Deatils on the Marathon and where to stay for it.

[Demosthenes]

DW and I are wanting to do the marathon this year (or next if it is already booked up), but I have no idea the details surrounding it. Where is it run? Is it a true marathon? What is the entrance fee? Is there a package offered to coincide with the run? Where would you recommend staying during the marathon? How far out do you need to make a ressie?

Thanks for any help in advance.

 

[SillyOldBear66]

You can find marathon info here:
www.disneyworldsports.com


Good luck in the run!!

 

[ducklite]

There are still some spots available for full marathon participants. It i a rue 26.2 mile marathon through all four parks.

There are some packages available as well. I believe that CSR is the official host resort for 2004.

Anne

 

[Tinks]

I am running the half marathon for the first time this year (2004). I did not find the Wide World of Sports website to be very helpful. It says you go through all the parks for the full marathon and only MK and EPCOT for the 1/2. I do not know officially where the start and finish are...someone mentioned TTC for the finish to the 1/2 and it starts in the EPCOT parking lot??? As for where to stay...we love the POLY but I'm leaning toward staying somewhere new this time...probably the Contemporary....good luck!
Oh! The entrance fee for the 1/2 marathon was $70. I'm not sure about the full, and I'm planning on making my ressies this week !

 

[glo]

Please let me know how it goes for you. I am planning on running the 2005 1/2 marathon as a reward for loosing 85 pounds. I have been walking about 20 miles a week, and figure I can make the half in the time needed by 2005. Pleas let me know

 

[Tinks]

Congrats on losing so much weight! Keep up the hard work! If you are talking about me and the 1/2 marathon..I'll be happy to let you know how it goes afterward. I'm sure you can do it in 2005 and hopefully things will go so well in 2004 that I'll do it again with you!

 

[Demosthenes]

Thanks for the help! DW is signing us up today.

 

[CDizney]

The 2004 Half Marathon is closed but I believe the full marathon may have openings. This is my first time running this and can't wait. However, I was told that in August I would receive my official information packet and hotel information and find that I haven't received much information at all.

Does anyone know if there are any special packages or advantages at staying at certain resorts for accessibility to the race, etc???

 

[Tinks]

CZDisney...I find the lack of information is driving me crazy too...especially now as I'm trying to plan for the trip. This is my first Disney race too. When do people plan to arrive...Friday or Saturday? Any advice?

 

[CDizney]

I'm coming in on that Thursday afternoon until the 10th. I'll be in Disney for two weeks in October so I won't need to be there too long.

 

[floridafam]

For what it's worth...

My DH always likes to arrive somewhere 2 days before a triathlon. I know this is a little different than a marathon. From what he has said and trainers have said the 2nd night before a race is when you need the best sleep and this is even more important than the night before.

I don't know if this helps

So if the race is on a Sat. then I would arrive on a Thursday.

 

[allans]

Last year I stayed at PO FQ and the prior year I stayed at POR and arrived on friday. My thoughts was that if I arrived any earlier I would be tempted to do the park thing. Both years I meandered about Epcot on Saturday after I picked up my race packet.

Demosthenes,

If you haven't registered for the marathon yet I suggest that you do it pretty quickly as I expect that it will be full shorty.

There are busses that transport you from 3am to 4am to the starting area in the Epcot parking lot. According to Dis. last bus leaves at 4. I got on the bus about 3:20 or so and had no line to wait however one did develop as time went on. Last year's book says the monorails open about 3am

There was bus transp to the expo for race packet pickup.

The food court area opened for cold items about 2:30.

The marathon starts on epcot drive, runs thru epcot, up to MK over to AK down to Wide World of Sports, Up to MGM and back thru Epcot for a true 26.2 miles.

2002 Course Map

Entrance Fee is $90 + processing fee. ($6.x I think)

I believe there are packages available but I'm not a fan of Disney packages in general. It would be nice for them to offer the FT then wouldn't it.

I plan on making my ressies at PO sometime between now and october, pending how much I can wait. Normal rules apply book early and then change when discounts are available.

Other Items of Interest.

It can get cold at 4am (40's) so I brought some gloves and throw away clothes. Disney donates all dropped clothes to charity.

Bring a disposible camera with you. There are plenty of photo ops with the characters along the way. Esp if this a first marathon.

Allan