Questions about the WDW Marathon for those in the know...

[ScoJo15]

I can't seem to find the answers to the following questions but I bet someone here knows the answers!

1. Is there a 5k race during the Marathon weekend? If so, is there an additional cost and when is it?

2. Spectators. If I do the marathon, do they need a park hopper ticket to be able to watch me run thru each park or is there a special spectator only spot?

3. Parks. Do they open at regular time during the marathon? If so, I'm assuming that the race route is marked off somehow??

I know these are probably basic questions but I'd appreciate someone filling me in if you have done the race in the past, or are just full of knowledge !!

thanks!

 

[solotraveler]

I can't seem to find the answers to the following questions but I bet someone here knows the answers!

1. Is there a 5k race during the Marathon weekend? If so, is there an additional cost and when is it?

2. Spectators. If I do the marathon, do they need a park hopper ticket to be able to watch me run thru each park or is there a special spectator only spot?

3. Parks. Do they open at regular time during the marathon? If so, I'm assuming that the race route is marked off somehow??

I know these are probably basic questions but I'd appreciate someone filling me in if you have done the race in the past, or are just full of knowledge !!

thanks!

Hey Scott!!

Don't worry about the questions... we all asked them ourselves at one point!!

1. I don't know much about the 5K, but I think the fee was nominal. Someone else will have to take the lead on that one.

2. Yes, those people who wish to see you run through the parks will need an entry ticket. That said, if they don't wish to purchase tickets, there are other great spots to see you (The TTC, the Grand Floridian, the AK parking lot area, Yacht and Beach Club, etc.)

3. The parks are open during the race, however the course is marked off very well and crosswalks are staffed by cast members so guests won't interfere with your run. Generally a non-issue.

If you have any other questions, let us know!
Kevin (Solotraveler)

 

[TiffJ]

The 5k was a separate registration. DH & DS did it & I think it was $25 each. They got a t-shirt & a medal (although it was not metal) it was cute. This year Chicken Little was the theme. They change it each year based off a popular movie. The 5k is on Sat after the 1/2 is finished. They share the same finish line & just changed the sign. I think it was supposed to start at 11:00 but started late for some reason

I did the 1/2 & got to see my support team 3 times without them going into the parks.1st time at the Contemporary, then as I went through MK they hopped on monorail & went to the Poly to see me & then they took the monorail to Epcot & was able to see me finish. With traffic blocked, they only way to do all that is on the monorial.

MK was still closed when I went thru it (they did open it to spectators who I think may have gotten in free but only for about 30-45 min and not past Main St. ) Epcot was open by the time I got there & there were orange cones marking the route, most of the times people stayed out of your way & waited to pass , but sometimes people got run over by oncoming runners


don't hesitate to ask any questions you may have. Lots of friendly, helpful people here!

 

[ScoJo15]

Thanks Kevin and TiffJ!! I appreciate your great responses!

 

[wtpclc]

Clrification on Spectators - They can watch you at the start, 4 mile mark, MK, and finish without a tic. AK, Epcot, adn MGM they would need tic's for.

At MK, they will get a wrist band as they go in, but no need for tic.

In Niovember, we should get a book that has all of the info needed for spectators in it.

 

[Kimmumum]

What about event packages for hotels and tickets? Does anyone know if they are a good deal? What all is included? I can't find anything for the 2007 marathon weekend. We are DVC members but are willing to pay cash if they have a good deal. We are trying to make plans but don't have all of the info. This is my DH's first 1/2 marathon and we have no clue what we are getting into. Thanks for any info you can give me.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I can't seem to find the answers to the following questions but I bet someone here knows the answers!

1. Is there a 5k race during the Marathon weekend? If so, is there an additional cost and when is it?

2. Spectators. If I do the marathon, do they need a park hopper ticket to be able to watch me run thru each park or is there a special spectator only spot?

3. Parks. Do they open at regular time during the marathon? If so, I'm assuming that the race route is marked off somehow??

I know these are probably basic questions but I'd appreciate someone filling me in if you have done the race in the past, or are just full of knowledge !!

thanks!

1. As others have posted, yes they do. I do not recommend the kids races though. 2 years in a row they have been poorly organized (well it looks organized--maybe poorly executed is a better term). Both years they blame the crowds as the problem (took 1 hour to queue up my girls and then we waited an additional 30 minutes before they started the races. In the end a fun event with a preannounced schedule which should have consumed only an hour of our time--tops--took us 2.5 hrs).

2. Spectators can watch all along the course. They do not need a ticket to spectate at Magic Kingdom. It is open for the purpose of watching the race--racers are scheduled to be out of that park a few minutes before park opening. Spectators without passes will be required to leave. But at that point--there's no more racers. This benefit is not available in any of the other parks.

3. The race is marked--they have "crossing guards" to make sure that guests don't walk directly onto the course if a runner is coming--though--guests sneak through anyway, but for the most part the day guests are accomodating to the runners and stay outside of the cones. The only park not affected by the race during operating hours is MK (though transportation that day will be extraordinarily slow).

 

[wtpclc]

Kimmumum - I di dnot recall teh race packages being all that great. It seems like the rgroup rates we were offered through them were about the same as AAA rates. If you have an AP, I think I heard that was about the best.