WDW Half Marathon questions

[crashbb]

I scrolled through the first two pages, but couldn't find an answer. If there is a thread somewhere, if someone could please point me to it, that would great.

Two questions:

1) How strict is the cut-off of time? I had assumed that they were very strict, but in another board, someone was complaining about being held up by runners on the Saturday of the marathon weekend (so half marathon) when they were in EPCOT. They said it happened around noon - which would be 6 hours from start time. Are they really that lenient? Do I really not have to worry about being swept?

2) If I stay at Boardwalk can I walk back to my hotel? I know that I cannot walk to the race start. Assuming, of course, that I have a valid park ticket.

Thanks.

 

[FireDancer]

1) They are strict about the cut off time but the sweep clock doesn't start with the gun for the race, it starts when the very last person crosses the start line. I can't imagine it taking 2.5 hours for the last starter to cross the line so either they were mistaken on the time of day or it was Sunday because the full marathon has the same pacing requirements and also finishes through Epcot.

2) Yep, with a park ticket you can walk back to the resort. Keep in mind that if it is not a parkhopper you will have to make Epcot your park for the day. If it is a parkhopper that doesn't matter.

 

[crashbb]

1) They are strict about the cut off time but the sweep clock doesn't start with the gun for the race, it starts when the very last person crosses the start line. I can't imagine it taking 2.5 hours for the last starter to cross the line so either they were mistaken on the time of day or it was Sunday because the full marathon has the same pacing requirements and also finishes through Epcot.

They are quite insistent that it was a Saturday and that is was exactly 11:45am. I didn't think it sounded right, but thought I'd check. I don't think I've ever taken more than 2.5 hours to complete (I'm slow, but not that slow), but I was thinking I might want to savour the run through WDW and take a bit longer than normal. I still cannot imagine I'd be anywhere near the cut-off.

2) Yep, with a park ticket you can walk back to the resort. Keep in mind that if it is not a parkhopper you will have to make Epcot your park for the day. If it is a parkhopper that doesn't matter.

I think EPCOT may be our park of the day, but I have a parkhopper anyway. Guess I could grab a fastpass on my through (doubt anyone would want me on a ride with them before I shower and change!).

 

[cewait]

Frank is right on but I have a couple quick clarifiers….

With regard to 1) I am betting the beef is with the marathon on Sunday and that the poster is confused. Even with the bad weather in 2010 the last runner would have been out of the park by 10 and that is assuming they stopped for a late brunch. I saw the “lantern rouge” from the monorail and they were in the park well before 10. On the other hand there is an annual grumbling among the guests in Epcot who are inconvenienced by having the wait a few moments for a crossing.

Note that you will have more than enough time to grab a few photos in MK and other spots.



With regard to 2) there may be a gotcha in the answer. If you are in the first wave (or even second) as a 2.5 hour halfer you will not be able to immediately go through Epcot. One must wait for the park opening at 9 am.

 

[johde]

According to Disney's results the last "official" finishers finished with a clock time of 4:23:22 which could get you about 10:30 a.m. or a little later for cleanup.

 

[crashbb]

Frank is right on but I have a couple quick clarifiers….

With regard to 1) I am betting the beef is with the marathon on Sunday and that the poster is confused. Even with the bad weather in 2010 the last runner would have been out of the park by 10 and that is assuming they stopped for a late brunch. I saw the “lantern rouge” from the monorail and they were in the park well before 10. On the other hand there is an annual grumbling among the guests in Epcot who are inconvenienced by having the wait a few moments for a crossing.

Note that you will have more than enough time to grab a few photos in MK and other spots.



With regard to 2) there may be a gotcha in the answer. If you are in the first wave (or even second) as a 2.5 hour halfer you will not be able to immediately go through Epcot. One must wait for the park opening at 9 am.

I didn't think about the "GOTCHA". In most races, around here, I'm in one of the last waves (my average time is around 2:15) so I assumed I'd be a late wave in Disney as well and then figured a slower than normal race and getting my bag, getting some food, stretching etc. would get me to close to 9am.

If I'm ready to leave too early, I'll just grab a bus (I've just heard some horror stories about the bus lines to get back to resorts). I'll just make sure to bring my park ticket in case the timing works well.

 

[cewait]

I didn't think about the "GOTCHA". In most races, around here, I'm in one of the last waves (my average time is around 2:15) so I assumed I'd be a late wave in Disney as well and then figured a slower than normal race and getting my bag, getting some food, stretching etc. would get me to close to 9am.

If I'm ready to leave too early, I'll just grab a bus (I've just heard some horror stories about the bus lines to get back to resorts). I'll just make sure to bring my park ticket in case the timing works well.

Most horror stories would relate to 2010 when the parking lot was overly full. It was the fullest I have seen for the race, ever. I was happy to hop a monorail for the 2010 events. Granted in some of my early events the parking lot was fairly empty as I was near the lantern rouge.

 

[Goofed98]

I know there were some horrible lines after the half, but we walked onto the first bus goiung to Boardwalk. That line wasn't anywhere near as bad as the All-Stars and Pops.

 

[princessfionasmom]

Hope you don't mind if I jump in and ask a question. I'm staying at BLT for the half and would like to know if the monorail will be up and running to get runners over to epcot for the start of the race or will I have to take a bus? Thanks!

ETA: Which is the better way to get to the start?

 

[FireDancer]

Hope you don't mind if I jump in and ask a question. I'm staying at BLT for the half and would like to know if the monorail will be up and running to get runners over to epcot for the start of the race or will I have to take a bus? Thanks!

ETA: Which is the better way to get to the start?

Yes, it will be running in time to get to the start of the race, and while I have never stayed at a monorail resort (ever or race weekend) my impression from those that have is it is the best way. If not I'm sure someone with first hand experience will chime in and correct me.

 

[cewait]

Frank I will chime in but not in disagreement. Last year, the year of the great freeze, we stayed in BLT just to see what it was all about. How fortuitous. Saturday, not trusting the Contemp being the last stop on the local route I went to the stop around 4. A train was pulling in completely empty. It looks like they deadhead route trains to each resort. Sunday I did not board until 4:30. I had just a little wait time.

Note, I think the busses only run to the expo. I did see a 5k bus when I was out for a run on Friday. I did not see any busses on race day morning. I doubt they have race day busses as the road in front of the CR is half coned off and the added traffic would add to the back up.

As a note, I did see folks driving to the race. If it were not so cold these folks may have been on the monorail so make sure you are comfortable with your leave time.

Oh, I loved the monorail so much I am waitlisted at BLT again this year.

 

[escape]

Well, I know this is about DVCs but I've got to pop in and say how much I enjoyed staying at a monorail resort this past January. We stayed at the Polynesian and requested a longhouse closest to the Ticket and Transportation Center. It was about a 3-5 minute walk to the monorail train.. I chose the Poly because I wasn't sure if the hotel/resort monorail route would be running that early. Plus, I wouldn't have to switch to a different monorail train going to EPCOT.

On the day of the half, we left the hotel room around 4:30am....to test the waters (make sure we could get there on time, trains were running, etc.) It all worked out great and had plenty of time to spare. On the day of the full, we left an hour before our starting time. As we arrived at the start/waiting area, people were just beginning to move to the corrals. It was SO nice not having to get to the start extra early to just stand in the cold for a couple of hours.

My husband is seriously considering doing the marathon in 2011. With the 40% discount being offered, I went ahead and reserved a room at the Poly again just in case he decides to do it. Although I am completely happy staying at the Pop Century or any other place on Disney property, I am very spoiled by the monorail resorts for marathon weekend.

 

[cewait]

Well, I know this is about DVCs but I've got to pop in and say how much I enjoyed staying at a monorail resort this past January. We stayed at the Polynesian and requested a longhouse closest to the Ticket and Transportation Center. It was about a 3-5 minute walk to the monorail train.. I chose the Poly because I wasn't sure if the hotel/resort monorail route would be running that early. Plus, I wouldn't have to switch to a different monorail train going to EPCOT.

On the day of the half, we left the hotel room around 4:30am....to test the waters (make sure we could get there on time, trains were running, etc.) It all worked out great and had plenty of time to spare. On the day of the full, we left an hour before our starting time. As we arrived at the start/waiting area, people were just beginning to move to the corrals. It was SO nice not having to get to the start extra early to just stand in the cold for a couple of hours.

My husband is seriously considering doing the marathon in 2011. With the 40% discount being offered, I went ahead and reserved a room at the Poly again just in case he decides to do it. Although I am completely happy staying at the Pop Century or any other place on Disney property, I am very spoiled by the monorail resorts for marathon weekend.

Actually it is a hijacked thread about the seriousness of the cut-off times.

But continuing, your concern about the local and mine about the local filling at the Poly and not catching one at all are really not an issue from what I observed. I think that if the budget can accomodate the monorail resorts are worth the ease of travel.