2012 Marathon, Half Marathon and Relay opens 3/15 @ noon EDT

[cewait]

Registration opens Tuesday March 15 at Noon EDT.

I posted this on a couple other threads but thought that it needed its own thread for those who do not follow the individual threads.

There are a few things that have bubbled out in the last couple days. First, no idea on the number of entries but the costs have come out (subject to revision).

The full and half will cost the same again this year and are expected to be:

$140.00 on or before April 24, 2011
$150.00 between April 25 – July 3, 2011
$160.00 on or after July 4, 2011


Expect the Goofy costs to be ...

$310.00 on or before April 24, 2011
$330.00 between April 25 – July 3, 2011
$350.00 on or after July 4, 2011

Relay costs
$280.00 on or before April 24, 2011
$300.00 between April 25 – July 3, 2011
$320.00 on or after July 4, 2011

Two person teams w/ an Inaugural Medal. Says 'new' half marathon courses but I believe that they are using the old half course from runner 1 and the back half of the current full for runner 2. Expect a little confusion in front of the MK Pluto parking lot at mile 13.1. The website does indicate a relay shirt for both runners, also.

Note the website indicates the number of relay sports are 'very' limited, it may be a good idea to register early for the relay if that is important. Also, you will need to designate Runner 1 and Runner 2 at registration. Looks like you can revise on line later. Runner 1 will need to furnish proof if they plan on a time less than 2:45 (just like the half).... Obviously this is not as important for Runner 2. if it were me I think I would put my stronger runner as#2 even if you start in a late corral. The other way to decide is Runner 1 gets Epcot and MK. Runner 2 AK, DHS & Epcot


AND not leaving the 5k folks out....

$50 for the 5k and $55 for the 5k stroller division. I guess the added $5 is for the extra wear and tear on the pavement. It's in Epcot, again.

At this time the start time remains 5:30am the the half and full and 6:30 for the 5k.

That's it for now.

 

[crewmatt]

Chip and Dale theme. Kinda cool. Sadly this probably wont add enough people to bring back the Red Start/Blue Start.

 

[geaux_half]

Regarding the relay, I was surprised that it was a 2 person relay instead of 3 or 4 given the stand alone half marathon the day before the relay.

Thinking about it, the relay can attract an audience that otherwise couldn't run the solo half. If you have a team with a fast runner and a runner that would otherwise be swept, the fast runner can run leg 1 building a cushion for the slower runner to be able to finish without being swept.

 

[cewait]

Regarding the relay, I was surprised that it was a 2 person relay instead of 3 or 4 given the stand alone half marathon the day before the relay.

Thinking about it, the relay can attract an audience that otherwise couldn't run the solo half. If you have a team with a fast runner and a runner that would otherwise be swept, the fast runner can run leg 1 building a cushion for the slower runner to be able to finish without being swept.

I was going to edit my team strategy to reflect adding a team member who is not 16 minute capable. First, I still think that if both runners are able to complete their half in under 3:30 then the slower runner goes first. That gives the second runner a little mental advantage as they will in theory be passing hundreds of runners. Also, the stronger runner is better suited to make up time in the event the first runner has an issue during their run (GI, Too Hot, Too many photo ops)

But if one team member is not quite 16 minute capable, then the fast runner should go first to assure that the team gets to make the exchange. Doing the math a 12 minute and a 20 minute runner could pair up and still complete the race under 7 hours. Definitely allows a few folks who cannot keep the pace a chance to participate.

Given all the above, I think the issue that will make the team order a really tough decision is who gets to run Cinderella Castle.

 

[fashionista311]

I wonder how they will handle the finish line for the first runner. I hope they find a way to split the relay runners away from the marathoners a mile or 2 before the first leg finish...otherwise it is going to be very mentally tough to watch them finish, but knowing that you still have 13.1 miles to go. I realize this happens a lot when the full marathon shares a course with a half marathon...but it still kinda stinks for the full marathon runners. And that was one of the special things about the full at Disney was that it was one of the more rare stand-alone marathons (for the day, anyways).

I really hope the relay doesn't end up adding for the half marathon crowd....but at the expense of the full marathon runners.

 

[fashionista311]

Also, (and by all means I don't mean to disrespect slower run/walkers and walkers because we all rock for getting out there) but it would really suck if a bunch of faster runners take the first leg and slower walkers take the second leg, so runners end up having to dodge those on run/walk intervals and walkers in the late miles in an already crowded course when your legs are already so tired and you're beginning to hit the wall...energy is so precious as it is.

 

[cewait]

I wonder how they will handle the finish line for the first runner. I hope they find a way to split the relay runners away from the marathoners a mile or 2 before the first leg finish...otherwise it is going to be very mentally tough to watch them finish, but knowing that you still have 13.1 miles to go. I realize this happens a lot when the full marathon shares a course with a half marathon...but it still kinda stinks for the full marathon runners. And that was one of the special things about the full at Disney was that it was one of the more rare stand-alone marathons (for the day, anyways).

I really hope the relay doesn't end up adding for the half marathon crowd....but at the expense of the full marathon runners.

I honestly do not think you will see an issue. This gate into the Pluto lot off of Floridian was the gate to the half finish up to 2005 (inclusive). As a full runner you will hang left at the temporary traffic sing that will be placed on a traffic island. The half/relay folks will hang left. With the magic if Disney a voice will also repeat what you are reading on the sign.

As the non-relay runners make the right turn onto Bear Island Rd, it will feel like you came off of It's a Small World, except instead of a song that bores into the center of your consciousness, it will be, "Marathon to the Right, Relay to the left...Marathon to the right, Relay to the left...Marathon ......"

The one thing I do see for the relay is that the second runner will actually run about a tenth of a mile long as will the team; unless the relay point is actually on Floridian. My original thought was that the exchange would occur just in the parking lot.... I think that it will more than likely occur on Floridian. Again, not an issue for the full runner as we are in the right lane regardless, but it can be an issue for traffic. I seem to recall cars being able to use the left lane coming from Seven Seas onto Floridian.

From a spectator point of view, this will actually be a great thing. Up until 2011 the race too the full width of Floridan Way in front of the Poly. This last race we were held to the right lane and spectators were held behind a fence leaving the left lane between the race and runners.

Oops went long.

 

[FFigawi]

Speaking of registration opening, have any Goofy or marathon runners received the promised email with a discount code? I know the Princess runners got theirs, but I haven't seen or heard of any WDW weekend runners getting theirs yet.

 

[verticalchaos]

Speaking of registration opening, have any Goofy or marathon runners received the promised email with a discount code? I know the Princess runners got theirs, but I haven't seen or heard of any WDW weekend runners getting theirs yet.

Not yet. I won't be afraid to use the Princess code if we don't though.

 

[dthogue]

How fast does the 1/2 marathon reach capacity - or do I need to register right away or will I be ok to register later this Spring/early summer?

 

[cewait]

How fast does the 1/2 marathon reach capacity - or do I need to register right away or will I be ok to register later this Spring/early summer?

The half will fill quicker than the full or Goofy. You should be OK until early summer, but you should also bookmark runDisney and regularly check the registration page. Once it hits 50% a fullness ticker will pop up.

As a historical note, the half did fill 10 years ago (5th Anniversary) in less than 3 weeks. 5 years ago, it filled quicker but not before later spring. If you read that there is a special 15th anniversary medal then you should monitor more closely.

 

[verticalchaos]

The half will fill quicker than the full or Goofy. You should be OK until early summer, but you should also bookmark runDisney and regularly check the registration page. Once it hits 50% a fullness ticker will pop up.

As a historical note, the half did fill 10 years ago (5th Anniversary) in less than 3 weeks. 5 years ago, it filled quicker but not before later spring. If you read that there is a special 15th anniversary medal then you should monitor more closely.

Just looked and it DOES say special commemorative medal for the Half.

Question...if I sign up for the Full and decide (quickly) to go Goofy, is it possible to change?

 

[crewmatt]

i havent gotten a code yet.

 

[crewmatt]

Also I dont think that the slower runner will be much of an issue. Just pick a side and stick to it. Both times I remember being out of Magic Kingdom it was a pretty open environment for those miles between MK and AK. But I'm not sure about later in the race as I also don't remember the TTC being so crowded but when looping back through the TTC looked like a madhouse.

 

[cewait]

Just looked and it DOES say special commemorative medal for the Half.

Question...if I sign up for the Full and decide (quickly) to go Goofy, is it possible to change?

Yes, but only while the Goofy has slots open. There may be a processing charge (do not think so and may be getting that mixed with another race). It will require a phone call to set it up. If we follow 2010 entry schedule you have no issue until they start locking things up in November for bib orders.

If you have any desire to run Goofy, I would say go for it.

Also I dont think that the slower runner will be much of an issue. Just pick a side and stick to it. Both times I remember being out of Magic Kingdom it was a pretty open environment for those miles between MK and AK. But I'm not sure about later in the race as I also don't remember the TTC being so crowded but when looping back through the TTC looked like a madhouse.

I agree. once we pass the Shades of Green/Poly entrances the course opens up to the full roadway again. The next necking (ok pinch point) area is the sidewalk from the Studios to the Boardwalk. Anything the relay creates will be long dissipated by then.

 

[ironz]

I agree. once we pass the Shades of Green/Poly entrances the course opens up to the full roadway again. The next necking (ok pinch point) area is the sidewalk from the Studios to the Boardwalk. Anything the relay creates will be long dissipated by then.

Animal Kingdom is narrow, too. But I agree...I think people will be pretty well spread out.

As for the 15th anniversary Donald medal...I'm cool with that, as long as all the merchandise doesn't imply that everyone has done it for 15 years, like the 5th anniversary at DL. The shirts and medals and everything said "5 Years Running!"....which comes across as "I've done this 5 years in a row"....rather than 5th Anniversary of the race. (same issue with the ugly Goofy medals at the 5--the number shouldn't overpower the rest of the medal design).

At any rate...I think I am in, for my 2nd Goofy!

 

[swim-mom]

HI everyone -

I have done the Princess for the past two years and would love to do this half too...........mainly because of the savings - where if I run the princess for the 3rd time they do not offer any discount except if I sign up early.

I have heard that marathon weekend is nuts and very very busy and packed with people.

I wont be doing the parks as I just fly in the day before the half and leave the night of the half, as I work full time and I am a mom of 4 - who will not be taking a vacation by herself

Are their any advantages of doing the Donald in January over the Princess in Feb?

Any help would be wonderful!!

jen

 

[cewait]

HI everyone -

I have done the Princess for the past two years and would love to do this half too...........mainly because of the savings - where if I run the princess for the 3rd time they do not offer any discount except if I sign up early.

Not sure what you mean here... I was thinking that the coupon was for the marathon and goofy only. If it includes the half then I misread....

I have heard that marathon weekend is nuts and very very busy and packed with people.

I wont be doing the parks as I just fly in the day before the half and leave the night of the half, as I work full time and I am a mom of 4 - who will not be taking a vacation by herself

Are their any advantages of doing the Donald in January over the Princess in Feb?

Any help would be wonderful!!

jen

The week leading into the marathon weekend will be a little full due to the New Years hang over crowd. This coming weekend is the one that is closest to the holiday. Though Monday the parks will be nearly empty.

The biggest advantage for 2012 is the special 15th Donald medal. That and the weekend seems to encompass WDW due to the more than doubling of the running crowd.

 

[dsnyfan21]

I reread my email and the code is only for the Full or the Goofy , not the Donald.

 

[swim-mom]

I reread my email and the code is only for the Full or the Goofy , not the Donald.

lol - clearly, I read the email way too fast..............not crazy enough to do a full YET

huge thanks!!