What happens if there is severe weather???

[Kimmumum]

What do they do if there is severe weather during the races this weekend? Do they cancel, postpone, delay the races ? We're just curious. People spend alot of money for the chance to run these races so we're pretty sure they're not cancelled but does anyone know???

 

[aladdinsgirl]

I've often wondered this too. If it's just raining, then the marathon goes on like planned. But what about thunderstorms and lightening? Do they postpone the race until later in the day? Can't really change the date as people have travelled there and a lot of people go home right after the marathon. I think about this before every race I run!

Krista

 

[wtpclc]

They have statements somewhere. There's a standard policy for all teh races. I think it's on teh sheet with teh bib number. They wait lighting out and after X amount of time, tehy cancel.

Let's not even think about that.

 

[nucpharm29]

Can't find the info on the marathon page, but here is the policy listed in the ToT Final Instructions
"Event operations will shut down when lightening is 6 miles out from the event areas. Event operations will not resume until lightening is 6 miles out and moving away from the event areas. Sports manager will determine this using the Flash to Bang rule. The Sports Manager will consult with the Theme Park and Resort Partners and Walt Disney World Security on a course of Action to utilize the operational rain plan, delay the event, or cancel the event"


Doing my no lightening dance!

 

[cewait]

I would bet that if lightning is an eminent threat (as defined in the official policy) just before the race you will not see a race. The logistics of holding the event longer than 30-60 minutes is tremendous.

 

[Kimmumum]

I would bet that if lightning is an eminent threat (as defined in the official policy) just before the race you will not see a race. The logistics of holding the event longer than 30-60 minutes is tremendous.

That would just stink with so many people traveling from all over. DH plans on running the Goofy. That will truly screw things up if he can only run one of the races. The racers have trained too long and hard for them to cancel without trying to get the race off. Hope the weather passes before Sat.

 

[scuba diver]

.... People spend alot of money for the chance to run these races so we're pretty sure they're not cancelled but does anyone know???

I always thought that same way until I experienced Chicago this year.

That ended up being a $2000 19 mile training run.

 

[cewait]

I too thought race on at any cost for a long time. I realize it is just not worth the risk if the weather creates a hazardous situation. Obviously we all put a lot of time and effort in getting to the line and none of us want to be told no we are not racing today. But do you really want to run in a lightning storm, swim the first leg of a tri in 10 foot waves or be subject to any other quirk that is out of the race's hands?

As stated earlier, it's not easy to hold the time slot open very long after the published start time. There is a period of thime that the director can work with but then he must either fire the gun or cancel the event. He is working with road and SO/PD permits and volunteers and must clear out within previously approved time ranges. Would many of us be happy if we were told come back next weekend and we'll try again? So you can't really reschedule either.

It's kind of a lose - lose situation. Every one is mad at the Director and mad that the event was canceled. If this ever happens, just count your entry fee as a contribution to the underlying charity and work to the next event.

 

[aldisneygrl]

I posted this on another thread, and thought you might want to see it too.

My 5K letter states it as this:

The race will be held rain or shine. If there is lightning in the area, however, the race will either have a delayed start or depending on the intensity of the weather, cancelled. The determination will be made by the Disney Sports Event staff.

The Walt Disney World Lightning Policy is as follows:

Event operations will shut down when lightning is 6 miles out from the event areas. Event operations will not resume until the lightning is 6 miles out moving away from the event areas. Sports Manager will determine this using the *Flash to Bang Rule* and weather radar. The Sports Manager will consult with the Theme Park and Resort Partners and Walt Disney World Security on a course of action to utilize the operational rain plan, delay the event, or cancel the event.

*Flash to Bang Rule* is applied by measuring the time (in seconds) between a visual lightning "Flash" and hearing the resulting "Bang". This time is then divided by a factor of "5" to obtain distance in miles. For example, 30 seconds between "Flash" and "Bang" divided by "5" equals 6 miles.


Hope that helps!

 

[Kimmumum]

I always thought that same way until I experienced Chicago this year.

That ended up being a $2000 19 mile training run.

DUH!!! I didn't even think of the Chicago marathon (and I live there!!??!!)

Hoping for the best. I'm not running but I will feel really bad for all of the training time people have put in if they cancel the race. Hopefully it will be a beautiful weekend (at least in the mornings )