If you’ve ever tackled a runDisney race, you’ve probably experienced the absolute terror around “getting swept” – the nebulous, awful thing that happens to runners unable to maintain the required 16 minute per mile pace. Well, it happened to me. I started the 2022 Walt Disney World Marathon but did not cross the finish line.
While getting “swept” was absolutely not the ideal outcome, it wasn’t anywhere NEAR the terrible experience I expected. Let’s pull back the curtain, dispel the mystery, and discuss EXACTLY what happens when you don’t make it to the Finish Line.
Why I Ran The Walt Disney World Marathon
As a regular runner, I’ve completed several half marathons, 10 milers, and other races of various distances. What I have yet to complete, however, is anything close to a full-length marathon. As this is a bucket list challenge for me, I decided the 2022 Walt Disney World Marathon was a promising opportunity to complete this goal. I registered as soon as I could, figuring that actually being signed up for a race would be motivation enough to keep my training on track.
Well, as you might expect by now, that’s not exactly what happened. An unexpected new dog and a pleasantly busy work season all but completely halted my training for TWO WHOLE MONTHS! By the end of which, I was in no shape to run a 10K – let alone a full marathon. Nevertheless, as soon as I could breathe again I restarted my training program, attempting to slowly rebuild my endurance. I knew that I unequivocally did not have enough time to train for completion, but at least I could make it as far as possible before the dreaded sweep.
**One Quick Note: I did contact Disney to see if I had any options to defer my registration. Unfortunately, Disney would not allow me to cancel, defer to a later event, or even transfer to a shorter distance race on the same weekend. I understand these are Disney’s policies (after all – I’m the one who didn’t train appropriately), but it’s important you be aware of these rules before signing up to run. **
Race Morning
Armed with little training, I arrived at the start line ready to enjoy whatever pieces of the course I was able to complete. Based on my body’s then-current levels of endurance and an examination of the course map, I made a plan of attack. I would run the first five miles as if they were a normal training run. After which I would maintain the minimum required pace until I was able to make my way through the Magic Kingdom. After exiting the park (at a little over 11 miles), I would slow way down, enjoy the journey, and chill out until the balloon ladies eventually found me.
Getting Swept: Expectations
Before we talk about the reality of the sweeping process, let’s discuss what I expected from the dreaded balloon ladies:
- I anticipated a hugely stressful experience while I desperately fought to maintain the desired pace.
- I expected to have lots of warning before a “hard sweep” – a checkpoint location and pick up area for runners unable to maintain 16 minutes per mile.
- I thought I would feel like a failure. Even though I personally expected to be swept, I expected Cast Members to look at me with pity and for the bus to be filled with crying and/or sick runners.
- I expected to be unceremoniously dropped off at the starting area without any of the post-race refreshments or gifts.
Basically, I thought the whole process was going to be embarrassing, disappointing, and unpleasant. Thankfully, my actual experience was nothing like this!
Getting Swept: Reality
Okay, so here’s what actually happened:
As I passed mile markers 17 and 18, I could tell I was getting close to the end of the pack. Runners were approaching medical tents or simply waiting on the side of the road to be picked up by Cast Members. I don’t know if it was the length of the race or a fact of being in the back of the group, but I was surprised by how many people just… stopped. But its certainly better to stop yourself than to pass out!
So while I didn’t have much real “warning,” I did know that the balloon ladies were closing in. Deep into mile 18, I barely noticed three, balloon-touting women pass me. Honestly, I was so tired that I could have very easily missed them. I expected them to be a bit more obvious. For example, I always pictured the balloon ladies in a line across the back of the pack – making it very clear exactly when you crossed into sweeping territory. Instead the ladies simply and quietly passed me.
Right after I fell behind the balloon ladies, a bike-riding Cast Member warned me that if I couldn’t stay in front of the balloons past the next stoplight (only a matter of feet away – I could see it in front of me), I would be swept. While I probably could have fought to stay ahead and completed a couple more miles before the next check point, I was exhausted and ready to end it.
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As the balloon ladies rounded the corner past the stop light, Cast Members began to move in front of us to block the course and direct lagging runners to the available busses.
The Bus Ride
As I boarded the bus, Cast Members congratulated me on making it as far as I did on the course. I didn’t expect this, but it felt so nice! No, I didn’t finish a marathon; but I still traveled almost 19 miles on foot – with very little appropriate training. That’s a physical accomplishment.
They handed me a face mask and I was directed to find a seat. I was one of the first ones swept, so I waited about twenty minutes for the rest of the bus to fill. Contrary to my assumptions that this would be a sad ride, everyone was in remarkably good spirits. The runners seemed happy to have made it as far as they did and ready to go back home.
The Finish Line (Kind Of)
While swept runners don’t get to cross the Finish Line, the bus did drop us off at our own private finish area. We were still given the post-race refreshments (without having to fight a crowd). But as an added surprise, we all actually received a marathon medal just for our participation! While at first I did not want a medal for a race I did not complete, I ended up feeling very proud of my almost 19 miles, and I was very glad to wear it home!
Because the marathon took place during the 50th anniversary celebration, finishers did receive an extra gift of a pair of special Mickey Ears. I was a little bummed to miss out on those beauties, BUT the medal is so gorgeous – it totally makes up for it! I’m so glad they let us have one even though we didn’t finish!
Freaky Thoughts: Getting Swept at the Walt Disney World Marathon
Is getting swept disappointing?
Well, kind of, yeah. Especially if you’ve been in deep training for months, it’s a little disappointing to not make your goal. But Disney does everything they can to make the experience tolerable for those unable to finish. You’re going to get congratulated. You’re going to get your post-race snack, and you might even end up getting a medal. Either way, you did something awesome today, and you should pat yourself on the back.
How hard is it to keep up with the 16 minute per mile pace?
So, here’s the great news: if you’ve actually completed your training program, there’s a good chance you’ll finish your RunDisney race (presuming you don’t get sick or injured). I only ran the first five miles. I aggressively tried to keep up with the pace for about 5-6 miles after that and then I just walked at whatever pace I pleased. It still took the balloon ladies about 8 miles to catch up with me. That’s a lot of wiggle room for someone actively trying to finish.
Should I be scared of getting swept?
No. Running is hard, and it’s an accomplishment to even get out there and try to run an intimidating distance (whether for you that’s a 5K or 26.2 miles). No matter how far you make it down the course; congratulate yourself for waking up on time, trying your best, and taking a chance. Getting swept isn’t scary. It’s not sad, and it’s not even that disappointing. It will just make the victory all that sweeter when you do complete your chosen distance!
You can share your experience without taking a dig at millennials. That joke is dated and unfounded.
As a millennial, this was only meant as a tongue-in-cheek joke – directed at the myself. Thanks for the feedback!
Please explain what “balloon ladies” are and what getting “swept” is. Not all of us are familiar with Disney lingo.
Furthermore, your statement that “participation trophies are a millennial’s dream” is tasteless and unwarranted. As a millennial, I am against participation trophies because they are useless clutter that cheapens the experience for those who put in the hard work to win the contest. You must be a boomer.
So true! I should have defined these terms. Balloon Ladies are a group of runners maintaining the required 16 minute per mile pace during each runDisney race. If you see the Balloon Ladies, you’re in danger of getting swept. “Getting swept” is when you’re removed from the race course for not maintaining the desired pace.
As for the millennial joke – It is apparently unclear that I, myself, am a millennial. I was making fun of me -and only me- for accepting a participation trophy. That’s all.
Pretty good breakdown here. I’ve not done a marathon so I can’t speak to getting swept yet but it’s still quite an accomplishment to enter and go as far as you can. Not sure if I could have accepted the medal though.
“Millennial’s dream”? Really? From a millennial who earned her race medals by finishing those races, that unfunny “joke” is in bad taste. I don’t know a single millennial who likes participation trophies or wears a race medal after they DNF.
You are clearly a Disney fan first and a hobby jogger second, and because you DNF’d (call it getting “swept” or some other cutesy name all you like, but a DNF is a DNF; indeed, it is an embarrassment to serious runners) you did not earn the right to wear that finisher’s medal. Medals used to be for finishers, but Disney doesn’t care as long as you paid the entry fee. Your “boo hoo, woe is me, I just got a dog so I didn’t do any training for two months” excuse is flimsy. I got a new dog too and do actual work 60+ hours every week and yet I still made time to do my proper training. A marathon is a commitment, Kristy, and you need to take it seriously.
P.S. You are getting snarked on multiple running and Disney subreddits and you 100% deserve it.
Meg, next time slip a chill pill into your sports beans.
Meg – first of all, you’re a condescending douche! Instead of being encouraging of the fact that despite the fact that she knowingly didn’t train like she should have, she went for it anyway and tried her best, you act as though she’s less than because YOU don’t consider her a “serious runner?!”. If you’re such a “serious runner” then why would you even run the Disney races?! They’re not real qualifiers.
Secondly, how dare you treat someone so rudely when they were trying to check off a bucket list. This was a personal challenge and I applaud her for sharing her experience. Everyone has a personal journey and it’s closed-minded people like you who cause people not to share stories like these that might actually inspire others in one way or another.
I’m older than millennials and I can safely say – participation trophies came out of the millennial generation. Millennials are notorious for asking for privileges simply because they exist. I saw it in my millennial sister, I saw it in the workforce. Maybe YOU didn’t experience that but I saw plenty of it.
Being petty about the medal – it’s DISNEY! It’s supposed to be fun which is why they have character greetings and such along the course. Get over yourself “serious runner”
Krysti – thanks for sharing this! I ran the Disney Princess half this year and got swept at mile ELEVEN! I was literally in the last wave to go out and didn’t see the balloon ladies until mile 9. At mile 10, the balloon ladies said we were safe so everyone kind of went into cruise control. They even stopped pacing!! Then when they got to like 500 ft within mile 11, the bike people told us that if we weren’t with them by the mile marker, we would get swept. I got with 20 feet of them and they wouldn’t let me continue. I was crushed and felt cheated because they started the race 13 minutes late but cut the race at the original time. We were half a mile from the park entrance where they would stop pacing. I didn’t feel like I deserved my medal but as the days have passed and I reflected on that day, I realized that (1) I ran the longest distance I’d ever run (my max was 7 miles – I got sick during my training and basically had to take a couple months off), (2) I freaking paid for that medal, and (3) I did it – maybe I didn’t reach the finish line but I crossed the starting line… some people will never even try and some in your shoes would have not shown up and forfeited the race altogether. So congrats on your race!!