The View from Corral A

A quick web search defines a corral as  "a pen for livestock, especially cattle or horses”.  In the case of race day, that is fairly accurate except instead of “livestock”, we have “runners”.  Some races, like Queen City Marathon do not officially “corral” runners although we are encouraged to position ourselves in the area marked with our anticipated finish time.  This is really important for safety reasons, as we do not want a slower runner being at the front of the pack and getting trampled by those looking to qualify for the Boston Marathon!  Also, I think it is beneficial psychologically to be able to pass runners once the race begins, than to be passed yourself!  

runDisney does corral their runners, which means we have to submit a “proof of time” from a previous race if we want to be positioned in an early start corral.  Our race bibs are marked with our corral assignments and amazing volunteers help runners enter their fenced off positions.  This ensures that the fastest runners are far out of the way before the others start.  runDisney does an excellent job of this and treats every corral like they are the very first runners of the race with fireworks or confetti, or any of the magical things Disney likes to throw at us.

When I signed up for my first runDisney race, I didn’t have a proof of time to submit so I was assigned to Corral G (7th corral to be released).  By the time race day came, I had ran Queen City Marathon and was able to submit that time at the package pick up.  I was moved up to Corral B (2nd corral to be released).  This meant runDisney was considering me fast and that scared me quite a bit.  However, I raced an even faster time that night and earned a Corral A start for the Disneyland Half Marathon and 10K.  Now, that is pressure!  Disney was expecting me to lead the pack of 16,000 runners!  
Although I didn’t feel capable of such a task, I did keep my corral assignment because I believe there are several advantages to being in an earlier corral in a runDisney race.  Most importantly is the luxury of space.  There are not as many runners trying to squeeze into the narrower corridors of the theme parks, and if you do come across a character you would like to have your photo taken with, there probably isn’t going to be a lineup!  This is because there are not that many runners ahead of you, and also because the runners in Corral A tend to be a bit more competitive and likely aren’t there to meet Malificent, if you know what I mean.  Another advantage of an earlier corral is that you are not waiting to start the race as long so there isn't additional fatigue and nerves of waiting.  And, of course, you are done the race all that much sooner and can get on to more fun things, like the theme parks!  In the case of Wine & Dine Half Marathon, I was riding Test Track back to back and drinking wine in France long before EPCOT started to thicken with runners.  Lastly, it is pretty cool to be right at the start line when the race officially begins.  

In the case of Wine & Dine Half Marathon, where the above photo was taken, Mickey and Minnie came out on stage to start the race.  I was so excited to see them (well, who wouldn’t be??) that when the announcer started congratulating a woman in the crowd who had just completed the Ironman the previous weekend, I wasn’t really listening.  And when Mickey and Minnie started waving in my direction (looking for the Iron “Woman”),  I started jumping up and waving to get their attention!!  Soon the crowd was cheering in my direction, assuming I was the athlete.  I quickly realized my mistake and shrunk as small as I could.  That was embarrassing.  But hey, imagine the psychological lift I gave all those runners when the passed me on the course!!

In conclusion, this is my running advice to you: take the earliest corral that is assigned to you and that you feel you can compete in.  I believe an early start will give you a small advantage.  I know that I will be corralled early at the Walt Disney World Marathon and although I know I will not feel worthy of it when the time comes, I will take it...and keep to the edge so everyone can get around me as needed!  See you at the start line!  I will be the one waving madly at Mickey!