What’s All This Corral Talk?

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If you are a first time runner with runDisney, you might be confused by the phrase and the concerns surrounding corral placement.  And maybe you are afraid to look like a first timer, or just don’t know who to ask.

That’s cool- I’ve been there.  Before I knew there were Facebook groups devoted to this stuff, and before I knew that there was a science to the corralling at races, I was lost in the dark.  When I registered for my first race I just put some random time down because I truly had NO idea how long it would take me to do 13.1 miles.

I’ll admit there was some panic going on and a scramble to submit an old 10K time for corral placement for that first half.  Which, by the way, in 2011 a 1:18 10K got me in corral B y’all.  Those seasoned runDisney runners are sitting there laughing your heads off right about now.  I know.  I was shocked back then too, and it still amuses me now.

My friend and fellow blogger, April, put together a great post today and she gave me permission to share it with you. It’s one of the best all in one corral questions answered posts I’ve seen recently!  Take a look.

Run the Great Wide Somewhere

by April Shuping

. . .

Today’s topic is Corrals.  I still laugh a little whenever I have to discuss my corral with anyone who is unfamiliar with racing because it makes me feel like livestock.  And, honestly, the name is pretty appropriate, as you’ll soon see.

In a small local race, everyone just lines up wherever they want.  Typically the speedsters are at the front and the slower folks are at the back but it is not enforced (and newer racers may not even understand that it is supposed to work that way), so you often end up with a lot of chaos at the start while people settle into their correct paces and places in the first half mile or so. 

In larger races, they often have informal corrals, with signs indicating different paces.  They encourage runners to line up near the sign that indicates their pace.  And the biggest races enforce corrals that are monitored and that you have to qualify for.  As you can imagine with over 26,000 runners at some runDisney races it wouldn’t be safe or fun to have people just start wherever they wanted to.

Continue reading April’s post

Still have questions?  Post them in the comments and I’ll be happy to help answer them! 

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25 Comments

  1. I’m glad it was helpful. The corrals were my biggest stress when I ran the first one, so I totally understand. But really- in the end- it doesn’t matter where you start, just that you FINISH with a smile! 😉 When is your race?

  2. Great post! I remember when I signed up for my first runDisney race and they asked for a time, I had NO idea what my pace would be!!

  3. I’ve been working really hard to improve my 10K time, so I am anxious to see what corral I get placed in ( I know for certain it won’t be A). I know in the end, it’s just like you said ” it’s not where you start, but that you finish”! ~M

    1. It’s important to be running with those that are similar speeds for sure- so it does matter. But a letter shouldn’t make or break us- and I know there’s races where I thought it might. LOL Silly!

  4. I have to admit, I’m kind of bummed about the new corrals. I was really hoping I could squeak into corral A for Tink, with the men being held back until C. But I know the smaller corrals are better. I’ll just have to work on running faster! 😉

  5. This was a great article! Thanks for the reference. I’m so nervous about the races & I’m trying to figure out everything that I can.

  6. I’m registered for the Glass Slipper Challenge. It will be my first Disney race(s). I’ve run a local 10k & need to get my time submitted for that.

  7. Oh wow! I had no idea about corrals and such. I am doing C25K right now in hopes to someday do the Tinkerbelle 1/2. Some might say that at 320lbs I have a farfetched dream but Uncle Walt said that if I dream it, I can do it!

    1. YOU CAN DO IT! #TrustInWalt I was the last person I ever thought would willingly run one of these things- and I do it! You can too! One step at a time, and C25K is a great place to start! Hang in there Kay! See ya at Tink REAL soon!

  8. I wish I could run/walk one of the races in WDW. Unfortunately they wont let guest with crutches participate due to the chance of injury to other participates. I totally understand this it just sucks.

    1. Ahh… boo. I could see that, but wish there was a way to work it out. Start near the back or something? Less people around you is what I’m thinking. That does stink. I’m sorry.

  9. I just finished a 10 miler 2 weeks ago just to help with Coral Placement for Wine & Dine. I am hoping my 2:00:58 10 mile race will move me up from L to G. I’m aiming for a 2:35 to 2:45 1/2 marathon. Running from the back is kinda fun as you do get to pass a lot of people but it would be nice to not have to weave through as many people at the beginning. I have done it before and I definately use more energy that way.

    1. Sounds promising! I didn’t think about it that way- start in the back and you get the perk of passing people- a mental lift! lol But draining physically too.

  10. One of the friends I’m running Wine and Dine with is in the last corral — I tried to explain to her that she should try to move up but she didn’t seem interested…I really hope she decides to enjoy this run and not just push through like she tends to in other races…

  11. Thanks for the mention and share! And a super big thank you for the Hey Girl meme. I think you might have made that just for me 🙂 since I’m in F for W&D!

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