Hiya Kaylee!
Thanks so much for dashing by planDisney with your Springtime Surprise 10K questions! This race weekend is one of my absolute favorites on the
runDisney calendar. There’s just something about the vibrant themes, the energy in the air, and all the camaraderie from fellow runners and spectators that makes the whole weekend feel like a celebration! Last year, I ran my very first Challenge during
Springtime Surprise—and I loved it so much, I couldn’t resist signing up again this year. Once you catch that runDisney magic, there’s no turning back!
Now, let’s jog right into your questions! Runners are placed into start groups (also known as corrals), and each corral is then broken down into smaller waves that head out from the start line every few minutes. The first wave usually begins around 5:00 AM, with each wave after that following roughly 3–6 minutes apart. The final wave can be close to an hour after the first, so your exact start time will depend on your placement.
Now, let’s talk pacing and those infamous balloon ladies! To avoid getting swept, you’ll need to maintain a 16-minute-per-mile pace. The balloon ladies begin their journey in the very last corral, and they keep that exact pace throughout the course. The good news is—depending on where you start—you might have a little bit of a cushion, which can make it easier to stop for characters and still stay ahead.
Character stops are half the fun of runDisney races, and you’re totally right—some characters draw longer lines than others. When I ran the 10-Miler last year (dressed as Edna Mode, dahling), I had my heart set on stopping for her. Lucky for me, she was stationed toward the end of the course, and her line was short, only about a five-minute wait! That said, it’s always a bit of a gamble depending on where the characters are placed and how early you start. I usually find that characters near the end of the course tend to have shorter lines, but it's smart to keep an eye on the clock.
Kaylee, I hope this helps as you plan your magical miles. If you have any more questions about runDisney, race day tips, or anything else pixie-dusted, feel free to jog back over to planDisney anytime.
See ya real soon at the starting line!
Christina