Happy Haunted 5K Trail Run - 2013

[Mikelly1221]

Anyone else out there participating?

 

[cewait]

Count me in. I am running both races that weekend.

 

[Mikelly1221]

Hi! Glad I'm not alone here!

Does anyone know if its possible to walk/run the trail prior to the race? I live not far from Disney and I'd like to try it out before.

 

[cewait]

No...Generally, the WWoS is treated like a park and for many events the turnstiles are manned and require a form of admission. Even if you do find a day when you can get into the WWoS area, the trail sections are gated so going there is out of the question.

 

[mommy2lt]

I am doing the 5k, and the kids are doing the kids races We actually extended out vacation by 1 day to do this.

 

[Mikelly1221]

No...Generally, the WWoS is treated like a park and for many events the turnstiles are manned and require a form of admission. Even if you do find a day when you can get into the WWoS area, the trail sections are gated so going there is out of the question.

I was afraid of that...oh well!

 

[ssdeverell]

I posted this on the 10 miler thread, but thought I would ask here, too.

I have a few questions about the 5K for those running it or that did last year.

1) Is the start time 7:30 or 8:00? It is listed as both on the runDisney website.
2) People dress up for this one even though it is a short run, right?
3) Does anyone remember the characters from last year?
4) Will my family be able to watch? Should they just go over on the bus with me that morning?
5) Speaking of buses, how early should I catch a bus that morning?
6) I saw where someone said their shoes were ruined from this race last year. Any feedback on that?

Sorry for all of the questions, but the website really does not give a lot of information for the 5K and I am a planner.

Thank you!

 

[ChallengeFlag]

I posted this on the 10 miler thread, but thought I would ask here, too.

I have a few questions about the 5K for those running it or that did last year.

1) Is the start time 7:30 or 8:00? It is listed as both on the runDisney website.
2) People dress up for this one even though it is a short run, right?
3) Does anyone remember the characters from last year?
4) Will my family be able to watch? Should they just go over on the bus with me that morning?
5) Speaking of buses, how early should I catch a bus that morning?
6) I saw where someone said their shoes were ruined from this race last year. Any feedback on that?

Sorry for all of the questions, but the website really does not give a lot of information for the 5K and I am a planner.

Thank you!

1) Last year I believe the start time was 7:30, and the start was actually delayed because the sun had not risen enough to safely light the trail.
2) I saw plenty of costumes/tulle skirts.
3) Gravediggers, Halloween Mickey (can't recall any other characters - 5ks aren't usually character heavy). There was some theme lighting, themed areas and lots of themed BGM.
4) They can hang out near the starting line and hang out in the field area during the race, then cheer you on at the finish line. Since it is a trail run (and mostly backstage at that), there are no other safe areas for spectator viewing. This is standard for a Disney 5k.
5) Can't give any insight on this. I'm a local.
6) Mud mud mud mud dirt and mud. And leaves. And mud. That's the basic outcome of a trail run. It's entirely different from standard 5k road races. That was my first trail run and probably my last due to the elevated risk of injuries from uneven trail terrain.

 

[Mikelly1221]

Great questions and answers...I'm taking notes! Is the trail hard packed dirt or more sandy, looser?

If anyone could answer about the buses, that would be great.

 

[cewait]

Actually, last year's race was a 0700 start and delayed from there... Expect the 0730 to be the time; unless you are planning a reservation after, then plan on 0800. I see the dueling times. Its interesting as the place where the 5k start is listed as 0730, the kids race is 0930& then on the second tab where the 5k is listed to start at 0800, the kids race is listed as 0900. I would lean to the times as 0730 and 0930

With a 0730 start, the busing will usually start 0530 with Disney asking you to be on a bus no later than 0630.

With regard to soil... it's sand or sandy loam. One of the sections has a gravelly top to it. Usually the soil is hard packed with a loose surface. I find it rather easy to run on.

It is a trail run, so be forewarned, there are bumps and surface irregularities. If well trained should be no issue on this track.

 

[ssdeverell]

Thank you for all of the answers. I asked runDisney and just heard back that the start time is 7:30.

 

[tiki23]

My sis is the Red Queen, DD is Alice and I am the White Rabbit. Love to have fun on the 5ks!

 

[ssdeverell]

I will be dressed as the Queen of Hearts. I am so excited but my DD6 is not too happy with my knee socks.

 

[mommy2lt]

I will be Buzz Lightyear

 

[ChallengeFlag]

Actually, last year's race was a 0700 start and delayed from there... Expect the 0730 to be the time; unless you are planning a reservation after, then plan on 0800. I see the dueling times. Its interesting as the place where the 5k start is listed as 0730, the kids race is 0930& then on the second tab where the 5k is listed to start at 0800, the kids race is listed as 0900. I would lean to the times as 0730 and 0930

With regard to soil... it's sand or sandy loam. One of the sections has a gravelly top to it. Usually the soil is hard packed with a loose surface. I find it rather easy to run on.

It is a trail run, so be forewarned, there are bumps and surface irregularities. If well trained should be no issue on this track.

Thanks for setting me straight on the time - that part was a little fuzzy to me.
I did have trouble running the trail, and it wasn't due to a lack of training. It was due to it being a trail. It's easier for me to incur an injury due to a pre-existing condition, and while I finished with no injuries, I saw two within the first .50 mile. If you're not used to that surface, a race isn't the place to try it out for the first time. So, that was a learning experience for me.
Hopefully the rest of the trail runners have fun with the experience - it really is a unique opportunity!

 

[mommy2lt]

Ugh..... I don't know why some of that didn't dawn on me when I heard "trail run". I am guessing I shouldn't wear my best shoes then ?

 

[cewait]

Thanks for setting me straight on the time - that part was a little fuzzy to me.
I did have trouble running the trail, and it wasn't due to a lack of training. It was due to it being a trail. It's easier for me to incur an injury due to a pre-existing condition, and while I finished with no injuries, I saw two within the first .50 mile. If you're not used to that surface, a race isn't the place to try it out for the first time. So, that was a learning experience for me.
Hopefully the rest of the trail runners have fun with the experience - it really is a unique opportunity!

Didn't mean to throw a stone with the well trained comment; it was meant as an encouragement to those who are thinking of running this year. If one has never run on an irregular surface, the small bumps and irregularities of this track may create some issue.

Simply running 1-2 miles along the side of a paved trail (in the small worn area than is normally present) can simulate the technical nature of this run. It is not sidewalk flat...but as far as trail runs go,it is rather mild. No roots, stones or hills to speak of. It's more a cross country trail than a trail run.

 

[Mikelly1221]

For the trail condition, I'm envisioning a hard packed dirt road...am I close?

 

[cewait]

Its mostly compacted soil and what I would call a wide single track or little used back road. Technically, the soil here in Florida is really sand. Nothing like running a beach as it is firm as dirt (sorry for the detail but I am an engineer as well as a coach and I have projects that dig in the stuff). When you look at the course, you see that the course has a mix of surfaces. There is also grass, about a hundred yards of graveled road, some concrete and a loop of the track.

Here is a course map.

http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/fullscreen/276021203/

 

[tiki23]

It's not really a trail; it's more like a gravel road. If you have weak ankles or trouble with lateral moves in your knees, you might want to tape up, but honestly, it will be a non-issue for most people. You can always slow down and walk it; it's not a timed event anyway - it's a fun run!