1/2 marathon start

[NancyK]

I'm walking the 1/2 marathon in January. The last time I did this was in 2005 and it looks like things are a bit different from back then when everyone started at once (and the 1/2 and full marathon were on the same day). Does each corral have its own start time? Since I'll be in the last corral, am I correct in thinking that although the race starts at 5:30, we won't even start to walk until 6:17? But we still have to be on the bus by 4:00 a.m.? Thanks for your insight.

 

[goofyinohio]

Yes each corral (wave) will have its own start time. So if you are in the last corral you will start at 6:17. Keep in mind they want you in that corral by 5 or you can not start the race. That's what the rule says anyway. Whether they would actually do that I do not know. With it being the last corral they may let you in later but I'd be afraid to try it.


So being on a bus by 4 actually doesn't give you much time to get there and walk to the start. Good luck!!!

 

[maryliz]

So with "wave start", do you move up into the corral in front of you with every "wave", so that by the time 6:17 rolls around, we will be actually AT the start line? I remember from before (mass start) that it took us almost 10 min to get from our corral to the start line.

And this race ends by actually going INTO EPCOT. When I thought it was a 5:30 start, we had until 9:00AM to complete it, plus any lost start time. But theoretically now, we could have until almost 10AM to complete the race ... are they still going to have us do that trek down to World Showcase Plaza, since the park will be long open at that point? I will not be happy if they re-route us "last corral" folks because the park is open.

I'm guessing that this wave start is to help alleviate the congestion that was experienced in the past ... but for those of us in the last corral, it's a LOT of extra wait time ... kind of like the "steerage class on the Titanic".

 

[MeredithRX]

I was in the last corral with a friend for the Princess last year and that's exactly how it worked. Every corral had it's own start time. The one in front started at their time, then the ones behind moved up to the start line to await their official send-off. They had 6 official "starts" that way.

And, yes, we had to be in the corral at 5am for a 6:17ish start.

They did not reroute us in Epcot at the end even though the park was already open. They actually had the sidewalks roped off and guest had to wait for a break in the runners to cross from one side of the course to the other. It was actually pretty entertaining from my perspective by that point. Parents with strollers making mad dashes through the runners.

They DID however reroute us in the Magic Kingdom. I honestly didn't even notice it until I was thinking about it later on, but after the TTC they sent us straight through Tomorrowland and Fantasyland and on through the castle instead of running up Main Street. It seemed seamless at the time, but looking back on it, I was really disappointed when I realized. So, they could always do something like that.

 

[Sandy321]

keep in mind its the start of the corrals - so if you happen to be in the back of the last corral - and it takes you 15 min to cross the start time - you have to know that -

When I did my first half in 2008 - I was in the back/middle of the pack - I started my watch when I crossed the start line - I was not swept, I was able to stay in front of the sweepers (I also did it in 2010 - I will say there were more "sweep" points in 2010 than in '08!) BUT - the powers that be turned OFF the time at 3hours 30 min - I crossed it at 3 hours 45 min - but it wasnt "official" as in no chip time! I got the medals, etc, but I was flabbergasted, because I officially finished in the 3 hours 30 min time of when I crossed the start time - but - I think that changed in 2010 - as the clock was still turning at 4 hours! (and again, I was the last physical person to cross that finish line - but once the chip times were entered, I wasnt last!)

The sweepers spent quite a bit of time talking to me on that last roadway - I was ahead of the sweeper on the main road - they pulled people into the bus by the time I got on the over pass - but on the over pass there was one more sweep point - and then as I headed to the last curve before the Epcot parking lot a few other people were swept - I moved my gear as fast as I could, but I knew I didnt have much left in me!

There were 2 bike sweepers who talked to me, once I got into the parking lot I asked if I was "safe" from sweeping - she said that the people they were pulling off were really in bad shape - but as long as I was talking to her, and I was cheerful and kind, she said I could go my own pace! I think there were about ten of us in this area!

 

[paxsarah]

They DID however reroute us in the Magic Kingdom. I honestly didn't even notice it until I was thinking about it later on, but after the TTC they sent us straight through Tomorrowland and Fantasyland and on through the castle instead of running up Main Street. It seemed seamless at the time, but looking back on it, I was really disappointed when I realized. So, they could always do something like that.

I would guess this would not be an issue with the January half - with a 9am opening, I would think the sweepers would be clear of the park at least a half hour before the park opens. I wonder, though, how it works with the marathon - though the last wave starts earlier (6:03am), the Magic Kingdom part of the course is farther into the race and I'm guessing the last runners could still be in the park right around opening. I wonder how they handle clearing Main Street of spectators and what time that happens.

 

[fashionista311]

the first time i did the half - i think it was 07? - i was in the back. i don't remember the letter of the corral it was, but it was definitely the last one . i remember i had put down 3:30 as expected finish, and my mom was assigned to a corral ahead of me, and she was being huffy about moving back to start with me (which of course she did in the end). but i remember my finish time was 3:15 and change, and the clock on the photo says 3:43 i believe, so that might help to gauge the anticipated start time a bit.

i also remember seeing a TON of people behind us on that highway you need to get on before entering epcot, and we never saw sweepers.

hopefully this helps!

 

[maryliz]

Thanks for all of the info. I don't feel that I'll have any problem making the required 3.5 hours ... the last time I finished in under 3:15 chip time. The clock time was 3:22 and that included our 8 min walk to the start line. Glad to hear that they won't re-route me in EPCOT. The course has changed since '05 where we did World Showcase as the sun was rising ... it was really really cool! So I don't want to miss the jaunt to Showcase Plaza.

Just not overly thrilled with the wave start ... I had nicely embraced the 5:30 start time instead of 6AM, and to find out now I won't actually start until closer to 6:30 is a little disheartening. I'll be sending lots of PD that day that there is NO RAIN while we wait!

Less than 4 weeks to go ... getting very excited!

 

[cewait]

I would guess this would not be an issue with the January half - with a 9am opening, I would think the sweepers would be clear of the park at least a half hour before the park opens. I wonder, though, how it works with the marathon - though the last wave starts earlier (6:03am), the Magic Kingdom part of the course is farther into the race and I'm guessing the last runners could still be in the park right around opening. I wonder how they handle clearing Main Street of spectators and what time that happens.

Generally not an issue with MK for the half at all. One of the great benefits of the current half course is that you pass through the park at mile 5; rather than 10 as previously configured prior to 2006. This allows two benefits. First, is the longer period for wave starts. Understood that there is a lot of standing around while the first waves leave. It goes quickly. As a last couple wave person, your course will be a lot more open as a result of the wave starts. In 06 and 07 (and a slightly different start configuration), the last person crossed the start in the 30 minute post start range and the course was beyond crowded. The wave start alleviates much of that.

Even if you cross the start around 6:30, the last runner will pass Main by 7:50 allowing plenty of time to prep the park. Note that one reason he last full wave is 6:03 is to assure that the last runner is past the Main and leaving the public side of the park around park opening. There is a more strict sweeper presence for the full course as you pass through the MK parking lot than there is in the half.

If you are in the last corrals you may run Epcot once the park is open. The last runner is generally in the park around 9:30-9:45 ish. The park does a decent job of roping off the course and keeping guests crossing at crosswalks. Just understand that if you are running in Epcot once the park is open, You need to keep a lookout for the wild guy running to get a Soaring Fast Pass. He may not see you as he does everything in his power to get the coveted FP.

Hope this helps

 

[maryliz]

Just understand that if you are running in Epcot once the park is open, You need to keep a lookout for the wild guy running to get a Soaring Fast Pass. He may not see you as he does everything in his power to get the coveted FP.

Too TRUE ... too TRUE !