It’s racing day for the kids… and for one teenager too! Scott finally arrived bright and early with food in hand – donuts, the breakfast of champions! LOL! Hopefully they won’t crash from the sugar high before the race. Since this was our first Disney kid’s fest, we did not know exactly what to expect. Knowing how much time needed before the start of an adult race, we thought it might be best to arrive a bit early. Four, very rambunctious pint-sized offspring and one very calm, cool teenager boarded the bus to arrive at Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex. They will be competing on the fields behind the Milkhouse. Let me rephrase that, Jamie will be the one competing, in a one mile race. The Little Ones will not be timed. We arrived on the field around 10:30 AM. The first race would not start until 11. In the meantime, we took photos and videos. One of my favorite things about a Disney race is the pre-run entertainment. A DJ was blasting music out from every direction. There were a couple of guys on stilts dressed up as either coaches or referees. Sean, Emma, and Morgan were having fun just soaking in all of the excitement. Mason was another story. To him, this was serious. He kept practicing his stance and sprinting. I was afraid he was going to wear himself out before the race. It was a bit cool earlier in the morning, but by now the sun was searing. It took a bit longer for the races to begin than expected. Don’t they know hundreds of fidgety kids are on the track?! The first race was Sean’s, the 100 Meter Dash with two waves of participants. Since I was not at the section of the track, I missed seeing him run. Next came the 200 Meter Dash where Mason, Emma, and Morgan patiently waited for it to start. This race too would have two to three waves, so I made sure our crew was up front and ready to go first. Wanting some independence, Mason kept asking me to step back and go to the finish line. I put myself in position for photos and then they were off. I snapped a shot of Mason. Emma was too quick! But I did not see Morgan. All of a sudden Mason and Emma came back. One of the Disney officials held Morgan back at the line! I motioned for Mason and Emma to keep running. Morgan was in distress as I darted to the start line. Once they realized she was running with family, we were off. Yes, I said we. Poor thing was the very last participant, and I did not want her to run alone. It was pure joy to see her smiling and laughing as we ran together. For a brief moment it dawned on me that one day both of us could run a half or full marathon together. We held hands as each of us crossed the finish line. It was emotional to see the medal being placed around her neck.
Within seconds of witnessing this honor, my cousin, Melanie, asked where Emma (her daughter) was. My heart dropped. We were the last to cross the finish line. Emma should have crossed over a few minutes ago. I started yelling her name, but the flood of people drowned out my attempts. Bill, Melanie and I all went in different directions while Scott and Jamie kept the remaining crew corralled. I could not imagine what Bill and Melanie were feeling during this time. A hollow pit of despair and desperation sank within my stomach. I could not find Emma anywhere. I found an official who pointed me in the direction of the stage. As I called Melanie to update her, she informed me they had security and/or EMTs looking already. I think about 15 minutes had passed, but it felt much longer. By the time I arrived back to our corralled crew, she was found. Emma had returned to the starting point of the race. When she realized she was lost, the poor thing was afraid to talk to any strangers. Poor Melanie! She had told Emma to always ask a mommy with kids for help, that it was OK. Again, I still can’t imagine how my cousin and her husband had to of felt. I was a wreck inside. They both remained calm. They were awesome. Of course though, the rest of the day all four of us adults were counting kids every five seconds.
I’m not surprised though, that this happened. Emma was definitely NOT the only lost child. In fact, if Melanie had not grabbed Mason, he would have been on the missing list too. Even though I am a big fan of Disney races, there is always room for improvement. Here are some of my suggestions on how it could have been better for children and parents:
1. Cancel registration on race day. Part of the reason for the late start was waiting on children who just signed up.
2. Assign actual wave numbers just like they do for the half marathon. This way there is no confusion to when a child is running their race.
3. Keep parents off the track for the 200 and 400 Meter Dash. Have officials along the sides as well as at the finish to help guide children through the track and through the finish line safely to their parents.
4. Actually use the “kid’s claim” ticket attached to each child’s racing bib for parents to safely retrieve their little runner.
5. Better crowd control before, during and right after each race.
One of the big issues I know Disney cannot control is parents. Some were very friendly and helpful, but most were selfish and pushy. I watched a father who was obviously going to run in one if not both of the marathon races, sternly get into his son’s face to remind him to focus and run hard. And this for a non-competitive 200 Meter Dash! I can understand doing this for the timed one mile, but why not allow the child to just enjoy the run?
As we waited for Jamie’s race to begin, the kids enjoyed a victory dance for a job well done.
I’m not surprised though, that this happened. Emma was definitely NOT the only lost child. In fact, if Melanie had not grabbed Mason, he would have been on the missing list too. Even though I am a big fan of Disney races, there is always room for improvement. Here are some of my suggestions on how it could have been better for children and parents:
1. Cancel registration on race day. Part of the reason for the late start was waiting on children who just signed up.
2. Assign actual wave numbers just like they do for the half marathon. This way there is no confusion to when a child is running their race.
3. Keep parents off the track for the 200 and 400 Meter Dash. Have officials along the sides as well as at the finish to help guide children through the track and through the finish line safely to their parents.
4. Actually use the “kid’s claim” ticket attached to each child’s racing bib for parents to safely retrieve their little runner.
5. Better crowd control before, during and right after each race.
One of the big issues I know Disney cannot control is parents. Some were very friendly and helpful, but most were selfish and pushy. I watched a father who was obviously going to run in one if not both of the marathon races, sternly get into his son’s face to remind him to focus and run hard. And this for a non-competitive 200 Meter Dash! I can understand doing this for the timed one mile, but why not allow the child to just enjoy the run?
As we waited for Jamie’s race to begin, the kids enjoyed a victory dance for a job well done.
Before we knew it, the race officially started, and away Jamie went! Bill with the video camera and I with my camera, we patiently waited for her at the finish line. Melanie was all over the course to cheer her daughter on to the finish line. Unfortunately due to obnoxious and clueless people (parents!), I lost the shot of Jamie completing the mile. I had to push my way to the fence, and by the time I got there, people kept walking right in front of the camera. I am so thankful Bill got footage as well as ASI photography snapping shots. Boy was Jamie fast. I don’t know her exact time, but I’m sure it was around 9:15! Way to go, Jamie! She did an amazing job, and I know her parents are so proud of her. By this time it’s around 1, and we’ve got five runners and four exhausted adults in need of lunch.
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