Marathon questions!!

[10nis]

Hey
I am running the Disney Marathon in January, with my niece and husband. This is the first time running the marathon for us, although we are frequent Disney guests. We will be staying at BWI- deluxe concierge. We have some other family members joining us for the fun of Disney and to cheer us along the route.

I have been trying to figure out a way to avoid the early wake-up call -- from all that I have read, I have decided it is probably best just to get up early and take the bus over to the start. We will have a car available, so driving to the start is a possibility. I hesitate to do that d/t the traffic and also road closures that morning. Anyone with experience in driving to the start from a disney resort - please let me know this is a good alternative option to the early bus.

Also, after reviewing the information and race map, I can't determine if the race route by the Swan/ Dophin and Yacht/Beach Clubs is closed off to spectators. Will non-running guests be allowed to enter EPCOT using the World Showcase Entrance off of the Boardwalk that morning (once EPCOT opens at 9am)??

Thanks for any help you can give me! I want to soak up all the information I can about the marathon so we are adequately prepared. We have put so much effort & time into training and planning this trip-- I really hope that the run goes smoothly, from start to finish!!

 

[Deb & Bill]

Take the bus. It will be a very smooth trip. If you drive, you have a very good chance of getting stuck in the traffic. It is awful at 5AM in the morning, backed up for miles.

Your family members should be able to watch you run through the BW/YC/BC area if you want them to. However, unless they are faster than you, they won't see you finish.

My husband did the half last year, doing the full this year. You'd be very surprised at the number of spectators at 5AM at Epcot. The monorail is open to ride over from Epcot to the MK.

My husband caught the bus at 3:30AM. My son and I caught the bus at 4:45 AM to see the start of the race. The half doesn't run through the front of Epcot, but the full does.

I plan to see him run through the front of Epcot, throught MK, through AK, maybe along the road to WWoS and then back at Epcot. At least that's my plan now.

Hit the Expo at WWoS on Fri or Sat before the race. You can get some neat stuff there.