Walking to the start line

[goofy57]

Hey Wishers,

I am staying at Port Orleans, French Quarter for the 1/2 in January. I have been told you can walk to the start line of the race from there. Just wondering if this is true. It sure would be nice to not have to get up so early, ride the bus to Epcot and stand around for 2 1/2 hours waiting to run.

Thanks,
Stan

 

[Duanerice]

Hi Stan,
you will get a lot of different opinions on this topic. The real answer is yes, you can walk to the start. The other question though is do you really want to?

Couple of issues I've heard of. The traffic, and others will chime in, but I hear the traffic can be pretty bad because some of the other roads are closed, increasing the traffic on this road. Also, you cannot use the bag drop because you come in from the back and do not pass it. Not an issue for a lot of people. Otherwise those are the only complaints I've heard. Again, others will chime in.

The next question is why would you want to? Now this is just my opinion. The way I look at it is that I have trained for months, got up real early to do the long runs, spent many hours at night alone on the roads to get here. I've spent way too many hours getting ready for this event, why would I want to shortchange the experience for an extra 90 minutes of sleep?

This is a destination race, not just another local marathon. I come for the whole experience. To miss the staging area with the bands, excitement, meet and greet with all my friends from the boards, well that is just missing a lot of the experience. Again, not everyone will care. We all usually congregate in the staging area before the race. Great time to calm the jitters and catch up with people you only meet online. This is what actually brought me back for 1 more Goofy.

As for sleeping in, that is so overrated I'll get up for the 5K on Friday, then the half on Saturday then the full on Sunday. An extra 90 minutes of sleep is not that big of a deal. Heck, I can barely sleep anyway. I shower and shave before I go to bed so I get up at 3:30 then catch the bus around 4:00 ish. By the time I am at the staging area it is around 4:30 then we start making our way to the start around 5:15 or so. Time really flies and the gun goes off before you know it.

As you can tell, there is no right and wrong way to get to the start, just differences in experiences. I like the pre race excitement and wouldn't miss it for the world. Walking in the back way to the start for me would be like missing a large part of the race.

I know that is more of an answer than you wanted Whatever you decide, good luck!

Duane

 

[FireDancer]

You can walk to the start from there, but most people will tell you that you shouldn't. It is very early and dark at 4am and the road has no sidewalks. I have never stayed there during race weekend but to be honest I probably would actually use the oportunity to jog to the start as a part of my warm up.

It just depends on whether or not you are comfortable on those roads at that time of morning.

 

[tippy77]

I stayed at POFQ last year and took the bus. If I was staying there again this year, I would walk. I think the extra sleep is worth it!

But that's just my opinion...safety is obviously a concern. If you do it, be careful!

 

[Dennyha]

I thought about walking from OKW the first year, but having taken the bus, I think that is the way to go. Getting on the bus, with all of the other runners up before the crack of dawn, is almost surreal. It is definately part of the experience.

Also, from the bus drop off, you will have about a mile to walk to get to the race start. Do you really want to add extra, non-value added distance onto that BEFORE you start your race?

 

[dsnyfan21]

Just want to add that Disney Security/Police really don't like to see people walking on the sides of roads that don't have sidewalks. You will probably be ok, but just thought I would throw that out there.
I like getting on the bus in the AM with all the other "racers", it is really an experience you won't soon forget. It is such a different experience.

-Tracy

 

[goofy57]

Thanks everyone. I rode the bus this year (2009) from All Star Music to Epcot. I had heard you could walk to the start line from Port Orleans, and I knew I would get some great feedback from Wishers.

Stan

 

[cewait]

Doable but not safe.

You are headed into the local runners kiss and drop zone as well as the bypass for those cast members who are attempting to head north to MK area. They are not looking for you.

If you really must try it there is a back road that heads to Vacation Way. Use that trail and avoid walking down the main roadway. Either way wou will be walking on grass for some of the distance and end up with wetter feet at the start than if you took the bus, car or cab.

By far OKW is safer. not as busy of a road.

You must be prepared to show your race number twice as you come over from the area. Also be prepared to be turned back. All it takes is one Barney Fife to ruin the best laid of plans. Note that if you do walk over you will not have easy acess to bag check (I know the last 3 years not really needed). However, if cold or rainy it will be a miserable trip back to the resort.