2009 Marathon/Half Marathon Questions

[AmyBWV99]

This'll be DH and my first Disney half and full marathon and we have a few questions:

1) DH is running the half and should be under a 1:30 finish time. Do I have enough time to hustle to see him in 2 places or not? Where would be the ideal place to try and see him?
2) If he's looking to corral toward the front how soon should he get there - he'll obviously be placed in a corral, but how soon should he get there to not be 'stuck behind throngs' in the corral?
3) Same question for the marathon. I plan to run it in under 4 hours. Where should he go to see me twice?
4) Would you recommend driving or busing to the start of the half/marathon?
5) Has anyone paid extra for the runner's retreat? Is it worth it?

That's all for now - thanks for your help!

 

[Kimmumum]

I can only comment on where we watched the Goofy this year. We were watching three runners so we couldn't run around as much (because they finished 1 1/2 hours apart for the full). For the 1/2, we went to the transportation center and then back to Epcot (I know others walked over to the Poly after the TTC and then back to Epcot). For the full, we went straight to MK and then to Epcot (but you could probably go to AK and then back to Epcot). You will have a little more leeway (sp?) because you will only be tracking one runner. There is a spectator guide that you get at the Expo that will help you plan also.

We had a friend drive last year but he refused this year. He said it was too hard getting out after the races. The buses were quicker and easier?

Have fun!!

 

[solotraveler]

I'll try.....

1. It would be very tough... I would recommend someplace along the out and back route... maybe see him at mile 3 and then cross the road to see him at mile 10?? That's about the only way I could think to do it with such a fast time..

2. I wouldn't worry too much about getting to the corral early. He'll be up toward the front in the first wave, so he'll be able to jockey toward the front pretty wasily, I would think...

3. The marathon is a lot easier... some of our scream teamers will jump in and handle the logistics on that one, I'm sure.

4. Bussing. Traffic is a complete nightmare on race day and the buses work out great, even if you do have to be up very early.

5. I know some people here have done it, and if I remember, the general consensus was NO.

Hope that helps!
Kevin

 

[angietuck2]

I will give you my opinion based on our experiences:

1) My DH ran the 1/2 this year in 2:06 well slower than your DH anticipated 1 and 1/2 hour and we saw him at Ticket and Trans center (I think that is between mile 3 and 4) then we ran over to Polynesian (between mile 8 and 9) then ran back to monorail and went to finish. We had time ( and I was dragging 2 very tired children). I would say with your DH pace you will have time to do all 3 but it would be pushing it. Your probably better off to do TTC then finish.

2)DH was supposed to be in B-1 this year for 1/2. He decided he wasn't getting there at 4 and standing around like I do when I do races so he got there about 5:10 stood in line at port a pottie and could not even get close to where he should have been for his corral. So if your DH is like me and wants to be sure he is right up front where he should be I would suggest getting there a little earlier than 5

3) For the full there are sooo many places he can go to see you. For that one I would really look at the course map and pick a place toward the beginning, there were a lot of people this year who came to watch around mile 4 where the two waves merge at Epcot. Then maybe again at AK or the turn around by WWOS, a lot of people complain that these are the two places where it gets really boring and they enjoy seeing family and friends at that point. From there to the finish.

4) We drove from All Star Sports and like I said, it was "late" and we had no problem at all with traffic or parking, however there were tons of busses lined up and I think that would definately be easier. I mainly drove because we only had 1 runner and 3 spectators and I didn't want to take the seats due to runners.
5) We never did the runners retreat but last year I read over and over that it was definately not worth the money.

Sorry this is so long just hoping to give a little help.

angie

 

[AmyBWV99]

Thanks for all the help! It'll just be us - the kids won't be there, so I may try and hit all 3 viewing points for the 1/2 and the runner's retreat is out. It sounds great, but if it's not worth it...