Disneyland 1/2 Marathon Weekend ** September 2-4, 2011 ** Check-In

[MotoXPrincess99]

Did anyone look at the map this morning? I was just commenting on the WISH thread that I swear the map this morning I saw had us running around the stadium and not through the stadium. Please tell me I'm not crazy and the map did change from this morning!

It's different than the one I printed this morning!

The new one has the same course line but it now looks like we get to run inside the stadium!

 

[johde]

I think miles 12-13 is outside of DCA like last year but I think you're right about mile 1.5-2.

Looking at google earth again I think your right, Miles 12-13 are long the outskirt of DCA as opposed to "back stage"

 

[JDBlair]

I can't believe we're almost there either! I'm so excited. I was watching Mexican Made Easy on the Food Network this weekend, and the whole time my mouth was watering thinking of how many of the old taco shops I used to go to, I could get in in the 2 1/2 days I'll be there. Still on the fence b/w the full and the 1/2. My hamstring has started acting up again w/ the hill training that I've been doing for Bay to Breakers this weekend. I'll know for sure on Monday which one I'm going to do.

So excited about the course map though! I was thinking it would take awhile in hopes that we would get more DCA and they were waiting to see how construction goes, but oh well! It'll still be a great weekend/run and we've got Tinkerbell in January!!!

We're going to World Famous after the race for tacos and cocktails. I think that's all I'll think about during the race - what I get to eat and drink afterwards!! Sorry to hear your hamstring is hurting. Don't push too hard, you don't want a bigger injury and be taken out of the race completely!

Is it just me or does it look like we will not be running inside DCA this year?

The map I have, compared to last year's map, we don't seem to run inside DCA at all. But..since I'm signed up for Tinker Bell and we do a good deal of running inside DCA then, I'm not complaining. But it is a bummer.

It's different than the one I printed this morning!

The new one has the same course line but it now looks like we get to run inside the stadium!

Oh!! I have to go check it out. The map I have doesn't have us running inside the stadium but that would be really cool as it seems to be a highlight for many people!

 

[JDBlair]

Disney has definitely made an update because yesterday, their site did not say we'd run through the stadium but today it does!! Also, comparing the maps, it just seems the provided the Angel's stadium detail to show how it does run around homeplate. I know on Facebook there was a lot of complaining about the stadium so they probably just ramped up the map!

"The course for this magical event will take runners from the Disney California Adventure™ Park, celebrating California's storied past and exciting future, to the Disneyland® Park where you will explore the fantastic "lands" of nostalgia, color and delight. Then it is on to the scenic streets of Anaheim, past the Honda Center, home of the Anaheim Ducks, along the Santa Ana Trail overlooking the Santa Ana River, through Angel Stadium, home of the MLB's Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, and then past Disney's Paradise Pier® Hotel and the Disneyland® Hotel for an exciting finish of the Happiest Race on Earth! Ideal weather and a flat loop course set the stage for an exhilarating Half Marathon designed to shatter personal bests."

 

[kim3339]

It's different than the one I printed this morning!

The new one has the same course line but it now looks like we get to run inside the stadium!

The map I have, compared to last year's map, we don't seem to run inside DCA at all. But..since I'm signed up for Tinker Bell and we do a good deal of running inside DCA then, I'm not complaining. But it is a bummer.

Oh!! I have to go check it out. The map I have doesn't have us running inside the stadium but that would be really cool as it seems to be a highlight for many people!

Disney has definitely made an update because yesterday, their site did not say we'd run through the stadium but today it does!! Also, comparing the maps, it just seems the provided the Angel's stadium detail to show how it does run around homeplate. I know on Facebook there was a lot of complaining about the stadium so they probably just ramped up the map!

Thanks guys!! That made me feel a lot better, thought I was out of it for a while!

 

[kim3339]

We're going to World Famous after the race for tacos and cocktails. I think that's all I'll think about during the race - what I get to eat and drink afterwards!!

Never been to that restaurant, but PB is beautiful if you've never been there before. Right on the beach, most of it anyways. Just wanted to let you know about Saturday night before the race. Not sure where you're planning to eat or if you've even thought of it, but stay away from Little Italy, if you can. It's right above downtown, about 2-3 blocks up from PCH, and about 2 blocks long. There are restaurants and they're absolutely delicious, but it gets really crowded, really fast. I went with my dad a few years ago, and we got to a restaurant around 5, we had a wait even at that time, and by the time we got out of the restaurant, the lines to all the restaurants were really long, b/c people are trying to get their carbs in. If you're there Friday though, I'd go, but Saturday's just...

How long are you going to be out there? Just a quick pop in or is it more of a vacation?

 

[cyberjoek]

Reposting this from the WISH Forum Thread on this:

So I went out to the parks with a copy of the course map and a GPS to try and match it as best I could. This is my best guess as to where we're going this year on property based on the map as we have it now (v3)

1. Enter through the original main drive-on gate
2. Run down and back on the Toy Story Parking Lot Bus area
3. Back down the tram way to backstage
4. Enter DCA next to Tower of Terror
5. Turn left onto Hollywood Boulevard
Now here's the part that was unclear, by my GPS match the turning point is in the middle of Test Pilot's Grill. I think that means we're going out by Soarin or it could mean they'll be more clear closer to the day as they know exactly what the construction situation is going to be.
6. Exiting via Main Gate or Soarin Gate (TBA)
7. Across the Esplanade
8. Enter Disneyland from the west end of the turnstiles
9. Go through the west tunnel under the railroad
10. Around the east side of Town Square
11. Go south of Partners and north of Astro Orbiter
12. Go south of the old Tomorrowland Transit Authority
13. Run past the Tomorrowland Terrace then turn left to go south of the Matterhorn
14. Right hand turn as we head into Fantasyland, turning left again before we get to Tea Cups
15. Left hand turn to head through the Castle (woo hoo)
16. Right hand turn into Fronterland, heading straight for the Rivers of America
17. Going south around the Rivers of America then up into Critter Country
18. Head backstage next to Splash Mountain
19. Emerge from backstage at the back gate of Mickey's Toontown
20. Run south past It's A Small World
21. Take one last look back as we leave the park through the Parade Gate next to IASW
22. Exit to backstage then the streets of Anaheim

That's the best I can do with this map and my GPS. If there's intrest I'll do a video walkthrough sometime next week when I'm back at the parks (I'm not a CM so it'll only be the onstage parts).

-Joe Kavanagh

 

[kim3339]

2. Run down and back on the Toy Story Parking Lot Bus area
3. Back down the tram way to backstage
4. Enter DCA next to Tower of Terror
That's the best I can do with this map and my GPS. If there's intrest I'll do a video walkthrough sometime next week when I'm back at the parks (I'm not a CM so it'll only be the onstage parts).

-Joe Kavanagh

Thanks Joe! I was thinking that's where that part was. I know for the 5K last year, we got in backstage right to the left of Stage 17, close to the Harbor side, and went in the backstage area around Cars, so maybe we can go backstage behind Monsters and the Hyperion Theater and come in that way. So hopefully we can go backstage there. Don't know why, but I love the backstage area. Even if we've run it before, it's still fun. I think it's b/c not that many people outside of CM's get to be back there.

 

[JDBlair]

Never been to that restaurant, but PB is beautiful if you've never been there before. Right on the beach, most of it anyways. Just wanted to let you know about Saturday night before the race. Not sure where you're planning to eat or if you've even thought of it, but stay away from Little Italy, if you can. It's right above downtown, about 2-3 blocks up from PCH, and about 2 blocks long. There are restaurants and they're absolutely delicious, but it gets really crowded, really fast. I went with my dad a few years ago, and we got to a restaurant around 5, we had a wait even at that time, and by the time we got out of the restaurant, the lines to all the restaurants were really long, b/c people are trying to get their carbs in. If you're there Friday though, I'd go, but Saturday's just...

How long are you going to be out there? Just a quick pop in or is it more of a vacation?

I'm not going to carb load because 1) I have enough body fat to sustain me..Okay, there's no point 2. See point 1! Ha!

We're coming in early on Saturday (in time to pick up my race packet) and then we're staying until Tuesday morning. That's the current plan. Do you think Little Italy will be bad on Monday, the day after the race? My DH's birthday is that Monday so I was hoping to take him.

World Famous is in Mission Valley right on the beach. We've only had their shrimp tacos but they were fab!

 

[ban26ana]

I just wanted to join this thread. I'm over on the WISH one too, but I figured I'd pop in here. I ran the Princess Half in February as my first ever race, and now I'm hooked! I'm doing the DL with Team in Training, since I decided to run it after it was already sold out. I've never been to DL before! I'll be going on my own (well, with my TNT teammates of course). I did the Princess solo also, and I have to admit that it's nice to have a weekend to myself away from the hubby and kids. I can't wait for this trip!!

 

[kim3339]

Do you think Little Italy will be bad on Monday, the day after the race? My DH's birthday is that Monday so I was hoping to take him.

World Famous is in Mission Valley right on the beach. We've only had their shrimp tacos but they were fab!

Mission Beach, sorry for the mix up! I always did that when I lived there. I think it's b/c the of PB Rd. Mission Valley is along the 8, but a tad more inland, where hotel circle and Fashion Valley Mall are. It's actually part of the area we run through.

As for Little Italy on Monday, shouldn't be a problem crowdwise. If you don't find anything that you like, there's always the Gaslamp area in Downtown. It's the main downtown area and across from the Expo. Tons of great restaurants there!

I just wanted to join this thread. I've never been to DL before! I'll be going on my own (well, with my TNT teammates of course). I did the Princess solo also, and I have to admit that it's nice to have a weekend to myself away from the hubby and kids. I can't wait for this trip!!

Hi! You're going to have a blast that weekend. It's so much fun!

 

[Sleepless Knight]

I just started training last week. I'm glad it's not in September since I'm terribly out of shape. My main concern is that I'm not running a 16 minute mile pace yet, but I'm hoping that improves shortly. Otherwise, I need to figure out what I'm doing wrong and correct it.

 

[BACON]

I developed a stress fracture in my right foot on April 25 as I was training for a full marathon in June. I haven't run since. I have a doctor appointment next Wednesday and I hope he'll give me some good news. If I get an ok to run I'll change my registration from full to half and keep up some mileage throughout the summer to run the DL 1/2 without further injury. It's feeling much better than the first week it occurred.

I'll probably book my flight this week. Yay for frequent flier miles!

(This is looking like a solo trip for me. If anyone wants to hang out at the park, a baseball game, or shopping, just send me a PM)

 

[JDBlair]

Mission Beach, sorry for the mix up! I always did that when I lived there. I think it's b/c the of PB Rd. Mission Valley is along the 8, but a tad more inland, where hotel circle and Fashion Valley Mall are. It's actually part of the area we run through.

As for Little Italy on Monday, shouldn't be a problem crowdwise. If you don't find anything that you like, there's always the Gaslamp area in Downtown. It's the main downtown area and across from the Expo. Tons of great restaurants there!

I booked a hotel that's right off the race route so my family can see me. I don't think they're going to travel to the finish line.

A couple of years ago, we did a mini-vacation to San Diego and stayed in the Gaslamp area. It wasn't very kid-friendly. We had a nice time but it was difficult to walk around with the kids. I would be interested in finding Little Italy as we do love Italian food!!! So thank you for that tip. May hit that place up on Sunday or Monday and avoid it Saturday!

Went for my 10 mile training run yesterday in preparation for the race in 2 weeks. Went well. My back is achy today but everything else feels pretty good. Think I'm ready for this 1/2 marathon!

 

[Pleglech]

You can count me in as well ... I race frequently, but this will be my first Disney event. Looking forward to it!

 

[kim3339]

Hi everyone!! 5K map got posted this morning. Same course as last year, we start in the Tram Pickup area and finish in DCA near the lagoon! I can't wait until September. Maybe I'll have to do a quick trip down during the summer to tide me over. Anyways, here's a link to the map~

http://as1.wdpromedia.com/media/ewwos/pdf/rundisney/marathons/11/2011Disneyland5KMap.pdf

 

[johde]

I've got another question. Does anyone know if you can add days to the Themepark admission you can buy for get travel? I'm been trying to decide how many days I'm going to be going to the parks. Right now, I'm planning on 3 or 4 but if a ride open back up I might want 5 (although a couple of those days will probably be short).

 

[MotoXPrincess99]

Here is a picture of the finisher medal.

 

[medievaldave]

sweet. i love this new medal

 

[kim3339]

Does anyone know if you can add days to the Themepark admission you can buy for get travel? I'm been trying to decide how many days I'm going to be going to the parks. Right now, I'm planning on 3 or 4 but if a ride open back up I might want 5 (although a couple of those days will probably be short).

I would give GetTravel a call. I'm not sure if you can, but it would be cheaper to do it through them than the parks. I know someone in my group was in the Cheer Squad and they get a free 1 park/1day ticket. He didn't realize that and tried to upgrade to a parkhopper but couldn't, so he had to buy another 1 park/1 day ticket to get into DL that day. But that may have been b/c it was included in the Cheer Package and not a purchased ticket.