WDW 1/2 marathoners, what do you do after the race?

[Koda]

I will be doing the WDW 1/2 this January for the first time. DH and 17 y.o. DD will be at the finish to cheer.

Are there lots of activities, photo-ops at the finish? What about snacks? How long do you hang around after finishing? Do most people head into Epcot, or do most runners head back to their resorts for a shower and a meal?

Just trying to get a realistic idea of how the morning will go. We are only there for a long weekend, so I want to make the most of it!

 

[SAHDad]

There are photo-ops in the post-finish area. Basically, you cross the finish line, they get you with a medal, and sometimes a silver blanket, then direct you to a post-race area. The post-race area usually has food of some sort, a massage tent, a medical tent, and some characters for photo ops.

I recommend carrying some change of clothes in your drop bag. Even a different shirt, socks and shoes will make a world of difference in how you feel. I tend to head back to the bus and shower, then head off for a well-deserved lunch somewhere in the parks.

 

[Ariel484]

There are photo-ops in the post-finish area. Basically, you cross the finish line, they get you with a medal, and sometimes a silver blanket, then direct you to a post-race area. The post-race area usually has food of some sort, a massage tent, a medical tent, and some characters for photo ops.

I recommend carrying some change of clothes in your drop bag. Even a different shirt, socks and shoes will make a world of difference in how you feel. I tend to head back to the bus and shower, then head off for a well-deserved lunch somewhere in the parks.

Agree with the above response!

From past races, the food has been something like bananas, some sort of a granola/protein bar (Luna bars I think), a muffin (I think?) and Powerade. There's also a merch tent. You hang around as long as you want to.

I just want to clarify, when you asked if runners head directly into Epcot...the finish is NOT very close to the Epcot entrance. It's in a parking lot, so you'd have to walk up to the front of the park to get in if you choose to do so. I've never done this before so I don't know how long this walk is. And you'd need a park ticket to get in, of course.

For me personally - I'll get my food and a finisher photo (with the medal in front of a backdrop) and check out the character lines and merch tent. Last stop will be to the med tent for a couple of bags of ice (hopefully just precautionary and not for an injury ) and then I'll head right to the bus back to my resort. Once I get there I'll take an ice bath, shower, head to lunch and then back to the room for a nap before hitting the parks for the evening.

 

[butiflfeet]

We're planning on getting a picture or two with our medals and depending on the weather changing out of our sweaty clothes into some dryer stuff that we pack in our drop bag. Then its off to breakfast (because I'm always super hungry after my long runs) and back to our resort (BLT) for an ice bath, shower and maybe a short nap. We hope to head over to MK to walk around a bit and keep loose.

 

[Sabeking]

I was actually trying to figure all this out myself. So the race starts at 5:00; right? So if I'm done in 2:20 the park isn't open anyway. I am assuming they have transportation from the finish line to the hotels? : I think I will go back and shower (I'm sure everyone would appreciate that) and then we go back to Epcot for the day. Someone ealier had mentioned walking from POR; is that even possible or do I need to take the bus?

 

[fashionista311]

keep in mind too that epcot doesn't even open until 9 am, and with the 5:30 am start, you might be finishing much earlier then the park's opening time.

I like to boogie out there asap, go back to the room to eat real food, shower, relax, etc and then head out into the parks for the rest of the day

 

[Reep]

I have not run this one before, but usually at DL I cheer a few people on, then head back and shower and prep for a day in the parks.

This one is going to be weird for me as it is my first Goofy. Also, I won't see the sun rise until well after I finish. I've never run a race in total darkness before. I guess I can leave the sunglasses in the room. I've done the full a couple times and it is strange to not see the sun until the halfway point.

 

[Rupert B Puppenstein]

I have not run this one before, but usually at DL I cheer a few people on, then head back and shower and prep for a day in the parks.

This one is going to be weird for me as it is my first Goofy. Also, I won't see the sun rise until well after I finish. I've never run a race in total darkness before. I guess I can leave the sunglasses in the room. I've done the full a couple times and it is strange to not see the sun until the halfway point.

You will see the sunrise for the Marathon. So, keep your sunglasses handy. It usually rises just after 7 a.m. The calendar says 7:19 a.m. for that day. I don't think anyone will be running a 2 hour Marathon especially those of us doing the Goofy. I have no idea why they have the Half Marathon starting at the same time as the Marathon. They could have allowed us to sleep an extra hour...figures the people who plan those times don't even run in the races.