2007 Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend Program Online now! (spoilers within)

[Jen117]

The later date bums me quite a bit. I have a conference that is immediately following the marathon weekend. This conference is every year, and unless their dates change, I won't be able to run in 2008. I won't find out the 2008 conference dates until January 2007. I will be bagging up any pixie dust I gather at the marathon and bringing it with me to the conference. I hate to fall in love with something only to give it up after the first time!!

 

[getnthinr]

The 2008 Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend is....

January 10-13, 2008

That's a week later than past years...

Kevin

Is it really a week later? I looked up the results from the past few years:

• Jan 6, 2002
• Jan 12, 2003
• Jan 11, 2004
• Jan 9, 2005
• Jan 8, 2006

I'm thinking maybe they just move it around based on the proximity to the Jan 1st peak traffic season. What do you think?

 

[solotraveler]

Is it really a week later? I looked up the results from the past few years:

• Jan 6, 2002
• Jan 12, 2003
• Jan 11, 2004
• Jan 9, 2005
• Jan 8, 2006

I'm thinking maybe they just move it around based on the proximity to the Jan 1st peak traffic season. What do you think?

Oh, I'm sure that's what they do. They also tend to avoid the high traffic MLK weekend as well.

I suppose what would have been more "correct," if you will, would have been to say that next year it will be the second weekend of January as opposed to the first. I'm sure this makes a significant difference to some people in terms of availability for better or for worse, (espcially those with busy winter work/vacation schedules) which is why I pointed it out.

 

[plutosmyfav]

Do you think it's safe to assume the only fair sweeper solution is to clock the sweeps based on the last wave out? 30 minutes makes a huge difference if you are racing the sweeps

Sunny

 

[wtpclc]

Do you think it's safe to assume the only fair sweeper solution is to clock the sweeps based on the last wave out? 30 minutes makes a huge difference if you are racing the sweeps

Sunny

They'd have to if the slowest people go last.

 

[plutosmyfav]

Oh No! I just realized it's very unlikely Dx and I will be in the same wave. I assume they'll place me based on my last years marathon time and Dx doesn't have a time. Do you think they let us switch at bib/chip pickup time? I bet it will already be printed on our bibs. What should I do? Emailing them is useless.

I'm guessing I'll be in wave 2 and he will be in wave 3. That's too much time difference to meet up on the course. Yikes, I'm stressed now.

 

[rKyDeX]

Sunny,

Usually they don't mind if you want to start "farther back". At the DL half, I went to Race Relations to be allowed to start with my wife in the last corral and I was told that it wasn't a problem. If she would have wanted to move up to my assigned corral, then she would have had to shown proof of time and they would then re-assign her to a closer corral. Don't stress.

Chester

 

[TXBelle]

Sunny- Chester is absolutely correct. You can always move back in the corrals, but you cannot move up. If your Dx is assigned wave 3, you can simply start with him in wave 3. You do not have to change your bib or your number.

This is so exciting!

 

[plutosmyfav]

Thank you, Chester!

That will be true love to give up the extra padding for him.

 

[Mouse Skywalker]

One big thing I caught....

The 2008 Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend is....

January 10-13, 2008

That's a week later than past years...

Kevin

I just have to say I'm excited about the later date for WDW Marathon 2008. This way it is a week after DD's b-day. DD8's b-day is Jan 6th the day b4 the marathon this year. Maybe I can actually go again next year with the later date. Of course, I need to get through this first marathon this year.

 

[NCRedding]

I am thrilled to hear about the dates in 2008. I tried to do the half with the WISH walkers in 2005, and got closed out at the back gate of MK. Signed up to do the 2006 and went to WDW that weekend but chickened out from trying. Didn't even sign up for the 2007 one, but am being to get antsy to try another one. That date works great for our expected family trip in 2008, with the semester break!!

 

[littlegreydonkey]

Waah - I wanna packet of my own, but this is the next best thing I suppose. And thanks for the dates, I kind of thought that would be the case I couldn't see them doing it the 3rd-5th, too soon after New Year. Although I'm in a bit of a quandry, we're moving countries again in March and I don't know what Tim will be doing for work next Jan, and how they'll feel about him taking from Dec 24th to Jan 20th off work (which is what we'd need) so I might not get there for Goofy after all. That's just kind of hit home about now, I spose we'll have to see - Helen

 

[DianeL]

Waah - I wanna packet of my own, but this is the next best thing I suppose. And thanks for the dates, I kind of thought that would be the case I couldn't see them doing it the 3rd-5th, too soon after New Year. Although I'm in a bit of a quandry, we're moving countries again in March and I don't know what Tim will be doing for work next Jan, and how they'll feel about him taking from Dec 24th to Jan 20th off work (which is what we'd need) so I might not get there for Goofy after all. That's just kind of hit home about now, I spose we'll have to see - Helen

ACK! I really really hope it works out that you can come in 2008. It was very kewl meeting you in DL and I was bumming you wouldn't be able to join us in Jan though I totally understand. But still will miss your smiling face

 

[getnthinr]

Just got back last night from the Race for the Cure and Race for the Taste. Oddly enough, one of my bus drivers brought up the scheduling of the Half/Full races in 2007 and said he couldn't believe they were having them on the 4th-7th when the resort was likely to still be very crowded from Christmas/New Years vacationers. I've done the marathon or half at Disney 5 or 6 times now (I think 6) and I only remember one year that we arrived and a cast member told us that the MK reached Phase 4 closure two days in a row (before we arrived) because the parks had reached capacity. The parks close in stages (as explained here)

• Phase One - Open to anyone with a park pass and resort guests.
• Phase Two - Open to anyone with a multi-day park pass and resort guests.
• 2A - Open to anyone utilizing the last day of their multi-day pass and resort guests.
• Phase Three - Open to resort guests only.
• Phase 4 - No entry available. The park has reached capacity.

That's really my only worry about the scheduling this coming year (2007). Every year I have the same hassle everyone else has with taking days off for Christmas and then for the marathon so close together (so the scheduling for 2008 doesn't really affect me) -- but at least I am usually given the option of working a few weekends in January to make up those extra days off. My family is never able to go with me, though, which is always a disappointment. It's lots more fun to enjoy the parks with my kids. In fact, I'm kind of on the verge of skipping this year's races because I've done several Disney races on my own this year and the thought of going back without my kids again doesn't appeal to me, though I do really like the Goofy medal and the sense of accomplishment it brings -- and it definitely motivates me to keep training.
So, Helen, I guess I'm on the fence with you today, even if it's for a different reason.