Hi all,
Just wondering how "serious" the runDisney events are? Considering the DLP half next year, and would like to get a good time. Is stopping off for character photos the norm?
Just wondering why if they go to such an effort of chip timing etc what the point is if people are stopping for photos etc ?
Thanks,
Stevey
Like others have said, stopping is definitely the norm. Its Disney, and they put on a really fun race. Most use it as the reward for all their training and take advantage of the cool photo opps. Getting a good POT beforehand can greatly enhance your experience, though, since it will put you in a better corral than without one, which will give you more time to enjoy the race with fewer bottlenecks and more cushion from the balloon ladies.
Some people do run them for time though, particular those in the first corrals (this is not me, FYI). So the chip timing is there for those it matters to. Also, its a good way to catch cheaters (if a person has odd splits, and misses a mat at a point where cutting was likely, etc.) Some people also run certain races for fun and others for time. (Like doing the 10K fast, taking half easy or whatever).
I live in Atlanta, which as you know is hilly, and very hot and humid in the summer months (particularly this one). I needed a better half marathon time for Dopey, so I ran
Disneyland for time. It was flat, temps were vastly cooler than what I'd been used to, and I got a time that I was happy with. So you can run it for time if you want, and have fun doing it, because even if you're not stopping a lot - I think I stopped once - there is a ton to look at and distract you. It's your race to make it what you want it to be!