WDW Marathon

[surgefest]

Has anyone ever run the marathon or half marathon. if so could you give me any insite into how it goes? any tips? Also is it tough to meet up with someone who is running at the end of the race?

 

[ufmurphy]

I ran the marathon in 2004. It was very fun getting to run through all the parks (although the majority of the time you are on the back roads). I stayed at the contemporary to take advantage of the monorail to get to the race. After reading these boards that seemed like the easiest way to go and it worked great for me. It was easy for my family to find me at a couple of different places during the race and then at the end of the race. I carried my cell phone ( I know this is discouraged but I can assure you more people than not had theirs with them) so I was able to tell them if I was on pace. I think the half marathon is now run on a different day than the full.

 

[salmoneous]

Good place to start reading: http://www.mouseplanet.com/search.php?type=c&cid=mr

 

[luvdiz2]

Hi,

I have run the half marathon the last two years. It is fun. We stayed at the Boardwalk two years ago, last year the Pop Century. The bus system they set up for this worked great, got us there very early.

I found it hard to meet up with family afterwards, but that it because my family doesn't listen well - The family areas are well set out. Their water stations are well done, the views are great and there are lots of people having fun - stopping at all the mile markers to take pictures. I personally didn't have the spare time to do this tho

If you have any particular questions, feel free to ask, I'll be happy to try and answer them!

 

[surgefest]

Thanks Everyone for the info!! How does the transportation work getting to the race??? Does disney have buses to take the people from each resort?? Do they pick the people up at the regular bus stops? How does that whole process work? Thanks!

 

[HopperFan]

Official information http://disneyworldsports.disney.go.com/dwws/en_US/marathon/listing?name=MarathonEventListingPage2

Yes there are buses from hotels to the start that have run in the past from 3am-4am. They return you as well. They bring in buses from private companies. Our first year our buses got lost both directions. Last year we stayed at DTD and drove to race, but you must leave early as well since traffic gets bad and roads are closed. Only those at the monorail resorts can wait until the last minute to go.

 

[kareneast]

There is a forum right here on the disboards with lots of info on & people training for the WDW Marathon & Half Marathon. It is the Events/Competition Forum which is a sub-forum of the W.I.S.H. (We're Inspired to Stay Healthy) Forum. You can find it here: http://www.disboards.com/forumdisplay.php?f=109 Everyone is very helpful & gives you lots of encouragement & motivation to keep training.