Bib pickup morning of race?

[XoxoAmy]

So I'm in a bind.... I'm currently registered for the Wine & Dine challenge. BUT, since registration, we learned that my daughter's catholic confirmation (similar in importance to a first communion, but for 15yos) is, of course, on Sat. Nov. 2. Soooooo.... that means I can't fly down to Orlando until Sat. afternoon, and the earliest I will land at MCO is 8pm. I am planning to just run the half on Sunday. But, I will miss the expo, completely. I e-mailed runD to ask if I can pick up my bib at the race on Sunday morning, because I know people have done that before if they are in a bind. The answer I got back was the standard "Regrettably, we are unable to make alternate arrangements for the packet pick up process if you are not able to attend the runDisney Health & Fitness Expo. As stated on the Expo Information tab of the runDisney website, Participants must attend the runDisney Health & Fitness Expo at least one day prior to their first event to pick up their race bib. This process was presented and agreed upon during the event registration. We apologize for any disappointment this information may cause."

I'm really hoping they just say this to everyone, and somehow, miraculously, I will be able to pickup my bib on Sunday at the runner relations table. I know this is a long shot, I know it's not guaranteed at all. Just looking for feedback or thoughts. Has anyone else received a similar answer in advance, but somehow were able to grab their bib the morning of race?

I'm so stressed!

 

[The Expert]

If you ask, the answer you got will always be the answer. But in the past there has always been emergency bib pick-up the morning of the race, so it is a relatively safe assumption that there will be. Just give yourself lots of time in case of a line. (I recall one race weekend where there were massive flight delays and the line the first morning was super long.) You also won't get your race shirt, since normally you would go to the expo later for that.

 

[DopeyBadger]

So I'm in a bind.... I'm currently registered for the Wine & Dine challenge. BUT, since registration, we learned that my daughter's catholic confirmation (similar in importance to a first communion, but for 15yos) is, of course, on Sat. Nov. 2. Soooooo.... that means I can't fly down to Orlando until Sat. afternoon, and the earliest I will land at MCO is 8pm. I am planning to just run the half on Sunday. But, I will miss the expo, completely. I e-mailed runD to ask if I can pick up my bib at the race on Sunday morning, because I know people have done that before if they are in a bind. The answer I got back was the standard "Regrettably, we are unable to make alternate arrangements for the packet pick up process if you are not able to attend the runDisney Health & Fitness Expo. As stated on the Expo Information tab of the runDisney website, Participants must attend the runDisney Health & Fitness Expo at least one day prior to their first event to pick up their race bib. This process was presented and agreed upon during the event registration. We apologize for any disappointment this information may cause."

I'm really hoping they just say this to everyone, and somehow, miraculously, I will be able to pickup my bib on Sunday at the runner relations table. I know this is a long shot, I know it's not guaranteed at all. Just looking for feedback or thoughts. Has anyone else received a similar answer in advance, but somehow were able to grab their bib the morning of race?

I'm so stressed!

For as long as I've been around (2014), that's been their standard response. They don't advertise morning of pickup, but it still has happened in the past. But it remains no guarantee that they won't take the unadvertised bib pickup away at some point in time. I think you might have issues with getting your expo bag of t-shirts and stuff though. Because typically if you bib picked up emergency on Saturday, they'd still send you to the expo on Saturday afternoon to get all the other stuff. So hopefully someone else has more experience on last day of race weekend emergency pickup. Unfortunately, you just won't know for sure until the morning of which doesn't really ease the stress all that much.

 

[XoxoAmy]

For as long as I've been around (2014), that's been their standard response. They don't advertise morning of pickup, but it still has happened in the past. But it remains no guarantee that they won't take the unadvertised bib pickup away at some point in time. I think you might have issues with getting your expo bag of t-shirts and stuff though. Because typically if you bib picked up emergency on Saturday, they'd still send you to the expo on Saturday afternoon to get all the other stuff. So hopefully someone else has more experience on last day of race weekend emergency pickup. Unfortunately, you just won't know for sure until the morning of which doesn't really ease the stress all that much.

Thanks! Yeah that's what I figured. I will def have no guarantee, I'm just hoping I can run the half. I'll live without the shirt (I guess!). It's helpful to know that they tell everyone that and some people in the past could still get the bib that morning. I'm just going to have to chance it. If not, it will be my first year spectating!

 

[XoxoAmy]

They usually have extra plastic bags at the trucks for bag drop, right? I'm also realizing I won't have the clear bag in advance, and I'll want to check some stuff... (it's all so stressful! Argh!!)

 

[bumbershoot]

Yes they have bags there.

They so far have always had emergency bib pickup. That does not mean they will continue to have bib pickup.
Any chance of finding a cheap roundtrip flight thursday or friday? I've done wild things like that, once driving from Vancouver BC to Tacoma WA after a 10K to see my son perform then packing him and his dad up to go back to Vancouver and sleep to do a Half in the morning.

Also, no chance of a different weekend for confirmation? By NO means am I saying it's unimportant; I know it is. But maybe they have other weekends.

 

[XoxoAmy]

Yes they have bags there.

They so far have always had emergency bib pickup. That does not mean they will continue to have bib pickup.
Any chance of finding a cheap roundtrip flight thursday or friday? I've done wild things like that, once driving from Vancouver BC to Tacoma WA after a 10K to see my son perform then packing him and his dad up to go back to Vancouver and sleep to do a Half in the morning.

Also, no chance of a different weekend for confirmation? By NO means am I saying it's unimportant; I know it is. But maybe they have other weekends.

Thanks for this! Heading down and back in advance is so interesting.... But might be aggressive with a 3 hour flight each way. And I wish we could move Confirmation to another day, but that's not an option unfortunately. I'll make the best of it, somehow! Appreciate all of your help.

 

[Sleepless Knight]

Thanks for this! Heading down and back in advance is so interesting.... But might be aggressive with a 3 hour flight each way. And I wish we could move Confirmation to another day, but that's not an option unfortunately. I'll make the best of it, somehow! Appreciate all of your help.

I realize my ideas are easier said than done, but here they are. I might be in a similar situation come next February for Disneyland Half Marathon weekend, but I'm running all 3 races. I have a 6 hour drive to Disneyland.

Here's what could work for you even given the flight time issues.

Expo starts on Thursday.

So you fly down, head straight to the Expo, and then right back to the airport. Not ideal, but not impossible either. You guarantee you get the bib and the shirt, and no panic about emergency pick up the morning of.

Option 2 might be more doable, but will be more expensive. Fly down Thursday and get the bib. Get a hotel room for one night and then fly back Friday. Even if you have to fly back first thing Friday morning, you are still able to get the shirt, run the race, and not worry about missing the race.

Option 3 is even less than ideal, but I throw it out there. If you're struggling to get enough nights, then you may need to simply not use your room Friday night as you head back home for your daughter's Catholic confirmation. That way you have the room and don't have to worry about checking in and all that stuff on Saturday.

While these all cost extra money, at this point it's about being able to be there for your daughter first and still getting to run the race.

 

[XoxoAmy]

Option 2 might be more doable, but will be more expensive. Fly down Thursday and get the bib. Get a hotel room for one night and then fly back Friday. Even if you have to fly back first thing Friday morning, you are still able to get the shirt, run the race, and not worry about missing the race.

Option 3 is even less than ideal, but I throw it out there. If you're struggling to get enough nights, then you may need to simply not use your room Friday night as you head back home for your daughter's Catholic confirmation. That way you have the room and don't have to worry about checking in and all that stuff on Saturday.

While these all cost extra money, at this point it's about being able to be there for your daughter first and still getting to run the race.

This is REALLY interesting.... and I would total consider flying down Thurs, running the race Friday, keeping my hotel room and stuff there, flying back Friday and then back down Saturday BUT - I'm not registered for the 5k. Only the challenge on Sat & Sun. AND, Thursday is Halloween... and I can't miss that, even tho my kids are older - 11 and 15 - but I'm quickly realizing I only have 3 more Halloweens with both girls at home... yikes!

But I like the way you think!