Marathon Weekend 2022

[LSUfan4444]

Is it possible to walk through the parking lot (no Epcot ticket) from Boardwalk to wherever the start or finish is? The room I have booked at AKL is nicer, but i am worried about transportation issues.

i will never run any marathon so I have no idea what is going on.

So, the course map is good but I always refer people to a map from the actual course (not just animated).

https://www.strava.com/running_races/3990

The transportation advantage of AKL is you could drive to the TTC and take the Epcot monorail.

BUT, as a spectator, BW is much better because you can just catch your runner there as a spectator in the final miles then they can easily get back to you after the race. The finish line is a madhouse anyway...let them focus on the finish line and catch them at the BW where they can more easily see you, stop for hugs, etc.

Here's my video from the 2018 full..at the 2:40 mark you can see how easy it was to see, stop and hug our friends and family at the BW

 

[opusone]

So, the course map is good but I always refer people to a map from the actual course (not just animated).

https://www.strava.com/running_races/3990

Was this really the 2020 course? I didn't run it, but I thought I remember the 2020 course changed from prior years and didn't have the out/back on Western Way, didn't go through ESPN and instead went through Blizzard Beach, and also went through Epcot at the beginning as well as the end.

 

[WhereInFlorida]

BUT, as a spectator, BW is much better because you can just catch your runner there as a spectator in the final miles then they can easily get back to you after the race. The finish line is a madhouse anyway...let them focus on the finish line and catch them at the BW where they can more easily see you, stop for hugs, etc.

Big fan of the Boardwalk hotels for this as well. Family can sleep in much later, they are right there to motivate you for that final push to the finish line. If I can get a good rate will end up there again.

 

[camaker]

Was this really the 2020 course? I didn't run it, but I thought I remember the 2020 course changed from prior years and didn't have the out/back on Western Way, didn't go through ESPN and instead went through Blizzard Beach, and also went through Epcot at the beginning as well as the end.

The course that @LSUfan4444 linked to is definitely not the course we ran in 2020. The map that @jmasgat posted shows the correct 2020 course. There was no ESPN WWoS in 2020. It was replaced with the ill-fated Blizzard Beach parking lot loop.

 

[ZellyB]

My first time going as a spectator. Husband and his friend running Goofy and one daughter running half and the other the full.

We will be staying at Shades of Green which will be great for a spectator advantage. I was debating with my husband if we would have time to walk over to Ticket and Transportation Center to see them and then hoof it back over to Shades to see them a second time. He says yes; I say no. I have mobility issues these days and so use a scooter, so I could probably make it at full speed on the scooter but maybe not true of my daughter or friend trying to keep up with me. Ultimately for the marathon we'd like to head over to Epcot to see them finish. Don't think we'd have time to do that with the half but maybe???

My concerns are having to cross the street (Floridian Way) at Shades (twice) in order to accomplish this. We could likely do it going to T&T as we could do it early enough before any runners have hit Floridian Way. My DH, his friend and my daughters will be mid-pack to back of pack in the runner groups most likely. So, not thinking we could get back across the street easily to return to our room. I mean we can watch them from the Poly side of Floridian Way, but then would be basically stuck until all the runners have passed us before being able to get back to our rooms right? Not sure I want to hang out that long (especially during the marathon). I guess instead of going back to our room, we just stay out for the day and take the monorail over to Epcot for the finish? We actually weren't planning to use park tickets on the marathon day though, so we'd just hang out in the finisher's area until they complete the race. Maybe that's the best option?? And, if so, maybe we'd have time for a quick breakfast at the Poly quick service place? Hmmm...

 

[DisneyParrothead]

Big fan of the Boardwalk hotels for this as well. Family can sleep in much later, they are right there to motivate you for that final push to the finish line. If I can get a good rate will end up there again.

I’m booked at the Swan since they have/had good rates compared to BW and YC BC. Same area and most of the benefits too.

 

[Livelovedance]

Is it usually difficult to book a DVC room for marathon week? I’ve had my home resort booked for awhile which I’m completely okay with, but I was hoping to switch to a monorail resort for ease of transportation for spectators. I just looked at availability for all resorts and it’s very slim pickings!

 

[DopeyBadger]

Logistics are my favorite @ZellyB!

We will be staying at Shades of Green which will be great for a spectator advantage. I was debating with my husband if we would have time to walk over to Ticket and Transportation Center to see them and then hoof it back over to Shades to see them a second time. He says yes; I say no. I have mobility issues these days and so use a scooter, so I could probably make it at full speed on the scooter but maybe not true of my daughter or friend trying to keep up with me.

The distance between TTC and the Poly intersection is about 0.5-0.6 miles according to Google Maps.



In the 2020 HM, TTC was 3.8 miles and Poly was 7.1 miles. So they would travel approximately 3.3 miles in the time you travel 0.6 miles. If they're going an 11 min/mile pace, then that gives you roughly 33 min to travel 0.6 miles.

In the 2020 Marathon, TTC was 8.8 miles and Poly was 12.7 miles. So they would travel approximately 4 miles in the time you travel 0.6 miles. If they're going an 11 min/mile pace, then that gives you roughly 44 min to travel 0.6 miles.

Ultimately for the marathon we'd like to head over to Epcot to see them finish. Don't think we'd have time to do that with the half but maybe???

The TTC is at Mile 3.8 and the finish is at 13.1 miles. So they would travel approximately 9.3 miles, or 102 min (1:42 hrs). According to my notes, the TTC to EPCOT monorail takes approximately 15 min. The distance from the EPCOT monorail to the finish line is approximately 0.5 mile. So I definitely think you could make it from the TTC to the finish line in 1:42 hours.

Now if you wanted to do TTC to Poly to EPCOT finish line for the HM would be a bit trickier. That's mile 7.1 to 13.11 or 4 miles (44 min). Assume the 0.6 mile Poly to TTC takes 15 min (25 min/mile) + 15 min Monorail + 15 min walk from Monorail to finish line (25 min/mile) is 45 min. So I think doing this one would be tricky if your group is doing an 11 min/mile while running.

My concerns are having to cross the street (Floridian Way) at Shades (twice) in order to accomplish this. We could likely do it going to T&T as we could do it early enough before any runners have hit Floridian Way.

The HM leaders will cross by Poly at around 5:40am. The M leaders will cross by Poly at around 6:10am.

I mean we can watch them from the Poly side of Floridian Way, but then would be basically stuck until all the runners have passed us before being able to get back to our rooms right?

The HM balloon ladies pass the Poly at 7:54am. The M balloon ladies pass the Poly at 9:10am. Occasionally I see spectators cross this intersection, but it would definitely be trickier when the back of the pack is running through there given the density of runners.

And, if so, maybe we'd have time for a quick breakfast at the Poly quick service place?

For the marathon, Poly is mile 12.7. So they have 13.5 miles after they pass there. If they do an 11 min/mile, then that's about 2.5 hrs. So with the spectator trip of Poly to EPCOT finish estimated at 45 min, that leaves you with approximately 1:45 hrs to eat at Poly breakfast.

 

[ZellyB]

Logistics are my favorite @ZellyB!



The distance between TTC and the Poly intersection is about 0.5-0.6 miles according to Google Maps.

View attachment 594667

In the 2020 HM, TTC was 3.8 miles and Poly was 7.1 miles. So they would travel approximately 3.3 miles in the time you travel 0.6 miles. If they're going an 11 min/mile pace, then that gives you roughly 33 min to travel 0.6 miles.

In the 2020 Marathon, TTC was 8.8 miles and Poly was 12.7 miles. So they would travel approximately 4 miles in the time you travel 0.6 miles. If they're going an 11 min/mile pace, then that gives you roughly 44 min to travel 0.6 miles.



The TTC is at Mile 3.8 and the finish is at 13.1 miles. So they would travel approximately 9.3 miles, or 102 min (1:42 hrs). According to my notes, the TTC to EPCOT monorail takes approximately 15 min. The distance from the EPCOT monorail to the finish line is approximately 0.5 mile. So I definitely think you could make it from the TTC to the finish line in 1:42 hours.

Now if you wanted to do TTC to Poly to EPCOT finish line for the HM would be a bit trickier. That's mile 7.1 to 13.11 or 4 miles (44 min). Assume the 0.6 mile Poly to TTC takes 15 min (25 min/mile) + 15 min Monorail + 15 min walk from Monorail to finish line (25 min/mile) is 45 min. So I think doing this one would be tricky if your group is doing an 11 min/mile while running.



The HM leaders will cross by Poly at around 5:40am. The M leaders will cross by Poly at around 6:10am.



The HM balloon ladies pass the Poly at 7:54am. The M balloon ladies pass the Poly at 9:10am. Occasionally I see spectators cross this intersection, but it would definitely be trickier when the back of the pack is running through there given the density of runners.



For the marathon, Poly is mile 12.7. So they have 13.5 miles after they pass there. If they do an 11 min/mile, then that's about 2.5 hrs. So with the spectator trip of Poly to EPCOT finish estimated at 45 min, that leaves you with approximately 1:45 hrs to eat at Poly breakfast.

This is awesome! Thank you!!

 

[leholcomb]

SAFD:

I've already accomplished my first goal:
1. Register for Dopey

One goal for training:
2. Stick to my training plan (may be tempting to veer off course as I am getting married with a two week honeymoon in September...)

And only one goal for actual Marathon weekend:
3. Finish my first ever Dopey happy, healthy and upright.

My SO will be running the 5K and 10K with me. It will be his first ever 10K so I just want to enjoy the experience with him.

 

[FFigawi]

So, the course map is good but I always refer people to a map from the actual course (not just animated).

https://www.strava.com/running_races/3990

Except that’s not the actual course which matches what @jmasgat posted. Her course map is good; yours not so much.

 

[The Expert]

Apparently my phone posted this initial reply even though I tried to delete. It was meant to say "shortened by how much?"
But I found a blog explaining that it was 85 degrees (!) and for those still under 20 miles or over 6 hours, they lopped off 2 miles. Just wow. I know that the race weekend temps can have a wide range, but I wouldn't have imagined that much.

I was there, and it was MISERABLE for those of us on the course for 6+ hours! People were dropping left and right, and they were handing out bags of ice at the aid stations. I was just behind the course cut, which resulted in crazy crowding for the last few miles -- we were walking shoulder to shoulder. They basically cut the Blizzard Beach parking lot loop, which was rougly 1.5 miles.

Is it possible to walk through the parking lot (no Epcot ticket) from Boardwalk to wherever the start or finish is?

NOT for the start, but after the race you can walk through Epcot and go out the gate between UK and France to walk back to the Boardwalk (if you have a ticket and park reservation, assuming those are still a thing).

 

[LSUfan4444]

Except that’s not the actual course which matches what @jmasgat posted. Her course map is good; yours not so much.

There is no 2022 course to speak of, it was only example of what the Boardwalk area looks like on something other than a cartoon.

 

[LSUfan4444]

Was this really the 2020 course?

No, it wasn't the full course. I was just showing the Boardwalk area as it related to the conversation at the time. This was the exact 2020 Course:

https://www.strava.com/activities/3253717811

 

[Sleepless Knight]

I was there, and it was MISERABLE for those of us on the course for 6+ hours! People were dropping left and right, and they were handing out bags of ice at the aid stations. I was just behind the course cut, which resulted in crazy crowding for the last few miles -- we were walking shoulder to shoulder. They basically cut the Blizzard Beach parking lot loop, which was roughly 1.5 miles.

My sister spent much of the 2020 Marathon just ahead of the balloon ladies. She described crossing the finish line scary because of the constant cries of medic as people dropped immediately after finishing. I had a few moments of worry after I learned that they had cut the course short and I would not run the full 26.2 that day. But after arguing about whether or not it meant anything, I concluded the following that helped decide I had put in 26.2 one way or another.

1. The walk to the corrals.

2. And then the walk from the corrals to the start line.

3. And if that somehow wasn't enough, the walk from the finish line to the resort buses.

4. And if that still didn't make up the difference, I went to the parks afterwards.

5. I also called it my Kessel Run Marathon and that made my Star Wars nerd brain happy.

When the heat got to me in 2019, I put an ice bag on my head atop my visor after seeing other runners do this. I did not do so until around mile 22 or something. They ran out of ice bags around mile 25, but I was close enough that I could deal with it by that point. Knowing what 2020 was looking like, I started the ice bag around mile 13 and kept replacing it when I needed to. I eventually no longer even needed it even though 2020 was much hotter than 2019. If you need to precool, do it. And visors help release heat much better than baseball caps.

 

[PCFriar80]

My first time going as a spectator. Husband and his friend running Goofy and one daughter running half and the other the full.

Me too. Not happy about it but my achilles fought back on both legs which required surgery. I decided to go left first then right. It's been a long 16 months. Nonetheless I've been running Disney since 2006 so am thankful for the different experiences and fun I had each year. I'll be at the BC cheering on the 10K on Friday [under the pool slide] and then hustling over to the BW on Sunday to cheer the marathoners on around mile 24.5! I was thinking of starting a "2022 Disney MW Spectator" thread just to participate, but will simply resign from this thread and enjoy my new focus.

Best of luck to your running team [family and friends] and hope that you can enjoy the races on the other side!

 

[The Expert]

When the heat got to me in 2019, I put an ice bag on my head atop my visor after seeing other runners do this. I did not do so until around mile 22 or something. They ran out of ice bags around mile 25, but I was close enough that I could deal with it by that point. Knowing what 2020 was looking like, I started the ice bag around mile 13 and kept replacing it when I needed to. I eventually no longer even needed it even though 2020 was much hotter than 2019. If you need to precool, do it. And visors help release heat much better than baseball caps.

Yes! I had a visor and picked up an ice bag just outside AK around mile 19 or so. I kept it until we got to Boardwalk, where I had texted DH to meet me with the room ice bucket filled with ice and water and a cold Coke! He was a VERY good boy that day, so I was doused with freezing water and sipping my ice cold Coke for the rest of the race. I have never had a Coke taste so good!

 

[Guidman]

SAFD:
-As everyone else has said, have fun and enjoy the experience.

-I'm only doing the marathon so I'll have some time goal but it won't be full-tilt.

-Look as happy as I can for the Photopass pics on the course.

 

[HangWithMerida]

-Look as happy as I can for the Photopass pics on the course.

This is an admirable goal. I always look angry in my pics. Even when I'm enjoying myself, running is hard and my face shows it.

 

[Mr_Incr3dible]

Yes! I had a visor and picked up an ice bag just outside AK around mile 19 or so. I kept it until we got to Boardwalk, where I had texted DH to meet me with the room ice bucket filled with ice and water and a cold Coke! He was a VERY good boy that day, so I was doused with freezing water and sipping my ice cold Coke for the rest of the race. I have never had a Coke taste so good!

I would never have thought of drinking a Coke after (or during) a race, but there were cold ones at the end of one of the Atlanta half marathons and ditto for that being one of the most refreshing Cokes I've ever had. Alas, after having covid, soft drinks taste disgusting to me (which is actually a good thing for me, as it takes that temptation away).