Official 2016 Princess Half Marathon Thread

[Ariel484]

Two quick questions about POT for the Half...

1. What time do I need from a 10k race to use as POT that will put me in Corral F or higher? I'm hoping to finish around the 2 hr mark but at max want to say 2:15:00
2. What link do you need for the race you are submitting POT? Is it the link to the results page or the race? I want to make sure I have all my stuff organized.

TIA!

1. I have heard that rD uses the McMillan Running calculator to do their proof of time: https://www.mcmillanrunning.com/ Putting in a 2:15 half (which was corral E/F last year, but not guarantees it'll be the same this year) is a 60-minute 10K.
2. I put in the link to the race results page - normally with the race I use there's a link that goes right to my age group, and I assuming they just find it that way.

 

[asbyrneva]

Anyone stay at Caribbean beach for half? Friend said it was super easy to get to start of race. Im a little nervous since this will be my first half and Ill need getting to the race to be easy. Heck this will be my first long race at all!!! What was I thinking ????

 

[Ariel484]

Anyone stay at Caribbean beach for half? Friend said it was super easy to get to start of race. Im a little nervous since this will be my first half and Ill need getting to the race to be easy. Heck this will be my first long race at all!!! What was I thinking ????

Haven't stayed there but CBR is pretty close to Epcot (where the race starts) so I imagine it would be a short bus ride. One thing to keep in mine is that CBR has multiple bus stops for regular park days, so you'll want to make sure to ask if the race buses are going to ALL of the CBR stops, or just to the main bus stop at the front of the resort.

 

[keahgirl8]

I actually had a Mylar blanket, which helped a lot more than I expected. Then I tossed it before the start. You can't run with them, because it interferes with the timing chip.

 

[asbyrneva]

Haven't stayed there but CBR is pretty close to Epcot (where the race starts) so I imagine it would be a short bus ride. One thing to keep in mine is that CBR has multiple bus stops for regular park days, so you'll want to make sure to ask if the race buses are going to ALL of the CBR stops, or just to the main bus stop at the front of the resort.

Thanks! Lots to figure out!

 

[networktek]

I pre registered with DVC for the 5K + Glass slipper challenge

 

[FFigawi]

Haven't stayed there but CBR is pretty close to Epcot (where the race starts) so I imagine it would be a short bus ride. One thing to keep in mine is that CBR has multiple bus stops for regular park days, so you'll want to make sure to ask if the race buses are going to ALL of the CBR stops, or just to the main bus stop at the front of the resort.

We stayed at CBR for marathon weekend a few years ago, and the bus to the start stopped at every bus stop along the loop, not just the main one. I would assume the same is still true.

 

[KCSherri]

Registered for the 5k (which I will mostly be walking with my parents I think) and am now thinking about the 10k through Children's Miracle Hospitals. Anyone run through them before? These will be my first races and I'm just beginning to run and train as I was never a runner. I'll be using these as motivation!

I ran the GSC with Children's Miracle Network Hospital this past year…they were awesome! I received regular emails from Jessica, who kept me motivated with tips, etc.

For the race, we got a pink technical running shirt.

We also were treated to an amazing breakfast one morning at Epcot, where several Princesses, as well as Miss America, attended - we were able to take photos with them, and it was a very special treat!!! I had so much fun, I'm signed up to run with them again THIS year for the GSC.

 

[inkedupmomma]

I ran the GSC with Children's Miracle Network Hospital this past year…they were awesome! I received regular emails from Jessica, who kept me motivated with tips, etc.

For the race, we got a pink technical running shirt.

We also were treated to an amazing breakfast one morning at Epcot, where several Princesses, as well as Miss America, attended - we were able to take photos with them, and it was a very special treat!!! I had so much fun, I'm signed up to run with them again THIS year for the GSC.

How does one run with CMN?

 

[inkedupmomma]

Posted this on another board and hoping someone with experience can help TIA

Hey guys, not sure where to put this, but my family and I are considering doing the Princess this coming February. I myself would do the 5K, DH/DD the 10k, and possibly the half. Can anyone tell me about these races? What characters have you met along the 5 k. They are my motivation, as I am NOT a runner, but trying out C25K and hoping it doesn't kill me :O)

Any advice, or tips on what to do or not do? It all seems a bit overwhelming?

ETA- after reading through few pages, I am worried that we won't even be able to do this? Is it sold out already?? We have AP's, but haven't attempted signing up yet because we were too nervous. Totally freaked out!

 

[Ariel484]

Posted this on another board and hoping someone with experience can help TIA

Hey guys, not sure where to put this, but my family and I are considering doing the Princess this coming February. I myself would do the 5K, DH/DD the 10k, and possibly the half. Can anyone tell me about these races? What characters have you met along the 5 k. They are my motivation, as I am NOT a runner, but trying out C25K and hoping it doesn't kill me :O)

Any advice, or tips on what to do or not do? It all seems a bit overwhelming?

ETA- after reading through few pages, I am worried that we won't even be able to do this? Is it sold out already?? We have AP's, but haven't attempted signing up yet because we were too nervous. Totally freaked out!

Helloooooo

Characters you will meet is tough - the line-ups aren't guaranteed from year-to-year, so I wouldn't bank on seeing any particular ones. The only guarantees I feel confident about are during the half - there will almost surely be some villains meet, almost surely a Pirates of the Caribbean meet (with a big ship) and there will almost surely be some "heroes" meet (i.e. Prince Eric, Hercules, Tarzen, etc.). These are ones I've seen repeated in trip reports quite a bit.

As for the race courses...
- The 5K goes through Epcot (part of World Showcase and Future World)
- The 10K goes through Epcot (part of World Showcase), the Epcot resort area and then back into Epcot (Future World)
- The half marathon starts outside of Epcot - goes to Magic Kingdom (Main Street, Tomorrowland, Fantasyland, through the castle, Liberty Square, Frontierland) and then to Epcot (Future World Only)

I totally think you could do the 5K!! I have done this course a couple of times and it's really fun.

It is NOT sold out already. On Tuesday 6/30, early registration for AP/DVC opened. These early slots are about 5-10% of total registration - only the early slots for the Glass Slipper Challenge (the 10K + half marathon) and the 10K are gone. So as an AP holder, you could go ahead and log on right now to register yourself for the 5K and your DD or DH for the half - UNLESS they want to do the Glass Slipper Challenge. They will have to wait for that.

Now, regular registration opens on July 14 at noon EST. There will be slots available for the 10K and Glass Slipper Challenge.

So first of all, your DH/DD need to decide if they want to do the 10K, the half, or both...
- If they decide on the half and NOT the 10K, they could sign up for that now - there are still early spots open for the half.
- If they decide on the 10K and NOT the half, they need to be ready to go right at noon on July 14 to sign up. The 10K is very popular and will fill quickly (like, within the hour).
- If they want to do both the 10K AND the half, make sure they sign up for the Glass Slipper Challenge - if they sign up for the 2 races separately they will not get the GSC medal and shirt. And if they do go for the GSC, just like the 10K, they need to be ready right at noon - GSC will fill up the quickest of any of these races, except maybe the 10K.

I hope this helps!! I'd look around here for trip reports on Princess Half Weekend...those should give you a good idea of what to expect from the races.

 

[Ariel484]

@inkedupmomma here are last year's course maps. Of the 3, the 10K course is my favorite.

 

[bevcgg]

Yay! Doing the happy dance- just got registered for GSC!!!
No one at my office understands- but I knew you guys would.
Now I just have to battle it out on Tuesday for two 5K regs.
Whew.....
Bev
Castle to Castle in 2016!

 

[inkedupmomma]

Helloooooo

Characters you will meet is tough - the line-ups aren't guaranteed from year-to-year, so I wouldn't bank on seeing any particular ones. The only guarantees I feel confident about are during the half - there will almost surely be some villains meet, almost surely a Pirates of the Caribbean meet (with a big ship) and there will almost surely be some "heroes" meet (i.e. Prince Eric, Hercules, Tarzen, etc.). These are ones I've seen repeated in trip reports quite a bit.

As for the race courses...
- The 5K goes through Epcot (part of World Showcase and Future World)
- The 10K goes through Epcot (part of World Showcase), the Epcot resort area and then back into Epcot (Future World)
- The half marathon starts outside of Epcot - goes to Magic Kingdom (Main Street, Tomorrowland, Fantasyland, through the castle, Liberty Square, Frontierland) and then to Epcot (Future World Only)

I totally think you could do the 5K!! I have done this course a couple of times and it's really fun.

It is NOT sold out already. On Tuesday 6/30, early registration for AP/DVC opened. These early slots are about 5-10% of total registration - only the early slots for the Glass Slipper Challenge (the 10K + half marathon) and the 10K are gone. So as an AP holder, you could go ahead and log on right now to register yourself for the 5K and your DD or DH for the half - UNLESS they want to do the Glass Slipper Challenge. They will have to wait for that.

Now, regular registration opens on July 14 at noon EST. There will be slots available for the 10K and Glass Slipper Challenge.

So first of all, your DH/DD need to decide if they want to do the 10K, the half, or both...
- If they decide on the half and NOT the 10K, they could sign up for that now - there are still early spots open for the half.
- If they decide on the 10K and NOT the half, they need to be ready to go right at noon on July 14 to sign up. The 10K is very popular and will fill quickly (like, within the hour).
- If they want to do both the 10K AND the half, make sure they sign up for the Glass Slipper Challenge - if they sign up for the 2 races separately they will not get the GSC medal and shirt. And if they do go for the GSC, just like the 10K, they need to be ready right at noon - GSC will fill up the quickest of any of these races, except maybe the 10K.

I hope this helps!! I'd look around here for trip reports on Princess Half Weekend...those should give you a good idea of what to expect from the races.

THANK YOU so much @Ariel484 ! Your encouragement is much appreciated. I am NOT a runner. Started C25K and hate it but want ti push myself to do this. Im afraid to not sign up for the 10 k, as maybe i"ll get better but afraid to sign up in case I absolutely do not lol! DD14 is a runner, and will be on her high school cross country team, so I am confident she could easily do all 3 races.

What characters have you met at the 5 k? Im just curious if any are even out?

 

[Ariel484]

THANK YOU so much @Ariel484 ! Your encouragement is much appreciated. I am NOT a runner. Started C25K and hate it but want ti push myself to do this. Im afraid to not sign up for the 10 k, as maybe i"ll get better but afraid to sign up in case I absolutely do not lol! DD14 is a runner, and will be on her high school cross country team, so I am confident she could easily do all 3 races.

What characters have you met at the 5 k? Im just curious if any are even out?

I wasn't a runner either, and used Couch-to-5K in 2008 (I think) to get started - it worked for me and I really like running now!

One thing to keep in mind is that you need to keep a 16:00/mile pace for the races - so you don't HAVE to run them. A lot of people do run/walk intervals (myself included).

So I have done this 5K course 3 times, but only one of those times was for Princess weekend (it's the same 5K course that they use in January - I've done that one twice). When I did this 5K in 2014 the characters that were out were: Princess Atta, Mushu & Mulan in China, Genie & Jasmine in Morocco, Dopey in Germany and the Beast in France. However I did not stop for any of them, as the lines were HUGE! This is definitely something to keep in mind with the 5Ks at Disney - the character lines have been very long compared those during the longer races, in my experience.

One of my BFFs did the Glass Slipper Challenge that year - looking back through her Instagram she met Jiminy Cricket, Louis, Donald Duck, Fairy Godmother (10K), Buzz Lightyear, Royal Mickey & Minnie, Lilo & Stitch and Princess Atta (half marathon). I know she said she saw Baseball Goofy out during the 10K, so I'm not sure what other characters she skipped. But this should give you an idea.

 

[inkedupmomma]

I wasn't a runner either, and used Couch-to-5K in 2008 (I think) to get started - it worked for me and I really like running now!

One thing to keep in mind is that you need to keep a 16:00/mile pace for the races - so you don't HAVE to run them. A lot of people do run/walk intervals (myself included).

So I have done this 5K course 3 times, but only one of those times was for Princess weekend (it's the same 5K course that they use in January - I've done that one twice). When I did this 5K in 2014 the characters that were out were: Princess Atta, Mushu & Mulan in China, Genie & Jasmine in Morocco, Dopey in Germany and the Beast in France. However I did not stop for any of them, as the lines were HUGE! This is definitely something to keep in mind with the 5Ks at Disney - the character lines have been very long compared those during the longer races, in my experience.

One of my BFFs did the Glass Slipper Challenge that year - looking back through her Instagram she met Jiminy Cricket, Louis, Donald Duck, Fairy Godmother (10K), Buzz Lightyear, Royal Mickey & Minnie, Lilo & Stitch and Princess Atta (half marathon). I know she said she saw Baseball Goofy out during the 10K, so I'm not sure what other characters she skipped. But this should give you an idea.

Im in it strictly for Dopey if I am being honest lol! The walk/run is what is even helping me do it. I know that if I have to, I can walk, but I' d rather run it through. VERY sweet of you to go out of your way to look back at your friends account, thank you @Ariel484

 

[Ariel484]

Im in it strictly for Dopey if I am being honest lol! The walk/run is what is even helping me do it. I know that if I have to, I can walk, but I' d rather run it through. VERY sweet of you to go out of your way to look back at your friends account, thank you @Ariel484

Remember, no guarantee that the Dope will be there! But you should sign up anyway...

You're welcome!!

 

[SarahDisney]

What characters have you met at the 5 k? Im just curious if any are even out?

Last year it was Minnie, Mickey, Goofy, and Pluto. Anna, Elsa, and Kristoff were off on a platform somewhere I think - they were there and waving, but you couldn't take pictures with them. People seemed to be disappointed with the characters - this was my first event, and even I was expecting better. But it didn't stop my from wanting to go back - the characters can differ every year, and I'm hoping this year they have great characters!
I was in the last corral (but towards the front of the corral). Lines for Minnie and Mickey were pretty long, but the other two were manageable.

 

[lauriko]

I ran the GSC with Children's Miracle Network Hospital this past year…they were awesome! I received regular emails from Jessica, who kept me motivated with tips, etc.

For the race, we got a pink technical running shirt.

We also were treated to an amazing breakfast one morning at Epcot, where several Princesses, as well as Miss America, attended - we were able to take photos with them, and it was a very special treat!!! I had so much fun, I'm signed up to run with them again THIS year for the GSC.

Thank you @KCSherri! I know many people who have benefitted from CMN through the organization I raise Service Dogs for and would love to help them out if I can. I'm still on the fence about signing up as I'm a beginner to running and just started to train. Still giving it some thought...

 

[Dis5150]

@inkedupmomma @Ariel484 is the BEST at providing information! You should read her trip reports (they are listed at the bottom of her messages). They are super fun and very informative of things to expect during the different races!