Marathon Questions...again :) About This Page:

[AngelLily03]

Hello all, DH is currently training for the marathon and we were just looking for some answers to a couple of questions that have come up in our planning.
Are there photopass photographers along the route? If so do you have to stop to pose?
The website says to get there 'early' for packet pick up, so how late is too late to get to the complex for pick up. Do the restorts offer shuttles to them.
How fast do you have to finish to get a medal?
What kind of entertainment is in the family waiting area at the end?
What kind of dinner is best to plan on for that night, this will be his first marathon and I'm trying to get ADR's in order...should I be ready to carbo load him or something like Le Cellier work?
As always thanks for the help and any other tips and tricks you may have would be wonderful.

[Dreaming of DisneyWorld]

Some of these questions cannot be answered until closer to marathon time. However, I hope I can answer a few for you. First of all, No, there are no PhotoPass photographers. It is a different company responsible for taking photos. And, No, you don't stop to pose, unless you carry your own camera to pose with the characters which many people choose to do.

Packet pick up is the day (or two) prior to race day. Typically, no packets can be picked up on race day. Health Expos at WWofS often close by 7pm. Yes, some Disney resorts offer transportation to WWofS, but not all. For example, the Princess Half Marathon is offering transportation from the All-Star Resorts, PO Riverside and French Quarter, SSR, OKW, and Poly.

You typically must maintain a 16-minute mile to participate. If you cannot maintain this pace, you will be picked up and driven back. You will also not receive a finishers medal. I don't know about entertainment in the reunion area.

The night of the race you won't necessarily need to carb load - that is for the week prior. However, if this is his first marathon, he may not feel like walking around a park, especially Epcot, after the race. I would keep my expectations low for the rest of the day.

[mdobereiner]

[QUOTE=Dreaming of DisneyWorld;3159678]Disney resorts offer transportation to WWofS, but not all. For example, the Princess Half Marathon is offering transportation from the All-Star Resorts, PO Riverside and French Quarter, SSR, OKW, and Poly. /QUOTE]

I believe all resorts offer transportation during marathon weekend, but other race weekends they don't (like for the Wine and Dine we had to choose between Yacht Club, All Stars, PRFQ and Poly I think.)

GL! The expo is really cool with all the vendors so plan on spending some time there when your DH picks up his race packet.

Mel

[AngelLily03]

[QUOTE=mdobereiner;3160699]

Originally Posted by Dreaming of DisneyWorld

Disney resorts offer transportation to WWofS, but not all. For example, the Princess Half Marathon is offering transportation from the All-Star Resorts, PO Riverside and French Quarter, SSR, OKW, and Poly. /QUOTE]

I believe all resorts offer transportation during marathon weekend, but other race weekends they don't (like for the Wine and Dine we had to choose between Yacht Club, All Stars, PRFQ and Poly I think.)

GL! The expo is really cool with all the vendors so plan on spending some time there when your DH picks up his race packet.

Mel

We we're sure about the expo because the kids and I would have to pay to get in. And with the plan as it is now he wouldn't have much time...but I'm currently trying to play with the flights.
What kind of stuff is at the expo and how much time do you recommend?

[disney_duke]

[QUOTE=AngelLily03;3161495]

Originally Posted by mdobereiner

We we're sure about the expo because the kids and I would have to pay to get in. And with the plan as it is now he wouldn't have much time...but I'm currently trying to play with the flights.
What kind of stuff is at the expo and how much time do you recommend?

I don't think guests have to pay to attend the expo.
My friend and I ran the Half in 08, and I recall being able to just walk straight in there, no questions asked. There were some CM's (or some people) guiding us along as to where to go to pick up our packets, but I don't recall anywhere, anyone asking to check for a ticket/money or anything of that nature.

As far as the crowds, we attended the first day of the expo, within an hour of it opening. We went straight to packet pick up and waited maybe 20 minutes for that. After browsing the merchandise a bit and leaving (we didn't stop at other vendors since we had ADR's at LeCellier), the line for packet pick up was all the way out the door!!!! I think they've since extended the hours. But I would advise to either get there right at the opening, or maybe at the tail end.

I think your other questions were answered - I also think that during Marathon weekend, ALL resorts *usually* have transportation to the start of the race. I don't recall much in the way of entertainment in the family area other than just character meet and greets. Now, they were characters dressed up in their running gear, so that was cool! But no refreshments or music or anything like that. This was in 08, so I don't know if that's changed since.

As far as after the race.... well, everybody is different. But generally speaking, I would say don't count your DH to be excited to walk around all that much. Yes, he definitely has to walk from time to time. But without knowing him, I would advise that walking around WS at Epcot may not be the best idea!!! But he may be up for it, I don't know. I can tell you that after my friend and I finished 13.1 miles, we rested at POFQ and headed to Beaches and Cream for a nice yummy delicious hamburger and chocolate malt. That really hit the spot! And then after that, we went to DTD for a bit of shopping and headed back to POFQ for more rest. Then it was WCC at the Wilderness Lodge for dinner and an early night. We didn't go to any parks that day at all and rested a bit mixed in with a wee bit of walking and it worked out great. Our bodies both felt totally normal the next day!!

Like the other poster said, carb loading can be done the entire week before. In fact it's best not to overeat too much the day before the race. Your body stores the carbs and will use them come race day. And water too. And I would highly suggest to make sure your DH really does bring his camera along!!! I took about 30 pictures along the way, it really is a cool thing to be a part of. Lots of people did stop for character photo ops and another big one was taking a shot of each mile marker (they really are kinda neat). So he will be thankful for having his camera!! And yes, the photos are done via an outside company called ASI. There will be more info regarding that later. But they can track and spot your DH in any photo he is in based on his bib number. So tell him to be sure to have that displayed at all times (ie, not covered up by another shirt) if he wants some "action" shots.

I hope some of that answered your questions!! You will find lots more information as it gets closer. And I'll see him at the starting line!! I'll also be running the Full in 2011!!!

[AngelLily03]

Thanks, he will have his own camera but don't see him stopping to pose but he may surprise me.
We were planning on flying in on the Thursday before the race, the earliest we can get into orlando will be 4:30, and taking DME gets us to the resort 5:30 6:00 at best. The plan was for him to immediately head to the WWS to pick up the packet while I got checked in and the kids settled into the room.
Race day I will be taking DD to BBB while he runs and then after picking him up heading back to the hotel to shower and nap if he wants. We've been advised to keep him moving a little that day so we will return just to WS whenever he is ready. The day after will be EC and we'll take it at his pace, and be ready to sit when needed.
Good luck with the half!

[AngelLily03]

disney_duke, thanks so much. Good to know about the expo because we are now looking at a red eye the night before and that would allow us to get there the first day right when it opens. This will be his first full marathon so we're just not sure what to expect, put two kids on top of that and we're in for a wild ride. We'll talk about the day of...I don't want to burn him out by any means. Just the WS with an ADR for dinner seemed like a good idea, anything we miss we could make up on another day. Take everything at his pace and when he's ready to head back, we head back. Good luck with your training, he starts full blown for a half in the next week.
Could I trouble you or anyone else with another question, what is the best starting group to shoot for and what kind of times do you need for it. He's going to run half in May for the time, he doesn't want to be in the first or the very last group at WDW. If need be we can look for an additional races around here, Boise is luckily a running community and have a number of races during the year we can do to improve his time.

[disney_duke]

Wow, he's really ambitious, huh?? I'm more of a jogger myself, so my main goal has always been just to finish the race!! For these specific of details, I would just say email and ask them directly. I know that when you initially sign up for the race, they ask if you think you can finish is sub-5 hours and they may ask for proof of that. And I know if you want to change that answer to yes, I can finish sub-5 hours, there is a contact for submitting a time from a recent race to prove that. Here is just a general "contact us" webpage Contact Us | ESPN Wide World of Sports and they may be able to answer the specific question of what time minimum does he need for a front corrall placement. Me myself? I'll be in the back of the pack with the walker/runners. Heck, we've got 7 hours to finish this thing, and I may use all of them!! So I probably won't see him at the start line... but maybe at the finish!!

A nice dinner in the WS would be a very nice way to celebrate his big accomplishment! That's the nice thing about WS is you have so many to choose from, just pick his favorite flavor! I'm thinking my DH and I will celebrate at Cali Grill. Just not sure if we're brining the kids along or not.... we're renting a house and my parents and neighbors are coming along. I'm the only one running. But we have plenty of sitters to watch the kids so it may just be my DH and I for dinner that night.... but I know the kids will want to celebrate too.... just not sure yet!!

[AngelLily03]

He's excited, and I am for him. Let us know if you get any tips while at the half .

[hockeyguysmom]

I have never done the marathon or been at WDW during the races but I really enjoy the WDW today podcast and they have done a few episodes on the races. Here is a link WDW Today - Walt Disney World planning podcast you can also download them from itunes.

I actually just did a search on their website for marathon & got 10 episodes where they discussed it. Everything from running to being there to watch loved ones, getting there, they really go into detail about their experiences.

[AngelLily03]

Originally Posted by hockeyguysmom

I have never done the marathon or been at WDW during the races but I really enjoy the WDW today podcast and they have done a few episodes on the races. Here is a link WDW Today - Walt Disney World planning podcast you can also download them from itunes.

I actually just did a search on their website for marathon & got 10 episodes where they discussed it. Everything from running to being there to watch loved ones, getting there, they really go into detail about their experiences.

Thanks, I'll check this out, but I'll wait til DH gets home so he can see/hear them too.

[AngelLily03]

Those podcasts are great, tons of info. Thanks!

[hockeyguysmom]

Glad you like them!