WDW Half Marathon

[surgefest]

I am looking for any tips or advice anyone can give for the Disney World Half Marathon. A friend of mine will be running in the race and we both have a few questions. First off i know there is a bus that takes the runners from their resort to the start of the race. Can i drive him to the start or are all of the roads blocked off??? Also from what i hear the race starts are epcot they run to the magic kingdom and then back to epcot. Is there a way for those of us who want to watch to watch them leave from epcot and then get to the magic kingdom or even the contemporary to see them run by there and then get back to Epcot to see them finish the race??? i know most of the roads are closed but is there any way to get back and forth???? Also my friend will not be carrying a cell phone while he runs whats the easiest way for us to meet up with him after the race is over???? Any other tips would be greatly apprecaited!! we just want to be able to watch him run and maybe snap a few pictures from each location... thanks in advance!

 

[Debi]

Bump! Does anyone have any advice?

 

[TiffJ]

I did the 1/2 marathon last year. I would highly advise you NOT to drive him to the start. He will have to be there a LOOOONG time before the start & you are not allowed in the starting area. The bus service will be best at this time since some roads will be blocked.

The race starts & ends at Epcot. Go to disneyworldmarathon.com and you can see the whole course & it will have the mile markers. Find out his est. pace so you will know about when he will arrive at each mile marker. Also you can sign up for the notification service where you get a text message when he crosses certain points.

My scream team used the monorail system last year & it worked out great for them. I would definately do this if I were you. The roads will be a mess to navigate. We were staying at WL so they took the boat to Cont. & saw me pass there then they hopped on the monorail to the Poly & saw me there & then hopped back on the monorail to Epcot so they could see me finish. It worked out perfectly & it was great support for me to see my cheer squad 3 times.

Come on over to the WISH events/competition board. There are a bunch of us DISers going to be there. Tons of info for you too!

Have fun! I'll be there in 9 days for my 3rd Disney 1/2 marathon this year!

 

[LindaBabe]

1. Don't even think about taking him to the start.

2. Stay off the roads anywhere near the route at all costs. Can you say GRIDLOCK.

3. Arrange to meet your runner at the Family Meet and greet area beyond the finish line. There are tents for various letters of the alphabet. Pick one you'll both remember, and meet there.

4. Get your runner's bib number and check the marathon website for how to program it into your cell phone to get text messages about his progress.

Have fun. You'll find me at the sign of the T.