I started looking at Disney World’s Marathon Weekend (http://espnwwos.disney.go.com/events/rundisney/wdw-marathon/) years ago. As I have said before I am one of the runners you hear about who plans their vacations around their races, what better place to race AND vacation then Disney World?
Expo: If you are staying in a on property hotel shuttles are offered every 20 minutes to the expo at the ESPN site. Packet Pick-up was in one building and goodie bag pick-up and expo were in another building. Since the buildings are right across from each other it makes getting your packet a little less painful (not as many people). The good bag pick up was at the back of the expo and as you leave the goodie bag area you go straight into the race merchandise area. Then you can hit all the booths are wiggle your way to the exit.
Start Line:
5K – The start line was a very short walk from the busses (again, offered to those staying at a property hotel). There were a decent amount of port-a-potties for the number of races. Buzz and Woody were right there (after all it was the “Buzz and Woody Best Friends 5K”). The start was a in a parking lot right outside Epcot.
Half Marathon/Marathon – The busses dropped you off close to the Family Reunion area, which is about a good 20 minute walk from the start line. The Family Reunion area was a large open area (parking lot) with vendors along half of the perimeter, a DJ with a huge screen in one corner, the Cheer Squad area (a tent with food for runners and their family, who have paid to be in there), and then the bag check you go through to get to the finish line. Ok, you also have to be at the start line a good half hour to an hour before the start of the race. There are plenty of port-o-potties along the route and around the start line (which is always a good thing).
Course:
5K – The course started off a little dull, you are running though parking lots. Within the first mile you hit the back area of Epcot, being one who loves to see behind the scenes I enjoyed this, before long the course goes into Epcot goes around the world, then pops out into the back lots again and right back into the park. There were characters along the course (which was a change from two years ago) and there were cast members cheering everyone along.
Half Marathon/Marathon – The start of the race is done in true Disney style. Fireworks, Mickey, Minnie, Goofy and Donald (I think Daisy was there too, but I can't remember). It is just YAY! The initial start got all sorts of fireworks, but then each and every wave received their own firework display as they started.
Half marathon –The half marathon course was almost an out and back course. You run out to Magic Kingdom and then back to Epcot. Instead of running through the main gate at the Magic Kingdom you get to hit some of the back lots again. Once the course enters Magic Kingdom you only have a short distance before you are on Main Street and the castle is right there in front of you! Before you get to the castle you take a right turn into Tomorrow Land and then you come and around and run through the castle then into Liberty Square into Frontier Land and then out of the park. Once you leave Magic Kingdom you start heading right back to Epcot and before you know it, you are approaching the finish line!
Marathon – Obviously the marathon course is a little different, but then again you are talking twice the distance. The Full marathon starts in the same location with the same send off as the half, but instead of heading straight up to Magic Kingdom it goes into Epcot for a little bit. Comes back around and passes the start line. Miles 4 – 10 are on the highway, but there are Characters and marching bands to keep the runners from getting board. The entrance into and run through Magic Kingdom is the same as it is for the half marathon. Miles 11 – 15 are back on highways, part of it is the course the half marathon run the day before. By Mile 16 the course has reached Animal Kingdom, again, the runners get to go through the back lots for a short distance before entering into the park. The Animal Kingdom is pretty enjoyable, running towards Mount Everest, having the music playing. One good thing about being a slow poke is the park is opened and there and there were a lot more spectators cheering. The mileage between Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios are the worst of the entire course, and even then, they aren't bad. Mile 20 to 21 is the most painful, it is an out and back on highway. Disney does the best they can to keep it exciting, but there is only so much you can do. Once the course enters into Hollywood Studios you know you have made it. You get to see even more back lots! You come out of Hollywood Studios and down a trail along a trail ending up in Epcot, after running around the World Showcase you find yourself running under the ball and into more back lots. As you approach the finish line you see a gospel choir and you kick it in and ta da! There is the finish line!
Course Support: I admit, I am spoiled when it comes to course support. But I have to say upfront, Disney has not let me down!
5K – there were two water stops along the course, both were well stocked and both had amazing people working them
Half Marathon – Gu was offered at mile 8, there were plenty of well stocked water stations along the entire course and of course there are a ton of characters!
Marathon – The marathon had water stops about every two miles, there were Gu stops, there were at least two banana stops. Once you make it to Hollywood Studios there was even a chocolate stop! And again, there were of course a ton of charaters!
Finish Line:
5K – After crossing the finish line Buzz and Woody medals were handed out and little bags with food in it (banana, bagel, water).
Half marathon/Full marathon – There were characters at the finish line cheering everyone on. Once passed the finish line, Donald Duck (half marathon) or Mickey Mouse (full marathon) medals were handed out with the obligatory water. After a short walk, Power Aid and food were offered.
Goofy – Once you received your Mickey Mouse medal, you went over to the Goofy area showed your bib and got your Goofy Medal as well and then you could get to the food and Power Aid.
Overall Yes, Disney charges an arm and leg for everything but I would have to say this weekend is one worth investing in, it is so much fun! I highly recommend staying on property, the busses make it so much easier. Remember it is January and at 4 AM it is still dark and will probably be a little chilly, dress appropriately! If you can only run one race in your entire life and you aren’t too concerned about the time this is the race to run. If you are worried about your time, you might want to go elsewhere, all the charaters along the course can affect your time (most people stop to take pictures)!
