So sad to cancel Marathon

[maburke]

I was so looking forward to trying my first half-marathon at Disney, especially since I booked BLT at the 11-month window. Monorail to the start, instead of getting up at 3am for the bus! But between the fact that the marathon sold out before I signed us up, and my husband's nagging injury, we're going to have to cancel.

I am determined to try again. The Wine & Dine Half really appeals to me. What do other DVC'ers run? Where do you stay?

 

[Disney52303]

I have done the princess half and stayed at SSR as it was a host resort. We got up for the busses as the race starts in what seems like the middle of nowhere!

I am interested in the food and wine half for 2013. We have a trip already in the works which *may* fall over race weekend. If it does I am in!

 

[scottashackleton]

I was so looking forward to trying my first half-marathon at Disney, especially since I booked BLT at the 11-month window. Monorail to the start, instead of getting up at 3am for the bus! But between the fact that the marathon sold out before I signed us up, and my husband's nagging injury, we're going to have to cancel.

I am determined to try again. The Wine & Dine Half really appeals to me. What do other DVC'ers run? Where do you stay?

My fiance and I have run just about every race they offer in Disney between Princess, ESPN 5K (RIP), W&D half, and we are doing our second Goofy Challenge this year. We really never let the start location dictate where we stay, but I have heard that people stay at OKW for the marathon and you can walk to the start and save yourself about an hour of sleep. Likewise for the races that start near Epcot. The bus service is impecable and for me it doesn't make much of a difference getting up at 3 or 4:30, I'll still be half asleep until mile 6 anyways!

Good luck with the sign ups for next year. Truly the best place on earth for road races

 

[Jousey]

We just ran the ToT in September and stayed at SSR and for W&D we are at SSR. We found no issues getting to WWS for the start. Thou we have had a car. We hope to have a host hotel next time but I don't find it as a necessity.

 

[KateB]

We ran the half-marathon and stayed at BLT. We loved having the monorail to take before and especially after the race. When we run again we will stay there again.

 

[nolanboys]

We did the F&W half marathon and stayed at AKV. It wasn't bad at all. We took the bus to Epcot where they had busses running to ESPN. At the end of the night, we walked to BC and spent $20 on a cab - well worth not having to walk back to the entrance of Epcot. Just FYI about the F&W race - it is at night. We completed the race right after midnight. We stayed at the after party and got back to the room at about 2:00am. We were wired! Could not fall asleep. We are morning runners, so the night run really messed with us. Would do it again though as running through AK at night is just wonderful.

 

[Firepath]

I have heard that people stay at OKW for the marathon and you can walk to the start and save yourself about an hour of sleep. Likewise for the races that start near Epcot. The bus service is impecable and for me it doesn't make much of a difference getting up at 3 or 4:30

In Jan 2011, we were leaving French Quarter headed home on a very early ME bus shortly before the marathon began. As we turned the corner and drove past OKW, there were individuals doing just that, coming out onto the road and dodging cars (and buses), as there are no walkways. In the dark with no lighting it was frightening. I highly recommend the bus even if it means getting up earlier. At least you know you'll make it there in one piece.

 

[jpeka65844]

My fiance and I have run just about every race they offer in Disney between Princess, ESPN 5K (RIP), W&D half, and we are doing our second Goofy Challenge this year. We really never let the start location dictate where we stay, but I have heard that people stay at OKW for the marathon and you can walk to the start and save yourself about an hour of sleep. Likewise for the races that start near Epcot. The bus service is impecable and for me it doesn't make much of a difference getting up at 3 or 4:30, I'll still be half asleep until mile 6 anyways!

Good luck with the sign ups for next year. Truly the best place on earth for road races

DH did the 1/2 in 2010, this year is doing the Full, and I will be running the 5K.

DH will run the DL 1/2 in September, I will do the 5K (we couldn't do the same race b/c who would watch the kids???)

We're looking at Tower of Terror 10 miler or Wine and Dine in 2014!

 

[maburke]

DH will run the DL 1/2 in September, I will do the 5K (we couldn't do the same race b/c who would watch the kids???)

I'm in the same boat. How old are your kids? Has anyone here used a sitter service or something?

 

[Deb & Bill]

I was so looking forward to trying my first half-marathon at Disney, especially since I booked BLT at the 11-month window. Monorail to the start, instead of getting up at 3am for the bus! But between the fact that the marathon sold out before I signed us up, and my husband's nagging injury, we're going to have to cancel.

I am determined to try again. The Wine & Dine Half really appeals to me. What do other DVC'ers run? Where do you stay?

You might be able to join up with a charity group, like leukemia or a cancer group or Team in Training (but you'll have to raise money from supporters to sign up with these kinds of groups).

 

[jpeka65844]

I'm in the same boat. How old are your kids? Has anyone here used a sitter service or something?

At the time of the DL races, they'll be 3 and 7.

We're contemplating 2014. Chances are, we'll con a family member or friends into coming with. If not, I'm wondering if the babysitters will do an "overnight"!

 

[maburke]

You might be able to join up with a charity group, like leukemia or a cancer group or Team in Training (but you'll have to raise money from supporters to sign up with these kinds of groups).

I saw that on the registration page. But when I looked at the groups I would naturally support (Autism Speaks and the Arthritis Foundation), they were all full, too. And the fact is, I think my husband needs to really rehab this injury, which he would not do if I found a way to register us. So I'm just going to have to postpone this dream.

Thanks for the info, though.

 

[scottashackleton]

I saw that on the registration page. But when I looked at the groups I would naturally support (Autism Speaks and the Arthritis Foundation), they were all full, too. And the fact is, I think my husband needs to really rehab this injury, which he would not do if I found a way to register us. So I'm just going to have to postpone this dream.

Thanks for the info, though.

There's always next year! I'm excited to see what the surprise entertainment will be at mile 20 in ESPN WWS in honor of the 20th anniversary of the marathon.

Let your husband heal properly!

 

[El&Asmom]

I stayed at SSR last year for the marathon. Got there early for the buses and had no problem getting a spot. Easy ride back after the race too.

For the Princess half, we stayed at VWL. It wasn't a host hotel. We just got a cab which worked out fine too. We then took the monorail back to the MK and then a boat back to VWL.

Love Disney races. I forgot to sign up too since we weren't sure what our schedule was going to be in Jan. So bummed I'm going to miss the 20 year anniversary. Going for MLK weekend instead. But since we'll be getting those discounted PAP, I'm already planning for next year.