OFFICIAL 2014 WDW Marathon Countdown: WE DID IT! Congrats everyone!

New to this board:) I am running the dopey! DH running in the marathon! 3 year old twins running 100 yard dash:)



Has anyone stayed at the contemporary during marathon weekend? I am trying to figure out if the monorail is open in the am to take the runners to the race? I have heard conflicting stories, so I am confused!!

Also, anyone have any favorite lunch places post running?
 
New to this board:) I am running the dopey! DH running in the marathon! 3 year old twins running 100 yard dash:)



Has anyone stayed at the contemporary during marathon weekend? I am trying to figure out if the monorail is open in the am to take the runners to the race? I have heard conflicting stories, so I am confused!!

Also, anyone have any favorite lunch places post running?

In the past the monorail ran on Saturday and Sunday mornings, but not on Friday morning for what was then the 5K. So I would say it will definitely run for the half and full. And it probably won't run on Thursday for the 5K (you have to take a bus to the start.) It is anybody's guess what they will do on Friday for the 10K
 
Since this is my first RD, I'm unsure of how important your corral is. I didn't do any calculations and just guessed that DH & I would finish in 6:50 (we're just hoping not to be swept!). I know that to get placed in a corral higher than 6:30, we have to give proof (which I don't have right now).

The online calculators for pacing have us finishing anywhere from barely under 6 to about 6:10 based on a previous 5k race that we just did. Should we try a half during training and send that in (not really wanting to spend the $ as it would be at least another $150) or should we call them, change it to 6:31 and leave it at that? Or will 6:31 and 6:50 be in the same corral? Anyone know?

(I've been reading a lot of race reviews and most seem to think that the faster corral is better if it's your first race so you can put yourself that much further ahead of the sweepers).

How exciting! I envy you. At mine and my dh's 10 year we were no where near running or being active in any way. (unless chasing around young ones count) We do plan to celebrate our 25 year though with a RD event!! :goodvibes:goodvibes

That's awesome! :thumbsup2 We got really into running a few years ago, but then we had DS and it all fell by the wayside. Now we're getting back into it (myself more so than DH, but he couldn't let me show him up by doing the marathon myself ;) ).
 
In the past the monorail ran on Saturday and Sunday mornings, but not on Friday morning for what was then the 5K. So I would say it will definitely run for the half and full. And it probably won't run on Thursday for the 5K (you have to take a bus to the start.) It is anybody's guess what they will do on Friday for the 10K

I stayed at the Contemporary last year and caught the monorail at 4:00 for the 1/2 marathon. Should run for the full as well.
 

I am curious... for anyone who has stayed at AoA for a RD event... is it a pain?

I have done two events..ToT and PHM. I stayed at POFQ for ToT and it was SUPER easy. We were in a building that was right near the front so it took only a few minutes to get to the RD buses...and after the race it was a brief walk back to my room. For PHM, we stayed at CSR...and again our room was in a building not far from the first bus stop. Walking over to the expo buses was a jaunt... but for actual race day stuff it was again easy peasy.

I booked AoA for race weekend...but i am afraid that the walk from the LM room is going to be too far. We stayed there one night once and the walk to the buses seemed to take FOREVER. This will be my dh's first half marathon...and his training has had some set backs. (he currently has pneumonia) I don't want to create more work for him.
 
Does AOA have double or queeen beds? That would be my concern. I wouldn't worry so much about the distance between your building and the bus stop bc this can be a challenge at any value or moderate. Although POFQ is the smallest of the moderates.
 
Does AOA have double or queeen beds? That would be my concern. I wouldn't worry so much about the distance between your building and the bus stop bc this can be a challenge at any value or moderate. Although POFQ is the smallest of the moderates.

double... :( Course after staying there and then going to a 1brm at OKW, maybe it will make OKW seem just that much more roomy. :rotfl:
 
Since this is my first RD, I'm unsure of how important your corral is. I didn't do any calculations and just guessed that DH & I would finish in 6:50 (we're just hoping not to be swept!). I know that to get placed in a corral higher than 6:30, we have to give proof (which I don't have right now).

The online calculators for pacing have us finishing anywhere from barely under 6 to about 6:10 based on a previous 5k race that we just did. Should we try a half during training and send that in (not really wanting to spend the $ as it would be at least another $150) or should we call them, change it to 6:31 and leave it at that? Or will 6:31 and 6:50 be in the same corral? Anyone know?

(I've been reading a lot of race reviews and most seem to think that the faster corral is better if it's your first race so you can put yourself that much further ahead of the sweepers).


The corrals are important because they attempt to place runners where they should be. If you are a slower runner and somehow get placed in a faster corral, you run the risk of getting in the way and possibly getting knocked around a little if people are trying to pass you. It sounds like RunDisney is going to add more corrals this year to try and get people placed where they should be and to spread people out a little more.
 
The corrals are important because they attempt to place runners where they should be. If you are a slower runner and somehow get placed in a faster corral, you run the risk of getting in the way and possibly getting knocked around a little if people are trying to pass you. It sounds like RunDisney is going to add more corrals this year to try and get people placed where they should be and to spread people out a little more.

Thanks. It's hard to guess where I should be - I'm not sure if I should believe the online calculators (they seem to think 6 hours, which seems fast to me for my first based on my running abilities now). I don't to be in anyone's way, but I also don't want to be dodging people the entire time. I think I'll leave it until we get closer to the Nov 1st cut off (with some long runs under my belt) and move myself then if I think I should.
 
Just curious... is the cool down party in DTD worth making the designated trip to DTD for?
 
Just curious... is the cool down party in DTD worth making the designated trip to DTD for?

Good question - would love to hear feedback from previous races.

With the 180 ADR window opening, I am wondering where people are thinking of eating for their post marathon dinner!
 
Good question - would love to hear feedback from previous races.

With the 180 ADR window opening, I am wondering where people are thinking of eating for their post marathon dinner!

I want to eat at Crystal Palace, so I can eat ALL THE THINGS after running so much all weekend! :D My 180 is tomorrow morning!
 
With the 180 ADR window opening, I am wondering where people are thinking of eating for their post marathon dinner!

Our dinner on Sunday night is always at whichever bar we happen to be in when we get hungry. :)
 
Good question - would love to hear feedback from previous races.

With the 180 ADR window opening, I am wondering where people are thinking of eating for their post marathon dinner!

We're eating at Boma - we love the food there and we figured the less we have to walk (we're staying at AKL), the better! :lmao:
 
Just curious... is the cool down party in DTD worth making the designated trip to DTD for?

The cool down party is what you make of it. There wasn't a ton of things there special to the race. A sign here and there. The entertainment was pretty typical of a DTD.

We enjoyed it though. 8 of us went out to dinner, the discount was lovely. It beat my TIW discount. :) Just unwinding in a atmosphere like DTD was helpful.

We shuffled (all were sore from running so hard) around a bit, laughed at each others painful winces when we tried to move too quick, got some neat pix of our friends and medals, then headed home for some more rest.
 
We ate at the Biergarten after the marathon last year. Loved it. That beer tasted mighty fine!
 














Save Up to 30% on Rooms at Walt Disney World!

Save up to 30% on rooms at select Disney Resorts Collection hotels when you stay 5 consecutive nights or longer in late summer and early fall. Plus, enjoy other savings for shorter stays.This offer is valid for stays most nights from August 1 to October 11, 2025.
CLICK HERE













DIS Facebook DIS youtube DIS Instagram DIS Pinterest

Back
Top