General Disney Marathon Questions!

[nataliela]

I am so glad I found this board!

I plan on doing the Disney Marathon in Jan. 2010. This will be my first full. I started running seriously last November(‘07) and have done 2 5k’s and a 10k this year. I plan on doing the Mardi Gras ½ marathon in New Orleans this upcoming February(’09). I read through these threads and still have a couple of detailed questions for you Disney running experts!

-Are there any special codes or discounts offered to runners on the marathon weekend? I read that a large group of runners stay at CSR- is there a certain reason for that?

-What are the red and blue start lines segregated by- Estimated finish time( ex- red corral is expected to finish faster than blue)? Or just random assignment?

-How long should I plan to be at the expo for?

-Does Disney provide snacks along the route, such as licorice and trail mix?
-What kind of entertainment is along the route?

-Is it easy or hard to family and friends to spot you when you finish or is it super crowded? My husband has visions of drinking margaritas at Mexico and raising his glass to me when I pass

-What activities go on at the after party? Are there activities for kids? What type of food? Alcohol? Are the parties the same for the 1/2 and the full?

-Also, I have a friend who wants to do the ½ Disney the day before- Do yall know historically what date registration opens and how fast it filled up this year? I would hate for her to miss it!

Thanks again- I look forward to your responses!

 

[wtpclc]

-Are there any special codes or discounts offered to runners on the marathon weekend? I read that a large group of runners stay at CSR- is there a certain reason for that?

There is a thread here about marathon codes being out.

-What are the red and blue start lines segregated by- Estimated finish time( ex- red corral is expected to finish faster than blue)? Or just random assignment?

WHther you start in red or blue is pretty much random. Corrals are assigned by time, but I think they stagger. Fastest corral red, 2nd fastest, blue, 3rd fastes, red..... Just a guess

-How long should I plan to be at the expo for?

Depends on how crowded it is. Porbably 30 min to get your packet and chip adn another 30 to 60 to get your shirt adn wander teh expo.

-Does Disney provide snacks along the route, such as licorice and trail mix?

The map shows where there are "food" stops. Usually it's Gu or bananas. hey have soem candy, but it's been known to run out.

-What kind of entertainment is along the route?

Characters, cheerleaders, HS drum squads, people doing the hula...

-Is it easy or hard to family and friends to spot you when you finish or is it super crowded? My husband has visions of drinking margaritas at Mexico and raising his glass to me when I pass

Depends on when you finish. There are tents beyond teh finish divided by letters (A-d, E-h....) to help you meet up. Dependign on how fast you are, WS may not be open when you go through (opens at 11), so you have to be alittle slower fro dh to get that magarita.

-What activities go on at the after party? Are there activities for kids? What type of food? Alcohol? Are the parties the same for the 1/2 and the full?

I've never been

-Also, I have a friend who wants to do the ½ Disney the day before- Do yall know historically what date registration opens and how fast it filled up this year? I would hate for her to miss it!

Registration opens the day after teh full marathon. I think half registration closed in late Feb this year. That's the fastest I've ever seen.

BTW, join us on teh weekly thread and tell us about your training!

 

[Cruella de mom]

Hi I will only answer the questions that didn't get answered previously or that I have a different answer for!

-Is it easy or hard to family and friends to spot you when you finish or is it super crowded? My husband has visions of drinking margaritas at Mexico and raising his glass to me when I pass

OOO!!! I have a job for him!!! I am looking for a volunteer to buy me a maragarita and have it waiting for me. I tried to get one this year and they wouldn't sell me one! Seriously though, My sisters missed me as I ran through magic kingdom but they caught me at Animal kingdom, mile 20 and just past Mexico.

-What activities go on at the after party? Are there activities for kids? What type of food? Alcohol? Are the parties the same for the 1/2 and the
full?
Um, the finish line is in a big parking lot with NO seating. It can be a miserable place for those with children as there is almost nothing to do or see except runners. I usually tell people to plan to keep their stay at the finish line short if they are bringing little kids.

The After Party is basically free admission to Pleasure Island on Sunday night so you can pay for your drinks. No kids allowed. However, if you run with TNT, they have a rocking after party that the whole family can enjoy.

-Also, I have a friend who wants to do the ½ Disney the day before- Do yall know historically what date registration opens and how fast it filled up this year? I would hate for her to miss it!

It opens the morning after the full. It filled up in about a month this year. I am sure someone remembers the exact dates. There are still registrations available for the 2009 Half marathon through some of the travel agencies like Anthony travel. Or you can run for a charity like TNT or CHADD. I think there is a list on the disney sports website.

 

[ultramickeymouse]

-Also, I have a friend who wants to do the ½ Disney the day before- Do yall know historically what date registration opens and how fast it filled up this year? I would hate for her to miss it!

Thanks again- I look forward to your responses!

The 09 1/2 filled on 3/10/08(almost 2 months). The 08 1/2 filled on 6/1/07.

The quickest was in 2003 which filled in just 22 days

Disney started a new practice of raising all races rates on 3/1. My advice, sign up early to make sure you geta spot and save a few dollars