Disneyland Half Marathon 2024

[sandam1]

We leave tomorrow morning (a little nervous about the weather impacts on the system as a whole, but thankfully, it isn't impacting our connecting airport) and come home next Tuesday. I don't run until Saturday and my friend is "only" running on Sunday. So if we have travel issues, we are losing vacation time rather than races.

 

[DisneyMountainWoman]

We are leaving Thursday evening arriving like 9ish at night... That way we can still work on Thursday.

 

[Bree]

Came home this morning from the Fort to do laundry and check in on all our animals. We had to change our Tuesday flight this morning due to winter weather moving into our layover airport. I got the alert yesterday and completely forgot. There’s also a strong system moving into central FL tomorrow that could impact afternoon & evening flights so that was fun trying to find 3 seats all on the same flight at 5 this morning.

 

[kristenabelle]

Leaving Wednesday, also on an airbus! Snow seems to be over & mostly melting, but winds on Wednesday are making me nervous. Hopefully we'll be out and gone in the AM before anything crazy

 

[TarynM]

We're arriving late Wednesday night and leaving Sunday night. So far no delay indicators, both of our flights are on the smaller 737s. I would have loved to stay through Monday but I needed to get home to watch my daughter since her daycare is closed for the holiday on Monday.

 

[DisneyParrothead]

I did my last run at home today, before I do a short shakeout on Friday. I travel Wednesday so I can't do that run, and I can't do it tomorrow because I see my chiropractor tomorrow after work. Oh well. I've been doing my best to get my sore hip flexor ready, and it's doing OK. I did 3.1 miles on the treadmill, and I used my lightest shoes. Now I'm thinking of using them for the 10K. My costume is red and the shoes are red.

 

[CaliforniaGirl09]

Wednesday to Monday here and can't wait! Rain rain go away! I'm in Nor Cal and they are saying quite a bit for us possible this weekend but hopefully it won't extend down south. I keep seeing it go in and out on Sunday on weather.com for Anaheim. Can't wait for shirt reveal (I assume Wednesday?).

 

[mrs cinderella]

Ok, last week, DH and I drove what we could of the course and here's my report:

-As soon as we exit the parks, we have a pretty big hill to conquer (uphill first) that goes over the freeway, so bring all that park pixie dust with you

-Once we make the turn onto Cerritos, there's a little hill and some railroad tracks to cross. These are not your friendly Disney railroad tracks (which can take out even the most seasoned park goer ), these are uneven and have asphalt sticking up around the tracks, so be careful!!

-After we turn onto Lewis, there's a pretty long hill (downhill first) that isn't terribly steep, it's just long

-When we turn back onto Cerritos (after mile 8), we come across those dang railroad tracks again. Watch your step!

Pretty much all of this part is wide open streets with very few bottle necks. Once we go through the Honda Center area, we'll head onto the Santa Ana River Trail. I do all my long runs on this trail, and I have to say, this portion of the trail is my least favorite We'll enter going downhill and yes, there's a turn around at the end, but it's wide


It is designed to make the turn easier for cyclists, but since it's paved the whole way, it's easy to cut across right behind the sign to make the turn shorter. This isn't too steep, and is spread out over 2 portions of the trail. (This pic is from the turn around looking back towards where we would enter on the right past the trees)



So we continue under that bridge and then have a steep hill to get back up to the same level, but in way less distance. (Second pic is looking back from the top of the hill.)



Then it's nice and flat for just a bit, and depending on how they take us off the trail, we may have another hill that's short, but steep.

Again, I'm not sure how we'll get off the trail as there are a couple places to do that, but I think this whole trail section will be the worst place for bottlenecks.

Then heading into the parking lot of the stadium, there's a bit of an incline, but once we're done there, I think it's pretty flat. And yes, things have been pretty chilly here, but I love it (the cold never bothered me anyway ) and there have been possible forecasts for rain, but that keeps changing, so I would say bring layers and be prepared for rain. A lot of the course once we're out of the parks won't be shielded from the sun (once it shows up) so keep that in mind too. Can't believe we're so close!!

 

[pluto377]

I'm coming in Friday late morning and leaving Monday night on a redeye. Thankfully not working on Tuesday. Planning to go the the meet up first and then the expo since I pre-purchased so much merch and don't want to have to carry it

 

[AZMermaid]

We are driving on Friday from Phoenix coming home Monday- it’s about a 6 hour drive. We hope to be there in time for the meet up on Friday. If my kids have a need to go to school before school for a test or something- it’ll be close. Can’t wait!!

Im a little nervous about the crowds. I dont love DL when it’s shoulder to shoulder. But it is what it is!

 

[Naomeri]

Ok, last week, DH and I drove what we could of the course and here's my report:

-As soon as we exit the parks, we have a pretty big hill to conquer (uphill first) that goes over the freeway, so bring all that park pixie dust with you

-Once we make the turn onto Cerritos, there's a little hill and some railroad tracks to cross. These are not your friendly Disney railroad tracks (which can take out even the most seasoned park goer ), these are uneven and have asphalt sticking up around the tracks, so be careful!!

-After we turn onto Lewis, there's a pretty long hill (downhill first) that isn't terribly steep, it's just long

-When we turn back onto Cerritos (after mile 8), we come across those dang railroad tracks again. Watch your step!

Pretty much all of this part is wide open streets with very few bottle necks. Once we go through the Honda Center area, we'll head onto the Santa Ana River Trail. I do all my long runs on this trail, and I have to say, this portion of the trail is my least favorite We'll enter going downhill and yes, there's a turn around at the end, but it's wide
View attachment 824126

It is designed to make the turn easier for cyclists, but since it's paved the whole way, it's easy to cut across right behind the sign to make the turn shorter. This isn't too steep, and is spread out over 2 portions of the trail. (This pic is from the turn around looking back towards where we would enter on the right past the trees)

View attachment 824128

So we continue under that bridge and then have a steep hill to get back up to the same level, but in way less distance. (Second pic is looking back from the top of the hill.)

View attachment 824129View attachment 824130

Then it's nice and flat for just a bit, and depending on how they take us off the trail, we may have another hill that's short, but steep.
View attachment 824132
Again, I'm not sure how we'll get off the trail as there are a couple places to do that, but I think this whole trail section will be the worst place for bottlenecks.

Then heading into the parking lot of the stadium, there's a bit of an incline, but once we're done there, I think it's pretty flat. And yes, things have been pretty chilly here, but I love it (the cold never bothered me anyway ) and there have been possible forecasts for rain, but that keeps changing, so I would say bring layers and be prepared for rain. A lot of the course once we're out of the parks won't be shielded from the sun (once it shows up) so keep that in mind too. Can't believe we're so close!!

Thanks for the course preview!

 

[StarGirl11]

Ok, last week, DH and I drove what we could of the course and here's my report:

-As soon as we exit the parks, we have a pretty big hill to conquer (uphill first) that goes over the freeway, so bring all that park pixie dust with you

-Once we make the turn onto Cerritos, there's a little hill and some railroad tracks to cross. These are not your friendly Disney railroad tracks (which can take out even the most seasoned park goer ), these are uneven and have asphalt sticking up around the tracks, so be careful!!

-After we turn onto Lewis, there's a pretty long hill (downhill first) that isn't terribly steep, it's just long

-When we turn back onto Cerritos (after mile 8), we come across those dang railroad tracks again. Watch your step!

Pretty much all of this part is wide open streets with very few bottle necks. Once we go through the Honda Center area, we'll head onto the Santa Ana River Trail. I do all my long runs on this trail, and I have to say, this portion of the trail is my least favorite We'll enter going downhill and yes, there's a turn around at the end, but it's wide
View attachment 824126

It is designed to make the turn easier for cyclists, but since it's paved the whole way, it's easy to cut across right behind the sign to make the turn shorter. This isn't too steep, and is spread out over 2 portions of the trail. (This pic is from the turn around looking back towards where we would enter on the right past the trees)

View attachment 824128

So we continue under that bridge and then have a steep hill to get back up to the same level, but in way less distance. (Second pic is looking back from the top of the hill.)

View attachment 824129View attachment 824130

Then it's nice and flat for just a bit, and depending on how they take us off the trail, we may have another hill that's short, but steep.
View attachment 824132
Again, I'm not sure how we'll get off the trail as there are a couple places to do that, but I think this whole trail section will be the worst place for bottlenecks.

Then heading into the parking lot of the stadium, there's a bit of an incline, but once we're done there, I think it's pretty flat. And yes, things have been pretty chilly here, but I love it (the cold never bothered me anyway ) and there have been possible forecasts for rain, but that keeps changing, so I would say bring layers and be prepared for rain. A lot of the course once we're out of the parks won't be shielded from the sun (once it shows up) so keep that in mind too. Can't believe we're so close!!

Yeah like I said before Ball hill is nasty and I’m disappointed that they put it back in after removing it from the 2017 race. But can’t do anything about it

Santa Ana is not going to be fun in the chair. At least the turn around is wide. But there’s no way I am going to have enough room to gain the momentum to get back up the hills easily. So fun times abound.

If I remember right we make a left at the exit or we used to anyway.

What is going to be interesting to see is if we have any confused cyclists showing up not realizing a race is going on and getting accidentally into the crowd. Because I remember one year entering the trail and seeing three cyclists just being boggled about the amount of runners going onto the trail.

Ftr Disney puts signs up alerting people of the event. But some people miss it apparently

 

[StarGirl11]

So I figure now before the race weekend gets into full gear is a good time to talk about basic runner etiquette when it comes to wheelchairs. Because I know most of y’all know basic etiquette but even experienced ones can get caught up in what to do or not to in some cases

1: and this is general good etiquette when it comes to mobility aids. Please before you try to help especially on the hills. Ask us first. In general just moving someone who is in an aid without asking is really rude even if it is well meaning. And yes we know that on some of the worse hills we will often say yes because of just the laws of physics not being in our favor. But especially with racers if you grab onto the wrong part and we’re not expecting it. You risk throwing off our balance if you grab on especially to the wrong spot.

Just four words ‘Do you need help’ is all you need.

2. For the love of all that is holy if you pass us on an uphill. Or if we’re coming down a really steep downhill. Or if we’re just booking it in general. If you hear the words ‘wheelchair on your’ and then immediately followed by a direction. Please move as soon as safely possible to the direction opposite of what you just heard the racer saying they were coming up on.

Ie You hear wheelchair on your left please move right.

Our brakes do not bring us to an automatic stop. And the steeper the hill the more momentum we will have coming down in it despite the brake. And if we’re about to immediately go up a hill we’re going to be in trying to safely retain speed without crashing into people and hurting ourselves and you.

To top it all off we turn wide. Especially at speed. And while I personally have gotten really good at ‘threading the needle’ as I like to call it. Of moving through the crowd by turning my front wheel into open pockets. I would rather go into an open space than through a pocket.

Also just a note in general us on uphills and turning is not an easy combo. And if we can’t get speed on the hill to make the turn then we’re going to be needing a bit more patience to make a turn.

All of this leads me to point number 3 and 4.

3. Please make sure all music devices aren’t at max volume so you can hear us. Yes including Shockz. I know personally if you make the mistake of turning them up too loud you will still have issues hearing people around you.

4. I know this last one might sound a bit rude but because of all of the above factors. Please if you hear me and my fellow racers coming and someone around you doesn’t seem to be hearing us. Please for the love of god get their attention and ask them to move. This is a little thing that makes a huge difference in racing for us.

Sometimes this is headphones sometimes it’s just people ignoring us. And I never know which it is until I’m passing.

 

[jmasgat]

Looks like I'm gonna bail on this weekend. Just got back from 2 trips and haven't run since before Thanksgiving (not that I think that matters for a 10k). Plus I was gone for 2 trips in Oct/Nov. But the main reason is......I've been married for 39 years. If I want to make it 40 this year, it's not a good idea that I go! We have an old (incontinent) dog for whom I am the master. Also, my DH is no Disney fan. Add all of that up,, and I think it's wise that I take a pass.

ETA: And now I have woken up with a cold....sigh.

The bib is a sunk cost. The 3 day PH is something that I can either use a different time, or maybe even try to sell to someone that does a DL race later in the year.

Oh well, at least I don't have to take the red eye back!

 

[SheHulk]

Looks like I'm gonna bail on this weekend. Just got back from 2 trips and haven't run since before Thanksgiving (not that I think that matters for a 10k). Plus I was gone for 2 trips in Oct/Nov. But the main reason is......I've been married for 39 years. If I want to make it 40 this year, it's not a good idea that I go! We have an old (incontinent) dog for whom I am the master. Also, my DH is no Disney fan. Add all of that up,, and I think it's wise that I take a pass.

The bib is a sunk cost. The 3 day PH is something that I can either use a different time, or maybe even try to sell to someone that does a DL race later in the year.

Oh well, at least I don't have to take the red eye back!

I know that was a tough decision to make, but it sounds like the right choice for you at this time.

 

[StarGirl11]

Add on to my post about chair etiquette from a duo racer that made a good point about dealing with some of the rest of the AWDS
Sometimes you will come up on duos (athlete being pushed by an ambulatory) or runners with guides marked appropriately. And they’ll be traveling together tightly in a group. Please for all that is holy go around do not try to go through them. We travel like that for a reason!

This is a safety issue for the athlete if you try separating them. What is an inconvenience to you can be a race ended to them if your say dealing with an athlete with balance issues and they get knocked over.

(This nearly happened to me more then once at NYC 21)

I get sometimes you have athletes traveling together because they are ignoring etiquette. But with disabled it can be literally a matter of safety for us. So again please if you see a pack like that marked appropriately please do not try to shove your way through

Thanks!

Also who was it that was needing reservation slots because I got some good news for yall via a group. This was current as of 30 minutes ago,

 

[lookingforsunshine]

I have missed a lot of this thread so my apologies if it has been discussed, but do we think they will do yoga if it is 40 degrees? I’m not sure I want to do yoga in 40 degrees lol.

 

[SarahDisney]

Also who was it that was needing reservation slots because I got some good news for yall via a group. This was current as of 30 minutes ago,

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!! Just got myself a DCA reservation (which is what I wanted).

 

[AmericanItGirl]

I’m fairly confident that they’ll have at least one Marvel character out. They’ve had Marvel runs in the past, so they should still have the backdrops/staging for Marvel character photo Ops. I’m just excited for characters period (it’s one of the main draws for me). I don’t even need to stop for photos with them, and I probably won’t out of fear of being swept by the balloon ladies. However, I’m running with my phone in my hand, so I plan on at least taking some photos of characters as I shuffle by.

 

[DLFun]

We will be in Disneyand soon! I am so excited! I will be doing the Half! Since it will be dark for the first few hours with a 5am start, are you brining a head lamp? I am trying to decide if I should bring one or not.
We got this team!!!!!