Chip Time/Finish Time Disney Marathon

[Danislee]

Okay, I'm thinking of doing the 2013 Marathon. I know I'm a little early, but I'm a fairly slow runner. My question is, being slow, I really am afraid of being swept. I can maintain a fairly steady 15-16 minute pace thus far, but my long run to this point has only been 13 miles.

My question is, in looking at the results from the 2011 Marathon, some people's chip times were above 7 hours. I've browsed the forums and discovered that once you reach a certain point, it's less likely that you will be swept, but that obviously it isn't a guarantee. So, how do these people manage to be above the time (and this is via their chip) by a good margin?

 

[cewait]

Good question

The sweeper clock starts just after the last runner crosses the start mat. So the last runner who crosses would have exactly 7 hours to finish. So if you cross the start 5 minutes ahead of the last runner, you have 7:05 to finish. That explains part of what you are seeing.

Next, the sweepers do not necessarily follow at an exact 16 minute pace. There are a few hard sweep points, generally associated with the need to open roadways or clearing MK for the opening. That gives a small buffer.

Then as you read, historically, once you hit the back stage entrance to DHS, you are left to finish the race at your own pace,... as long as you are moving. I am sure someone has been swept but generally, you are home free once you hit mile 23.

[ADDED] - Meant to also say, with the inclusion of the wave starts (large groups starting one after another at 5-10 minute intervals) a runner in a wave or two before the final wave has that additional buffer.

 

[Danislee]

Thanks very much, appreciate the information!