some general 1/2 marathon questions

[kirsangel]

This will be my first BIG race so I have a few general questions:

1-What will they have on the race course other than water and powerade? I have heard rumors of cold sponges,towels, clif shot bloks, bananas, and bio-freeze.
2-Do I need to sign up for a post race massage before hand and if so, when and where do I do so?
3-Will there be pacing teams on the 1/2 marathon?
4-I have heard that there are Disney photographers near the castle. How does this work?? Do I check at a photo station after the race? Please explain.

Thanks in advance!!

 

[sap1227]

The only one of these I am 100% sure on is #4---the photos will be available on-line to purchase shortly after the race (here are the pictures from last years Disney World Half

#1--There should be "food" on the course around mile 9 if memory serves me right (and that may totally not be the case), there is bio-freeze at a couple of different places on the course--I think the towels and sponges were courtesy of the WISH Scream Team

I don't know of any pacing teams for the Half in Years Past, but that does not mean there will not be one in the future.

 

[HMHunters]

This will be my first BIG race so I have a few general questions:

1-What will they have on the race course other than water and powerade? I have heard rumors of cold sponges,towels, clif shot bloks, bananas, and bio-freeze.

Last year:Gu (of some brand/type -- I don't use it), bananas and bio-freeze were all there. If there were sponges or towels they were not for everyone. (as far as I saw)

-Do I need to sign up for a post race massage before hand and if so, when and where do I do so?

I believe you sign in at the massage tent after the race.

3-Will there be pacing teams on the 1/2 marathon?

There were last year. I think you could sign up at the expo.

4-I have heard that there are Disney photographers near the castle. How does this work?? Do I check at a photo station after the race? Please explain.

Unless you have a very rude person in front of you who plants themselves in front of the each and every photographer (as I did) you will be able to view/purchase your photos on line after the race by name/race number. Make sure your race number is visible so they can identify you.

 

[solotraveler]

Re: Photos-- You generally want to be toward the "outside" of the road as opposed to the middle, to get maximum photographer exposure. Also, if you don't feel like waiting around until a photo station gets free, you can view your photos online a few days after the race and order them through the company that way.

Hope that helps!
Kevin

 

[ultramickeymouse]

This will be my first BIG race so I have a few general questions:

1-What will they have on the race course other than water and powerade? I have heard rumors of cold sponges,towels, clif shot bloks, bananas, and bio-freeze.
2-Do I need to sign up for a post race massage before hand and if so, when and where do I do so?
3-Will there be pacing teams on the 1/2 marathon?
4-I have heard that there are Disney photographers near the castle. How does this work?? Do I check at a photo station after the race? Please explain.

Thanks in advance!!

As a slower walker doing the Goofy, the amount of "extras" is usually limited. The official gel is Clif Shots. I don't remember bloks out there. Bananas were at some spot but not at others. There were no gels during the marathon for me. Biofreeze is available like water out there.

Do sign up for tha massage after the race. Well worth the $10/$20 spent.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

This will be my first BIG race so I have a few general questions:

1-What will they have on the race course other than water and powerade? I have heard rumors of cold sponges,towels, clif shot bloks, bananas, and bio-freeze.
2-Do I need to sign up for a post race massage before hand and if so, when and where do I do so?
3-Will there be pacing teams on the 1/2 marathon?
4-I have heard that there are Disney photographers near the castle. How does this work?? Do I check at a photo station after the race? Please explain.

Thanks in advance!!

Are we talking WDW or DL?
B/c last I recall at WDW---the sponges and bananas only happened at the full. I have no knowledge of the distributoion of biofreeze at either event (full or half at WDW). And the clif shot bloks--they did give out, but I dont' recall which...but I foudn them disgusting and ignored them.

2. Post race massage is first come first serve, cash only

3. can't remember

5. They have a photographer as you exit the castle and maybe 1 or 2 as you are coming down. I tend to watch my pace and try to not be bunched up with folks to ensure I get captured. After a full and a half event--I got captured on the ramp coming down from the castle. Be sure to pose pretty! You will get an e-mail post race when pics are avaible. Search by your race number and then check what i think is called the "lost and found"--pics that were captured but your number wasn't readable.

 

[nepatsfan73]

The WDW half will also be my first distance event. Other than not crowding people around you, any other suggestions as to how to hopefully get a good picture coming out of the castle. For example, is it better to be on a certain side of the ramp? Should I smile all the way from out of the castle to the end of the ramp? I'm not trying to hi-jack this thread, just trying to group my newbie questions with similar ones. TIA

 

[ultramickeymouse]

The WDW half will also be my first distance event. Other than not crowding people around you, any other suggestions as to how to hopefully get a good picture coming out of the castle. For example, is it better to be on a certain side of the ramp? Should I smile all the way from out of the castle to the end of the ramp? I'm not trying to hi-jack this thread, just trying to group my newbie questions with similar ones. TIA

Bill:

From photos of this years half at http://www.asiorders.com/view_event_photos.asp?EVENTID=13984&CAT=123650 I would suggest the right side of the ramp. Main thing is have your number up front. Mine was on the side both days and only a few under my number were listed. Otherwise you have to comb through tons of unidentified runners photos. Bring a camera and have CM's take pics of you with characters.

Great Example:

Here is DW & I in Lost and Found:

 

[DianeL]

Also, if you don't feel like waiting around until a photo station gets free, you can view your photos online a few days after the race and order them through the company that way.

Hope that helps!
Kevin

KEVIN!!! What's this?!?!?! Are you saying you can VIEW the Race photos on Race weekend somewhere? I have always suffered, waiting for them to finally appear on ASI's site. Where do we go for the photo station????

BANANAS!!!! For the Disney World 1/2 Marathon can be found behind the MK I believe they also had water there but I'm a wee bit foggy.

2006 Clif Gel - Cola
2007 Clif Gel - the Apple pie flavor
my suggestion... bring your own LOL I prefer chocolate Clif Gel or a bit thiner is the Powerade Caramel which works better for me in my Gel flask if I'm using it than the Clif gels.

Castle Photos... there are a few photographers. I think there are 2 as you come out of the Castle on your right side and then there are a few on your left side as you come down the ramp more. There might even be one immediately upon coming out of the Castle Entrance.

Epcot: just past the Fountain they are set up there. I think 2 or 4 of them are sitting there. I think some are more towards the ground and I seem to recall one or two sitting up higher.

All the best to for your training!!! Can't wait to see you flying by at the Polynesian where I'll be screaming

Kevin do let me know about this station. I'm very very intrigued LOL

 

[kirsangel]

Thanks for the great info!

 

[Jen117]

I remember Biofreeze and Vasoline at several points along with Tylenol. Bananas were at about mile 6 as your exited MK in the back area. Gel was at about mile 10 right before that last exit ramp climb. I always carry my own Gel because I have had bad flavors offered and I have also gotten to the Gel handout and they were all gone (not at WDW but at another 1/2). Better safe than sorry.