. Please do not encourage anyone to join you in the finish line stretch. Your support team is very important , but please communicate that the finished area is for registered runners and staff only.
Those people on the sidelines have helped you during this journey. It makes sense that you’d want them to join you as you finish, but can you imagine what it would be like at the finish line if everyone did that?! Have them meet you in the family meeting area or near the baggage claim. You’ll have your medal and believe me, the hugs and congrats you get there will be genuine and well-derserved.

Enjoy the post-race refreshments, but remember that others will want to enjoy the goodies, too. Race officials want to make sure that there will be food left for the last people who are finishing the race.
This is runDisney’s polite way of telling us that we shouldn’t stuff 17 bananas and 12 Powerades in our bags for later, nor should we be taking snacks for the nine cousins who came to cheer us on. Please take only what you need.

Thank your volunteers and have a great race!
I’ve run a few races now and I can tell you that runDisney volunteers are the absolute best! These nice folks got up early, they worked for hours, and did this out of the kindness of their hearts just for you. Please offer a big smile and thank every volunteer you see.

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Celebrate! This is your day”¦or days if you are Goofy enough to run both the marathon and the Half Marathon.

Take your time, take lots of photos, soak it all in. You’ve worked hard! Enjoy…and then think about which Disney race that you’ll be running next.

So…that’s it, Runners. When explained, all of those suggestions make perfect sense. If we’re all safe and considerate runner and we’ll have a lot more fun.

Final note, as I get ready to depart for Orlando in a few days, I want to wish all runners a safe and fun run, but especially to Team AllEars, our 93 person running team dedicated to supporting each other, running Disney races, and fighting breast cancer. If you’d like to donate to Team AllEars, please visit this link.

Also, if you’re in the parks and see me, my co-captains Mike Scopa or Deb Wills, or anyone with a Team AllEars shirt on, please come up and say hello.

Good luck everyone!

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