Marathon Weekend 2023

[Ariel484]

The 10k course is the same one we ran for SS. I'm slightly disappointed we don't get to run through HS, since I've never gotten to do that course, and what we get during the full is basically nothing (understandably so because of when we run through it, though.)

I’m a little bummed about that too, I was looking forward to that especially with the holiday decorations.

 

[accm]

I’m disappointed by the fact that most of the races won’t be going under/by Spaceship Earth.
I also wish the marathon would spend more time in AK and HS. If they used the AK course from the 2021 W&D half, and added GE to HS, the BB section could be shorter. I get it from parks operations, but they somehow manage it at Epcot.

 

[kidmd]

I don't know that I would characterize folks so much as "TeamBB" as I would call them "Team Not WWoS". The BB loop leaves a lot to be desired and I wish they would find another way to make up the mileage. I just don't want them to revert back to WWoS for a variety of reasons. I like the shift of the MK and non-Epcot parks to later in the race, as I think it balances the course better.

I preferred the old course through WWOS. I don't like the beginning where after 4 miles you are right back at the start line. I find that kind of depressing. Also, in 2019, I was able to arrive at AK about 10-15 minutes before park opening and was able to ride Everest at mile 13 before the lines formed. Now by the time I get to Everest, which is now about mile 16, I think, it's too late. I don't think they will ever bring back the course through WWOS because of the traffic problems it caused on Osceola Parkway.

 

[GollyGadget]

Anyone have any spectator tips?
Is it accurate that I'd be running right in front of the start line viewing around mile 4.5?
I know TTC, MK, Poly are all fairly accessible (as long as one is willing to wake up early) but are there any spots after that which don't require a park ticket?

Sorry for the barrage of questions, trying to make a plan for my family who is used to me doing the wdw navigation

 

[jennysdcc]

Biggest thing I’m noticing is this Marathon map has no food stops at mile 9 and just before HS - Cutting the famous candy stop? I know most of us have our fueling on us but plan accordingly for 2 less fuel stops unless the final map says otherwise!

 

[pluto377]

So I'm not that familiar with the roads, but I'm staying at Wilderness Lodge and need to leave for the airport around 8:30 on Sunday morning. How hard will this be with the marathon course?

 

[Let's Get Kronk]

What is a TNT send off meeting?

I'm raising money and running as part of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Team In Training, which they abbreviate to TNT (which makes sense given the actual acronym created there ).

 

[The Expert]

I preferred the old course through WWOS. I don't like the beginning where after 4 miles you are right back at the start line. I find that kind of depressing. Also, in 2019, I was able to arrive at AK about 10-15 minutes before park opening and was able to ride Everest at mile 13 before the lines formed. Now by the time I get to Everest, which is now about mile 16, I think, it's too late. I don't think they will ever bring back the course through WWOS because of the traffic problems it caused on Osceola Parkway.

I rode Everest in 2020 when it was at this same location on the course. I did have the foresight to book a FP for the window I thought I'd be there, but people in line were letting racers cut in without much issue. They also had the single rider line open and CMs were pulling runners to the front of that, too. So if your timing works and you have buffer, you'll likely still be able to ride it pretty quickly if you want.

 

[Baloo in MI]

I’ve heard things about the north country trail 50k out of wellston, mi. Might try to get DH to hike it with me this summer and decide if I’m insane enough to think about signing up for it. Downside is I think it’s in august

For what it is worth, a few years back I ran several ultras around Michigan and these three all offer the 50k distance and were all really good - organized well, good support and fun!
- The Trail Marathon (has half and 50k), in Pinckney around April or May
- Grand Island Trail Marathon & 50k, in Munising in June or July
-Run Woodstock, full weekend of everything from 5k to 100 miles, in Pinckney late August

My absolute favorite was Grand Island. You get boated to an island off of Munising and the race circles the island. It is so beautiful with incredible views of Lake Superior. It is challenging, but not to hillya nd they provide an hour early start for folks that would like the extra time. Really pretty medal too. I hope to do that one again in 2024.

 

[MissLiss279]

So I'm not that familiar with the roads, but I'm staying at Wilderness Lodge and need to leave for the airport around 8:30 on Sunday morning. How hard will this be with the marathon course?

If the route is like last year, it looks like you would be able to get out okay, but you would probably have to take Vista Blvd out to get to I-4?? Once the event guide comes out, we should be able to see what times and which roads will be closed.

 

[Goofed98]

Not running this year, but I really hope that for '24, some of the construction is complete and they can re-route.

The course through blizzard beach was pretty blah, imo. I liked circling through AK, that stretch along Osceola before WWos, and finishing with a trip around the World Showcase.

 

[Jillfo]

I’ve heard things about the north country trail 50k out of wellston, mi. Might try to get DH to hike it with me this summer and decide if I’m insane enough to think about signing up for it. Downside is I think it’s in august

I did the marathon there in 2012. So many exposed roots. I fell two or three times and had a lot of near misses. But I still enjoyed it and don't remember it being too hot.

 

[lookingforsunshine]

For what it is worth, a few years back I ran several ultras around Michigan and these three all offer the 50k distance and were all really good - organized well, good support and fun!
- The Trail Marathon (has half and 50k), in Pinckney around April or May
- Grand Island Trail Marathon & 50k, in Munising in June or July
-Run Woodstock, full weekend of everything from 5k to 100 miles, in Pinckney late August

My absolute favorite was Grand Island. You get boated to an island off of Munising and the race circles the island. It is so beautiful with incredible views of Lake Superior. It is challenging, but not to hillya nd they provide an hour early start for folks that would like the extra time. Really pretty medal too. I hope to do that one again in 2024.

I backpacked Grand Island in October 2020 and it was SO beautiful. I loved it so much.

 

[cburnett11]

I've never really stopped for pictures in the marathon in prior years. I think my daughter and I did one back in 2018 (Grave Diggers), but that's it. I think I'm going to try and stop for every character pic this year. That sounds like a fun new experience, plus I will welcome the breaks since my Oct/Nov training wasn't ideal. I think I'll start in Corral A, and hope to maintain something under 9 minutes when running. About how many picture opportunities are there on the marathon course? Also, are the lines pretty consistent throughout the course or do they vary a lot based on location (park, non-park), character, and place on the course (early, middle, late)? thanks for any input

 

[The Expert]

I've never really stopped for pictures in the marathon in prior years. I think my daughter and I did one back in 2018 (Grave Diggers), but that's it. I think I'm going to try and stop for every character pic this year. That sounds like a fun new experience, plus I will welcome the breaks since my Oct/Nov training wasn't ideal. I think I'll start in Corral A, and hope to maintain something under 9 minutes when running. About how many picture opportunities are there on the marathon course? Also, are the lines pretty consistent throughout the course or do they vary a lot based on location (park, non-park), character, and place on the course (early, middle, late)? thanks for any input

Below is a list of the character stops from the full marathon last year (may not be complete). You should encounter almost no lines starting in A until the other start groups begin to catch up to you. Even then, at your speed, I would suspect you won't wait long for any characters on the course.

Here's the character list. We were a bit delirious at times in the heat, so may have forgotten a few:
1. Pluto in 50th attire (to/from Epcot)
2. Mad Hatter
3. Jiminy Cricket
4. Phineas (alternates with Ferb) both times in Epcot
5. Darkwing Duck
6. Gus the mouse from Cinderella
7. Girl mouse from Cinderella
8. Edna Mode and Mrs. Incredible
9. Frozone
10. Figment statue (no photopass)
11. Stitch
12. Dopey
13. Revolutionary Goofy
- Country bears waving
14. Three Caballeros minus Donald
15. Daisy in 50th outfit
16. Piglet and Rabbit
17. Tigger
18. Friar Tuck
19. Robin Hood and Little John
20. Timone
21. Dug and Carl Frederiksen
22. Adventurers club (no FP)
23. Baloo
24. Bullseye
25. Jessie
26. Chip and Dale in 50th outfits
27. Olaf
28. Donald, pit crew outfit

 

[Cabius]

I've never really stopped for pictures in the marathon in prior years. I think my daughter and I did one back in 2018 (Grave Diggers), but that's it. I think I'm going to try and stop for every character pic this year. That sounds like a fun new experience, plus I will welcome the breaks since my Oct/Nov training wasn't ideal. I think I'll start in Corral A, and hope to maintain something under 9 minutes when running. About how many picture opportunities are there on the marathon course? Also, are the lines pretty consistent throughout the course or do they vary a lot based on location (park, non-park), character, and place on the course (early, middle, late)? thanks for any input

I imagine that in A, there won't be a lot of people getting in line ahead of you since you'll be at the front of the pack, and the faster runners are less likely to take the time for character stops.

For those in the middle of the pack, I've found that the first few character stops always have pretty long lines, and that by the end of the race you can just pop in and out. I don't know if that's because the crowds thin out, or people get nervous about their time, or what. I've always skipped character stops until I'm out of MK.

 

[GollyGadget]

I've never really stopped for pictures in the marathon in prior years. I think my daughter and I did one back in 2018 (Grave Diggers), but that's it. I think I'm going to try and stop for every character pic this year. That sounds like a fun new experience, plus I will welcome the breaks since my Oct/Nov training wasn't ideal. I think I'll start in Corral A, and hope to maintain something under 9 minutes when running. About how many picture opportunities are there on the marathon course? Also, are the lines pretty consistent throughout the course or do they vary a lot based on location (park, non-park), character, and place on the course (early, middle, late)? thanks for any input

I typically run from one of the first two corrals and I'm always shocked at how so many characters don't have any line at all.

The very first character will usually have a bit of a longer line and a few fan favorites like Mickey. Surprisingly, I usually end up stopping at nearly every character just because the line is less than 5 people.

The one exception is at the end of the race when I'm ready to be done. Seems a lot of people feel that way because there usually isn't any lines at the end.

 

[fatmanatee]

I've never really stopped for pictures in the marathon in prior years. I think my daughter and I did one back in 2018 (Grave Diggers), but that's it. I think I'm going to try and stop for every character pic this year. That sounds like a fun new experience, plus I will welcome the breaks since my Oct/Nov training wasn't ideal. I think I'll start in Corral A, and hope to maintain something under 9 minutes when running. About how many picture opportunities are there on the marathon course? Also, are the lines pretty consistent throughout the course or do they vary a lot based on location (park, non-park), character, and place on the course (early, middle, late)? thanks for any input

I think @DopeyBadger has written about this in the past, it’s definitely doable. I saw a blog post from someone who did it but unfortunately it’s not coming up in my searches. Anyway, your advantage is your corral placement and general running pace. That’ll give you a big advantage early on which should decrease a bit as you continue stops and allow others to catch up. The lines vary in my experience but not necessarily with park placement, rarity of character matters as well. I’m clueless to this stuff but I remember seeing long lines coming up and you’d hear people speculate as to who they were waiting for and then someone would be like “omg it’s ______” and I’d have no clue. No idea.

My guess is that the earlier stops are busier in general bc everyone is crammed at the beginning, it loosens up as the race goes on and people spread out.

 

[kps7795]

Below is a list of the character stops from the full marathon last year (may not be complete). You should encounter almost no lines starting in A until the other start groups begin to catch up to you. Even then, at your speed, I would suspect you won't wait long for any characters on the course.

After Donald, there was also a photo stop with Phineas and Ferb.

 

[kps7795]

I've never really stopped for pictures in the marathon in prior years. I think my daughter and I did one back in 2018 (Grave Diggers), but that's it. I think I'm going to try and stop for every character pic this year. That sounds like a fun new experience, plus I will welcome the breaks since my Oct/Nov training wasn't ideal. I think I'll start in Corral A, and hope to maintain something under 9 minutes when running. About how many picture opportunities are there on the marathon course? Also, are the lines pretty consistent throughout the course or do they vary a lot based on location (park, non-park), character, and place on the course (early, middle, late)? thanks for any input

I only have experience with one marathon, so you have to take my experience with a grain of salt. Nonetheless, I didn't wait for more than a minute or two following Magic Kingdom. Farther and farther into the race, my photo stop wait times were closer to 20-30 seconds.