Reviewer     Harriet

Name: Disney World Marathon and Goofy Challenge

Location: Orlando, Florida

Website: disneyworldsports.disney.go.com

Contact: wdw.sports.marathon.road.races@disney.com

Month: January

Start times: 6 a.m.

Limits: 7 hour marathon and 3:30 half marathon for Goofy Challenge otherwise, no limits

Description:  This course takes you through all the theme parks at Disney World, starting at Epcot, then winding through the Magic Kingdom where you will run through the castle, on to the Animal Kingdom and MGM

Studios, ending up back at Epcot.   Disney cast

members will happily snap your photo with your favorite Disney character along the course, so take a camera with you. Fireworks and entertainment  make the long wait at the start easier.There are long, boring stretches on highways so it's not all "magic". Expo was not that great; poor selection of race merchandise and small number of vendors for a race this size. General concensus was to skip the post race party at Pleasure Island - not worth the hassle.

Pasta dinner: Not that I was aware of

Expo: Yes

Support and Spectators:  Lots of course support and many spectators in the theme parks. Also bands, Disney cast and characters all along the course.

Water:  Lots of stations, but in 2006 they ran out of water! from about mile 14-19 during the hottest, most exposed part of the course.

Organization: OK, but long wait at the start is tedious and long lines for food and photos at the end made me just head for the parking lot. Heard they ran out of medals at the half, but I got mine.

Porta-potties: Seemed sufficient, but many made use of the bushes along the course

Food at finish: I didn't get any, but they were handing out cold Cokes which was wonderful!

Weather: Hot and humid - 2007 was the hottest in the history of the race - got close to 90 before I finished.

Medals: These are the best! Donald Duck for half marathoners, Mickey Mouse for marathoners, and Goofy for those doing the Goofy Challenge

Other Races: Full, Half, Goofy Challenge ( do the half on Saturday, the full on Sunday) 5K and Kids Run

Airport: Orlando

Hotels: many in the area