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Dead Last Start, Balloon Ladies & Course Cutting: Inside runDisney Stats with Brian Davis (Part 1)
What really happens at the back of a runDisney race?
In this episode, I sit down with Brian Davis — physics professor, long-time runDisney athlete, and the unofficial statistician behind the Dead Last Start (DLS) movement — to unpack what most runners never see.
We talk about:
The origin story of Dead Last Start
Why some fast runners voluntarily start with the balloon ladies
How many runners actually cut the course (spoiler: it’s lower than you think)
Brian has analyzed years of runDisney timing data — and the numbers tell a much different story than social media.
This is Part 1 of a two-part conversation.
In Part 2, we dive into corrals, timing math, and race cheating in much more detail.
If you’re a runDisney regular, marathoner, or just fascinated by race strategy and data, this one’s for you.
Be You. Be Fierce.
If you are training for a Triathlon or Run event of any distance from your first 10k to your first full IRONMAN and beyond, connect with Jill to talk about how to take your performance to the next level! Jill is the Head Coach and owner of Be Fierce Multisport is a full time, professional coach and works with athletes of all skill levels.
We also specialize in training for runDisney race, as Jill is an avid runDisney fan with 7 Dopey finishes and nearly 100 Disney races under her legs - she knows the courses and how to train for them!
Click here to schedule a consultation
Tired of cycling in your basement alone? Peloton and Zwift has gotten old? Try live online group cycling with Be Fierce Multisport - now in Beta and accepting founding members!
Join our virtual group cycling beta at 👉 https://fierce.li/cycling
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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By Jill Bartholomew, Be Fierce MultisportWhat really happens at the back of a runDisney race?
In this episode, I sit down with Brian Davis — physics professor, long-time runDisney athlete, and the unofficial statistician behind the Dead Last Start (DLS) movement — to unpack what most runners never see.
We talk about:
The origin story of Dead Last Start
Why some fast runners voluntarily start with the balloon ladies
How many runners actually cut the course (spoiler: it’s lower than you think)
Brian has analyzed years of runDisney timing data — and the numbers tell a much different story than social media.
This is Part 1 of a two-part conversation.
In Part 2, we dive into corrals, timing math, and race cheating in much more detail.
If you’re a runDisney regular, marathoner, or just fascinated by race strategy and data, this one’s for you.
Be You. Be Fierce.
If you are training for a Triathlon or Run event of any distance from your first 10k to your first full IRONMAN and beyond, connect with Jill to talk about how to take your performance to the next level! Jill is the Head Coach and owner of Be Fierce Multisport is a full time, professional coach and works with athletes of all skill levels.
We also specialize in training for runDisney race, as Jill is an avid runDisney fan with 7 Dopey finishes and nearly 100 Disney races under her legs - she knows the courses and how to train for them!
Click here to schedule a consultation
Tired of cycling in your basement alone? Peloton and Zwift has gotten old? Try live online group cycling with Be Fierce Multisport - now in Beta and accepting founding members!
Join our virtual group cycling beta at 👉 https://fierce.li/cycling
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.