The Runner's Guide to WDW

This is part 4 of our series on the Runner’s World Challenge during the 2013 Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend. For previous parts, see Runner’s World Challenge Overview, as well as Runner’s World Challenge Issues and Concerns, and Runner’s World Challenge Experience.

 

Last week, runDisney announced a NEW challenge for Marathon Weekend. The Dopey Challenge incorporates the 5K run, (new) 10K race, half marathon and marathon, resulting in 48.6 miles over a 4 day period. The result? 6 shirts and 6 medals!

Along with this new challenge, the details regarding the 2014 Runner’s World Challenge were also released. In order to help you decide if the Runner’s World Challenge is the right fit for you we have listed out the pros and cons of our experience accompanied by a price breakdown of the 2014 Runner’s World Package.   To wrap things up, we’ve listed several questions to think about when making your decision and a few of our final thoughts about Runner’s World Challenge.

Details of 2014 Runner’s World Challenge during the Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend:

Runner’s World Challenge participants will receive:

• Entry and preferred corral placement to the Walt Disney World® Marathon, Half Marathon, Goofy’s Race and a Half Challenge or all new Dopey Challenge (5K, 10K, Half and Marathon)
• A membership in a 16-week training plan designed by The Runner’s World Experts, and Chief Running Officer Bart Yasso, who has coached hundreds of elites, celebs, and everyday runners (celebrity/VIP appearances subject to change or cancellation without notice)
• Weekly e-mails from Bart with guidance on training, nutrition, injury prevention, and motivation
• One year of access to the Runner’s World Challenge experts on nutrition, training, and injury-prevention
• Access to a private Runner’s World Challenge web site, where you connect with other runners training for the race
• A copy of The Runner’s World Complete Book of Running
• A Runner’s World Challenge tech shirt in time for your training to start. Note: Women should request women’s sizing and consider going up one size.  Shirt is cut very differently from runDisney unisex tech shirts.
• A four-month premium membership to Runner’s World Personal Trainer, our interactive training log
• Private packet pick-up for Runner’s World Challenge participants at the runDisney Health & Fitness Expo
• Pre-race course strategy session with the Runner’s World experts and editors (on the afternoon of January 10, 2014)
• Entry to the Pasta in the Park Party on Saturday night at Epcot® where the Runner’s World VIPs & editors will be in attendance (party includes buffet pasta dinner, live DJ, Disney characters and viewing of the fireworks spectacular Illuminations: Reflections of Earth at Epcot®)
• Exclusive pre-race walkout to corrals for Runner’s World Challenge participants.
• Entry to the Race Retreat on Saturday or Sunday depending on race registration
  • Pre-race amenities include hot and cold beverages with fruit and bagels, dedicated stretching area, and private portalets & bag check
  • Post-race amenities include a nutritious buffet, massage, private portalet & bag pick up, and live results
  • Dopey Challenge participants will also receive entry into the Walt Disney World® Marathon Weekend Breakfast in the Family Reunion Area after the 5K and 10K
  • VIP access to Post-race celebration on Sunday night at the Cool Down at Downtown Disney® Area

*Note: There is NO Ultimate Runner’s World Challenge for 2014. There is also no shake out run (most likely do to logistics). 

 

Check out this short video of other Runner’s World Challenge Participants talking about their experience!

Our Experience

Pros:

• Shortcut to the race start was amazing. It’s truly hard to put a dollar value on this perk.
  
• Runner’s World staff was tremendously knowledgeable and supportive.  There was always a Runner’s World editor or staff member available at each event to answer questions and direct participants. Event staff were extremely organized and prepared throughout the entire weekend.
• No anticipation of corral placement.  We knew we would all be in B since we did not have A qualifying times.
• Separate bag check was easy and seamless. Runner’s World team staffed private bag check during entire event.
• Race Retreat was very nice and definitely worth the extra cost -  especially with the weather conditions. Runner’s World Challenge area inside Race Retreat had private seating and private TV.  Family members who purchased Race Retreat/Platinum ChEAR Squad were also allowed inside private Runner’s World area inside Race Retreat.
• Opportunity to meet other amazing runners and interact with Runner’s World editors and Bart Yasso throughout the weekend was fabulous!
• No lines during private packet pickup
• Enjoyed interacting with VIPs such as Runner’s World staff and editors, Jeff Galloway and prestigious runners in the hospitality suite*
• Course Strategy Session provided useful information to veterans and new runDisney runners since it was adapted to the current extreme weather issues and discussed the new marathon course challenges

Cons:

• Runner’s World Challenge Shakeout Run was not available for those running Goofy or the Half Marathon*
  
• Pasta in the Park was average and we would not purchase separately
• Didn’t need the training plan due to having a coach or existing training plan in place prior to purchasing
• Must purchase additional Platinum ChEAR Squad or Pasta in the Park tickets for family members to join you. (You also need to pick up these tickets/packages in the main area of the Health & Fitness Expo.  Since these extras are not part of Runner’s World Challenge, they will NOT be available  in the private packet pickup area for the Challenge.)
• Rooms were standard (could not pay for upgraded view) and no discount could be applied*
• Rooms were far away from lobby, Hospitality Suite and private transportation to start*

Those marked with * are part of the Ultimate Runner’s World Challenge package, which is not being offered for 2014.

 

 

Price Breakdowns:

Below we have included the pricing breakdown for the 2014 Runner’s World Challenge. We have priced out the runDisney related events as they could be purchased separately. The price difference includes special experiences that you can not purchase separately such as: Runner’s World Training Plans (for Goofy or Dopey), Course Strategy Session, Private Packet Pick-up at Expo, preferred corral placement,  short-cut to race start, private Runner’s World bag check and seating area inside Race Retreat, VIP access to Post-race celebration at Cool Down Party at Downtown Disney.


Half Marathon:

Runner’s World Challenge Price – $479

Price of Individual Events (if purchased seperately)
$160 (Race) + $120 (Race Retreat) + $48 (Pasta) +$69 (RW Training) = $397

Difference - $82

Marathon:

Runner’s World Challenge Price – $479

Price of Individual Events (if purchased seperately)
$160 (Race) + $120 (Race Retreat) + $48 (Pasta) +$99 (RW Training) = $427

Difference - $52
 

Goofy’s Race & a Half Challenge: 

Runner’s World Challenge Price – $749

Price of Individual Events (if purchased seperately)
$340(Race) + $200(Race Retreat) + $48 (Pasta) = $588

Difference - $161 

  

Dopey Challenge:

Runner’s World Challenge Price – $999

Price of Individual Events (if purchased seperately)
$495 (Race) + $200 (Race Retreat) + 48 (Pasta) + $38 (5K Breakfast) + $38 (10K Breakfast) = $819

Difference - $180 

*Note: All pricing breakdowns are estimates and do not include taxes or Active.com fees. Official pricing for Pasta in the Park and Breakfast are not available at the time of this post. 

The large difference between the half marathon and marathon is primarily due to the fact that most of the prices are the same for the two races (race registration, Race Retreat and Challenge), with the exception of the Training Plan.

Goofy & Dopey Challenges have a larger price difference, but they also include a Runner’s World Training Plan specific to those events, which cannot be purchased separately. At the time of posting, these training plans are only offered to those participating in Runner’s World Challenge.

Questions to Consider: 

• Am I interested in attending Pasta in the Park, Race Retreat or the 5K and 10K breakfasts (for the Dopey Challenge)?
• Am I running with a large group or another runner who is interested in participating in Runner’s World Challenge and would like to guarantee that we are both in a preferred corral together?
• Do I need the training plans, or do I already have a coach/training plan in place?
• Would I need to purchase extra tickets to the breakfasts/Pasta in the Park or Platinum ChEAR Squad for my spouse/family members? If I wouldn’t purchase the separate tickets, would I use each component in the package to justify the full value of the experience included in the package?
• If I purchase events separately, would I be willing to possibly pay a higher price than the Runner’s World Challenge by paying numerous Active.com fees for each individual event? (At the time of posting, it has not been indicated how participants will register for Runner’s World Challenge.)
• Am I able to put down the full amount of the Runner’s World Challenge at the time of registration? (Race Retreat and Pasta in the Park usually do not sell out as fast as race registrations.)
• Would I prefer to make one purchase to insure that I have admission to all events?
• Is there something special I am celebrating (first race, birthday, anniversary, completion of an event) and would like a VIP/one-of-a-kind experience?

Final Thoughts  Would we do this again?  Would we recommend this package?

Many readers who have been following these posts may be looking for a “yes” or “no” answer.  However, this is a very difficult question to answer directly.  Our main issues with the Runner’s World Challenge last year was due to runDisney resort restrictions and not the Runner’s World Challenge portion of the package. This restriction has been eliminated with the option to book your resort separately from the outset of registration this year. Additionally, we both felt that Runner’s World editors and staff were much more familiar with the package offerings and able to provide more guidance during Marathon weekend than the runDisney staff that we encountered during race weekend.  We suspect this will change this year since it’s not the 20th anniversary of the Walt Disney World Marathon and it’s the second time for runDisney to offer this package.  In our experience with most runDisney events, the kinks are almost completely worked out by the second time an event is offered.

Many have inquired about the training plan designed by Runner’s World experts. There are various training plans offered, including plans specific to the Goofy and Dopey Challenges. Each training plan includes various levels, from beginner to a time goal. These training plans can be uploaded to the Runner’s World Personal Trainer, which allows you to track your training progress. You also have access to forums specific to the Runner’s World Challenge, which include categories such as nutrition, injury prevention and even a category for those participating in Marathon Weekend at Disney. Since we did not utilize these plans, here is a recap from another blogger who did for the 2012 Marine Corps Marathon.

Another consideration, Runner’s World Challenge participants were able to register by calling into Disney Sports Travel last year and were exempt from Active.com fees associated with runDisney registration.  runDisney has not indicated if Runner’s World Challenge will use Disney Sports Travel for registration or Active.com for the 2014 Runner’s World Challenge.

The addition of the Dopey Challenge also creates more considerations. Breakfasts after the 5K and 10K events have been added, which contributes to a higher price. This also creates two additional tickets you will need to purchase for family members if they wish to join you. If you are planning on making this event a family affair, there is extra cost associated with the Runner’s World Challenge for your entire family to enjoy the events together.  We hope that if Runner World Challenge offers a discount for family members this year, it will be offered early in the registration season as opposed to only a week prior as it was last year.

Did we feel that there was value associated with the Runner’s World Challenge?  Absolutely!  We did enjoy the added perks for a special event such as the 20th Anniversary of the Walt Disney World Marathon and the Runner’s World staff is extraordinary.  At this time, we haven’t decided if we will participate in the Runner’s World Challenge for 2014. We do feel that the package has been streamlined for 2014 and all of our issues with the package last year are resolved by this year’s offering. Our main hesitation is the steep cost at the time of registration.  While we would definitely purchase Race Retreat for the both races, we can’t decide if it’s worth the coming up with such a high enrollment fee this early in the race season. It’s also unlikely that we would attend Pasta in the Park in 2014 and we wouldn’t purchase additional breakfast tickets for our spouses for the 5K or 10K (if registering for Dopey) and would be less likely to attend those breakfasts while family members were outside then venue or back at the resort.

Our biggest piece of advice is to really look at the entire package (along with all its components) and determine if the added value is worth it to you. By laying out the price breakdowns, questions to consider and our thoughts, we hope that we have given you plenty of information in order to make an informed decision. If you have any additional questions, please feel free to contact us! We will answer your questions via email, on our Facebook page or even create another post if needed.

Registration for Runner’s World Challenge for 2014 Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend opens on Tuesday, April 2.

Disclosure: The authors purchased the Ultimate Runner’s World Challenge package and were not compensated for this review. All opinions are our own.