So taking the pics with the characters is a major factor in these races for most people? Is it for those who are really in it to win or place in the race?
1-2 characters are out before the race and at the Expo but if you are interested in unique, rarely seen characters(ex Gepetto/Pinocchio or classic character in special outfits), those ones are along the race course. It keeps things interesting along your run, even if you don’t want to stop and wait in line. And the lines move fairly quick, bc no one is doing a full character interaction or taking 7 shots with different family members, just quick snap and your off running. Pre-COVID of course so who knows what the plan is.
As far as race mentality, it’s a wide variety from novice first timers to experience elite, like another person said the longer distances will lean more towards serious runners though a large majority still dress in costume or some disney inspired gear. However, unless you are in one of the early corrals, I think it’s hard to run a “serious” qualifying-type race personally. I’d consider myself a moderate middle of the pack runner, about 9:30 pace for 10k, 10:30-11 for half marathon, no attempts at full; and I wouldn’t try for a PR at a Disney course, just IMHO bc I know I’d get very frustrated and not enjoy my run.
Here is my reasoning:
-huge crowds (40,000?, again pre-covid) with lots of inexperienced runners. They deserve to be there just as much as any elite runner but you have to manage expectations i think
-There are lots of people in later corrals who train with a run/walk method so there are people constantly stopping right in front of you that you have to dodge
- there isn’t a consensus between walkers and runners in where the fast/slow lanes should be
- lots of people stopping dead for pics/selfies with mile markers, getting distracted by the sights (Hello, Cinderella Castle!)
- there are some narrow parts of course like anywhere else, but you have more people running with a group/family that won’t understand not to run side by side
Not saying any of this as complaints, but these are just observations I’ve made and have probably contributed to as well.
So I’m sure there are people who are in it to win, but for this middle of the pack runner I am content to enjoy the sights and be in the moment. I still set realistic goals, but I’ll also stop for a cool character or to document some pics along the way and not feel terrible that my time is 15min slower than norm.