TOT 5K - First Race Ever.. and I have questions

[Chris931]

Hi all..

My sisters and I have embarked on a mission to lose weight and get healthy. We have decided to set a goal to do the TOT 5K in Oct. We started training now so hopefully we will be ready.
We have never raced anywhere before so I have some questions:

- What is a timing chip and what do we need to do with it?

- I know we pick up our packets prior to the race but what do we need to do once we get to the race? Do we have to sign in?

- How will we know where to go to start?

- Is the 5K course and the 13K course in the same location? Does the 5K follow part of the same course and then veer off?

- What do we do after the race? I've seen posts about pictures.. what do we do with timing chip?

- I'm a little confused about registering and park passes. We will want park passes for 3 days. Do we register and purchase the 1 day pass and then go to the other link to buy another 2 days... or do we just register for the race and then buy a 3 day pass...

I think that is it for now... I'm sure I'll have more questions... thanks in advance for all the help..
Christine

 

[hungrygreenhippo]

Hi Christine!

Oooh, you're bringing up memories of how I felt last year getting ready for my first 5k. It was last April and I can't believe how quickly the time has flown by. I'll try to answer some of your questions and I know others will chime in as well.

- What is a timing chip and what do we need to do with it?

The timing chip keeps track of your time. Since there will be a lot of participants, you won't be crossing the start line at the exact time they start the clock. So there are two finish times. The "gun time" which is what the clock reads when you finish the race. And the "chip time" which is the exact amount of time it took you to complete the course from when you cross the start lint to when you cross the finish line. The timing track records your "chip time".

- I know we pick up our packets prior to the race but what do we need to do once we get to the race? Do we have to sign in?

When you get to the race, there's nothing that you have to do. You'll probably want to make a stop at the port-a-potty. And you might want to drop off a bag if you don't want to or don't have anyone to hold stuff for you like a room key, phone, jacket, etc. (They'll give you a bag to put your stuff in at the expo.) The last thing you'll do before the race is find and line up in your starting corral.

- How will we know where to go to start?

I've never done the ToT race, but Disney will have everything clearly marked and also you'll just be able to follow the crowd. In addition, you'll get some "final race instructions" about a week before the race with a little more info than what's on the website. There are also plenty of volunteers around if you do happen to have any questions once you get to the race.

- Is the 5K course and the 13K course in the same location? Does the 5K follow part of the same course and then veer off?

Sorry, don't know about this one.

- What do we do after the race? I've seen posts about pictures.. what do we do with timing chip?

When you finish the race, you'll be herded into a "finisher's area". There will be official race photographers set up where you can get your photo taken with your medal in front of a background with the race logo. Don't be afraid to do multiple photos if you want... one by yourself, one with your sisters, etc.

Some races use a timing chip that you have to return after the race. But on the website for ToT it says that Disney is using the disposable D-tags. So you can just leave the tag on your shoe until you decide to cut it off. Maybe keep it as a souvenir?

- I'm a little confused about registering and park passes. We will want park passes for 3 days. Do we register and purchase the 1 day pass and then go to the other link to buy another 2 days... or do we just register for the race and then buy a 3 day pass...

I think there was another post about the park tickets. Let me check that out and post back here.

It's awesome that you and your sisters are all doing this together. You'll definitely be ready by October and you'll have a great time sharing the experience of a Disney race.

 

[hungrygreenhippo]

Oh, the other post I was thinking of was about Race for the Taste. These are the special ticket prices for that race, but I bet they'll be pretty similar for the ToT too.

Base / Park hopper or Water Park / Both
1-Day $49.76 $62.91 $75.11
2-Day $98.59 $111.73 $123.93
3-Day $136.15 $149.29 $161.49
4-Day $168.07 $181.22 $193.42
5-Day $195.30 $208.45 $220.65
6-Day $204.69 $217.84 $230.04
7-Day $214.08 $227.23 $239.42
8-Day $231.00 $281.00 $331
9-Day $234.00 $284.00 $334
10-Day $237.00 $287.00 $337

It looks like the best deal is to do just the registration and purchase your 3-day park tickets separately.

Hope that helps!

 

[dizneyfan23]

This is the first year of the TOT 5K, so it'll be interesting to see how they do it.