Marathon Weekend 2019

[Keels]

I’m sure we’re in corral A.

I'm going to have to waste a LOT of time to achieve my 5K goal of finishing last.

 

[CDKG]

Hmm ... I'm really curious how many 5k runners there are. With only 3 corrals, I might be in corral A ... but only if there are over 5000 runners or more (even then, I might be B, but less than that I'm definitely B ... if you assume approximately an even distribution of runners).
Even with a smaller than usual field, there are probably over 5000 5k runners, right?

Maybe the 5k bibs start at 70,000? Just looking for a head start on those character photos!

 

[Sleepless Knight]

D**n FOMO.

D**n me seeing this late (for me.. ikr).

D**n, what do you call the Oswald/half challenge?

The SleeplessKnight used to be terrified of running a 5K and Half on back to back days because he feared it would destroy his chances of finishing the half challenge? And yet now I've run 4 10K/Half Challenge races, will run Dopey next month, and have a Half Marathon followed by a 5K later that same day next year coming.

Tempting.....

For those who have done the 5k in the past, what time were you back at your room? My one hesitation is it delaying our start to the day (heading to MK that day)....

I ran this year's Dark Side 5K in over 90 minutes plus I had to get something I had lost on the course at lost and found. We had 9:40 ADRs at Be Our Guest. We got done back to POFQ from Epcot at about between 8:00 and 8:30 and yes we made our 9:40 ADR in the MK using Disney transportation with time to spare and both my sister and I showered and all that good stuff.

So now my gut is saying I'll be running solo since I really don't want to be forced to walk due to crowding. Am I being selfish?

I think it depends on the race experience you desire in comparison to the race experience your friend wants. My little sister and I have run 6 races together. We have an understanding that we race at what we feel like on that day. On one occasion, I had a better corral than her and we started from our respective corrals.

I don’t think it is selfish, I think it is a question of what kind of fun you want and that is different for everyone. That said, i was feeling a little guilty when I thought my friend may be in a corral behind as I am faster and it is my first half so I sort of want to see how it goes on my terms- so I get your feelings and continue to struggle with this myself.

In my opinion, you need to evaluate what you want out of these kinds of races and proceed accordingly. We pay a lot of money for the runDisney experience and if that means if a runner wants to stop for every character, they should do that and not feel guilty. I do think a runner should clearly tell their friends what the expectations are so that each runner can decide for themselves what kind of race they want to have.

I stop for photos in runDisney races and lots of photos in Star Wars races. My little sister only stopped for Ewoks and the speeder bikes in this year's Dark Side Half. We each enjoyed the race for what we got out of it.

But I also love stopping for pictures and love running at my speed which I'm now scared will not be possible from H. hmmmmmmm.
Anyone have this scenario and would like to let me know what they decided and how it went?

In 2017, I really disliked the Dark Side corrals. They grouped all over 3 hour finishers in the last corral. I had concerns that this might impact my ability to stop as often as I wanted to since both the Dark Side Challenge and Kessel Run/10th Anniversary Coast to Coast were on the line and I did not want to be swept with those on the line. As it turned out, I got more photos than I ever have before in a race and learned firsthand how they warn you about being swept without actually being swept. I was pleasantly surprised at how the lines were 5-10 minutes for the most popular characters instead of the 20-30 minutes conservatively speaking I usually see at Disneyland character stops for the most popular.

My friend is G. So now I think I'll just find out what she wants to do and be zen and go with that. If there really is that many less people, then maybe G won't be so bad and having company will offset it.

Whatever you decide, make your peace with it beforehand and I think you'll enjoy the experience for what it is a whole lot more.

F is usually the biggest. Looks like H is up there to this year. I would try to get to the first wave of F and you should be fine.

Add me to the list of corral F. I'm happy as it's not the last corral. I told them I estimated a sub 6 hour finish so that's where they put me. My trick will be since I'll be on the slower end of that corral, I need to make sure I'm very respectful of the runners who are on the faster end of that corral.

 

[cavepig]

My friend and I have PoTs that are 35 seconds apart. I'm in the first 20 bibs of C and she's in the middle of D for Goofy, so that part is way off.

weird, Can she see if they'll change her corral ?

 

[SarahDisney]

Maybe the 5k bibs start at 70,000? Just looking for a head start on those character photos!

Yep, they do.
For the 5k and 10k (which starts at 60,000), I tend to ignore the first number and look at the last 4.
My last 4 could be A or B, depending on the size of the field. I think.

 

[Leeroy Jenkins]

I'll be running the Dopey from Corral F. First runDisney event (aside from virtual running shorts) and did not have a PoT to submit, although I expect to be around the 4 hour mark.

Would it be too crowded for me to find my own pace if I plan on keeping 9min/miles, or after the first mile or so it should be less crowded?

Also, is there a corral placement for the 5/10k? (I read there's only 3) so is it first come, first corral, or also based on time?

Thanks!! Can't wait to meet you all in person in a few weeks!!

 

[PrincessV]

Spectator Question... Is it realistic to have my husband spectate in DHS and then make it to the finish line in time to see me finish? I'm guessing I should for sure be <45 min between the 2 spots. How does one get from DHS to the finish line? Take the Epcot bus?

Is there an EP bus from DHS? I thought the only option was boat. This would be really tough unless he has park admission to go through EP, in which case he could walk to the back entrance of EP, walk through the park, exit and walk to the finish. That could probably be done in about 20 minutes if he really hustles.

I also have no idea what to wear for the marathon, which is very unlike me. I don't think I'll wear shorts... but is it going to be too warm for long sleeves?? Is it a faux pas to re-wear a shirt made for another rD weekend? Maybe I should get a sparkle skirt?

Well, this year I started off in a tank, under a long sleeve tech shirt, under a fleece jacket, under a blanket, and tights under sweatpants. I finished in a tank and tights, but had the long sleeve shirt back on within 10 mins of finishing because I got chilled. in 2016 I wore a tank and skirt the entire race. It's anyone's guess!

So a max of 18k for full, 15k for half

Last there was 20091 finishers for the full and 20816 for the half

The courses should be much more manageable!

Best news I've heard yet!

Maybe the 5k bibs start at 70,000? Just looking for a head start on those character photos!

Safe assumption, as the 10K starts with 60001 and Half starts with 40001 and goes through the 50000s.

 

[PrincessV]

Apparently "D" was for keep on Dreaming Princess V! F it is for the marathon.

 

[cavepig]

Is there an EP bus from DHS? I thought the only option was boat. This would be really tough unless he has park admission to go through EP, in which case he could walk to the back entrance of EP, walk through the park, exit and walk to the finish. That could probably be done in about 20 minutes if he really hustles.

There is a bus. I thought of the walking too but won't it be crowded with all the runners to make good time. I'm trying to picture regular guests walking on the path when we run and can't.

 

[huskies90]

Corral B for Goofy as expected. My half marathon POT in November would have put me in A.

 

[ScooterScott44]

@DustyWA I’ll see you in A. But doing Dopey so it will not be race effort by marathon day.

ETA - Got bib 5 for Castaway Cay, but DS and DW are 6 and 7 so I don’t think this is seeded.

Quick observation on the corrals and start. Does anyone anticipate that the decrease in numbers will impact the cut on the back end. So does that mean the final wave will get running only 30 minutes behind the 5:30 start, as opposed to 45 minutes later? If the balloon ladies get going that much earlier, the cushion on the back end could be slimmer than in the past.

 

[PrincessV]

There is a bus. I thought of the walking too but won't it be crowded with all the runners to make good time. I'm trying to picture regular guests walking on the path when we run and can't.

Hard to explain, but there is a second "path" just to the right and sort of above the path we run - it's technically more of a service road, but is what's used for non-race foot traffic when a race is using the regular path.

 

[mankle30]

In Corral E for the marathon, as expected (Bib# 33xx). Just wondering how we find out 5k bib numbers?

 

[StarGirl11]

F pretty much what I expected. Especially after the double whammy that was jet lag and heat at Berlin killing my shot at PoTing. One of these days I swear I’m going to PR on a fast course...Maybe I should look into running the Colorado Marathon next year. That’s supposed to be a fast course.

And yeah both of my PRs this year came on hilly courses. First at Colfax with the 4 mile uphill. And then again at NYC. After bonking at the half way. Just not fast enough after the honk to get in sub 5:30. Though at least I don’t have the six plus moniker hanging over my head anymore.

 

[SarahDisney]

In Corral E for the marathon, as expected (Bib# 33xx). Just wondering how we find out 5k bib numbers?

They're on the bottom of the waiver. Theres a link to waivers above (and in the email runDisney sent out today which you may or may not have received)

 

[StarGirl11]

In Corral E for the marathon, as expected (Bib# 33xx). Just wondering how we find out 5k bib numbers?

You can look at the waivers but they don’t post corrals for 5k in advance.

 

[ScooterScott44]

Hard to explain, but there is a second "path" just to the right and sort of above the path we run - it's technically more of a service road, but is what's used for non-race foot traffic when a race is using the regular path.

It sounds like you are referencing the service road/backstage for the Boardwalk villas. That only extends up to the tennis courts so from the studios to that point there is no route other than the path that is usd by the marathon.

 

[JBinORL]

I missed corral A by 2 friggin' bib numbers

 

[BigEeyore]

Running Goofy from Corral C as expected!

The numbers definitely seem to be way down compared to last year...

 

[SarahDisney]

I took the bus from DHS to Epcot during the marathon in 2016.
Also, if anyone curious, there are buses from DHS to the Swolphin. So if your plan is to mini golf on marathon morning, you can get to DHS and go from there.
#LifeExperiences