Characters at the races... And pictures?

[MomofCKJ]

This will be my first Half ever and I totally want to enjoy the experience! I am finally in a place where I am feeling confident I won't get swept and just to be doing this and finishing is enough for me. I don't care too much about the time. I want pictures baby, proof that I did it!

Allyson

 

[wtpclc]

I have my Cnanon Powershot 800IS with me. Love it. It fits in teh amphipod pouch on my belt.

I put my wrist in teh strap before I take my camera out of the ouch (because I know me). It's usually fine. Only time I had a problem was when I feel because I was taking a pic and did not see a bump in the road.

DId regular disposalble last year and those are heavy. Hated it.

Purchased my first small digital in December, right before the 06 marathon. Love having it along.

Usually, we jsu ttake character pix in passing. I took over 100 pix my first marathon, stopped fo a pic with Pooh & Piglet adn had DH stop for one with Baloo. We PR'd that race.

Usuallu, we only stop fr opix with outr faves and get fly by's of teh others. Last year, teh lines wer emuch longer. Not sure if it was because we were slow or because teh race had more entrants. Didn't stop fro any pix with characters.

 

[hoosmi]

I carried my Canon digital camera in my hand for 39.3 miles! It didn't bother me at all- I just had to remember to move it to my opposite hand at waterstops. It survived just fine, and I've taken it on every race since then.

I totally understand wanting to run to the best of your abilities because you've been working hard to see exactly what your best is, but I'd save that best run for another time and place.

The camera guys are in various places. Here's what I remember:
1) wandering around before the start;
2) the Castle (as you are exiting);
3) the open road somewhere (you'll see the mats and they're on some sort of tower contraption);
4) that Concourse from Epcot towards the countries- my picture has Spaceship Earth in the background;
5) the finish line.

There are probably other spots.

As for characters, last year I took pictures of/with:
1) Chip and Dale in Tomorrowland;
2) Alice by Tea cups;
3) Piglet by Pooh ride;
4) Ariel (on top of balcony of Castle);
5) Pirates- on a float backstage;
6) Penguins from Mary Poppins on the road by the hotels
7) Chip/Dale/Pluto- sort of vaguely remember- at finish line

And of course there are a bunch at the end.

Jen in GA

 

[lenshanem]

Thanks!
Can you easily take pics with the characters at the end? Are they like right after the finish line?

And the Spaceship Earth pic, is that in the beginning or end of the half? Ya know, I need to look at the course! Do you run thru Epcot twice???

 

[Honeibee]

Wait! They have characters??????


Guess I should look up more often.

 

[wtpclc]

The characters are before the finish line. I have never wanted to stop for those. High 5? Sure, but not going to stop when the end is in sight.

 

[TnTsParty]

Has anyone seen Stitch on the marathon course? That might be the only one I would definately have to stop and take a picture with. My goal is to finish but I also have somewhat of a time in mind that I would to come in by.

 

[NADLV817]

Who is this critter?

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

Who is this critter?

Well, there's your answer! Bring a camera!

I think those lines w/characters were longer b/c folks didn't line up on both sides of the handler for the pics. Causes the whole process to go slower. Keep it in mind and you'll fly through the lines much quicker.

 

[TnTsParty]

Thanks NADLV - I just LOVE Stitch (if you couldn't tell from my avatar and my countdown ticker) I will have my camera phone - it takes great daytime shots.

 

[laughinplace199]

Does anyone recall if Jiminy Cricket is anywhere to be found on race day? He's my favorite character. I finally got to meet him on our April trip last year, but it would be great to get a marathon pic w/him.

 

[postesf]

I'm thinking of going into Epcot to the Character Spot after the finish. I'm sure I will not be smelling that "fresh" lol! Any idea how many folks go to Epcot just after the race? I don't want to be the only stinky one! I'm hoping a fresh shirt and some deoderant will help!

We won't go for the day, but I though, hey, we'll be there...why not drop in for a pic or two ya know... Then we'll go back and shower and hit MK.

 

[getnthinr]

There are characters both at the finish line (to high-five) as well as AFTER the race sort-of on-the-way to the resort busses. As was mentioned, sometimes the lines for those post-race photos can be quite long -- and sometimes there were no characters out when I finished but some came out 5-10 minutes later (you know how they can only work for so long and then they "change shifts"). There are even characters out post-race at the 5K -- and I get as many photos as I can. (There are characters along the route in all the parks and in the other previously mentioned places as well.)

I have to say my philosophy is exactly the same as HockeyGirl Laurie's -- I race every Fall and even do some Spring races. Those races are predominately local and I can pick any one of them to try to PR. This is Disney and for my money (and these races demand quite a bit of it), I'm happier looking at all those photos than I would be taking 15 minutes off my time. I try to stop as often as I can, but will skip a character if the line seems really long. (Though sometimes 2-3 folks will be running together and take one group shot with a character, so even a long line isn't always a good indicator that the photo will take a long time.) My lifetime goal is still to be making such good time that I can stop and get a photo with the Gospel choir just outside EPCOT -- so far I'm always just a bit too close to the time limit to risk that one, but you never know... maybe this year???

But I'd encourage you to run your own race and do what you think will make you feel best. I do have several fast friends who think I am insane to STOP during a race, even for a minute or two. It really does take all kinds, because obviously the race would bog down to a crawl if everyone took as many photos as me.

And I carry a digital camera now. In years past, I carried a disposible, but I love being able to look at (and post) the photos right away.

 

[Kristi1357]

Wait! They have characters??????

Well, yes Judy...
YOU are there every year, aren't ya?

Seriously though, we always bring a camera. In fact we just bought a super slim new Canon one specifically for races. My first half was DL in 2006. I have approx. 20 pics with characters. I took pictures with each & every one I came across. It was a blast! I agree, Disney is not the place to PR. It's the place to just finish and have a blast doing so.

Chad used to bring a disposable for fear of dropping our nice camera, but the pictures were always pretty bad due to the low light that early in the morning. I'd bring a real camera - we haven't broken one yet!

 

[jam217]

Last year I didn't take a camera and really regretted it so this year I'm bringing one along. I'm hoping that one will fit in my Spibelt.

And I agree with the others that I do enough other races to PR. Disney is all about the fun, the people and the characters. The experience is like no other and I want it to last as long as possible!

 

[momof2minnies]

Are most of you guys walkers because I can't imagine running a mile with a camera bouncing never mind 26.I am still trying to figure out how I am going to carry my gels and pretzels.My DDs said if I wear a fanny pack they will disown me! Can't blame them there.

Linda

 

[jessily]

Are most of you guys walkers because I can't imagine running a mile with a camera bouncing never mind 26.I am still trying to figure out how I am going to carry my gels and pretzels.My DDs said if I wear a fanny pack they will disown me! Can't blame them there.

Linda

I've been using the Nathan Speedbelt 2. It has 2 10 oz. water bottles and a little pouch which is large enough to hold my cell phone and a few gels. I tried attaching my camera case to the side of it and found that it actually kept the belt from bouncing as much. I'm a runner and found that it took a little getting used to. Where I run my long runs, I really don't have any other options though.

 

[jmasgat]

I use the Speedbelt 2 as well--with the bottles and pocket in the back (I have seen people run with it positioned both ways). Doesn't bother me and doesn't bounce. DH can't imagine running with anything, but to each her own.

Maura

 

[hoosmi]

I've done the half with a belt and the full without a belt but with Race Ready shorts with all the pockets. I found it to be more irritating to try to keep running while cramming my belt or pockets with the camera, so I just keep it in my hand. It's kind of strange, but it doesn't bother me at all. I take tons of pictures- in addition to characters, I like pictures of the mile markers, bands, etc.

I just realized my camera probably doesn't bother me because when I used to go walking in college, I'd be carrying a big ol' Walkman. I now feel 100 years old.

Jen in GA

 

[bunnyfoo]

I'll have my cell phone with me which has a 3.2 MP camera in it. It's not the greatest because it lags a little after the shutter is pressed. But I don't want to carry a camera while I'm running - well I do but... Too bad they don't do Photopass.