Disney's Princess Half Marathon Weekend

[PartOfYourWorld]

Event Guide was released today on the runDisney site! woohoo!!

 

[imagination30]

http://as1.wdpromedia.com/media/rundisney/pdf/princess/2014/Princess14_ProgramWeb.pdf

 

[Ariel484]

The kids races medallion is sooooo adorable!

 

[oommggitskait]

I've been stalking this thread recently, so thanks everyone for keeping me up to date on info. This is my first rundisney event, but not my first half. The nerves are really starting to kick in!
Looking for some advice on guiding my spectators as they are not part of the official cheer squad.
Any suggestions or tips?

 

[imagination30]

I can kinda helkp you here .. bc my parents didnt buy the cheer squad thing for Marathon weekend , but with luck and timing where able to see me start .. , , bc when you go in the family union area , by the runners retreat .. you follow the path all the way to the start ,, they have benches and tables and all sorts of stuff .. , and they also havbe a big screen to watch if they don't want to fight the crowd , but other than that .. a long the course ,.. just check the guide ... , and stuff.. , but if you have trouble finding stuff just ask the volunEArs.. they will help you..
but Have fun and enjoy your magical race.!

 

[kcool]

FOR SALE! My wife was supposed to run the Princess in a couple of weeks but she is pregnant and due in March! We signed up for the race and the ChEAR Squad before she found out. We have two Platinum ChEAR Squad packages for sale - buy one get one free! We have a friend who is still going who will pick up the packages and can deliver them to the buyer. Please email me at software@kmcooley.com if interested.

 

[beasyouare2007]

I am looking forward to running my first 5K in 2 weeks! I have always been interested in the Disney runs, especially the Princess Half because it is always on my birthday weekend, but I was never a runner so didn't think much of them. Back in November I decided to start a couch to 5K program and set a goal to do the 5K this year and the half next year! I have had to take a few breaks from training due to various illnesses and medical issues, but I am good now and have been working hard to get ready. I planned on going to Disney for my birthday that Saturday anyways, so I figured my first race would be the perfect way to celebrate!

Anyways, I won't be wearing a costume as I don't have the time or money to figure one out right now. But I do want to make a shirt to wear. I would love something with a somewhat unique/catchy saying on it. I was thinking something to do with running a 5K for my 25th birthday, just not really sure how to word it. If anyone has any ideas or suggestions, I would really love to hear them!

I am so excited to be doing this in 2 weeks and I already see myself getting addicted to running races!

 

[dreamfinder]

I've been stalking this thread recently, so thanks everyone for keeping me up to date on info. This is my first rundisney event, but not my first half. The nerves are really starting to kick in!
Looking for some advice on guiding my spectators as they are not part of the official cheer squad.
Any suggestions or tips?

Your options for them will be somewhat limited. Pretty much the start, TTC, Contemporary, Main Street, GF, and finish. Depending on your estimated pace, and their comfort with the Disney transportation will determine how many times and where they can see you. If they view you at the start, and then book it to the monorail at Epcot they should be able to make it to the MK area in time to see you pass through. TTC is the quickest to get to and doesn't require an additional transfer, and also has plenty of room to watch from. Either the Contemporary (basically the street at the crosswalk/entry way would require a transfer to one of the other monrails, it's usually darker in that area so spotting someone specific is harder to do, but there is usually plenty of room. Main Street is always popular, once again you need to transfer, but there is a very good chance that they may not be able to make it right up against the rope line. Only some parts of Main Street are open to anyone, and the crowd is usually 5-6 deep along the rope. GF is tougher to do as you need to transfer, then pretty much run down their driveway. After you do any of those, they would need to hop back on the monorail and head back to Epcot to then try to get to the finish line crowd.

The most places possible? Probably the start, TTC, GF, and finish. Ran with someone during the full in Jan whose wife found him at the TTC, and then made it over to the crowd in the GF area (may have been at the end of the Poly/TTC road and not GF) but that general area, so it is possible.

However, if they aren't that comfortable with Disney transportation, then the best bet would be for them to either set up shop on Main Street and then head back to the finish area, or do the start and finish.

 

[oommggitskait]

Your options for them will be somewhat limited. Pretty much the start, TTC, Contemporary, Main Street, GF, and finish. Depending on your estimated pace, and their comfort with the Disney transportation will determine how many times and where they can see you. If they view you at the start, and then book it to the monorail at Epcot they should be able to make it to the MK area in time to see you pass through. TTC is the quickest to get to and doesn't require an additional transfer, and also has plenty of room to watch from. Either the Contemporary (basically the street at the crosswalk/entry way would require a transfer to one of the other monrails, it's usually darker in that area so spotting someone specific is harder to do, but there is usually plenty of room. Main Street is always popular, once again you need to transfer, but there is a very good chance that they may not be able to make it right up against the rope line. Only some parts of Main Street are open to anyone, and the crowd is usually 5-6 deep along the rope. GF is tougher to do as you need to transfer, then pretty much run down their driveway. After you do any of those, they would need to hop back on the monorail and head back to Epcot to then try to get to the finish line crowd.

The most places possible? Probably the start, TTC, GF, and finish. Ran with someone during the full in Jan whose wife found him at the TTC, and then made it over to the crowd in the GF area (may have been at the end of the Poly/TTC road and not GF) but that general area, so it is possible.

However, if they aren't that comfortable with Disney transportation, then the best bet would be for them to either set up shop on Main Street and then head back to the finish area, or do the start and finish.

Thank you. I figured this was the best route. My family is super comfortable with the transportation system and I am a super slow runner, so I think this should work out. I'm more worried about my fiances family who are watching my future sister in law. But they can tag along with my fam I think.

Thanks again, I wanted to make sure I was on the right track and it sounds like I am!

 

[Ariel484]

@oommggitskait - make sure the spectators sign up for runner tracking. There are tracking mats on the course and anyone who signs up to track you can get text or email updates when you hit the 5K, 10K and 15K mats, and when you cross the finish line. I've found this to be pretty reliable in the past (I always sign my own phone/email up for them as a keepsake and I've looked on the course and seen the splits come up at the right times). runDisney should post the link to sign up for that sometime this week.

 

[oommggitskait]

@oommggitskait - make sure the spectators sign up for runner tracking. There are tracking mats on the course and anyone who signs up to track you can get text or email updates when you hit the 5K, 10K and 15K mats, and when you cross the finish line. I've found this to be pretty reliable in the past (I always sign my own phone/email up for them as a keepsake and I've looked on the course and seen the splits come up at the right times). runDisney should post the link to sign up for that sometime this week.

Thanks! That is super helpful! I used the tracking when I ran the Philly half in novemeber and it was soo delayed it was worthless. My mom wound up using Find My Friends on our iphones to track me which worked pretty well too!

 

[jrab0616]

Anyways, I won't be wearing a costume as I don't have the time or money to figure one out right now. But I do want to make a shirt to wear. I would love something with a somewhat unique/catchy saying on it. I was thinking something to do with running a 5K for my 25th birthday, just not really sure how to word it. If anyone has any ideas or suggestions, I would really love to hear them!

I don't have any suggestions that include birthday sayings, but I'm making a shirt for travel/expo day that says "Forget the Glass Slippers, this Princess wears Running Shoes!"

 

[Ariel484]

Thanks! That is super helpful! I used the tracking when I ran the Philly half in novemeber and it was soo delayed it was worthless. My mom wound up using Find My Friends on our iphones to track me which worked pretty well too!

I've heard some people say it's delayed, but I've used runDisney's runner tracking for 4 races (one in 2011, one in 2012 and two in 2013) and it worked perfectly for me each time.

 

[dreamfinder]

I've heard some people say it's delayed, but I've used runDisney's runner tracking for 4 races (one in 2011, one in 2012 and two in 2013) and it worked perfectly for me each time.

It's gotten much better than it used to be. First few races splits came through 30-45 mins later, and some not at all. But running with my phone for Dopey in Jan, and it buzzed indicating the txts about 5-20 seconds after I crossed the mats.

 

[HRHPrincessAriel]

Hi I'm borrowing my sisters account to ask a question...

Now that I'm this close to the race I know I made a mistake by not just getting a hotel on property, but my aunt lives in the area and we'll be staying with her, unfortunately it's over 45 minutes from WDW. Fine for everything else, but do any of ya'll have suggestions of where I might be able to shower after the run? I'd rather not waste half my day driving back and forth.

 

[Mad Stitch]

Hi I'm borrowing my sisters account to ask a question...

Now that I'm this close to the race I know I made a mistake by not just getting a hotel on property, but my aunt lives in the area and we'll be staying with her, unfortunately it's over 45 minutes from WDW. Fine for everything else, but do any of ya'll have suggestions of where I might be able to shower after the run? I'd rather not waste half my day driving back and forth.

That's a good question. I'd find and off property hotel with a late check out time. That way you can sleep in a little bit longer on race morning and shower after.

Edit: Or call the WDW reservation line occasionally and see if a room opens up somewhere.

 

[FerretAfros]

Hi I'm borrowing my sisters account to ask a question...

Now that I'm this close to the race I know I made a mistake by not just getting a hotel on property, but my aunt lives in the area and we'll be staying with her, unfortunately it's over 45 minutes from WDW. Fine for everything else, but do any of ya'll have suggestions of where I might be able to shower after the run? I'd rather not waste half my day driving back and forth.

Although officially they're just supposed to be for hotel guests, you could always pick a WDW hotel and go take a shower in the poolhouse. I believe they all have private indoor showers (great for after one last swim on the day you check out) and are rarely used, so that seems like the easiest option. It would technically require some rule breaking, but it's not something they actually enforce

 

[dreamfinder]

As a heads up, the latest runDisney email provided information on the New Balance registration process. They have opened up a way to register online so if you want shoes, make sure to read it for details.

 

[Maryssa*]

Sooooo... weather is looking a little dicey (not to mention making my airplane anxiety skyrocket). How fun or miserable is running a Disney race in the rain? :x

 

[dreamfinder]

Sooooo... weather is looking a little dicey (not to mention making my airplane anxiety skyrocket). How fun or miserable is running a Disney race in the rain? :x

Eh, I wouldn't worry about it. It's really no worse than running any other event in the rain. You may want to bring a trash bag type layer to wear while hanging out before the race, and make sure you have dry clothes for afterwards, but thats about it. Especially if it is showing a low of 60+, rain makes it comfortable as long usually. I'd be more worried about any possible lightning strikes than anything. The official runDisney stance on weather is

Weather
The race will be held rain or shine. If there is lightning in the area the race will either have a delayed start or depending on the intensity of the weather, be cancelled.

It might affect what characters are out, or possibly end up changing their locations, but it's still a fun race.