WDW Marathon Resort?

[jabbo87]

I am running my first marathon in the 2005 WDW Marathon. I have been reading as much as possible about the event, but I am still at a loss as to why Disney wants the participants to be at the starting line at 4:00 am for a 6:00 am start time. Personally, I am hoping to get as much rest as possible the night before the race. I have heard that staying at OKW will put you just as close to the starting line as the busses drop you off. Would it be worth staying at OKW (I have a friend who is a DVC member) and just walking over at about 5:30 rather than using Disney transporation and having to get there at 4:00? I'll gladly do whatever I have to do, but the thought of even 15 extra minutes of sleep is apealing!

 

[Deb & Bill]

We stayed at VWL last January and will be staying at OKW this January. It's very difficult to walk over from OKW because there isn't any clear walkway and you have to cross over the traffic and there is tons of traffic. You have to get there early to make sure you get in the proper corral. You won't be able to sleep anyway. It's very exciting.

 

[Calcio]

Hello JAbbo87

Congratulations on making the commitment to run this January 9. The course is very flat, and very enjoyable.

Regarding the start, I was a first timer this last January 11, and I certainly did not arrive at 4 am for the 6 am start. I was staying at the BWI, and walked out of the lobby at 5 am. At that time there was a large traffic jam on the road running east-west behing EPCOT, and I began to walk behind EPCOT toward the start. As I headed east a very nice WDW bus driver pulled up, asked if I was headed to the start (yes!), and said to hop in. I gladly sat down and she went past the Swan, merged on the main road to the MK, then turned right into the EPCOT parking lot. She parked and disgorged her runners at about 5:30, and at that time many, many runners were similarly arriving and heading for the start. I followed all of them (it sort of felt like the "Night of the Living Dead," lots of people moving quickly and throwing shadows from the bank lights), and even with a port a potty stop I was in place in the starting corral by 5:45.

As I stood there, many people suddenly came towards the starting corrals from the OKW, jumped into their place, and were ready to run. I guessed these folks had gotten out of bed at 5 am at the latest, had stretched, etc. then had zipped over to the start. It was clear to me that they were the smart runners, and I was not. Live and learn.

So, I think your strategy is very sound, as I saw many others use it last January. Remember 26 miles is a long trek, and standing out in the cold for 2 hours isn't going to make it any easier. I'm like you, the longer I can sleep and the less I can stand before a race the better.

Good luck with your training, and be sure to bring cold weather outerware for the time you spend in the starting corrals. It may be warm, but it's more likely to me cold and damp at that hour.

 

[Simba's Mom]

I can't comment on getting to the starting line, but I remember a few years ago, I was staying at POR just before the Marathon. It was pretty exciting, listening to groups of marathoners discuss the event in the food court. And every morning, there was an imprompru run around the riverwalk and grounds. Listening to them talk beforehand, I could tell they all hadn't known each other beforehand, just a bunch of people with a common goal. Seemed to be a lot of marathoners at POR-since DH used to run Marathons, it brought back a lot of great memories of the comraderie.

 

[babybunrab]

Whatever you do, though, don't push it too late. My parents were next door to some people at CSR one year who missed the marathon because they waited too late.

A useful note--at least this year, there were a number of portapotties located at the end of the walk, just before the corrals. The portapotties at the bus unloading area are not your last chance to use the bathroom.

Have fun and good luck!

 

[ducklite]

My husband will be running his 4th WDW marathon in January. The first year we stayed at the GF,and transportation was a breeze. The second year we were at the BC and it was a disaster--it took him almost two hours to get to the start!

This year we were at the BC again, and he drove and waited in the car right by his corral (A) until about ten minutes before the race.

In 2005 I think we're going to stay at the GF, the PR, or the CR. It's MUCH easier to get around when using the monorail during the race.

Anne

 

[ibouncetoo]

jabbo....there are about 50 of us from the WISH forum that will be walking the 1/2 marathon in January! So there will be lots of DISers there

I'm sure one of the reasons they ask for people to arrive so early is that there are 24,000 of us.......can't all show up 15 minutes before the gun goes off!

I'll be staying at AllStarMovies.....probably still be unconscious on the bus!

I just signed up for the 10K in October......mostly just to get a feel for the whole thing and as a mid-way training goal.

 

[jabbo87]

thanks to all! looking forward to meeting you, i hope! GETTIN' PUMPED!