Disney Half Marathon

[uncgsweetz16]

Hi Everyone! I am extremley interested in running this in January. Is there a specific thread that talks about this or has any of you ever run it? Please advise. Thanks!!

 

[ead79]

My mom, best friend, her mom, and I walked the Half Marathon in 2005. What questions do you have--I'm happy to help! Here's the official page with the info: http://disneyworldsports.disney.go....athon2007HalfMarathonEventInfoEventDetailPage

 

[uncgsweetz16]

Hi Elisabeth!

Thanks so much for getting back to me! I am so glad. My husband and I are really interested in doing it! Were you exhausted afterwards? I am so glad to know people walk it! I am not a runner at all but really want to do this since I consider myself a Disney addict. Can you tell me more about the race itself...was it uphill or flat? Were there bathrooms? Any other tips you thought were interesting when you did it? How long did it take you to finish if you don't mind me asking?! I am so excited! Thanks so much for getting back to me! You made my day! Pixie Dust to you!!

 

[Buckalew11]

I am planning on doing this in January also. DH ran the full and plans on the Goofy. I am not a runner but i suppose i'll try it if it means a trip to WDW! LOL

Go to the DIS's Wish boards and event planning or something like that. Lots of marathon and 1/2 stuff there. Lots of helpful people with tons of info!!

Good luck!

 

[ead79]

Hi Elisabeth!

Thanks so much for getting back to me! I am so glad. My husband and I are really interested in doing it! Were you exhausted afterwards? I am so glad to know people walk it! I am not a runner at all but really want to do this since I consider myself a Disney addict. Can you tell me more about the race itself...was it uphill or flat? Were there bathrooms? Any other tips you thought were interesting when you did it? How long did it take you to finish if you don't mind me asking?! I am so excited! Thanks so much for getting back to me! You made my day! Pixie Dust to you!!

No problem!

Yes, I was exhausted afterwards, but after a long shower, a good lunch, and some relaxing time I was OK again. Part of the exhaustion is simply from having to get up so early to go to the corrals and wait for the race to start. We had to get up at 3:30 am, so I would've been tired even without walking 13.2 miles, LOL! We walked the half instead of running--you must maintain a 16 minute per mile pace so you are not removed from the course (they do the sweep at mile 9). This is a fast walking pace and probably a slower jogging pace.

The race itself went from outside Epcot, through World Showcase, across the World to MK, through part of MK, then out and around by the GF before ending in the MK parking lot. They have since changed the route, but it still involves going through parts of Epcot and MK I believe. The parts of the race inside the parks are the neatest, and you do get to see a bit of backstage at Epcot and the MK. The race is mostly flat, with a few hills (such as inclines to go up cloverleafs on the roadways and the hill leading up to the Contemporary).

There are portapotties set up all over the place at the start of the race. I can't remember if they had them along the race route sporadically, but I think they did. When we went through World Showcase, some people stopped to use the restroom there too. The funny part was how excited some people seemed to be to go potty in the bushes instead of using the portapotties.

It took me a little bit over 4 hours to finish. I made it past the sweep point, then my ankle gave out and I had to limp the last 4 miles. I have ankle issues, so it wasn’t totally surprising, but it made for a very difficult last 4 miles. I’m just glad we made it, LOL!

They offer Powerade and water along the route pretty often, and we also carried one water bottle with us too. I believe they also passed out candy bars and bananas once during the race, but I’m not sure if they still do that.

My best tip would be to train really well. We made the mistake of training mostly indoors on a track. Walking that far on concrete is much harder on your legs, so I would practice doing that several times before the actual race.

It was a really neat experience, though it was pretty rough on my body. I want to do it again, but I need to take off some weight first.

Just be prepared for the fact that you probably won’t feel like lots of park touring after the race.

 

[uncgsweetz16]

Hey Elisabeth!

Thanks again for all of your help. I appreciate it more then you know. I couldn't wait to come to work today to see if you had replied!! We are planning to fly in for New Years Eve (our first at the World) and then stay all week long and have a good time. The 2 days before the race we plan to take it easy and then fly out the day after the race on Sunday and I will take Monday off to regroup...do laundry and so forth. I am so excited!!!!

After reading alot they have a new Minnie Marathon this May that is a 15K. How fun is this!

So what exactly do you get for the $90 you pay to be in the race?

I am so excited!!!!!!!!

How much longer did you stay in WDW after your race? Are you thinking of racing this year??

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

On the WISH boards on events board---so much info for you.

http://www.disboards.com/forumdisplay.php?f=109

Good luck!

(For $90 you get a tech shirt, medal for finishing--that's the tangible goods!)

 

[Jynohn]

I did the full marathon in 2005 and DH and I did the half this past January. We had a blast! DH was dreading it and only signed up because I told him I was so lonely doing it by myself the year before, but after it was over he admitted he had a great time and couldn't wait to do it again next year

It's a great "first" marathon because you'll find people there of all ages, shapes and sizes. There's not as many hard core athletes there as I imagine there would be for other marathons, so it's not as intimidating. The course is almost completely flat, and there's lots of great Disney entertainment along the way (fireworks, characters, marching bands, etc.) Go ahead and sign up, you won't regret it!

Jynohn