Runner's Retreat?

[lenshanem]

Is this worth the extra money for the half and if so, when do they start taking registration for this and does it sell out fast?

Thanks!

 

[julia & nicks mom]

I don't think it sold out this year...

I did not get it but from what I hear it is not worth it - unless it rains

The weather was GORGEOUS this year - I was in my shorts and shirt from 5 am on and comfortable - I never got cold waiting - but I hear two years ago that it was freezing and everyone wished they had gotten the runner's retreat...

unless you can predict the weather - it is a crapshoot!

 

[angietuck2]

Last year everyone posted that it was definately NOT worth the money!!

angie

 

[panthergirl]

We used it this year and loved it! Here are the features we really enjoyed:
Character pictures before and after the race (Mickey and Donald)
Porta potties with handwashing stations - real running water
Bar style tables with stools so you did not have to sit all the way down after the race
Bagels, coffee, juice, muffins before the race
Bottled water to take with us to the start line
Full breakfast post race - bacon, eggs, potatoes etc. Best breakfast I ever had!
Lots of message tables available post race.
Air conditioned area to stretch and relax before heading back to the resort.

It might not be worth it to everyone but we totally enjoyed the experience.

 

[lenshanem]

We used it this year and loved it! Here are the features we really enjoyed:
Character pictures before and after the race (Mickey and Donald)
Porta potties with handwashing stations - real running water
Bar style tables with stools so you did not have to sit all the way down after the race
Bagels, coffee, juice, miffins before the race
Bottled water to take with us to the start line
Full breakfast post race - bacon, eggs, potatoes etc. Best breakfast I ever had!
Lots of message tables available post race.
Air conditioned area to stretch and relax before heading back to the resort.

It might not be worth it to everyone but we totally enjoyed the experience.

Were the lines short for the porta potties?
How much extra was the massages?

We went for NYE week and we had that cold snap. I kept thinking how miserable it would have been if it was that cold for the races. It was almost painful walking around the AK one day. I couldn't imagine being out there and waiting at 4 AM!
When do they post the link to sign up for this?

Thanks!

 

[escape]

We used it this year and loved it! Here are the features we really enjoyed:
Character pictures before and after the race (Mickey and Donald)
Porta potties with handwashing stations - real running water
Bar style tables with stools so you did not have to sit all the way down after the race
Bagels, coffee, juice, miffins before the race
Bottled water to take with us to the start line
Full breakfast post race - bacon, eggs, potatoes etc. Best breakfast I ever had!
Lots of message tables available post race.
Air conditioned area to stretch and relax before heading back to the resort.

It might not be worth it to everyone but we totally enjoyed the experience.

Sounds SOOOOO much better than it was last year. We were supposed to have character pics last year but I never saw them. Also, no full breakfast after the race. Not even iced-down beverages. As for massages, I waited over an hour for one and finally left after discovering it was going to be another hour before I could get one. I heard they were $10 extra this year but I would have gladly paid that if I didn't have wait so darn long. Sounds like you got more of a deal!

I passed on the perks tent this year for the full and I'm glad I did....but that's just me. I enjoyed visiting with fellow WISHers before the race. After the race, the storm was moving in so I had to leave shortly after I finished so I wouldn't have had time to go to the tent.

 

[escape]

Were the lines short for the porta potties?
How much extra was the massages? When do they post the link to sign up for this?
Thanks!

I can't speak for this year's lines for the porta potties but last year's was longer than the regular lines. This year's regular lines moved pretty quickly as well.

I believe the massages were $10 extra.

I think they post the link around Oct/Nov? When you sign up for the event, you should receive newsletters through email announcing things like this and when sign ups will be. If you want to do this, I wouldn't wait too long after it becomes available. You never know how quickly it can sell out.

 

[panthergirl]

Were the lines short for the porta potties?
How much extra was the massages?

Thanks!

The lines were short until right as they called everyone to the corrals. They were still shorter than the lines at the regular potties.

Massages were $10.00 extra.

 

[panthergirl]

Forgot the sign up question. I think it was late summer when they sent out an e-mail with the link to register. I registered in October and gave them as Christmas presents to my sister and her boyfriend.

 

[cdn_gal_eeyore]

I signed up for the Runner's Retreat for the full only. I didn't need it for the half, but I was sure happy I got it for the full. I forgot my breakfast at the hotel that morning so I was happy for the bagels, peanut butter and jam at the start line. I didn't take advantage of the porta-potty line, but I did get pictures with Mickey, Minnie, Daisy and Donald before the race. And the best part? Goofy was at the tent when I came in from the full.

I didn't take advantage of post race food and massages because by the time I made it in the bad weather was rolling in so I high-tailed it out of there.

Really....it is subjective, but I was happy to have it for the full.

 

[nepatsfan73]

What are people's thoughts as to the Runner's Retreat for a first time participant. Do you think it is better the first time to take in all the atmosphere (if you can call Port-o-Potty City atmosphere) or would the retreat provide a more calming influence.

Also, for a back of the packer (as I will be as a walker), do you loose value as to use post-race, especially if you hope to be standing long enough after to celebrate with the die-hard, faithful WISHers who cheer until the last WISHer/participant makes it "home."

I know this is early for 2009 and the topic will probably come up again later, but I thought I'd ask while this year's event was "fresh" in people's minds. Thanks.

 

[hoosmi]

Bill- all I can tell you is I kept wondering all weekend where Leana was, and it was in the special people tent! And now I hear they have character pictures- hard call. I'll probably just do the peer pressure thing next year and follow the majority of the WISHers...

Jen in GA

 

[nepatsfan73]

I'll probably just do the peer pressure thing next year and follow the majority of the WISHers...

Jen in GA

Jen-If I were to follow peer pressure, the WISH team might want me to sign up for the retreat to give them a chance to escape before I get there.

Although, just the thought of Port-O-Potty City makes me shake with anticipation. I'm thinking the smell on marathon morning with 65 degree temperatures at 3:00AM and 100% humidity must smell like ... VICTORY. (OK, so I am no Robert Duvall).

 

[lenshanem]

I'm pretty sure DH and I will do it for the half. Like I said we were down there for NYE and had that cold snap. It was awful just walking around the parks midday, I can't imagine what it would have been like early in the morning. We'll do it for the shelter in case of rain or cold weather and for the characters. That way I don't have to worry about getting as many pics with the characters on the course.