I was thinking about this just this morning. Assuming this downward trend of runners continues or stays about the same, what are some things rD can do to maybe encourage more people to attend? Here are a few things I thought about this morning.
When I have looked into the Space Coast Marathon in the past, they have a pretty cool looking multi year race challenge. If you run three races in four years, you get a challege medal. If you run all four races over four years, you get an additional challege medal. I would think rD could implement something like this fairly easily, and people would be all over it.
Look into mixing up at least the half marathon course. Probably easier said than done because of course certifications. Part of the reason I am running the Star Wars Rival Weekend this year is that I have never run the course before that starts in the MK parking lot. If it were the same course as Marathon Weekend and Princess, I would probably pass.
Change up the theming of some of the races each year. Maybe have the 10K be Toy Story themed one year, Incredibles another year, Minnie, etc.
Looking at other rD events, change W&D back to a night race. That was the first rD race I ever did, and it was unique to be able to run that late and then stay in Epcot late into the night celebrating that accomplishment. I will not run it again in its current form, as it seems like every other race weekend.
With Pandora now being complete at AK, I do not see why they cannot bring back the Expedition Everest Challenge. I never did that race, but it is one I would look into doing if it were ever brought back. With all the AK construction complete for now, I do not see why this cannot happen. I know it would mean closing AK early one night, but that is one night of the year.