Running at WDW / ToT 5k 2009 - Newbie Here!

[meryll83]

Ok, so I found this on Allears, I think it's just tentative at the moment:

October 24 -- The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror™ 13K & 5K -- What lies beyond the fifth dimension, beyond the deepest, darkest corner of the imagination, can be found at The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror™ 13K & 5K. We invite you to run into the next dimension, if you dare, on October 24 at Disney's Hollywood Studios™. A nighttime race like no other you have experienced is awaiting your arrival, but beware, you may not return from your run quite the same...

Has anyone ever done anything like this before? I just wondered about any costs involved to enter, and any perks you might get. Just thought it would be something different that we've never done before, although not especially relaxing on our wedding trip
When and where would I find registration details?

 

[tikkipoo]

I don't know myself, but this should help

http://disneyworldsports.disney.go.com/dwws/en_US/events/eventDetail/detail?name=TowerOfTerrorDetailPage

 

[NMK62303]

Check this link: http://disneyworldsports.disney.go....entDetail/detail?name=TowerOfTerrorDetailPage
(If the link does not work, you can search on the Disney Wide World of Sports website for race info)

We ran this last October, the race distance is just over 8 miles. (Actually, I'm wearing my race shirt right now, headed out for my morning run! ). I think that may have been the second or third year, not quite sure. It was really cool and kind of wild to run an 8+mile race starting at 10PM. They had fireworks at the start. It ran along some back access roads, around Wide World of Sports, finished with the last 1-2 miles in DHS. The course was well lit and they had some villains along the course in a few places cheering us on. But a large part of it was on access type roads and paved roads connecting DHS and WWS. (They did have background cheering noises playing from the grandstands on the ballfields at WWS so it sounded like people were cheering for us though nobody was out there). Also at various points they did have some music playing.
After the race concludes over near the TOT/RNR, kind of behind there, you can enter DHS for a post-race party. The big attractions, TOT, RNR, TSM, and I think Star Tours were open, along with a CS restaurant that is on the same street as TOT. It was fairly crowded but we had a good time! Of note -- we did the race after being at DHS all day with our 3 five-year-olds and both sets of grandparents, so we were really wiped out by the time it was over! My suggestion would be to bring a change of dry clothes if you do plan to go into the park for the post-race party, it sure was nice to change before going on the rides! They do provide you with a bag that you can check at the start of the race and they will transport it to the finish area, it was not difficult at all to pick up our stuff.
All in all it was an experience that I'm glad I did -- not too often that you get to run a race at 10PM!

 

[syko]

Go to the Events / Competions thread at the top of the WISH page and you will find lots of people running this race.....we are a friendly bunch so come and join us, we have walkers, joggers, runners and wheelers.

 

[princessrunner]

I have done this race since its inception in 2007!! I LOVE THIS RACE not to mention that it is on or near my birthday every year!!

Last year, in 2008, I talked my BIL and SIL into doing the race and my DH babysat all 4 kidlets. They road TSM over and over without having to exit the ride! The kids thought it was great and have begged me to do it again.

There a lots of races to be done in Disney. Just before this one is Race For The Taste which is a 10K. Check out the disneyendurance.com site and read more on the races. There are also some thread discussions on the Events side as well as on Disneyrunning.com.

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

Go to the Events / Competions thread at the top of the WISH page and you will find lots of people running this race.....we are a friendly bunch so come and join us, we have walkers, joggers, runners and wheelers.

Hi there Meryll! I found the event fun and have done it twice. I don't think I will be there this year. I hope you try it. Please do come join us on the Events / Competition side of WISH. There you will find discussion of many events.

You can post questions on the weekly WISH Team walkers/runners thread. Many from the different threads there will check and chat with advise others.

 

[meryll83]

Thanks for the info everyone! And the link, it looks awesome!

I might be a bit wussy and go for the 5k race if I do it, as I'm not really a huge runner, but I've done the Race for Life 5k for Cancer Research a couple of times here in the UK, and survived that!

I presume I won't have any problems registering from the UK, as it all seems to be done by email / pickup of items on the day.

If you are staying at a hotel not on the pickup list, can you make your own way to one of the listed hotels and then grab a lift? Also, how do you get back after the post-race party, do the buses still run then? At that time I guess we'd have to get a taxi to our own resort from wherever's the closest we can get to!

Also, do buses still run to WWoS for the packet pickup? I've not been there on my last 2 visits, and can't remember seeing any buses for there anymore.

This just sounds like something really unique, I'm really quite excited about it! My then-will-be-hubby has just agreed to join me, I just need to convince him not to sprint off and leave me now, I know he'll get competitive on the day! Our wedding party of 13 will all be over, but some will be flying home that day, so there will only be 1 other couple that might be interested in running with us still there, plus both sets of parents, who I don't even know if they will be bothered to stay up for the after-party alone, let alone do the run!

We might register over the weekend, all being well, so I'm looking forward to your help on my questions!

 

[princessrunner]

Last year, there were busses to packet pickup from the host resorts and bus service before and after the race from those resorts. The first year, it was all for yourself. Yes, the bus does still run from DHS to WWoS.

The first year, we stayed in an EPCOT area hotel so we could walk to DHS. This worked fine and we used this mode this year to the race because my SIL/BIL were staying at BWV. We used the after bus to get back to CBR where we were staying. It worked very well.

I would not suggest driving as that has been a cause of problems both years for the race. There are terrible traffic snafus from what I understand. Last yaer was not as bad as the first year and maybe this year will be different.

I will be missing this year's race but I hope you do it because you will surely have fun!!!!

 

[gamomof2]

Congrats on your upcoming wedding. We're new to running and will be coming down in October to do the ToT 5k. We are running 2 local 5k's between now and then as our firsts.

We've started the Couch 2 5k program and are on week 2. Starting week 3 Monday. Not looking forward to that. Guess I'll see what I'm really made out of.

Good to hear there are other first-timers joining.

 

[meryll83]

If we're staying at Pop will we have to get a taxi back then?

Can anyone tell me what the "after-party" entails?
Are any food or beverages included, or are these all to be paid for as extra?
And is there some form of entertainment, or is it really just that the park is open late?