Howdy, Jessica! Welcome back to planDisney. Gawrsh... we're so glad to be able to assist you again!
There are so many reasons why I love participating in
runDisney events. The main one is the sense of community among runDisney enthusiasts; however, It's also amazing to be in the parks before sunrise, and the character photo opportunities are like no other! You'll find runners who have done multiple marathons to beginners who have never completed a race. There's something for everyone!
For the in-person events, you'll need to complete the race that day, and usually, there is a minimum-pacing requirement of around 16 minutes per mile. If you are concerned about finishing, choose an attainable distance, such as a 5K or 10K. Jeff Galloway is an Olympian runner with great
training plans on the runDisney website for beginning and experienced runners. I recommend checking them out!
You may also want to consider doing a
runDisney Virtual race that you can do on your own time in the location of your choice. So, whether you take to your local trail, jog around your neighborhood, or even run on a treadmill, you'll be part of the magic. Participants are on the honor system, and they track their own pace. This way, you can take your time, knowing that the balloon ladies won't be behind you, making sure you're under a 16-minute mile! Also, you don't have to do all the mileage at once; feel free to break it up into more manageable chunks.
Once you complete your run, you'll go to the finisher website to submit your time and download your race certificate. They even have digital bibs and mileage markers to make things seem more official, and your medal(s) will ship within a few weeks. You can sign up for these races the same way you sign up for the in-person events, and they are typically offered each race weekend.
I hope this helps, Jessica! We'd love to help you again in the future- see ya real soon!
Eean