Peter Westcott -- Marthon and Half-Marathon, Walt Disney World, FL, 7 & 8 January 2006
Inaugural Goofey's Race-and-a-Half Challenge
What does it take to run a half marathon and a full marathon on two consecutive days? You gotta be a little Goofey! The Inaugural Goofey's Race-and-a-Half Challenge was January 7 and 8, 2007 at Disney World in Orlando, Florida. When I heard about it I thought "How many inaugural races are there anymore, and Disney too?" What does it take to run a half marathon and a full marathon on two consecutive days? You gotta be a little Goofey! The Inaugural Goofey's Race-and-a-Half Challenge was January 7 and 8, 2007 at Disney World in Orlando, Florida. When I heard about it I thought "How many inaugural races are there anymore, and Disney too?"
After running the JFK 50, I did my out-of-town workaholic routine (I commute to Atlanta weekly). Sleep till 7 am, work till 11 pm, eat bad food and don't run at all. Not the perfect prelude to 39 miles of running...
I visited DisneyWorld theme parks for a day before the race, having a great time and catching up on sleep a nap. Various foot and leg pains bothered me the two preceding days - maybe too much walking on un-exercised joints. I scored two extra-large trash bags for disposable ponchos from a Disney janitor, who said it was the most unusual request she'd had that day.
The weather when I packed my bags (Jan 2) was forecast in the upper-40s at starting time. The day before race day, mid-30s would be the starting temp with a 15 mph breeze. Brrrr!!
Race registration was really well organized. Labeled buses everywhere. Lots of helpful Disney people around to answer questions and give directions and smile.
Walt Disney World Half Marathon (aka Donald's Half Marathon) Saturday, January 7
Almost 12,000 people registered for the half-marathon race. Shuttle buses left the on-property resorts between 3 and 4:00 am for the race course. I was up at 2 to get ready and walk to McDonald's for two large cups of decent coffee (Disney resort coffee is awful stuff). Only the drive-through is open this early so I stood at the window and idled while they got my coffee.
On the bus at 3:00 and arrived at the race site at 3:30. The mid-30s temp and 20 mph gusty breeze were wicked - couldn't keep warm until I found a tent to hide in. First a 1/2 mile walk to the starting corrals. Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Daisy, and Goofey started the race with fireworks at 6:00 a.m.
The race started near EPCOT and went to the Enchanted Kingdom park where we went down Main Street and through Tomorrow Land, Fantasy Land, and Adventure Land and the Park's back lot. Many Disney characters were along the course shaking hands and posing for photos. At the finish line I ran into Tammy Massie (Reston Runners) getting her Donald Duck half-Marathon medal.
I paced myself to leave enough energy for the marathon the next day, finishing in 2:46:30 for a 12:43 overall pace. Then off to a Disney World park "just to keep my legs stretched".
Walt Disney World Marathon (aka Mickey's Marathon) Sunday, January 8 Over 10,000 runners registered for the full marathon. On the bus at 3:30 and arrived at the race site at 4:00. The below-freezing temperature was bearable without any wind. I In the assembly area I ran into Tammy Massie (Reston Runners) and we paced each other for a few miles. First a 1/2 mile walk to the starting corrals. Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Daisy, and Goofey started the race with fireworks at 6:00 a.m.
The race started near EPCOT and went through the Enchanted Kingdom Park following the half-marathon route. Once out of the Enchanted Kingdom the course branched out to go through the Animal Kingdom, Disney-MGM Studios, the Boardwalk area, and finally back into EPCOT for the finish.
About mile 7 I decided to try for an under-5:00 marathon. I said goodbye to Tammy and fell in line with "Randi the Cliff Bar pacer" carrying the "5:00" balloons. She didn't stop for water and she ran a bit above pace, but as long as I could keep in step I would be fine.
I hit the wall at mile 17 in the Animal Kingdom park. I fell behind a little and couldn't catch up and the sun came out and I overheated a bit, maybe 5:00 was too aggressive for a couch potato, maybe I shouldn't have spent Friday going on every ride I could find. In the end I did a jog/walk (really more fast walk than jog) finishing the race in 5:16 for a 12:03 overall pace.
Goofey's Race-and-a-Half Challenge
I'd never been at an inaugural race before, certainly one of the highlights of my running career. I think it's neat to have the Inaugural Goofey bling. Over 3,000 people registered for the Goofey event! I heard that Disney originally thought they'd get a few people to take up the challenge. Instead it reached its limit and closed.
Running two races on consecutive days was a different experience from, say, a 50M run because it gave leg muscles a chance to tighten up overnight. Also, gear planning was different than either a marathon or a 50M run, another good experience.
I am already registered for the 2007 race. See you there!!
