It’s not very interesting to watch me cross a finish line. People expect it from me. If I were 1st place at a race, folks might care. But really, I’m no highlight of any race (other than in my own mind). I have a lovely relationship with the crew from runDisney and make an effort to run every race I can, because they’re quite simply the most complete, fun, entertaining, happy, well-organized races in the world. And … I want you to join me in them!
Fitzness.com
I’ve noticed an interesting phenomenon though. Because the first place runners go so fast, especially in a half marathon … only a very small amount of people are at the finish line to see them win. By the time the back-of-the-packers cross the finish line, most folks have gone home. Big mistake. Missing Sir Speedy win the race is a little sad. But missing the last thousand finishers cross the finish line is a critical error that you should sincerely consider not making again. I’ve enjoyed this experience from a little press tent near the finish line a few times now and it’s the thing I look forward to most. Why? These are the people who really had to fight for it. They don’t do a race every weekend. In fact, this is often the greatest physical accomplishment they have done or ever will do. Many are overweight. Many are in their 50s, 60s or 70s. Many have disabilities. Many are have just stuck their neck and legs out to do something generous for their favorite charity or in memory of a lost loved one. Many come across that finish line with a death-grip around their friends and tears pouring down their faces. It is by far, the most inspiring, emotional and motivating experience I witness throughout the year. Confession time. I do a lot of boo-hooing too. In fact, at this past weekend’s Tinkerbell Half-marathon at Disneyland in California, I leaned over the little fence to hug about 50 finishers. I couldn’t help myself!
I ran my race with few obstacles. I needed a Band-Aid for a pinky toe, which was forming a blister around mile four. My right knee hurt a bit, and I became a little ornery around mile 11. Apologies to those around me who had to hear me use the “F” word a few times. (I tried to keep it down low, but apparently cursing makes me feel a little better.) But really, the race was a good time for me and qualified as an incredibly fun morning. The back-of-the-packers though, you could see it in their faces. They had a life-changing experience.
So what do I want you to do with this information? Well, if you do a runDisney race of any distance and finish quickly, stick around to the end. Your cheers are valuable and you’ll gain more than you give by doing so. If you’d like to try a race and worry you won’t finish quickly or finish fast enough? Fear not. You’ll find yourself surrounded by other courageous fitness heroes like yourself who found the determination and discipline to accomplish something magnificent, even if the odds seem stacked against you. And to add a little cherry on top, I promise to be there at that finish line leaning over the fence like a goofball to give you a congratulatory hug.
Did you know that at runDisney races, the final finisher receives the same rock star treatment as the first? No joke. Your arrival will be heralded by the spectacular runDisney race announcers Rudy Novotny and Carissa, while Mickey, Minnie, Donald and Goofy escort you across the finish line. Cue the confetti, you did it!
These two videos above show Kim Allen, the final Tinkerbell finisher crossing the line and being interviewed about her experience. What a star!
ALSO READ: runDisney Tinkerbell: My 2nd Half Marathon Without Training. Am I Awesome or an Idiot?
Check out 100+ photos of the inspirational back-of-the-packers in this gallery.
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- I can’t even look at this without crying. Fitzness.com
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Compliment your running with a core training DVD by #team runDisney member Fitz!
Fitzness Minute
I just ran the WDW Marathon. My first. 6 hours and 43 minutes. Crossing the finish line took me 50 pounds and 2 years of Training and yet, I hadn’t really though about what you talk about on this post. I always thought of the elites as the “important” ones in these races. (And they do work very hard for it) but you’re so right. In many ways, it means so much more to us struggling just to finish. Thanks for sticking around.
Congratulations Frank@The Fat Runner! I’m glad you can see your success for what it really is. The first place guy and gal seems out of reach. But watching the back of the packers grit through the finish line inspires an “I can do it too” feeling. That’s the feeling I think is most important for others to take away.
I’m incredibly fit. Hell, it’s my profession! But I don’t think I’ll ever win a race. I WILL continue to keep finishing races though and that will always motivate me. The fun, the experience, the camaraderie. It’s overwhelmingly happy sometimes!
Thank you so much for this. I completed my first marathon in November, and was less than complimentary to the organizers in their survey afterward for how those of us at the back of the pack were treated. I was 50th from last (out of about 1500), and by the time I got to the finish line there were 5 people there. 1 handing out medals, 2 medics, the photographer, and my husband. I had to help myself to a race blanket, and then go find the water and bananas myself. Along the race, the last few water stations had been packing up when I got there (I was 30 minutes ahead of the cutoff, mind you), and one of the food stations was completely out, they had packed all the food up already. I was less than impressed, and it was certainly not how I thought finishing a marathon would be. At least my husband was there to make me feel like I’d just done something awesome and incredible.
Fast forward 2 months to my 2nd marathon, RunDisney WDW Marathon weekend. I was in the Dopey Challenge, and sprained my ankle 0.6 miles into the 5K. Seriously. So I ran/walked all 4 races very slowly, to conserve my energy and in an effort not to do any further damage to my ankle, but gosh darn it I really really wanted to finish Dopey. My husband met me at the end of the 10K, half and marathon, but BOY was I impressed with the atmosphere, camaraderie, and comfort of having hundreds of people there, cheering you on!! It was amazing what a difference it made, both along the course itself and at the finish line. I wish I had a way to thank each and every single volunteer/fan/ChEAR Squad person/staff for being there to cheer people on, down to the last runner. And I did it, I finished Dopey, and had a wonderful, amazing experience that I doubt will ever be topped. A marathon is a marathon, and those people at the back deserve to feel as proud of their accomplishment as the people in the front. If I ever do move towards the front, you bet I’ll be doing my thing at the finish line and then turning around to go cheer on those people who were behind me!!!
Thanks for sharing Kim! Sorry your first experience was crappy, but you can always count on runDisney to make everyone’s race magical. Keep an eye out for me in the big white press tents in the future!
As someone who has worked with Disney voluntEARS for the past 6 years and has worked medal shifts for all the major races over the years I can say that I prefer to medal the back of the pack. It seems to mean more to them and it is always a celebration! I have medaled first place winners and last place winners. While the elite runners are awesomely amazing athleats, I prefer those who are out to prove to themselves that they CAN complete this task! 🙂
You totally get it Aurora. Thanks for always voluntEARing!
Great post! As a back-of-the pack marathoner/triathlete I could not agree with you more. Spectators who stick around to cheer towards the end of the race, in the quickly emptying streets of the final miles, get an a big reward too. Your support helps people realize their goals and we are all grateful for that!
I’ll ALWAYS stick around to cheer you on! If you see me hooting and hollering from the press tent, head on over for a hug, Veronica!