GreatLakes
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Aug 6, 2015
Just as a comment on getting a PoT...
If you're like me who lives in Florida, it's actually really difficult. There are almost zero running events in the summer due to the heat, and 10k's are not very common from what I've seen in the relative area, and often times, they're not until the fall, or early winter. In fact, most of the half marathons are held then as well. So really, if you don't have a valid race from the previous year already under your belt, you don't have much, if any chance, of finding a race to run that will be accepted. I ran a half marathon in Iceland this year (my best half ever mind you), and I couldn't submit it because it wasn't a US accredited race. Registration for Dopey wasn't until July of this year, and PoT I think was required by October or so, so it was nearly impossible (for me at least) to find a reasonably close race to run to get one. In the end it didn't affect me, but still. It's an issue for us.
Can you take a look at a northern city you've always wanted to visit, find a 10K or half there, and travel for the POT? I love traveling to races and when I lived in FL I would try to head north during the summer for some relief.
Random reflections:
1) Race merch was really bad -it was mostly all gone when I got there on Thursday but the variety and quality of stuff has really gone downhill. I miss the shoe ornaments, the race-specific headbands, pint glasses and tervis. Saved me a ton of $$ though
2) I have really come to appreciate how well organized rD events are - they really do an amazing job and the volunteers are fantastic and medical staff people were doing a great job - saw several on bikes just making sure runners were ok between med tent stops.
3) Entertainment on course was great this year (I did Goofy so can't say for the 5k/10k) - loved the live music, the japanese drummers, the choir was back, the Epcot ball glowing bright in the early hours, tons of characters and big screens showing clips and playing music.
4) I love the marathon course so much more than the old ESPN one - leaving MK and almost being halfway done is a big mental boost, and not having to do that long slog on Osceola or that awful out and back on Western Way is fantastic. But they need to let you run through more of HS - that was a joke
1) Not only was the race merch bad but I had a hard time finding anything anywhere I really wanted. I came home with 3 or 4 things and that was it.
2) They really do a great job. There are things I really dislike about rD but they are well organized.
3) Agree with this.
4) Agree with this too. I love that early loop through Epcot and thought the AK loop was much better than the old one with that parking lot loop added when you exit the park. I wish they'd find a way to add more DHS, even all backstage, but know they are hand tied a little since the park opens while runners are still running through.