Gary Ramsey's Staging Area

Disney World Marathon weekend Dopey challenge is certainly that. 5k and 10k in Epcot before Sunrise is magical. Half runs through the Magic Kingdom and Future World of Epcot. The Full goes through all 4 theme parks and Wide World of Sports. During the half and full there are plenty of miles on the roads of WDW. Disney does a magnificent job with characters photo ops throughout all races. I was able to stop and get photos of 13 different characters in the half, and 20 during the full. Plenty of hydration spots during all races. Course can get crowded at some locations on the courses, but that is what it is when you have over 20,000 folks finishing a half or full marathon.

This was my third time running RnR San Antonio and on the third different course. This years course started right above the River Walk, went through parts of the downtown area, including in front of the Alamo just after mile 3. Then headed north through the Arts district towards Breckenridge park before heading back towards downtown. I enjoyed the route much this year, compared to the other two years. A couple nasty hills between mile 10 and 11 made for a nice challenge. Finish line area and festival was a couple blocks from the start line, and easy walking distance for everyone staying in the downtown area.

Well run and organized race. Post race food and drink and band in Sam Houston Park made for a nice post race experience. Course is a two mile loop of SW Downtown Houston and a nice 11 mile out and back of Allen parkway/memorial. The speaker system setup between miles 3 and 8 made carrying your own music not needed.

3rd annual Katy marathon is a real well run race in the Katy area west of Houston. Course is still as flat as flat can be. Race had a 1.5 mile out and back around the Katy Mills parking lot that was a little shorter this year compared to last. Rest of the course is on the streets of the area. The race had a nice Finishers hoodie this year, that would be nice to use at some point if the Houston area has a cold spell.

This year, the race was moved to November, and the temps were not near as cold as the previous 3 years. Nice rolling hills all along the two lap course. Start/Finish area is in the parking lot of the Lone Star College, and makes for easy parking for the race site.

This was my second year running this race. Everything seemed disorganized compared to last year. Only one gate was open to the park where the post race party was held, when there are about 8 more gates that could have been opened. Not enough speakers for the crowd to hear. Some 5k people started with the qtr and half folks and qtr and half people started with the 5k. Start lines were in different areas, and the 5k started around 15 minutes before the other. Course is a two loop out (for the half) and back along Allen Parkway and Memorial.

1st time doing a RunDIsney event, and it was worth it. Did not have any time goals with the warm/humid weather. It is amazing to run down Main Street USA in the Magic Kingdom in the dark with the spectators and the castle all lit up.
I stopped at almost every character spot along the course for both races, and soaked up the crowd support from the spectators.

Great Swag. Decent course through the NW Houston suburbs of Fairfield. Will run the race again in the future. Liked that the post race area was in the high school cafeteria.

Typical Rock and Roll marathon event. I enjoyed the new course. More folks in Daley Plaza than previous years, since the folks had time to move from the start area to the plaza. Hills at mile 10 and 12 are brutal for trying to set a PR. Downhill finish was great. Tight area for family reunion.

Great first year event. Well run by the organizers. Not much they can do about the scenery in the West Houston area. Nice flat course throughout. Easy in and out for parking.