Last Friday, all channels of social media went into a state of excitement/uproar/frenzy when the announcement was made that the popular Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend would be adding some new events to its roster in 2014. It was an interesting announcement for a few reasons:
- Rumors/leaks of events had emerged earlier in the week, causing speculation and debate days before the announcement was official.
- The definition of ‘Dopey’ was changed – in years past, the ‘Dopey’ distinction was unofficially used to describe the running of the WDW Marathon Weekend 5K, half and full. Now, it’s a whole weekend event: 5K, 10K, half and full – a total of 48.6 miles over the course of four days – now that’s Dopey!
- The overall weekend has been extended – starting on Wednesday, it will span five days now – it seems that the event is quickly approaching “Walt Disney World Marathon WEEK” status, rather than ‘Weekend’ if you ask me 😉
As an avid runDisney fan, it definitely was exciting to get swept up into the announcement, but to be perfectly honest, I have no BURNING desire to be the first one on the runDisney website at noon on April 9 (first registration day).
Really?
Yes, really. I mean, don’t get me wrong, it sounds SPECTACULAR. And chances are, if I am anywhere near WDW Property that magical January weekend, you better believe I will be there for the excitement – I am actually really interested in the inaugural 10K (especially since I will be running the Dumbo Dare, and am excited about runDisney adding this distance to their race roster) but there are a LOT of amazing races I would love to complete before repeating events – because individually, I have already completed the half and the full…and as a member of DVC, I know that runDisney will always be a part of my vacation schedule.
Additionally, I am REALLY interested in the opportunity to volunteer for some runDisney events. Volunteering is something I really enjoy and combining that with running – and runDisney, well that sounds pretty darn great to me!
So, those are my DOPEY THOUGHTS in a nutshell. I am stoked for my friends that are ready and raring to go jump on this event and will cheer my heart out for each of them 🙂
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Will you be registering for any of the WDW Marathon Weekend events? Which ones?
Shiawase Life 
I couldn’t agree more – I am all for them expanding the events, but have no interest to participate in Dopey. But would definitely love to do the 10k. 🙂
I hope to see you there, Mary! 🙂
You bring up some great points, especially the repeating events part. I’ve repeated non-runDisney races, and I’ve repeated runDisney races. Repeating a runDisney race is much different since they change the experience every time. Plus, one thing to be careful of is look what happened to the Marathon Relay. It lasted one year, was pretty popular, but then was done away with. While this likely won’t happen with the Dopey since it’s an extra race and extra money-maker for Disney, you just never know.
Matt – thanks for the comment – and yes, I definitely agree that the ‘same’ events can be made totally different with each year 🙂 I think that’s why I am so interested in seeing how the organization and ‘behind the scenes’ stuff goes down, so volunteering sounds so appealing to me. Agree that it’d be sad if it didn’t go on again next year (RIP Chip ‘n Dale relay) but in the end, I will have those wonderful memories of my friends enjoying it all, so I won’t feel too sad 😀
I ran the unofficial Dopey this year and I swore after the race I was taking a break for a year. The courses were too crowded and that took away from some of the fun. It was also a lot of work to train for through our cold winter so I thought I could use a break from that! I’m not sure what to think about adding a 10K into the challenge. That is really going to up the fatigue factor by the time you get to the marathon. I hope to go back in 2015 for the 10 year anniversary of the Goofy, but I’m going to have to have a hard think about whether to *just* leave it at the Goofy or not.
At Disney people used to say, I’m *just* running the marathon. Now people will be able to say that they are *just* running the Goofy. Crazy!!!
“Just the Goofy ” –> SO AGREE! I felt weird enough running “Just the Marathon” this year, lol!
It would be cool to do that and also bring home the bacon medal, but personally I had such a great time at the Disney Marathon that I just don’t have a desire to do this. Plus I kind of want to space out those memories and still be able to enjoy this weekend. I can’t see the day where I’d be in good enough shape to do 4 races (whether I’m “racing” them or not) and then still get a Disney experience with the family, which was one of my main reasons of doing it this year. Also, 48.6 miles exceeds my “most ever” moment of miles in a week, so realistically I’d be a few years away from even considering this.
David – you bring up another totally valid point – if this is supposed to be a racecation, it’d definitely be a damper to be dog-tired everyday! It’d have to be a MUCH longer vacation!!
I agreee! I have no desire to run Dopey! I’ll probably be there running the marathon though 🙂
I hope to be handing you water, or getting you your marathon bib!! 😀
Totally agree, Krissy. I’m excited about the 10k, but I don’t know if I can justify a race-cation for a 10k. Adding volunteering in there might make it work. Thanks for the idea!
You’re very welcome! I hope to see you there, Abby!!
I’m torn – I would love to use that money elsewhere to try new races but now that we are DVC, maybe I could do one or two that weekend?? 🙂
If you were thinking about it, then yes, DVC is a great way to get in a bit of Marathon Weekend! 😀 The half is a lot of fun…and if you’re thinking a combo like 1/2 and 10K, register separately and use the DVC discount…it’s not too painful! 😉
I’m intrigued, and I’ll probably consider it the next time I run Goofy (in 2015…..), but it’s hard for me to take that much time away, especially at Disney without my kids.
I really would have been more excited about an international race! Bring on the Paris running!!
Paris is DEFINITELY enticing to me too…
I am probably going to sign up because this may be my only chance for a few years b/c I have lots of other plans coming up/ I have always wanted to volunteer for runDisney though!
I know what you mean, Heather…it’s challenging to make life plans when there are so many fun events going on!! 🙂
As enticing as it is, it doesn’t look to be in our plans either. Love the idea of volunteering and doing the 10k!
Thanks, Ashley! I think it would be neat to see the event from all sides 🙂
I really have no interest. I would like to do Goofy but I don’t know if I would want to get up early 4 days in a row. I’ve never done the 5Ks at Disney for that same reason. I don’t know…I could change my mind!
🙂 Anything can happen! Agree though, that early wake up call…multiple times…does sound like a challenge!!
If the distance doesn’t rune people away, the price will. I hear its somewhere near $500! I ran “just the marathon” this year and am darn proud of doing just that! I will never run a Goofy or come close to the Dopey – heck one marathon was enough for me. I will be running the Disneyland half to complete my Cost to Coast this year! Excited to see you there!
For sure, the marathon is a huge accomplishment in itself! 😀 Proud of you!!
Stoked to see you at DL half! I am working on a meetup event and hope to have some information soon!!
Thanks for posting your thoughts and being honest! I don’t really have the desire at the moment to run Dopey. Goofy 2013 was a huge undertaking for me and I just don’t have the desire to run it again next year, let alone two additional races on top of it! Had I planned for Goofy in 2014 (as my first), then I think I think I would have gone all out and run Dopey instead. Ah well – who knows what the future holds. I don’t really care for the price, either…but what can I say? :0)
Thanks for stopping by to comment, Karen! It always makes me happy to hear from you and see the little face next to your name :0)
I have to agree, Goofy is quite goofy enough, lol! But like you said, who knows what will happen – I know that Dopey is do-able, but it’s not in my immediate plans, either, hehe. And yes, that price definitely makes it a little easier to turn it down 😉
I would love to run all of them, but don’t see it happening anytime soon. I broke my ankle last Monday and just had surgery to repair it on Friday. No way am I about to commit to any race that costs that much money before I know my ankle is 100% healed.
Having been swept from Goofy this year, I really want a chance to go back and tackled the beast that defeated me/ left me injured. Unlike this year though, I won’t already be visiting the states, so that weekend is a huge expense for me- races, flights, hotel, park tix, food etc. I’m torn between defeating my challenge and being a responsible adult w my money! 😉
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