I gather the military reenactor's words and red hat ladies' actions rubbed people the wrong way because they seemed a bit self-centered. We all like people to do things out of the goodness of their hearts. However, as soon as I saw the large groups of people in costume, at a Disney race, I figured they were invited, thus compensated and official. How else would they know about the inaugural race? It didn't lessen the impact in seeing them. I teared up seeing the red hat ladies. Every time. The cos players for LS absolutely made my race. They filled up some pretty boring spots on the course. I am just surprised that people thought a group of easily 50+ or more elderly ladies in red hats with walkers, wheelchairs and 02 would get up at 3 am to sit on a cold race course without some incentive. (Or permission) That had to be difficult for some of them. They cheered for every last runner and seemed genuinely touched to have runners stop for photos. I mean, the volunteers who poured water/cheered were also compensated. They were on course at 1 or 2 am to prepare. Even some small local races offer prizes for groups with the most enthusiasm, etc. The previously recruited groups/clubs are annoyed with rD for changing the previously offered comp. I get it. I can't be mad or disappointed at them. They decided, out of principle or whatever, that it wasn't acceptable, so they declined to return. Totally their choice. We runners (frequently) threaten to do the same thing whenever rD changes something we don't like, but we turn around and sign up for the next race any way... Those groups will be missed on the course. It won't be because they mean more to me than the random stranger giving out candy or my amazing friends who provided me cold water and towels at the DL half. It will be due to the fact that they greatly enhanced the overall atmosphere of these particular races, as runDisney intended them to do.
I do think that whole temp/volunteer thing played heavily into rD's decision on the compensation. Pretty sure they were extremely low on medical volunteers. Heard there was some sort of work around for the incentive, but I don't personally know what it was.
And nope, I am not a red hat lady, a cosplayer or a reenactor, just an old runner and volunteer of lots of races (big and small)