Newbie questions about the 5k in jan.

[NicoleLarson]

I'm new to running and am i'm not sure what to expect. I'll be staying at the BWV and to my understanding the race is in epcot. How early should i arrive? Do all the resorts have buses or just some? After i finish, what happens? Do i just leave? Sorry these may sound really dumb but i really have really no clue what to expect.

 

[Bookwood]

I'm new to running and am i'm not sure what to expect. I'll be staying at the BWV and to my understanding the race is in epcot. How early should i arrive? Do all the resorts have buses or just some? After i finish, what happens? Do i just leave? Sorry these may sound really dumb but i really have really no clue what to expect.

Good Running! In Jan all the resorts should have busses going to the race starts.
If you have friends running you can all meet at the end or you just get on a bus back to your resort. If the park is open (and you have a ticket) you can walk back through epcot to the Boardwalk area. I do this alot after the half because it helps my legs cool down. You do have to go through the bag check mess though so it will usually not be any faster (unless you're meeting people in in Epcot to tour for the day). You can also get the boats outside the international gateway and ride the rest of the way.

 

[stitchfan18]

I would plan to take the bus back to the BW. Epcot doesn't open until 9 that morning, so you'd have to hang around at the finish line for a while, then go through bag check and use your ticket to get into the park. You could most likely take the bus back to your hotel and get ready and be at the IG for rope drop around the same time as park opening.

After the race there will be an area right after the finish where you will get your medal and take a picture. Beyond that area is the food area, and then bag check. If you want to hang out in the finish area there are characters out to take pictures with, but be prepared for long lines. After that you can grab the bus back to the BW area and enjoy the rest of your day!

 

[NicoleLarson]

Ok, so the race isnt actually in epcot? From what i have read it made it seem like we ran through it. Ok thanks for the info, i feel a bit more prepared now and not like a deer in the headlights. Can family meet you at the finish? I like the idea of getting done, shower, get ready and be there @ rope drop. Beyond an ipod anything else you all bring with you?

 

[Bookwood]

depending on how long it takes you to finish the park may or may not be open- but you'll still run through the park. (I've never finished before Epcot opened but I'm about a 3 hour half marathoner), taking the bus back is definately easier unless there's a bus mess (sometimes happens)- I've found it nice to walk. It's a personal preferance if the park is open.

 

[stitchfan18]

All the races that weekend run through Epcot, but the actual finish is in the parking lot. The map online is a bit deceiving. If you want to be at rope drop by 9, it's doable as long as everything goes right that morning. I'm super quick getting ready, so I was able to be out of the room again within half an hour of getting there. If you take a longer, or want to relax in the room a bit before heading to the parks it might be more difficult to get to rope drop at 9. Of course the main factor is transportation. If there is a line, or you have to wait for a bus, then you stop at all the Epcot resorts before getting to the BW, that will take time as well.