End of the race questions

[luvsTink]

Ok, so I am one of those over the top planners and I admit it.
Tell me about timing after the race. I expect to come in near the end. So what happens? I would like to get a couple "official pics" and also a couple with characters. Is there anything else that I should do? And, how are the lines? How long should I expect to spend before heading to the car? We will be getting on the Magic that afternoon, so I would like to have a pretty good idea on timing. Also, how is the traffic out of the Epcot area after the race?

Thanks!
Anne

 

[Zela]

Year before last I finished the marathon in 7 hours and 14 minutes. It was pretty much dead when I got there. There was maybe one character at the end. After you go across the last chip mat, there are "official" race photos right after you get your medal (they are in front of a board with the marathon logo on it). You probably won't have to wait in line if you are towards the end. I don't remember seeing any characters in the other marathon staging areas after the race.

 

[ultramickeymouse]

Usually not much time is spent in the finish area unless you are waiting for others or meeting friends. We usually walk through getting some water and food before walking through Epcot back to BWV. We never spent more than 10-15 minutes at the finish.

 

[Hockeychic]

last year DH finished at about the 6:50 mark and there was still lots of people cheering, food, water characters.

I will be at the back of the pack also, but as long as I cross that finishline up right I am OK with that

 

[cewait]

I would only add that you should take enough time in the finish area to ensure you are ok. 10-15 minutes is OK but if you have a blister, sore spot, cramp or other issue do take time to see the med tent. Better safe than sorry. I generally spend a good 30 minutes post race cooling down and doing my first round of stretching before leaving the secure area.

Traffic out is not all that bad with the exception of one marathon and I think that was an isolated issue for that year. Consider support/compression leggings/socks for the trip home if you are hopping a flight that afternoon/evening. Deep Vein Thrombosis can be an issue even in the healthiest of marathoners just after the event. Walk the aisles a couple time on the flight home.

 

[luvsTink]

Happily I am not jumping on a flight, but I am jumping on the Disney Magic!
Anne

 

[cewait]

Silly ME. I thought you had left off express!

My bad