Marathon Weekend 2016

[DOOM1001]

I did the 2015 Goofy and am registered for the 2016 Dopey. I said that the Goofy was going to be my first, last, and only full marathon, but... Anyways, I see where Disney is tearing down the WDW Speedway and turning it into a parking lot. I'm wondering if the marathon course will change for 2016, or if the demolition/construction will be after next year's race. Going up on the Speedway and by all the cars was a great part of the course.

If I had to guess I think we'll be running the racetrack in January.It's not one of my favorite sections of the course but its another landmark to look forward to between MK and AK and maybe make that stretch feel shorter.

 

[rteetz]

If I had to guess I think we'll be running the racetrack in January.It's not one of my favorite sections of the course but its another landmark to look forward to between MK and AK and maybe make that stretch feel shorter.

According to the permit they hope to have the project finished by the end of 2015. I would guess by that the course is going to change this year. Also rumors are construction for DHS is supposed to start in September so that would be the backlot section of the course would also have to change.

 

[DOOM1001]

Since the Richard Petty experience is not closing until Aug 9th it gives them 5 months to start tearing the place down and not have the track available for the marathon.Looking at that scenario and how slow Disney works I put the chances of us running through the racetrack at 65%.Over at DHS with the lack of announcements I wouldn't be surprised if they're still trying to figure out what they're actually building.I know TOT was cancelled not for backlot construction but for a new theater that's replacing the Premier theater that's getting built next to TOT where the TOT 10 miler finish was located.

 

[rteetz]

Since the Richard Petty experience is not closing until Aug 9th it gives them 5 months to start tearing the place down and not have the track available for the marathon.Looking at that scenario and how slow Disney works I put the chances of us running through the racetrack at 65%.

The speedway has been closed since the death investigation from the deadly crash earlier this year. It's expected construction will start earlier than August 9th.

 

[UncleDave]

If I had to guess I think we'll be running the racetrack in January.It's not one of my favorite sections of the course but its another landmark to look forward to between MK and AK and maybe make that stretch feel shorter.

It certainly isn't as big a landmark as the water treatment plant, LOL! You are right, DOOM, that is a long stretch between MK and AK and definitely not one of my favorites either. But, still, I would hate to lose anything of interest along the way. Thinking about it after I posted my question; even if the racetrack is closed off, it would not take much at all to re-route that part of the course.

 

[derekleigh]

I'm curious how the marathon course will change too. I would hope it would mean more time in the actual parks instead of running a mile in a parking lot!

 

[DOOM1001]

The speedway has been closed since the death investigation from the deadly crash earlier this year. It's expected construction will start earlier than August 9th.

The exotic car driving experience is closed,the Richard Petty driving experience with the stock cars is opened until Aug 9th.The death happened in the exotic driving experience.

 

[UncleDave]

I'm curious how the marathon course will change too. I would hope it would mean more time in the actual parks instead of running a mile in a parking lot!

Me also, Derek. I am not a marathoner. The 2015 WDW was my first full marathon. I've been to WDW parks many times but it was my first time doing a RunDisney event. Even though I did 20+ runs in training I honestly had no idea how far 26.2 miles really was! It really helped that the course was so new, to me, and that I am a huge fan of anything Disney. I'm afraid though that without that, "first time newness," next year, those long road stretches and parking lots won't be nearly as, "magical."

 

[rteetz]

The exotic car driving experience is closed,the Richard Petty driving experience with the stock cars is opened until Aug 9th.The death happened in the exotic driving experience.

I thought the entire track has been closed since.

Just looked it up. You can book a ride along at the experience until august 8th. I still think they will change this part of the course for January.

 

[SunDial]

I had been wondering about the track. I can see us running on the track this year. I would like to see the entrance to the track at the same place as the exit. Ditch the tunnel entrance. That was one part I hated.

 

[DOOM1001]

I had been wondering about the track. I can see us running on the track this year. I would like to see the entrance to the track at the same place as the exit. Ditch the tunnel entrance. That was one part I hated.

Has anyone run that tunnel in wet weather,I have to imagine it would be somewhat dangerous.

 

[FFigawi]

Assuming the track is not available for the marathon, I see four options for rD to use for the course:

1. Go back to the old course and run through Epcot at the beginning. This would be the preferred option of the runners, but probably not rD because it would mean less or no time spent going through ESPN. They seem to like having that as part of the course, so unless they shorten the loop through Epcot or cut miles somewhere else, I don't see this option being chosen.
2. Add a half-mile out-and-back on Osceola after leaving ESPN. It would not be too hard for the course to turn right on Osceloa for a short bit to get in the required distance. This would not be an ideal solution for the runners because it'd be another boring highway stretch, but logistically it'd be fairly easy.
3. Tinker with the course at the margins to make up a little bit here and a little bit there and have no wholesale changes to the course. I don't see this as being very likely.
4. A new piece of the course that someone with more time than me to study the course will come up with.

 

[ANIM8R]

Me also, Derek. I am not a marathoner. The 2015 WDW was my first full marathon. I've been to WDW parks many times but it was my first time doing a RunDisney event. Even though I did 20+ runs in training I honestly had no idea how far 26.2 miles really was! It really helped that the course was so new, to me, and that I am a huge fan of anything Disney. I'm afraid though that without that, "first time newness," next year, those long road stretches and parking lots won't be nearly as, "magical."

I have three Disney marathons under my belt and - to me at least - there's been no loss of magic. Between the cast members, the crowds, the bands, and the on-course entertainment it has the most 'distractions' of any race I've run.

I liked all the classic cars on the racetrack but that incline down and then back up at the racetrack entrance was quite possibly my least favorite 100 foot stretch of the course.

I've never really minded the stretch between MK and AK. It's the stretch between AK and WWoS that I've had a tough time with....especially after that turn where they have the video screen. I always feel that the WWoS entrance is right around the corner but nope - it's still another couple of miles...and then all the people on the other side of the street that are already 5 or 6 miles ahead of you! Aaarggh!!!

Oh, well. It's still my favorite marathon course and the event I look forward to through all the summer runs!

 

[Barca33Runner]

I've never been a big fan of the racetrack portion of the course. It's not really any different from a regular stretch of highway to me; they could just put the classic cars along a different portion of the course and it would really be no different from my perspective. WWoS gets a pretty bad rap, but if the racetrack and WWoS switched position in the course I think there would be fewer complaints about WWoS and more about the racetrack.

I've only run the last three marathons, so I'm not sure what the old course constituted. If running through Epcot in the beginning would still allow for the same finish, I would be all for it. Coming into Hollywood Studios then down along the water and into the Boardwalk area before finishing in Epcot is my favorite part of the race. Really helps to harness whatever minimal reserve I have to keep moving toward the finish. Knowing that I am done with the highway is a pretty nice mental boost.

I think it is a necessity on any marathon course that there will be some areas where you are basically just getting in the miles, which is kind of how I viewed the racetrack. I imagine that whenever the racetrack is cut from the course it probably won't be in an effort to provide something new and exciting and will just lengthen a highway portion at some point in the race, but hopefully rD has a few tricks up their sleeves.

 

[SunDial]

I would n

Has anyone run that tunnel in wet weather,I have to imagine it would be somewhat dangerous.

I would never want to do that in the rain. It was bad enough dry. Now if they were to install a quick WEDway people mover Sorry it will never be the Tomorrowland Transit Authority for me

 

[RunDisneyDad]

I have mixed feelings about the Speedway, I didn't like going through the tunnel, which, btw was wet but there was such a bottleneck in there we were all basically walking anyway and it didn't really affect us. And, I didn't like that sharp turn to get you on the track, but after that I thought it was kind of cool to run around an actual NASCAR/Indy Car track and the cars and the spectators just added to it. I agree with what someone else said previously, it would have been nice to have everyone enter and exit in that same spot. Overall, I liked the Speedway much better than WWoS.

In looking at an aerial view of the speedway, I'm wondering if they'll just use the parking lot and road that are to the north and east of the track (same road/parking lot used before you enter the TC between miles 3 and 4 and then have runners jump transition Floridian Way before getting on the road that goes in front of the beloved sanitation facility. That's not much of a change, but at least accounts for the distance lost should the Speedway be gone by the time the marathon rolls around. Fingers crossed they'll come up with something creative!

 

[ANIM8R]

I have mixed feelings about the Speedway, I didn't like going through the tunnel, which, btw was wet but there was such a bottleneck in there we were all basically walking anyway and it didn't really affect us. And, I didn't like that sharp turn to get you on the track, but after that I thought it was kind of cool to run around an actual NASCAR/Indy Car track and the cars and the spectators just added to it.

<Off-topic for Disney> I don't know if this is a possibility for you but I ran the Indy Mini-Marathon (a half) in early May and it does a full lap (2.5 miles) on the Indy track. At most, I'm a casual race fan and I thought it was absolutely awesome running around that famous speedway. The entrance tunnel was much longer and much less steep than Disney.

Highly recommend that for any run-cationers.

 

[UncleDave]

Assuming the track is not available for the marathon, I see four options for rD to use for the course:

1. Go back to the old course and run through Epcot at the beginning. This would be the preferred option of the runners, but probably not rD because it would mean less or no time spent going through ESPN. They seem to like having that as part of the course, so unless they shorten the loop through Epcot or cut miles somewhere else, I don't see this option being chosen.

I wish they would change the course through the WWoS/ESPN area. I like some of it, the running track and baseball field, but there are too many tight turns, curbs, narrow spots, and changes in running surfaces in such a short span throughout the complex. I was pushed down in the crowd in one of the turns and limped in the last eight miles, or so.

 

[Barca33Runner]

I wish they would change the course through the WWoS/ESPN area. I like some of it, the running track and baseball field, but there are too many tight turns, curbs, narrow spots, and changes in running surfaces in such a short span throughout the complex. I was pushed down in the crowd in one of the turns and limped in the last eight miles, or so.

Sorry to hear about your crowding issue. I have yet to see someone go down during any of my runs, but I think I am the exception rather than the rule with all of the accidental stumbling/tripping opportunities out there.

My complaint with WWoS is mainly that you can really feel you are hitting virtually every square inch of that complex, unlike when you are in most of the parks. The parks portions are great and I get the logistical difficulties of the event, but all of the zigzags and out and backs inside the complex definitely feels like overkill.

 

[RunDisneyDad]

My complaint with WWoS is mainly that you can really feel you are hitting virtually every square inch of that complex, unlike when you are in most of the parks. The parks portions are great and I get the logistical difficulties of the event, but all of the zigzags and out and backs inside the complex definitely feels like overkill.

I agree with this, especially considering the fact when you exit WWoS you are right at mile 20 which itself has a psychological disadvantage.