Marathon Weekend 2023

[Herding_Cats]

Okay, that marathon route, the early miles… why are we even bothering to go into EP for a few hundred feet, only to go right back out again?! I feel like maaaayyybeee this resolves some of the traffic issues caused by previous course iterations, but oof: dropping EP time to add BB parking lot time is, well… not great. OTOH, if I’m feeling lousy early on, it’ll be super easy to get back to my car lol!

I'm glad we aren't running the backstage section like we did last year because there were a few spots that we completely unlit. (Although looking at the map we might still be running in that section. Ugh.)

 

[Cabius]

Okay, that marathon route, the early miles… why are we even bothering to go into EP for a few hundred feet, only to go right back out again?! I feel like maaaayyybeee this resolves some of the traffic issues caused by previous course iterations, but oof: dropping EP time to add BB parking lot time is, well… not great. OTOH, if I’m feeling lousy early on, it’ll be super easy to get back to my car lol!

I wonder if some of it has to do with the ongoing construction footprint? Or wanting to give runners the iconic Spaceship Earth / Pylon route rather than the industrial backstage look? I'm not mad at it.

 

[nekonekoneko]

So... I know they have a policy against spectators handing out food/water to runners. How strict is that policy?

Obviously nobody should be holding out food for strangers, and if that's the meaning of the policy, great! But I don't know if it's intended to extend to family, too. If my family handed me a bottle of LiquidIV or some extra Gu, would that cause a problem, or are they really just trying to prevent unofficial food/water stops?

My DW calls me on the run up to The Contemporary, complaining that the drink stops are all luke warm, and she wants something ice cold. So I'll duck into The Emporium and get her something there to hand to her as she runs up Main Street. No one's ever said anything, but it's not like I'm just handing out random beers to people.

 

[The Expert]

So... I know they have a policy against spectators handing out food/water to runners. How strict is that policy?

Obviously nobody should be holding out food for strangers, and if that's the meaning of the policy, great! But I don't know if it's intended to extend to family, too. If my family handed me a bottle of LiquidIV or some extra Gu, would that cause a problem, or are they really just trying to prevent unofficial food/water stops?

Just reiterating what others have said, it should be fine. We usually stay at Boardwalk and DH has handed me something there at many races in the past without anybody saying anything. I do usually stop and talk to him for a bit, too, so it's obvious I know him and isn't just a drive-by.

 

[RunWI1265]

Thanks for organizing Billy!

RACE - 5k
NAME - Jamie M
DIS'er name - RunWI1265
Costume/Clothing - regular running clothes
Estimated Pace/Finish/POT from Registration -
Club runDisney Platinum? - (Yes or No) No
Pre-Race Meet-up? - (Yes or No) maybe
Front, Middle, or Back of starting group - Front
Early Bird or Late Arriver - Early
Expected Race Pace - 11:00ish

RACE - 10k
NAME - Jamie M
DIS'er name - RunWI1265
Costume/Clothing - regular running clothes
Estimated Pace/Finish/POT from Registration -
Club runDisney Platinum? - (Yes or No) No
Pre-Race Meet-up? - (Yes or No) maybe
Front, Middle, or Back of starting group - Front
Early Bird or Late Arriver - Early
Expected Race Pace - 11ish

RACE - Half Marathon
NAME - Jamie M
DIS'er name - RunWI1265
Costume/Clothing - regular running clothes
Estimated Pace/Finish/POT from Registration -
Club runDisney Platinum? - (Yes or No) No
Pre-Race Meet-up? - (Yes or No) maybe
Front, Middle, or Back of starting group - Front
Early Bird or Late Arriver - Early
Expected Race Pace - 12:00

RACE - Marathon
NAME - Jamie M
DIS'er name - RunWI1265
Costume/Clothing - regular running clothes
Estimated Pace/Finish/POT from Registration - 4:30-5:00
Club runDisney Platinum? - (Yes or No) No
Pre-Race Meet-up? - (Yes or No) maybe
Front, Middle, or Back of starting group - Front
Early Bird or Late Arriver - Early
Expected Race Pace - 11:20

 

[opusone]

...but oof: dropping EP time to add BB parking lot time is, well… not great.

Although they did add more time in MK as well!

 

[RunWI1265]

It looks like this year will give us about twice as much time in the BB parking lot. It looks like we're going the entire width of the lot, plus two rows of cars deeper.

January 2022
View attachment 725375

January 2023
View attachment 725376

This parking lot is where I started to go downhill. It reminds me of every trail race I've done. Every course at some point has an open field, completely exposed to the sun and it's just so demoralizing. My friends and I call it "the field of death". That's how I felt here

 

[Herding_Cats]

This parking lot is where I started to go downhill. It reminds me of every trail race I've done. Every course at some point has an open field, completely exposed to the sun and it's just so demoralizing. My friends and I call it "the field of death". That's how I felt here

I was so happy to be running with someone at that point...."Next is HS. And then the resorts. And then Epcot. And then we're done!" Having those small targets helped a ton.

 

[dobball23]

This parking lot is where I started to go downhill. It reminds me of every trail race I've done. Every course at some point has an open field, completely exposed to the sun and it's just so demoralizing. My friends and I call it "the field of death". That's how I felt here

Agreed. It's where I started to struggle last year. I took my first walk break at the water stop. And then that opened the floodgates for my brain to allow additional walk breaks over the last few miles. I was consistently between 8:04-8:15 for every mile before that parking lot. After the parking lot, my times ranged from 8:45 to 10:32. Hopefully I'll do better this year!

 

[GollyGadget]

I know last year they told us what the fuel would be. Does anyone remember WHERE in the guide that was? I see Honey Stinger is "featured" in the digital expo, but I can't find any mention of what the on-course fuel is.

I don’t see anything in the guide and I couldn’t find it in the W&D guide when it was published either.

For W&D, the on course nutrition was sports beans even though honey stinger was at the expo. I expect the same in January.

 

[Herding_Cats]

I don’t see anything in the guide and I couldn’t find it in the W&D guide when it was published either.

For W&D, the on course nutrition was sports beans even though honey stinger was at the expo. I expect the same in January.

I am hoping it's honey stinger on-course since I know their stuff works for me and I could carry less in my belt.

 

[lookingforsunshine]

RACE - 5k
NAME - Alyssa
DIS'er name - lookingforsunshine
Costume/Clothing - 90s mousercize Megara (purple dress, leg warmers, etc.)
Estimated Pace/Finish/POT from Registration - 12:01-14:00 pace
Club runDisney Platinum? - Yes
Pre-Race Meet-up? - Maybe
Front, Middle, or Back of starting group - Middle
Early Bird or Late Arriver - Early
Expected Race Pace - 15:00. I am planning to walk most of this or run slowly between pictures.

RACE - 10k
NAME - Alyssa
DIS'er name - lookingforsunshine
Costume/Clothing - Belle x Cher from Clueless mash up. Yellow suit.
Estimated Pace/Finish/POT from Registration - 12:01-14:00 pace
Club runDisney Platinum? - Yes
Pre-Race Meet-up? - Maybe
Front, Middle, or Back of starting group - Middle
Early Bird or Late Arriver - Early
Expected Race Pace - 15:00. I am planning to run slowly between pictures.

RACE - Marathon!!!
NAME - Alyssa
DIS'er name - lookingforsunshine
Costume/Clothing - Rainbow EPCOT Dottie skirt. Pink top. Black baseball cap.
Estimated Pace/Finish/POT from Registration - 6:01 - 6:30 anticipated finish
Club runDisney Platinum? - Yes
Pre-Race Meet-up? - Maybe
Front, Middle, or Back of starting group - Back
Early Bird or Late Arriver - Early
Expected Race Pace - 15:00

I'm also doing the Castaway Cay challenge if anyone else will be on the Wish!

 

[accm]

The excitement (and nerves) just hit as I was looking through the guide! What was I thinking signing up for Dopey? I'm so excited, but also terrified! I'm glad they added the early Epcot section to the Marathon. I'd be bummed if we didn't get run under Spaceship Earth.

I don't actually know what my pace is going to be for the races. My plan is to see how I'm feeling and run without thinking about pace, so I'm just using my EB pace.

RACE - 5k
NAME - Anna
DIS'er name - accm
Costume/Clothing - star wars themed running clothes
Estimated Pace/Finish/POT from Registration - 8:01-10 (will be going to later coral to run with my son)
Club runDisney Platinum? - (Yes or No) No
Pre-Race Meet-up? - (Yes or No) No
Front, Middle, or Back of starting group - no idea
Early Bird or Late Arriver - Early
Expected Race Pace - 16+

RACE - 10k
NAME - Anna
DIS'er name - accm
Costume/Clothing - chip and dale themed running clothes
Estimated Pace/Finish/POT from Registration - 8:01-10
Club runDisney Platinum? - (Yes or No) No
Pre-Race Meet-up? - (Yes or No) Maybe
Front, Middle, or Back of starting group - no idea
Early Bird or Late Arriver - Early
Expected Race Pace - 10:30ish

RACE - Half
NAME - Anna
DIS'er name - accm
Costume/Clothing - lion king themed running clothes
Estimated Pace/Finish/POT from Registration - Over 4:30 (part of Dopey)
Club runDisney Platinum? - (Yes or No) No
Pre-Race Meet-up? - (Yes or No) Maybe
Front, Middle, or Back of starting group - no idea
Early Bird or Late Arriver - Early
Expected Race Pace - 10:30ish

RACE - Full
NAME - Anna
DIS'er name - accm
Costume/Clothing - parks themed running clothes
Estimated Pace/Finish/POT from Registration - Over 4:30 (part of Dopey)
Club runDisney Platinum? - (Yes or No) No
Pre-Race Meet-up? - (Yes or No) Maybe
Front, Middle, or Back of starting group - no idea
Early Bird or Late Arriver - Early
Expected Race Pace - 10:30ish

 

[accm]

I know it's too soon to be looking at the forecast and Orlando weather is unpredictable and blah blah blah, but I can't help myself. I'm formally requesting Dec 23 and 24 weather for the half and full:

 

[sandam1]

If a spectator wants to watch the start, can they get within sight a little before 5 a.m.? And what path would they take to get there from the Epcot parking lot?

There is usually pretty good signage to direct spectators from the race reunion area to the start line.

I believe this is the route, and yes they definitely allow you to be standing there earlier than 5am. From my experience, I feel like I've seen people standing there as early as 15-30 min before race start.

Pro-tip: For the marathon (and the half, I think), the spectators are across a divided highway from the runners. If you want your family to be able to pick you out and/or you to see them, have something that lights up. I picked up some cheap neon bracelets over the summer to use. That way I can easily throw them away afterward.

 

[DopeyBadger]

Pro-tip: For the marathon (and the half, I think), the spectators are across a divided highway from the runners. If you want your family to be able to pick you out and/or you to see them, have something that lights up. I picked up some cheap neon bracelets over the summer to use. That way I can easily throw them away afterward.

And stick around for the marathon because the route takes the runners by that same spot (by start line) at Mile 4 on the closer side of the divided highway.

 

[WxKristin]

This is my first runDisney event that monorail is an option for transportation. Does anyone know what crowds look like between 3 and 4 am for that?
(I'm actually ecstatic to not be on a bus after dealing with ours getting lost for the W&D 10K for over an hour)

 

[nekonekoneko]

This is my first runDisney event that monorail is an option for transportation. Does anyone know what crowds look like between 3 and 4 am for that?
(I'm actually ecstatic to not be on a bus after dealing with ours getting lost for the W&D 10K for over an hour)

This was soon to be 6 years ago, but it's not bad. There's usually more space on The Monorail than people waiting. Though I was there around 3:20 am, so I don't know what it looks like closer to 4.

 

[kidmd]

I noticed that in the Spectator Viewing tab for the Half, it only mentions Start and Finish line viewing (Same as 5K and 10k). There is no mention of Main Street viewing. I assume this is an oversight and Main Street will still be open for spectating for the Half and Full. Also I have a stupid question, how do you attach a photo to a post? Does it have to be hosted on another photo sharing site. I read the FAQ and it says you can drag and drop a photo. This doesn't work for me. What am I missing?

 

[WxKristin]

This was soon to be 6 years ago, but it's not bad. There's usually more space on The Monorail than people waiting. Though I was there around 3:20 am, so I don't know what it looks like closer to 4.

Thanks! With that two mile + walk out from the Epcot front entrance to the staging area I'll definitely be aiming for closer to 3 am.