If there is one aspect of a runDisney race that brings out the not-so-fun side of runners, it’s corral placement! So what exactly are these corrals and why do they cause such an uproar?
Corrals are a way to “seed” runners and offer a staggered start to a race. As the popularity of runDisney grew, it was imperative for the race directors to come up with a way to ensure 25,000 runners weren’t stampeding the race start or other runners. After race registration, runners can input an estimated finish time along with a valid proof of time from a previous race to be placed in a corral with runners of a similar pace. (Tip: Print off your proof of time when you input it on the website as confirmation if something should go wrong.) The corrals are then released one-by-one on race morning, allowing the course to free up a little before the next set of runners comes through.
However, in the past, there has been a LOT of discussion, debate and frustration once runDisney would send out corral placements for the longer races. Runners would be upset they were in the “wrong corral”, others would feel the corrals were too crowded, there were even runners who had not been truthful when it came to their time. The list went on and on.
Here is a look at what the corrals include for each runDisney race distance, along with our thoughts and tips!
It cannot be stressed enough, BE HONEST when inputting your estimated pace or race finish time during registration. Corral placements are primarily there to ensure to runner safety.
5K & 10K Races
For most of the 5K and 10K races, there are around 5 corrals for each event. These corral placements are not given until you pick up your race bib at the Health & Fitness Expo. They are denoted with a letter, usually A through E. Corral A goes first, and so on. Both the 5K and 10K races have around 6-8 minutes in between each corral release.
During the 5K races, there is basically no rhyme or reason as to how your corral is chosen. Since it is a fun run and is therefore not timed, it really doesn’t matter!
For the 10K races, your corral is based off of the estimated pace you input during registration. In past races, some runners have found this isn’t necessarily what actually happens – especially if there is a runDisney challenge in the mix.
Half Marathon & Marathon Races
For the longer distance runDisney races, there are anywhere from 10 to 16 corrals, including an elite corral. (In 2014, runDisney added more corrals with less runners in each corral.) These corral placements can be found a few weeks prior to the race weekend on runDisney’s website or our Important Information page. Click on the race waiver, enter your information and at the bottom of the race waiver is your bib number. Match it to the corral on the corral placement page. The corrals release around 4 minutes apart, and the release time increases as the corrals go on.
Starting in 2014, a proof of time is needed to secure a corral placement. (Anyone who does not have a valid proof of time before the deadline will be placed in the last corral.) For the half marathon races, the proof of time needs to be a 10K distance or longer. For the marathon, the proof of time needs to be a 10 mile race or longer. The proof of time must be from a certified race and include the name of the race, distance, time finished, city, state, and date of the race. Proof of time can be inputted during race registration or up to approximately 2 months before the race weekend.
For the most part, runners are placed in a corral with those who have similar paces. Since corrals are based off of your proof of race time, you should be in a corral with other runners who have completed a race (in the last 1.5 years) close to your proof of time. Even with the new proof of time submission, there have been people placed in the incorrect corral. Unfortunately there is NO way to change this, even if it was runDisney’s error.
Another thing to note is that the corrals change each race based on the number of participants, number of corrals and field of the runners. For example, during the Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend, a 2:30 half marathon time may put you farther back than the Princess Half Marathon Weekend where there tend to be more beginner runners. Although you can use a previous year’s corral placement to estimate your corral, it can change until the official corral placements are announced by runDisney.
runDisney Challenges
These back-to-back race challenges are a very popular addition to the runDisney race schedule! Since you will be running at least two (or possibly four) races, you will see many corrals. For all challenges, you will be given a letter on your bib that corresponds to your corral.
For the Rebel Challenge, Glass Slipper Challenge, Dark Side Challenge, Pixie Dust Challenge, Disneyland Double Dare, Lumiere’s Two Course Challenge, and Infinity Gauntlet Challenge, there will be two letters on your bib. The first is your corral for the 10K and the second is your corral for the half marathon. For Goofy’s Race and a Half Challenge, there will be one letter that corresponds to your corral for both the half marathon and marathon. For the Dopey Challenge, the first bib will have your corral for the 5K and 10K, and the second bib will have your corral for the half marathon and marathon.
It appears that runDisney purposely “pushes” the challenge runners back a few corrals, especially during the Dopey Challenge. We assume this is because they anticipate the runners will be running a little slower due to the back-to-back races. While this may not be the case, the “push back” appears to be common during the challenge corral placements.
While the addition of a proof of time to be seeded in a corral was a great change, it is quite disheartening that corrals can no longer be changed at the Expo. From a race director perspective, we understand that changing a lot of runners would be difficult and could potentially “clog” the smaller corrals. However, we have heard from a handful of runners who were placed in the wrong corral despite sending runDisney an updated proof of time and having the documentation as such.
The most important aspect to remember when it comes to corrals is the ultimate reason behind them – runner safety. The wave start allows the course to handle the large number of runners a little more easily. The pacing requirements for each corral help to keep similar paced runners together, reducing trampling, etc. No matter what, the goal of a runDisney race is to have fun – no matter what corral you are in!
Ok, so I could go ON and ON and ON about this one, but I’ll restrain myself…
What I will say is that runners should know that runDisney/ Track Shack actually does their corral placements by estimated finish time, NOT proof of time. I learned this the hard way when I submitted a new proof of time, but DID NOT update my estimated finish time – the corral I was placed in corresponded with my originally submitted estimated finish time even though my new half marathon PR (proof of time) was several minutes faster than the minimum time required for the corral I was in.
I also had an issue where I had been hoping to run with a pacer for the full marathon, however the pacer for the EXACT estimated finish time I had put in was in the corral ahead of me! The best advice I got from speaking to someone at Runner Relations was, “run fast at the start and try to catch up to them.” Thanks, that’s great marathon running advice.
We are so sorry to hear about your experience Danielle! It definitely is frustrating and something we hope runDisney continues to improve in the future. Especially in regards to the pacers, as being told to “run faster to catch up” is not something you want to hear!
The new proof of time updating system GIVES you an estimated finish time now. It’s a little funky too…
Great day to post this. But, I still have questions. My wife, who by all accounts is a beginning turtle runner, not that I’m faster or anything. When we registered for Princess, she did not have a 10k under her belt, so I just put an estimated finishing time of 3:15, just to have the slowest time in there.
She just completed her first 10k yesterday in 1:41. When I put that proof of time on there, it gave an estimated finishing time of 3:43. That’s all fine and good. However, her biggest concern was not ending up in the last corral. She just wanted a little bit of a buffer just to give her time to get through it, and maybe, if she’s lucky get a picture or two. So, I’m wondering, is it better to keep the proof in there, or take it out and just keep the estimated finishing time with no proof? She is really concerned and now thinking of signing up for another 10k in 3 weeks just to try to get a new proof before 12/1.
We completely understand your frustration Evan! Megan inputted a new proof of time a few weeks ago and noticed that the estimated finish time it gave her was a little funky too. We assume that this new aspect is to keep people from “lying” about their estimated finish time, and that they will still use the proof of time to place you in a corral with those of a similar pace. The good news is, since your wife gave a proof of time, she won’t be in the last corral! (runDisney states the last corral is for those who do not give a proof of time.) Absolutely keep it and if she happens to improve her 10K time, use it!
I wanted to go back to my wife’s corral for Wine and Dine. Most races will let you move back. I was stopped and told to go up to my corral and wait for her
We have never heard of that before Harry! In fact, we have moved back corrals many times. I wonder if you ran into a volunteer that wasn’t aware that you could move back.
I submitted proof of time for wine and dine and I’m in the last corral. I’m so worried about getting swept now. I originally submitted a 3:27 half (my first half, technically my fastest since my other 2 halfs were through run disney and while I ran faster, I stopped for lots of pics so my official times are slower than 3:27). I added proof of time later from a more recent 10k which I’m sure was faster and run disney estimated my new finish time to be slower (3:36 half marathon). I’m so worried I’m not going to have any time at all to enjoy the post race party in epcot.
We absolutely understand your frustration Katie! From our understanding, a proof of time would keep you from the last corral, which is clearly not what happened. We are sorry to hear you are another case where runDisney has not handled the corral placement correctly. We hope that you still have a great time during your race – try not to let the corral placement get you down!
If you don’t submit a new time this year, can you use last years PHM time as proof of time. I hate to use that time since it was my first half and it wasn’t great. You have to consider it’s Disney! So much to see! How can you possibly run straight through and not stop for a couple of pics?
But in all seriousness. Should I use my over 3hr time from last year for placement or not submit a time? Do they have a record of my time, to keep me from lying lol, or do I resubmit myself?
You will need to submit it Tracey. They will not use times from previous runDisney races unless you submit them. Any proof of time is better than none!
I just signed up for the Wine and Dine and it’ll be my first half so I’m new to the whole proof of time. When doing the registration it just asked me if I estimated finishing before 3:15 and I checked yes then there was a whole paragraph about proof of time which I just checked ”acknowledge´´ because I was afraid that time would run out. My question is, where do you submit the actual proof of time? In the website it says that you have to submit between April 16 and August 4 but doesn’t specify where. And I’m pretty sure it wasn’t on the application….at least I think it wasn’t. Thanks!
Jimena – congratulations on signing up for your first half marathon! From what we can tell, runDisney will post a link on their website in a few weeks (between that April 19 & August 4 time frame). It should be under the Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend, then Registration, then Proof of Time.
Im nervous about finding out what corral I’m going to be in. I was anticipating submitting a 10k time before feb, but first I was busy running on an xc team in the fall and then I started developing health issues in the winter (near severe anemia, all treated better now though). By the time I got better it was too late, though my training is going well (Just got off a 12 mile run with an average of 9:15 min/mi on sunday). I begged them on email and they informed me that Ill be in the last corral, which is really disappointing considering i’m aiming to break 2 hours. Do they ever change corrals at the expo? It’s not only unfair to place runners in the back if they couldn’t do a proof of time, but it’s not safe if everyone around the runner is walking or running over 3 min/mi slower. (This is my first half btw).
Dana – Congratulations on taking on your first half marathon! Unfortunately runDisney has stated that changes can no longer be made at the expo. While we don’t necessarily agree with this, it is the stance they have taken (most likely due to race logistics). Our advice is to get to the front of your corral and hopefully that will help a bit.
🙁 I find that unreasonable on their part but I guess that’s what is. Thanks for the advice!
I know that I need to show a proof of time for the Dopey Challenge and I can do this with a 10k certified race result. Is there a list of races that we can run for this or does it just have to be a timed race and results are shown on the race’s website? I am a little new to the proof of time, but wanted to see if I should move up in corral placement for my third Dopey.
Richard – we believe for the Dopey it needs to be a 10-mile race or longer because the marathon is part of the challenge. As long as it is a verified race (which usually just means it’s timed), you should be fine. They will verify when you send in your proof.
I know that there is a “due date” for each race that Run Disney needs proof of time entered by. I know that I can enter a proof of time now, but if I happen to run another race that I feel is better, I can go back and enter that one too–up until the “due date.”
My question is, once the due date has passed, will RunDisney see all the proofs I have entered, or just the most recent one?
For example, say I run a half marathon in 2:15 and enter that…then a month later I run a 10k and enter that, but it shows that based on the 10k time they estimate my half time will be 2:20. Obviously I would rather have them consider the 2:15 for corral placement–so should I go back and change it to the half time–or does Run Disney see a list of all submitted times and look for the best one? Thank you!
Caroline – while we would assume they take your fastest, we do not know this for a fact. It would be worth calling to make sure they do so!
I am signed up for the Disney Marathon on 1-10-16 and would like your thoughts on this situation. I have read the rules and find that the part that states “Proof of time must be provided from a certified race” to have a little gray area. I have asked for a clarification for what they mean as a “certified race” and the answer is still a bit unclear. I submitted a half marathon time of 1:41:43 which projects to a 3:35:00 marathon time. That time is from a USATF certified course that has a link and all the other information required. Based on last years corral placements, this would place me in corral D. I also have a 10 mile race that I completed in 1:12:43 which I think had a projected time in the mid 3:20:00’s. That time would place me in ~ Corral C based on last years information. The 10 mile race has all the information required except the course is not listed on the USATF web site. In years past the 10 mile race was “certified” as money was given to the winners, but the race is now a fund raising event. My goal for this marathon is a ~3:25:00 or better and would like the earliest start possible. Should I attempt to use the 10 mile time and risk being placed in the last corral because the course isn’t certified or just stay with my half time and hope it isn’t to crowded?
While we have no concrete answer, we believe certified means that it was a timed race that has a link to results. We have noticed that proof of time now requires the link where your results can be verified – so as long as you have that for the 10 Mile race, it should work. However, it never hurts to contact runDisney and ask for clarification!
So I made a phone call and it seems that the most important thing is to be able to provide the information required in the proof of time window. It seems that the as long as you can provide a link to results for a race and not a “virtual run” or a self timed run, then you are good to go. The race needs to be measured but not required to be USATF certified. Now, the next question is the time I will use ends with x:xx:42.4. I went ahead and rounded up to 43 seconds. I know I am probably worrying way to much about this part of the process, but I just want to make sure it goes smoothly and I do not end up with a late start.
Also seems that some of the literature in the proof of time guidelines will be changing to make things a bit clearer.
Hi! I am signed up for the marathon in 2016, and I want to submitt a proof of time. When I click on the marathon’s website link to Trackshack website, and input my lastname and birthday, it says: not registered. Is there any other way to submitt the time?
Did you register after the date at the top of the link? They are rolling in the new registrations every month. If you registered earlier, then I would contact disneysports@trackshack.com.
Did you try putting in your birthdate as a day earlier or later? Sometimes active for some reason has a different date for your birthday.
I am truly disappointed with Trackshack and Disney sports. I have participated in the wine and dine for three years in a row. This isn’t meant to be a pat on my own pack, but I came in 1st in my age group in 2012, 6th in my age group in 2013 and 4th in my age group in 2014 (male 40-44). I inserted the previous race time at registration (I registered in the first 15 minutes the race registration opened). I tried numerous times to check my registration on the website (active/trackshack) since april and I continued to get the same error message that I was not authorized to view my registration. Finally I send trackshack a mail in mid august, and they tell me I didn’t submit a proof of time and I am in the last corral. They asked if I had a screen shot of the registration (who does that, especially when the website is super slow and you are concerned about missing registration). Not only is it unsafe for others for me to start in that corral since I will trying to push through waves of corrals ahead of me if I try to keep a 6:30 pace, it also completely detracts from my race experience. I am truly disappointed that trackshack refuses to provide an exception to something that was not in my control, as well as Disney sports for mandating unwaivering commitment to rules when clearly so exceptions are warranted (Disney and trackshack should automatically pull my information as a repeat participant in this and other disney race events). I am truly disappointed, especially since no other race organizer manages corrals and races in this way.
Joe,
Same situation here, i apparently submitted proof of time incorrectly (via email instead of website) runDisney/trackshack basically refused anything after the date. I’d run multiple races (CA & FL) with numerous history to pull from, yet they don’t even look at past participation. I too placed 4th in my age group (2012) and had run this race last 4 years. I finally threw in the tool and demanded a refund as I will not “duck & dodge” three quarters of the field starting from the last corral. Stinks because i am giving up my chance for the Coast to Coast medal too. You pay this kind of money for races and you think you would get at least average race mgmt support. I’ve decided to call it quits with runDisney. too many other good races out there that don’t even cost half the amounts they charge.
Hi Joe. My situation is very similar to yours. I am running the Disney Star Wars half in a few weeks and was placed in the last corral. I’ve run many Disney half marathons and have always started in corral A. I’ve tried having my corral changed with no luck. Apparently, I did not submit proof of time, but I find that hard to believe. I take my races seriously and run for time. My question is- How was it having to start in the last corral? Did it affect your time terribly? I need to come up with a game plan for this race and any feedback would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
What happens when I submit a time, that I even used earlier this year for a run disney race, and they place me in the last corral? If I contact them will they change it to reflect my estimated and submitted time? I did everything asked, long before the deadline. The last several races I have been in B.
Our only advice is to contact runDisney and hope for the best. We have heard of this situation happening more and more often, so we highly suggest you print off your proof of time when you input it on runDisney’s website, then you will have confirmation that you did submit your proof of time should this occur again. We are very sorry to hear it has happened to you – it is definitely frustrating!
I am wondering what happens if they ask for a 2014 time to submit and I post a 2013 (because of job circumstances). do they click all the links? or do they take it as it is and make it a suggested finishing group? I have a slower 2015 time but I’m not sure if i should wing it.
Unfortunately, we do not know the answer to that question. While we hope they do verify each link, with 25,000+ runners, it would be a lot of verifying!
Since I was placed in the last corral which will start at least 30 minutes after the race can I show up after the 5:30 start time?
If I end up in the last corral, how is my start time calculated? I’m concerned of loosing time if the time starts as the first corral is sent off and I’m still waiting.
Thank you