A few questions for those who have been swept at WDW Races...

[Laurabearz]

How long were you on the bus before it broke away and took you to the finish line area?

Do they have water/snacks/bathroom on the bus?

THanks so much!

 

[Raenstoirm]

I am curious about this too.

 

[irishtwins1112]

I got swept at mile 23.5 of the full 2009, right outside of MGM. We were probably the last people swept because it was a small van (like 10 or 13 passenger). We were not provided with snacks or drinks but we were at the finish area within probably 20-30 minutes(and there were plenty of snacks there. As you probably know there are no more roads that the van could have followed at that point. We came around the back and were dropped off by where the massive amounts of port o potties were earlier that morning.

 

[PRmamiDEdos]

I got swept at mile 23.5 of the full 2009, right outside of MGM. We were probably the last people swept because it was a small van (like 10 or 13 passenger). We were not provided with snacks or drinks but we were at the finish area within probably 20-30 minutes(and there were plenty of snacks there. As you probably know there are no more roads that the van could have followed at that point. We came around the back and were dropped off by where the massive amounts of port o potties were earlier that morning.

So afraid of this. That part of the park isn't crowded is it?

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards. Please excuse the typos.

 

[irishtwins1112]

I wouldn't be too afraid. From what I have read on here I think I may be one of the very few people that has ever been swept that late in the game. There used to be an unspoken "rule" that once you got into MGM that Disney would let you finish because there were no more road closures past that point but I would just train best you can.....keep moving and if you see a sweeper bike try to keep up with him and chat. He will tell you how much you need to speed up and give you time before they just take you off of the course.

 

[KateB]

So if you are swept do you still get a medal? I heard others say that they were still given a finishers medal...

 

[irishtwins1112]

I didn't and neither did anyone else on our van......however, it seems that more often than not people do get medals nowadays.

 

[Laurabearz]

Thanks for the responses!

Has anyone been swept earlier?

 

[cewait]

I wouldn't be too afraid. From what I have read on here I think I may be one of the very few people that has ever been swept that late in the game. There used to be an unspoken "rule" that once you got into MGM that Disney would let you finish because there were no more road closures past that point but I would just train best you can.....keep moving and if you see a sweeper bike try to keep up with him and chat. He will tell you how much you need to speed up and give you time before they just take you off of the course.

I got swept at mile 23.5 of the full 2009, right outside of MGM. We were probably the last people swept because it was a small van (like 10 or 13 passenger). We were not provided with snacks or drinks but we were at the finish area within probably 20-30 minutes(and there were plenty of snacks there. As you probably know there are no more roads that the van could have followed at that point. We came around the back and were dropped off by where the massive amounts of port o potties were earlier that morning.

As information... You were not into MGM back stage area at the point of being swept, correct? I am one of the folks who will repeat that once into MGM (DHS) you are usually free to finish and just want to confirm where you were swept. That has been the rule of thumb, but each and every year a few things change.

Thanks

 

[cewait]

With regard to the OP...

Usually, the sweep vehicles are vans or Disney buses. Thus, no facilities on the vehicle. I thought I have read that runners were offered water once pulled, but I have no actual experience

 

[Laurabearz]

Thanks for the insights!

 

[irishtwins1112]

I had completely finished the mgm park and was exiting. I walked past the station where they give out candy.....walked down the main avenue and I even have a picture taken while I was walking past the 23 mile marker( not posed......one of the race pictures) . I walked out the front of mgm where the parking lot is to your right and there is a walk way to your left going beside the lake. They put up 3 traffic cones and said that we would not be allowed to finish. Put us on a small van(that was sitting in the parking lot) and we were taken to the staging area. There was a security guard and several of the sweeper bikes so I am guessing we were the last ones? I asked why we were swept because even though I had slowed considerably I thought I still had that cushion (the time between when I crossed the start line and the last person did) but they said we were too far off pace and they had to reopen the roads. I told them that was a load of crap (because I knew there were no more roads between the place where they were sweeping us and the finish) but it doesn't matter. We weren't keeping pace so I understand why we were swept. I wish that rule you are talking about would have been in effect that year so I would have finished my Goofy . Anywho....the plan is full marathon 2013....work on my pace all year and Goofy in 2014.

 

[cewait]

I had completely finished the mgm park and was exiting. I walked past the station where they give out candy.....walked down the main avenue and I even have a picture taken while I was walking past the 23 mile marker( not posed......one of the race pictures) . I walked out the front of mgm where the parking lot is to your right and there is a walk way to your left going beside the lake. They put up 3 traffic cones and said that we would not be allowed to finish. Put us on a small van(that was sitting in the parking lot) and we were taken to the staging area. There was a security guard and several of the sweeper bikes so I am guessing we were the last ones? I asked why we were swept because even though I had slowed considerably I thought I still had that cushion (the time between when I crossed the start line and the last person did) but they said we were too far off pace and they had to reopen the roads. I told them that was a load of crap (because I knew there were no more roads between the place where they were sweeping us and the finish) but it doesn't matter. We weren't keeping pace so I understand why we were swept. I wish that rule you are talking about would have been in effect that year so I would have finished my Goofy . Anywho....the plan is full marathon 2013....work on my pace all year and Goofy in 2014.

Thanks for the info. You are one of the few who I have heard being pulled in this area. I have always tried to offer conditional thoughts on making it home once you enter the back of DHS/MGM as the RD can pull a runner at any time. Sounds like the crew opted to exercise that option. Sorry that you were so close.

 

[irishtwins1112]

What is the RD? Race director I guess?

 

[cewait]

What is the RD? Race director I guess?

sorry, yes, RD = race director