sweepers at the marathon....what are they?

[MichelleB]

This is the first time I've ever thought of running in a marathon (actually the half however it's full so my DH is trying to convince me to go all out and do the marathon). Anyway, I'm reading about sweepers. What are they? I have never trained for such a thing before. How far out do you normally start? I just started walking to lose weight about 2 weeks ago and am about 40 lbs overweight. I don't want to kill myself but what better motivation than running/walking through the parks?

 

[scoolover]

Sweepers are the people who pull the athletes off the course who fall behind the pace required to finish in 7 hours. There are a few spots where you have to meet a specific time and if you don't, you can't go on. Anyone who makes it to (I think) mile 20 is allowed to finish.

You are right about the motivation in the parks. You can do it!

 

[chimera]

Sweepers are the people who pull the athletes off the course who fall behind the pace required to finish in 7 hours. There are a few spots where you have to meet a specific time and if you don't, you can't go on. Anyone who makes it to (I think) mile 20 is allowed to finish.

You are right about the motivation in the parks. You can do it!

Technically, you can be swept at any point on the course. There were people swept outside the MGM entrance this year...what mile is that, 22 or 23 ish?

Actual marathon training would start in August or September. Until then you need to keep 'training to train', building up your mileage base to get you ready for the actual training program. A lot of us here use the Marathoning for Mortals book by John Bingham.

Check out the WISH team weekly training threads for more support and answers to your questions! We've all been new to this at least once!

 

[JimB.]

The AK parking lot is the 18 mile mark. The race officials are happily waiting with buses & Florida Highway Patrol Officers to escort the "swept" off the course. I'm not sure where the other points are. I think on World Drive after the GF is another.

The other folks are right. This is the "foundation" stage. You have to get your body used to the HOURS that it will be active. A lot of people do not fail from stamina, it's from leg/hip/thigh/knee/ankle/foot issue that have not been properly prepared for.

But it's a TON of fun (in a slightly masochistic way of course....). Have a GREAT time.

Bingham is a good source. Galloway is another.

 

[SAHDad]

One other note - the pace requirements do not begin until the last runner crosses the start line. So, if you find yourself in the last corral, but you are at the front, you can gain an extra 5-10 minutes of "cushion", since they do not start the sweeping process that last and final person actually begins the race.

 

[suzannews]

I've seen the sweeper bus twice. Once at Race for the Taste, it was sitting on the side of the road just before we went under the Disney Hollywood Studios sign. The second time was at the 1/2 in January. As I got to the top of the ramp from World Dr, I could see the buses and police cars with lights way in the distance near the MK gas station. Even though I had slowed down to a crawl at that point, I knew I was OK and far enough ahead.

 

[Cruella de mom]

The sweepers are also there for your safety. I think its reassuring to know that if for some reason you can not finish, there is someone there to take you back to your family.

In November, I ran a half marathon thinking that 2 days on antibiotics would somehow cure the bronchitis and sinusitis enough for me to run. By mile 8, I was fighting to keep walking. I was experiencing "rolling brownouts" and worried that I would pass out. The race was in downtown Atlanta and at this point I was right outside a soup kitchen. I wasn't so sure I would be safe if I sat down, so I kept walking. I would have hugged the sweepers if there had been any.

That said, you are in the right place. The people here are some of the kindest and most encouraging you will ever meet. And on race day, they will scream for you, worry about you, and celebrate with you. Because you CAN do this!

I also recommend reading John Bingham's books. They are great.

 

[syko]

You will know that you are behind pace as a orange flag will appear at the mile markes. Once you see the flags you are in danger of being sweept.

 

[wfloyd]

I remember seeing people swept on the half course at mile 12. I also think they were sweeping just outside of Epcot which would have been close to mile 25.

They seem to have added more points and are getting a little stricter with how they do it.

Bill

 

[mkymsehi]

This kid's about to be swept!

 

[Suzann]

I've always pictured people with brooms sweeping away at the back of the pack... I'm going to keep that visual

 

[MichelleB]

That picture is too funny! Love it!

 

[dizneyfan23]

Yeah, if you get to mile markers that have an orange flag sticking up out of them, you need pick up your pace quick, cause you could be swept.