Course Change for 2009 WDW Marathon

[SilverE]

Hello Everyone!

I picked up a 2009 WDW Marathon brochure at the Expo; just last night I noticed that the marathon course map is slightly different for next year. There is less "backstage" time in AK, and a LONGER out-and-back portion between miles 19 to 21.5. Mile 20 is nearly on Victory Way near WWS (where the new turn-around is).

Hmmm, interesting

 

[Calcio]

Hello Steve

It was a delight to talk with you on Marathon Sunday. Perhaps Martha and I can make a trek down east for a great seafood dinner one evening at a restaurant you know well, and you and your lovely spouse can meet us there.

Thanks for this information. It is interesting, but even though by the AK my brain is cooked, I don't remember much "backstage" at the AK. We come in bend around the right, then quickly turn left and slip over the bridge, past EE, over the bridge, through Dinoland, then out the back by the Dinosaur attrraction.

They must have cut out something big, since the old 20 mile point was right at World Drive and the new 20 is near Victory Way, a distance of I'd guess 3/4 of a mile.

You don't suppose they could teleport us past the sewage treatment plant. There is something unsettling when you feel like **** and run by that thing.

Take care

Craig

 

[wfloyd]

I compared the two maps and it looks like this is the difference. This year we ran through the back of Dinoland and back around to the front of AK. The new map has us going through Dinoland to the front of the park all while in AK and then out the front gates.

It looks like it keeps us off the narrow sidewalk going to the front of the park. I also guess that it will allow the people getting off the trams to be able to enter the park without having to wait for a break in the running.

Bill

 

[SilverE]

Perhaps Martha and I can make a trek down east for a great seafood dinner one evening at a restaurant you know well, and you and your lovely spouse can meet us there.

Craig: Absolutely; any time! (Just need to arrange the sitter for the 3 kiddos )

I compared the two maps and it looks like this is the difference. This year we ran through the back of Dinoland and back around to the front of AK. The new map has us going through Dinoland to the front of the park all while in AK and then out the front gates.

Yep; that looks like the major difference. You used to exit the front of AK and be (almost) at mile 18; next year you'll exit AK and be at 17.25? or so.

Of course, I still wish Disney would have us run through Blizzard Beach (at least for the psychological cooling ) and ditch the switch-back altogether. I don't know; maybe they are afraid that in our late-mile delirium we will squash the barefooted toes of the bathing-suit park patrons?

 

[ScoJo15]

Steve - thanks for the info!!!

I do have to say it will be cooler getting to run through the front of the park...but a longer stretch on the hot road is not something I'm looking forward to. Change is good

 

[skfulkers]

I can definitely understand why they're changing this. This year was the first time that I distinctly remember people being backed up 15-20 deep waiting to cross the marathon course at the entrance to AK.

But like Scott said, I'm not looking forward to a longer stretch on the out-and-back. Oh well.

Steve

 

[ScoJo15]

Wish they could double back and run us back by the safari, then out the front to try and make up that .75 miles...anything to avoid that road LOL

 

[SilverE]

a longer stretch on the hot road is not something I'm looking forward to. Change is good

like Scott said, I'm not looking forward to a longer stretch on the out-and-back. Oh well.

Here's to cooler temps in 2009! (that would be PowerAde, of course )

 

[angietuck2]

Well I can honestly say being that this will be our first FULL and our first DISNEY FULL this scares me. I have read so many horror stories about how bad it was anyway.

On the other hand, I think it is funny how spoiled we get by the whole Disney marathon experience. I don't know how all the other "regular" marathons out there are but when we did the Gasparilla 1/2 the course was so "BORING" compared to Disney. Mostly a big out and back on Tampa's beautiful Bayshore BLVD.

And surely this boring part you guys talk about can't be any worse than the boring long runs we do around here. Sorry just trying to find the positive, sine I have been SOOOO negative lately.

angie

 

[skfulkers]

Angie--you know, honestly, I didn't think the out-and-back was so bad this year. There were a LOT of spectators cheering out there, and there's a band right before the beginning of this section that you can hear for most of the mile or so. Plus, the Mile 21 water stop is on the return side of the stretch. I thought the stretch of highway BEFORE the out and back was much worse, and I don't think there's anyway Disney could get rid of that section without really revamping the course.

You know, one thing I've been wondering is how all those spectators got to the out-and-back section of the course. There's nowhere to park a car and you can't walk there easily from anywhere. Anne, Heather--how the heck did you guys get out to that section?? Krista was thinking about scream teamin' out there but we couldn't figure out the logistics of how she would get out there.

Steve

 

[SilverE]

You know, now that I think back upon it, Steve is right. The stretch of highway prior to the switchback was boring. The switchback portion itself was crammed with spectators and music; it actually was pretty nice, during a portion of the race that can be difficult. Maybe a longer switchback will be fine. And how did all those people get there?

 

[escape]

Steve & Steve - I agree with you about the out and back not being so bad. The reason I say that is because of some of the other races I've participated in this past year had a lot worse areas than that. Also, Kareneast and I enjoyed seeing other WISHers running the opposite way. Of course, Anne and Heather were a GODSEND at the turnaround.

Now, if I can just figure out how to get food from that McDonald's we passed by for my next Disney marathon....

 

[Duanerice]

I agree the course prior to the out and back was much worse with BIG hills. OK, overpasses, but those were big hills to me. The turn around wasn't so bad. Mentally once I reached it and started back I was thinking that I was finally going the right way. Instead of running away from the finish I was finally running to the finish. Hey whatever gets you through right?

A friend of mine was at the out and back and she walked over from All Stars. Said it wasn't much of a walk. I'm sure some walked from the McDonalds too.

enjoy,
Duane

 

[TXBelle]

Anne and I parked on the side of the road on Victory Way after Pop Century but before WWOS. Bill drew a map for us, which allowed us to take the back way from the Poly past FW, down Bonnet Creek Blvd., then to Victory Way. It was easy to get there. We did have to walk a little ways to the turnaround, and the lack of bathrooms was a minus, but it was a great place to cheer.

 

[Maherae]

So glad you were able to tell them, Heather!! wfloyd/Bill drew the map, I drove, but Heather told me where to turn!! No traffic problems at all!

 

[angietuck2]

Whats really funny is I guess it all depends on perspective. We apparently ran the turn around last year at MINNIE and I didn't even realize that was the DREADED turn around from the marathon, but I think at that point we are only at mile 4 or 5 and it was not very entertaining from the begininng to there.

No disprespect at all to anyone who has done FULL especially those who have struggled at this point in race and please tell me there will be those there next year with the beloved washcloths that you guys all talk about!!!

Looking at the map I always wondered about the part from Magic Kingdom to AK that didn't look like much fun either, but no one ever complained about it.

angie

 

[AmyBeth68]

Angie..this year for me the MK to AK was actually more difficult than the dreaded switchback. I got rejuvenated in AK and felt pretty strong from that point onward. I felt a little rough from 13 to 17...I think hitting that 26.2 for day 2 of the Goofy was part of the reason.

This year the MK to AK stretch was actually better than last, albeit a crowded section. There were way more people out there this year. Now that could be because I was running faster and hit it at an earlier time but either way it helped a LOT to see all those folks out there screaming .

I have faith that you will TOTALLY rock the marathon next year.

 

[toefungus]

I think this may be an older marathon course map they have on the back of the book. I'm looking at the book now and noticed that it does not have the red and blue starts at the beginning.

 

[ultramickeymouse]

Of course, I still wish Disney would have us run through Blizzard Beach (at least for the psychological cooling ) and ditch the switch-back altogether. I don't know; maybe they are afraid that in our late-mile delirium we will squash the barefooted toes of the bathing-suit park patrons?

The 1996 WDW Marathon did run through BB. The race was a lot smaller back than.

 

[mkymsehi]

I would have loved to stop at the HUGE McDonald's for a Coke and some fries to fuel me to the end. LOL, wishful thinking.