How many of you are really getting out there at 4am?

[Daisy57b]

With the weather forecast, there is NO WAY I'm going to stand out there for an hour and a half before race start. I know there are a lot of people running, but I think it's insane to get there at that time - especially with the weather forecast.

So what time are you leaving your resort to get to the race start?

Thanks!

 

[BrianD]

I was thinking of being out there by 4:00 AM until I saw the 25 degree forecast for the race start this morning. Not that 30 was much warmer. The concern though is that everyone will have the same idea and that there could be a huge jam of people trying to get to Epcot, and some will end up being late. At this point I'm thinking of just camping out in a port-o-pottie.

 

[cewait]

I think that anyone who does not plan on getting on a bus by or before 4 am is playing with fire (hopefully you are correct and there will be a really hot fire to warm things up). This race WILL happen. Epcot Dr WILL close. People who do not get into the parking lot before it closes WILL MISS the race.

This IS part of running a marathon. This IS NOT the only marathon that has folks standing out and about for a couple hours in the weather. It is not the coldest marathon on record.

I will leave my resort around 3:15-3:30 as usual. Am I happy. No. Will I camp out in a Porta Pottie early in the wait? possibly. Will I hide in the heat pattern of the portable lighting, yes. Will I be out in the reunion area sharing stories about how cold it used to be and how far I had to walk to school when I was a kid. Sure.

 

[syko]

We are going to leave by 3:30.

The worst race for hanging around must be NYC??

 

[Daisy57b]

What time does Epcot Drive close? Does anyone know what time the monorail stops running? Are these both 4am?

I have run several races that have had 25k people running in them and have never had to be to the start so early. I honestly don't care if I'm the last person crossing the start line.

So you really have to be in the parking lot at 4am or on a bus or monorail at 4am?

Thanks for all the info.

 

[Duanerice]

I'll leave POP right around 4 am so I'll be there at 4:30 probably. That is really not that much time. Chat a bit, hit a porta potty or 2 then it will be time to go to the start.

I think the monorail is a bit different. if I was on the monorail I probably wouldn't leave so early. But, I tend to get nervous cutting it close but that's just me. I'd rather get there. Heck, I am going to be running for over 4 hours, what is another hour

You need to do what is right for you. Good luck.

Duane

 

[JoanneNC]

It comes with the territory signing up for a January race regardless of it being in Florida. There are too many runners to not spread out the transportation over 90 minutes or so. It won't be the highlight of the race but it won't ruin it for me either.

The last reliable bus will leave the resorts @ 4am to prepare to close the roads from 5-7. We were told from Disney when we thought we were staying off site and driving that we had to be in the parking lot by 4am. I suspect that the monorails do keep running..

 

[cewait]

What time does Epcot Drive close? Does anyone know what time the monorail stops running? Are these both 4am?

I have run several races that have had 25k people running in them and have never had to be to the start so early. I honestly don't care if I'm the last person crossing the start line.

So you really have to be in the parking lot at 4am or on a bus or monorail at 4am?

Thanks for all the info.

Last Bus leaves 4 AM per the race booklet. Will there be other busses after 4? Possibly but would you really want to bank you race on it? Monorail is a little different since it runs continuously.

Look up the NYC Marathon as one example of a lot of waiting time.

added You can always rent a car and use that for a weather shack

 

[ironz]

Umm....a little selfish to take up a portapotty to stay out of the elements, don't ya think?
There are way more runners than portapotties....and while I don't mind peeing outside, I am not standing in a non-moving line to poop before the race just because some people don't know to bring extra clothes to the start.

Bring plenty of throwaway clothes. Bring a garbage bag to keep the wind off. Maybe bring a little towel to sit on. Bring hand/feet warmers. But don't take up a portapotty like it's your own personal warming hut.

thanks

 

[BrianD]

Umm....a little selfish to take up a portapotty to stay out of the elements, don't ya think?
There are way more runners than portapotties....and while I don't mind peeing outside, I am not standing in a non-moving line to poop before the race just because some people don't know to bring extra clothes to the start.

Bring plenty of throwaway clothes. Bring a garbage bag to keep the wind off. Maybe bring a little towel to sit on. Bring hand/feet warmers. But don't take up a portapotty like it's your own personal warming hut.

thanks

I'm pretty sure it was all said tongue in cheek. I know won't be spending an hour in one. I'm just saying remembering from last year, it felt pretty nice in there. But when you think about part of why it's warmer in there, it's pretty gross. But don't think there won't be people doing it.

 

[cyberbox2]

I'm still in disbelief that I'll be driving 750 miles south to my sunny Florida just to be welcomed by the same miserable weather I left in Va. I know I need to get over it, but I need a break from this deep freeze, I'm drying up from the outside in!

 

[scoolover]

If you have a car get there early and take a nap in the car. If you are at a monorail resort, you can wait a bit but it will still be about a 30 minute walk to the start line from the monorail so factor that in. Hell, if I were in a monorail resort, I might get up at 7 and hop in mid race. ;-)

 

[Kirsty-Leigh]

Ok I know this question has been asked a million different ways but I wouls like to ask it another So I am staying at the All Star Movies and was going to take the bus both mornings, since we have a 3 yr old in the room, her mom was going to stay with her and drive to meet us when I finished, now because of the weather she has offered to drive me to the race in the morning so I can stay in the car to keep warm, how much extra time in the warmth do you think I will get??? Is it worth waking a 3 yr old up at 3AM for??? If its only a few more mins then I will just suck it up but if I get hours more then maybe it will be worth it???

Sorry to hijack the thread but I though it was along the same lines

thanks

Kirsty

 

[Honeibee]

I'm getting on the bus at 3:15am. I'll just be dressed appropriatly. You know, down coat, mittens, long underwear.... No way am I waiting until the last minute.

And Charles, I'm pretty sure it was up hill both ways walking to school in the winter. In short pants. At least, that's the way my dad tells it.

 

[syko]

Ok I know this question has been asked a million different ways but I wouls like to ask it another So I am staying at the All Star Movies and was going to take the bus both mornings, since we have a 3 yr old in the room, her mom was going to stay with her and drive to meet us when I finished, now because of the weather she has offered to drive me to the race in the morning so I can stay in the car to keep warm, how much extra time in the warmth do you think I will get??? Is it worth waking a 3 yr old up at 3AM for??? If its only a few more mins then I will just suck it up but if I get hours more then maybe it will be worth it???

Sorry to hijack the thread but I though it was along the same lines

thanks

Kirsty

My Dd is 3 and she hates having to get out of bed and come to the races. This will be the first race when she gets to stay at home!!!

I would let her sleep if I was you, do you want a cranky kind later around the parks?

 

[Duanerice]

Kristy,
That was my thought when I was thinking about driving over. I would save probably 30 min at the most.

I'll get to the bus stop at the resort around 4 am and get to EPCOT around 4:30 (after waiting for a few busses).

Go to the meeting areas and talk to a few folks. I have 3 groups I want to say Hi to. Intermingled with that are a few porta potty breaks. By now it is at least 5:15 and I need to get to the corral if not sooner.

If I was to drive my car and not meet with anyone I would probably still leave my car no later than 5:00 am to stop at a porta potty and make my way to the corral. But, I wouldn't have to leave the resort until 4:30 so there is an extra 30 minutes back in the room.

I'm taking the bus.
enjoy,
Duane

 

[Kirsty-Leigh]

Kirstie - She does pretty good on the whole crankyness thing but your right better to avoid it if at all possible I am probably going to be cranky at the end of the weekend so its better if its only one of us

I am trying to talk my DF into letting me drive her truck, I am normally not allowed but we cant fit everything in my car for the drive down (the dog, kid and my running stuff will sure take up a lot of room!!!) so we have to take the truck, but she might let me borrow it just this once

Kirsty

 

[Emmabean2000]

I am staying offsite with my parents, and have decided to leave the kids at home while I run. They are a bit older, 9 and 8, and coming from Wisconsin, they are at least used to the cold. But, it is a vacation, and I know while I am running I would be wondering how cold they were and feeling guilty that they are out there to see me run past for all of 2 minutes in the MK. Since I will be driving in, I am going to come early and sit in my car with the heater cranked until I have to walk to the corral. Call it my "National Car Retreat." Breakfast will consist of powerbars and left over snacks that the kids dropped in the backseat. No sharpie station, but maybe an old pencil and a few dot to dot games. I will only charge $50....

 

[syko]

Kirsty If you can find us you are more than welcome to sit in our car.

 

[Kirsty-Leigh]

Kirstie - Thanks for the offer, I will finalize my plans and then get back to you if that is ok??? If I can help it I don't want to wake the kiddo up.

Ps I hope the head is feeling better

Emma - If the temps drop any lower I think you might have some people taking you up on that offer!!!

Kirsty