Wine and Dine Half Marathon Weekend 2023 (Nov. 2-5, 2023)

[PrincessV]

That's my impression as well! Last minute changes and incomplete communication - what could possibly go wrong here?

I'm not an AWD athlete, but here's my uneducated take: Almost everyone acknowledges (except perhaps runDisney) that the courses get more crowded as time goes on. I think releasing people who might need extra space (due to running with a guide or a piece of equipment or whatever) earlier makes it easier and safer for them and, frankly, for every other runner. For instance, I love dogs! But jamming a service dog into a regular corral - perhaps next to someone who is deathly afraid of dogs - is asking for trouble.

I hope that it won't turn out as bad as people fear, but my heart goes out to all of the AWD athletes who have to be very stressed by not knowing.

I could not agree more. This feels like an absolute mess… for what purpose, exactly? How was allowing those who need a little extra space to start earlier hurting anything? I’m very concerned about unaware runners/walkers - especially in the dark - accidentally coming into contact with service devices/dogs. That’s dangerous for the AWD, their device/dog, and the other runner! And I’m just not grasping what benefit comes out of this change.

 

[PrincessV]

I finally had some time to really dive into the race guide and look at that new start area layout for the half and I suppose seeing what you all already saw. But wow - that really is an odd setup!



So we all go through EP’s security check and wind back into that far section of the parking lot, like usual… and then corrals A-D have to go to the far end of the area and circle back to the entrance to corrals (red line/arrow.) While corral E hangs out in the middle until called, then looks to go right in (blue circle)? I’m not suer this is going to be significantly less of a walkout for A-D, TBH, but could be a real selling point for E, assuming they don’t make a mess of things!

I’m not at all sure I’ll be finishing the half, if I even start, for various reasons, so I’d be pretty tempted to hang out, bide my time, and just start in E.

ETA: it also just dawned on me that THERE ARE NO REAL RESTROOMS AFTER MILE 5!!! Those couple restrooms on Sunset are gonna be busy, aren’t they?!

 

[Bree]

I finally had some time to really dive into the race guide and look at that new start area layout for the half and I suppose seeing what you all already saw. But wow - that really is an odd setup!

View attachment 805542

So we all go through EP’s security check and wind back into that far section of the parking lot, like usual… and then corrals A-D have to go to the far end of the area and circle back to the entrance to corrals (red line/arrow.) While corral E hangs out in the middle until called, then looks to go right in (blue circle)? I’m not suer this is going to be significantly less of a walkout for A-D, TBH, but could be a real selling point for E, assuming they don’t make a mess of things!

I’m not at all sure I’ll be finishing the half, if I even start, for various reasons, so I’d be pretty tempted to hang out, bide my time, and just start in E.

That's been updated!!! It was showing the 5K/10K set up earlier this week. Looks like the 5am corral open time for E may not be a typo.

 

[DianaMB333]

Weather forecast looks good!

 

[Zutroy]

Weather forecast looks good!

I‘m seeing a low of 70 degrees, high of 82, 85% humidity. I wouldn’t call it good. According to folks in the Twin Cities, that‘s deadly weather.

 

[kps7795]

I‘m seeing a low of 70 degrees, high of 82, 85% humidity. I wouldn’t call it good. According to folks in the Twin Cities, that‘s deadly weather.

For us Floridians, this is a chilly Autumn.

 

[Tiggerette]

I‘m seeing a low of 70 degrees, high of 82, 85% humidity. I wouldn’t call it good. According to folks in the Twin Cities, that‘s deadly weather.

Minneapolis, as silly as this might sound, is attenuated to an entirely different climate than Orlando. I've run autumnal half-marathons in New Orleans, Orlando, Boston, Philly and a little town in Maryland. If I tried to run a half in Orlando with the above temps, like my Philly half where it was 35F and arid, then yes, it would be wholly problematic.
When planning to run in Orlando, plan for Orlando conditions. It might mean planning to run slower, lighter, different hydration/electrolytes, etc. To me, I take the weather as modification advisement and see it as a different type of course challenge. Good Luck and Magical Miles!

 

[Zutroy]

For us Floridians, this is a chilly Autumn.

Luckily the lack of volunteers at the water stations will be mitigated by the humidity. Remember to bring a straw so you can drink some moisture from the air. Ugh, I was hoping for better weather than last year. Temperatures dropped to the 50s a couple of weeks ago, and I was hoping they would stay for Wine and Dine.

 

[EPCOT-O.G.]

Luckily the lack of volunteers at the water stations will be mitigated by the humidity. Remember to bring a straw so you can drink some moisture from the air. Ugh, I was hoping for better weather than last year. Temperatures dropped to the 50s a couple of weeks ago, and I was hoping they would stay for Wine and Dine.

I cant imagine why they appear to suddenly have a problem finding volunteers

 

[Naomeri]

I‘m seeing a low of 70 degrees, high of 82, 85% humidity. I wouldn’t call it good. According to folks in the Twin Cities, that‘s deadly weather.

There’s a difference when the race starts at sunrise, as opposed to WDW starting 2 hours before sunrise, and a difference in what the “normal” temps are supposed to be. If the expected temps for a Florida race were going to be 20+ degrees higher than average, they might call it off too

 

[PrincessV]

Just finished 6 miles here on the FL west coast about 100 miles west of WDW: temp was 69-72ish, sunny with a few clouds, around 75% humidity… basically PERFECTION and it felt sooooo nice!

I’m looking at my local forecast from a couple outlets and seeing a low of 48 Thurs night on one, low of 60 on another. There is a chasm of difference between what I’d wear for 48 vs. 60, so I guess I’ll pack a million layers and see what the day brings! 40-something would be hugely problematic, though: my costume is not at all cold-weather friendly and there’s a limit to how much I can layer on top without losing the look. I mean, just how many pairs of tights can one wear and still, you know, move?!

 

[DisneyParrothead]

There’s a difference when the race starts at sunrise, as opposed to WDW starting 2 hours before sunrise, and a difference in what the “normal” temps are supposed to be. If the expected temps for a Florida race were going to be 20+ degrees higher than average, they might call it off too

Yes! I just finished a 10k in Houston and it was 73 at the start and 96% humidity. The course was two loops for the 10k and one for the 5k and started at sunrise. The temperature difference Betsy the two loops was amazing and I would not have wanted to go further. It was brutal near the end.

 

[lookingforsunshine]

Here’s the 5k shirt. It’s a mint color with the Mad Hatter. I am sooo sad Alice is not on it. She is one of my favorite characters.

 

[Zutroy]

There’s a difference when the race starts at sunrise, as opposed to WDW starting 2 hours before sunrise, and a difference in what the “normal” temps are supposed to be. If the expected temps for a Florida race were going to be 20+ degrees higher than average, they might call it off too

If Wine and Dine has temps in the 30s, I’m sure all the people who flew in from Wisconsin and Michigan would completely understand if Disney cancelled the race at the last moment because people training in Florida aren’t used to it being this cold.

 

[Naomeri]

If Wine and Dine has temps in the 30s, I’m sure all the people who flew in from Wisconsin and Michigan would completely understand if Disney cancelled the race at the last moment because people training in Florida aren’t used to it being this cold.

Not the same thing—cold is easier to adjust for by adding more layers. Though it can cause other logistical issues, like ice in the water cups.

The bottom line is that race directors have to make a decision at some point, and they have a set of factors they have to consider, and there’s no possible way to please everyone.

 

[nekonekoneko]

and there’s no possible way to please everyone.

Or like the US Olympic Marathon trials, in Orlando, in February, with a gun time of 12:00 noon.

 

[Keith Tyger]

Not the same thing—cold is easier to adjust for by adding more layers. Though it can cause other logistical issues, like ice in the water cups.

The bottom line is that race directors have to make a decision at some point, and they have a set of factors they have to consider, and there’s no possible way to please everyone.

Everyone needs to remember, W&D used to take place the first week in October! One race weekend, I believe it was 74 at the start! I lost 7 pounds that day!

 

[Zutroy]

Everyone needs to remember, W&D used to take place the first week in October! One race weekend, I believe it was 74 at the start! I lost 7 pounds that day!

I must have completely forgotten that, but I checked a medal from then, and it was October 1st. At least then it was a night race, so the humidity had dropped over the day. It was amazing to cross the finish line, get handed a free beer, and then enter Epcot for the party.

 

[Keith Tyger]

I must have completely forgotten that, but I checked a medal from then, and it was October 1st. At least then it was a night race, so the humidity had dropped over the day. It was amazing to cross the finish line, get handed a free beer, and then enter Epcot for the party.

View attachment 805791

Exactly! My wife and I then headed directly to the UK for fish and chips while sitting on the curb! Everyone stank to high heaven and partied till 4am!

 

[Herding_Cats]

A reminder about runner tracking and getting text alerts (since bib numbers should come out tomorrow or Tuesday?) Also, don't put the period at the end that whoever I saved this from decided to include with every single one.