How dose it work

[brittanyherndon]

I have to know how the Disney Marathon work do they close the park for it or does it happen before the park open

 

[tegdig]

It's pretty much over by the time the parks open. they do have characters and bands and things along the way for the runners though.

 

[PanamaMike]

The year I went on marathon day, I was at Epcot.
They put out pylons to mark the path.
I was in World Showcase late morning and runners were still going through and guests were cheering and clapping as they went by.

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

They don't close the park. I'm not really sure of hte route, but I remember the years I was there for it and other events like the Danskin Women's Triathlon they did reroute some of the backstage traffic at MK. I always had to leave a little early on those days because of having to detour around the participants.

 

[brittanyherndon]

txs for the info

 

[FireDancer]

There are roads that are closed and stay closed but the parks open at the posted time. For the half it is almost finished by the time Epcot opens and I am pretty sure the minimum time will expire at MK before it opens. The full has a longer window but I think they will be out of MK or swept before opening time. There is a chance that there will be some back of the packers in AK but for the most part it is only Epcot that will have a lot of runners going through on Sunday after the normal opening.

If you are staying on-site you will get a list of road closures a day or two before on your doorknob (at least I did in 2006 and 2008). If you are off site you can stop by any resort and ask for a copy. I don't see why they wouldn't give you one.

 

[BelleWDW]

The year I went on marathon day, I was at Epcot.
They put out pylons to mark the path.
I was in World Showcase late morning and runners were still going through and guests were cheering and clapping as they went by.

neato! I never knew they ran thru the parks!

 

[Deb in IA]

The WDW Marathon, all 26.2 miles, goes through all 4 parks, the Boardwalk, and many backstage areas.

Since it starts at 6 am, most of the runners are through by the time the parks open. However, since it finishes in the Epcot parking lot, you may still see runners coming down the World Showcase, through Future World, and finishing at the parking lot.

 

[puffkin]

We did the half 2 years ago. MK was not open when we went through and anyone straggling would have been swept off the course by the time it opened. We were towards the back of the pack (we are not runners, just did it for the experience) and Epcot was open when we went through. It was pretty neat to see all the people cheering us on. Our main goal was to finish in the alloted time and we did, but just barely. Lots and lots of roads are closed though.

 

[brittanyherndon]

I am thinking it sounds like a lot of fun and a fun way to get in shap before my weding

 

[FireDancer]

I am thinking it sounds like a lot of fun and a fun way to get in shap before my weding

I assure you, it is a lot of fun. I've done 2 halves and will be doing the full in 2011. There will be a thread on the W.I.S.H. boards once we get a little closer to the race. If you are thinking about doing the half keep an eye on the registration site. The race filled in April last year.