Marathon Weekend 2022

[The Expert]

TOT and RnR will both be open in DHS when the majority of runners get to the park. DHS opens at 9am. Sadly most years the park opened at 8am for EMH, but that doesn't appear to be the case per the current hours on Disney's site for this year. Looking at my 2020 spreadsheet shows that most of the runners aiming for a 4:20 or slower were the ones hitting DHS after 9am. So if you anticipate running faster than a 4:20 marathon, then you will be unlikely to ride RnR or TOT. When I make the spreadsheet for 2022, it'll give you a reasonably good idea of when you'll hit these milestones based on your estimated start time and estimated pace.

Finally, a perk for being Team Not-So-Fast!

 

[Oswald0827]

@DopeyBadger you rock - thank you!!
Your spreadsheets are amazing. I will keep watch for it to come out.

 

[Disney at Heart]

TOT and RnR will both be open in DHS when the majority of runners get to the park. DHS opens at 9am. Sadly most years the park opened at 8am for EMH, but that doesn't appear to be the case per the current hours on Disney's site for this year. Looking at my 2020 spreadsheet shows that most of the runners aiming for a 4:20 or slower were the ones hitting DHS after 9am. So if you anticipate running faster than a 4:20 marathon, then you will be unlikely to ride RnR or TOT. When I make the spreadsheet for 2022, it'll give you a reasonably good idea of when you'll hit these milestones based on your estimated start time and estimated pace.

I think those staying on property can now get into all parks 30 minutes before opening, so HS may be open for those guests at 8:30 even though “official” opening time is 9:00. If so, a few more can ride RnRC and ToT.

 

[Tall Todd]

I can't find any mention in the guide of what food will be on-course for the Marathon. Am I missing it someplace? Any insights?

 

[DisneyParrothead]

That's definitely a different 10K course. I've been visualizing the old course and need to shift gears. As long as I get to see Christmas lights, I'll be happy!

 

[Beeble]

I'm staying offsite at Universal for the first time. I'm nervous about the traffic getting in. The guide recommends getting off at Osceola Parkway West, but I'm afraid that they're just trying to shoehorn everyone going to the race on the same road. Would coming in on Buena Vista Drive work out better? If I had a ride, would being dropped off at TTC and taking the monorail be the easiest way to get in and avoid traffic? I still have PTSD from 2020 when I got on the bus with plenty of time to spare from OKW and still ended up getting to the start line late because of the horrible traffic management.

 

[WhereInFlorida]

I can't find any mention in the guide of what food will be on-course for the Marathon. Am I missing it someplace? Any insights?

For Wine and Dine they had Honey Stingers chews, and then would expect the usual banana stop and candy stop.

 

[StarGirl11]

I'm staying offsite at Universal for the first time. I'm nervous about the traffic getting in. The guide recommends getting off at Osceola Parkway West, but I'm afraid that they're just trying to shoehorn everyone going to the race on the same road. Would coming in on Buena Vista Drive work out better? If I had a ride, would being dropped off at TTC and taking the monorail be the easiest way to get in and avoid traffic? I still have PTSD from 2020 when I got on the bus with plenty of time to spare from OKW and still ended up getting to the start line late because of the horrible traffic management.

yeah the return of the Epcot loop has me concerned. I beat the back up by getting there between 2:30-3:00. But I really hope they learned from 2020 and the one lane situation.

also unrelated to your post but the dates listings are a complete mess

 

[sandam1]

I'm staying offsite at Universal for the first time. I'm nervous about the traffic getting in. The guide recommends getting off at Osceola Parkway West, but I'm afraid that they're just trying to shoehorn everyone going to the race on the same road. Would coming in on Buena Vista Drive work out better?

My experience has been to listen to what Disney tells you! They know the roads and road closures 1000x better than we do. They have things facilitated to move people most smoothly through the recommended route.

I've come from Universal for MW 2019 and Princess 2020 (and will be for this year as well) and I just left myself PLENTY of time to get into the parking lot. I remember leaving the hotel around 2 hours before start time. Once I was in the parking lot, I could relax - at least once I set the alarm on my phone, pushed the seat back and napped for a while - and do my pre-race prep (eat, hydrate, etc.). I don't see a recommended "be in the parking lot by x time" yet, but pad that time and you should be okay.

 

[StarGirl11]

My experience has been to listen to what Disney tells you! They know the roads and road closures 1000x better than we do. They have things facilitated to move people most smoothly through the recommended route.

I've come from Universal for MW 2019 and Princess 2020 (and will be for this year as well) and I just left myself PLENTY of time to get into the parking lot. I remember leaving the hotel around 2 hours before start time. Once I was in the parking lot, I could relax - at least once I set the alarm on my phone, pushed the seat back and napped for a while - and do my pre-race prep (eat, hydrate, etc.). I don't see a recommended "be in the parking lot by x time" yet, but pad that time and you should be okay.

Yeah the issue is the year they and I referenced. Disney messed with the traffic flow. We started almost 30 minutes late because they only had one lane going in because of the round in Epcot before shooting towards MK.

RunDisney is great but that year they messed up. Really hoping they have more then one lane open.

like for reference I was in a taxi around 2-2;30 and I had the same driver going back to my hotel due to how rD transports their disabled athletes. And he was talking about how it was already becoming a mess.

before 3 am

 

[jrsharp21]

I've come from Universal for MW 2019 and Princess 2020 (and will be for this year as well) and I just left myself PLENTY of time to get into the parking lot. I remember leaving the hotel around 2 hours before start time. Once I was in the parking lot, I could relax - at least once I set the alarm on my phone, pushed the seat back and napped for a while - and do my pre-race prep (eat, hydrate, etc.). I don't see a recommended "be in the parking lot by x time" yet, but pad that time and you should be okay.

Good strategy and what we have done also in the past. We never use Disney transportation for the race. We always drive the rental car over. We leave the hotel 2/2.5 hours before race start. Get into the parking lot and take a little nap before if possible. Sometimes hard to do with the anxiety/excitement build up. If the weather is nice, we will get out a little earlier and walk around. If it's cold, it's get out of the car at the last minute.

 

[CP3uhoh]

I was hoping they'd incorporate the DAK loop from Wine and Dine in one of the races but I'm sure the Everest 5k will be using that. Looking forward to touching every inch of Epcot

 

[sandam1]

Yeah the issue is the year they and I referenced. Disney messed with the traffic flow. We started almost 30 minutes late because they only had one lane going in because of the round in Epcot before shooting towards MK.

RunDisney is great but that year they messed up. Really hoping they have more then one lane open.

Correct me if I am wrong (I wasn't part of that Disney cluster), but didn't the race guide indicate rather strongly an advised time to be in the parking lot by x time with x being significantly earlier than in the past? Were the people who got there early okay or did everyone get caught up in it?

I would assume (and you know about what they say about that) that Run Disney has learned from their mistake.

 

[*DisneyDreamer]

Looks like the half course is still using the under construction overpass so hopefully it’s done on time!

Things are getting real and the realization that I’m actually signed up for Dopey

 

[GreatLakes]

I think they're trying to avoid putting us on Osceola Pkwy. So it's hard to add 4.5 miles to the course without going through EPCOT early. Hopefully a few more years time will help them avoid some of the logistical issues they faced in 2020 with transportation. But the course design does make that difficult. They could add the out/back on Western Way, but I think most would trade some crowding in EPCOT over the out/back of Western.

When I did the full in 2011 they looped through Epcot first and I don't recall any issues with traffic. I'm not sure what they did correctly in 2011 and incorrectly in 2020 but hopefully they dust off their notes from 2011 and fix it.

I'm going to try and build a GPX route in Garmin for this since I want to use PacePro that weekend. Once I do I'll make it public. I would prefer they actually post the GPX like some other races do, especially since no one can run or bike their course in advance to create it, but I might be able to find a 2020 course and edit it. As anyone that uses Garmin for courses knows sometimes the edit is not easy to use.

 

[StarGirl11]

Correct me if I am wrong (I wasn't part of that Disney cluster), but didn't the race guide indicate rather strongly an advised time to be in the parking lot by x time with x being significantly earlier than in the past? Were the people who got there early okay or did everyone get caught up in it?

I would assume (and you know about what they say about that) that Run Disney has learned from their mistake.

Check my other post. I am 100 percent on board with holding people accountable and I was in the taxi well before the advised time.

However the issue here is that the traffic started getting bad in a timing that even if you were on the bus before the advised time you might be in trouble. I got there early and there was a bit of traffic.

and by the time the taxi driver had turned around to go pick up other runners it was already getting bad. There words not mine

And this was all BEFORE the advised bus time.

Yes runners need to be responsible but rD needs to be realistic about getting them in also.

 

[lukemorenus]

Starts

All four races are showing 6 starting groups. That means for the most part that the 5k/10k start group assignment is simply your estimated pace with an extra group in there for some sort of spreading. Under 8 min pace = s1, 8-10 = s2, 10-12 = s3, 12-14 = s4, 14-16 = s5

View attachment 628521

The HM/M are similar.

View attachment 628522

View attachment 628523

Finish Line

View attachment 628524

5k

New 5k course for Marathon Weekend. It matches the 2021 Wine and Dine 5k course. Now includes Remy and Imagination/Land/Sea. Unlike 2020, you do get to run past the EPCOT ball.
View attachment 628526

10k

Completely new 10k course. I'm not finding anything similar since at least 2011. Far less EPCOT time compared to the normal 10k course (link). No Boardwalk, only Yacht/Beach Club. But you do get more DHS than you've been getting recently. Since DHS isn't open when the balloon ladies would clear it (6:00am start and 64 min to point = 7:04am). DHS opens at 9am per the Disney website. It seems like a smart idea. There's about 3.5 miles of highway time which is roughly the same as the old course as well.
View attachment 628529


HM

HM is almost the same as 2020. There is a small change in MK as you go back to the backside of Fantasyland (which 2020 shows you did not). With that being said, none of the mile markers are in different places post that change. So a little suspect. And then in 2022 you go past the EPCOT ball which you didn't do in 2020.
View attachment 628531

M

Mostly the same course as 2020. 2020 had backside Fantasyland, 2022 does not. BB out and back and then parking lot with no park time in 2022. Quick exit of DHS like in 2020. Closer to EPCOT ball in 2022, than 2020, but not like the classic finish in 2019.
View attachment 628532

I like the use of the 10k to get more DHS time that the M seems to have to avoid now a days.

Starting Group #6 for the marathon looks to be in danger of getting run over by the leaders, LOL

 

[dobball23]

If Marathon Weekend follows the W&D pattern, we won't know our bib number or starting group until bib pickup in January, right?

 

[GreatLakes]

If Marathon Weekend follows the W&D pattern, we won't know our bib number or starting group until bib pickup in January, right?

That is my understanding unless they made a change between W&D and now.

I just logged in and don't see my waiver where they said it would be so they are not there yet.

 

[StarGirl11]

I still have this in my camera roll but I feel like it shows the issue of that morning pretty well.




They created a choke point of one lane. And tried to get several thousand runners and spectators through it.

they need to widen the choke point to two lanes or else they risk a repeat

If Marathon Weekend follows the W&D pattern, we won't know our bib number or starting group until bib pickup in January, right?

Not knowing the SG till expo is normal. So I would say yes to that. Harder to say with the bib.