Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend

[LAKid53]

They had done that for the 2020 Marathon also. I think they just want to get us out of the parks quicker.

The Full I can understand. But a 5K?

 

[LAKid53]

Hows the resort availability for this weekend?

Not as bad as W&D weekend.

But if you're planning on running, I'd book a room sometime this week.

 

[LAKid53]

I saw this being discussed in several groups, one said it was 2 or 4 hours for POT for marathon and then another shared rD saying 2:30 half or faster. A 2 hour half is not the same as a 4 hour marathon for a POT, so I'm leaning towards the 2:30 POT

Clearly whoever thought you wouldn't need a PoT for between 2 and 4 hours for a Full is crazy.

 

[uncle jimmy]

Was CMN a charity (non-sponsor) for the other race weekends, or just Princess? It sounds like they’re making the charities commit upfront to all 3 race weekends (with the Springtime Surprise to be assumed to be added later), which initially ties up a lot of funds. They have to buy the bibs, room blocks, etc. before they the runners can sign up through them. I’m sure that’s a bit difficult for many of the charities, even larger ones such as CMN (or goes against their policies, from the sound of it).

I wonder if we’ll see the charity pages on rD’s site update soon, since they informed them over the weekend.

Charities that were approved were told to expect a contract from rD within the next 2 weeks. I would guess once they sign the contract, rD will then put up the approved charities as I was told once the contract is sign runners will be able to sign-up. What I was told, all race weekend races would sign-up at the same time for this charity and they were aware about tomorrows sign-up. Also was told disney legal was in touch with the charities to let them know they couldn't have a list/ sign-up/ wait list of any sorts for any of the races - when the sign-up opens it opens.

 

[Figment82]

Charities that were approved were told to expect a contract from rD within the next 2 weeks. I would guess once they sign the contract, rD will then put up the approved charities as I was told once the contract is sign runners will be able to sign-up. What I was told, all race weekend races would sign-up at the same time for this charity and they were aware about tomorrows sign-up. Also was told disney legal was in touch with the charities to let them know they couldn't have a list/ sign-up/ wait list of any sorts for any of the races - when the sign-up opens it opens.

Goodness, could they make this any more difficult/stressful?

Thanks for the information!

 

[uncle jimmy]

Goodness, could they make this any more difficult/stressful?

Thanks for the information!

Right! The email I received noted that they (the charity) felt the stress runners felt and would actively be available for questions and concerns.

 

[LAKid53]

Received an email from GKTW late last night. They've been approved to sell bibs for all 3 races. Haven't received their contract from rD yet, expect to get it after registration opens today. Once it's signed, then they can start selling.

 

[LAKid53]

Goodness, could they make this any more difficult/stressful?

Thanks for the information!

Right. It's not like rD is donating bibs to charities to sell.

Either the charity pays up front and is "reimbursed" when a runner registers through them or submits payment when a runner registers.

Can they make it anymore difficult for these worthwhile organizations?

 

[dreamfinder]

I haven’t looked at all of them, but have looked at many a year or so ago. I remember there being a range of requirements that differed between charities. Seemed like most of the well known ones had requirements in the couple of thousand or so dollar range, while some of the lesser known had maybe between $350-1000ish at the cheapest depending on whether you were just doing a 5k and going up depending on races/challenge combinations. Those were the prices to get bibs, not sure what t options were if you had your own.

I’m still curious why CMN relationship ended. It sounded like they chose to due to Disney policy changes. I don’t know if that means that perhaps they were going to be charged for full price bibs and have to rely on donations over and above that or what. Seems odd that they would walk away unless something changed that didn’t make it worth their time and expense to participate.

Yes, the minimums ranged depending on the charities and the event. 5k < 10k < Half < Full < Goofy < Dopey etc But there was a fair amount of slosh in the runDisney ones, particularly the ones that did offer lodging or significant extras vs just a bib & shirt. Some slosh is expected, for instance, a quick spot check of the NYC marathon shows charity minimums from $2,500 to $4,000. runDisney may have simply elected to raise them to levels that some of the charities weren't happy with. Still well below BAA, think their minimum was $6,000+ this year.

Charities, whether the race sponsoring ones - CMN, 2nd Harvest, etc., already have tents in the staging area, along with the charities you were able to purchase a bib through. And I know I've seen CMN at the expo in the Visa Center. No sure there's enough space at the finish line.

I am hoping all these changes - no early registration for APs/DVC, no TAs or charity bibs - are temporary for just this reason season.

Not all of them. Ran for 3 different charities, and none of them had any tent or table in the staging area. (Thanks for refreshing me on what it's actually called.) One just had a meetup spot designated, don't remember if the others had a meet and I just skipped it or if they didn't do anything. That's why I'm wondering if it was a paid upcharge they offered to the group. And if I recall correctly, some just had a 10x10 pop up tent, while others had much larger tents with extra private seating outside and such. So there definitely were upcharge options that some groups elected to partake in.

 

[uncle jimmy]

So after today's sign-up, what are peoples thoughts on Marathon Weekend signup in 2 weeks?
Calm, crazy, or about the norm for it?

(4:47pm only the 10k for W&D is sold out)

 

[pdude81]

So after today's sign-up, what are peoples thoughts on Marathon Weekend signup in 2 weeks?
Calm, crazy, or about the norm for it?

(4:47pm only the 10k for W&D is sold out)

I'm guessing it'll be like most of the events recently... where there is huge demand but plenty of tickets available. Ultimately we'll all waste hours of our lives when we could have signed up the next day. Understandably not so for the 10k here, and possibly the 5 and 10 for Marathon weekend.

This gives me hope for 2 weeks from now

 

[Rteetz]

I am expecting a bit more chaos of sorts for MW. I think a lot of people have their fall plans already. All the world majors are this fall. The LA and NYC marathons are that exact weekend. I think more are betting on MW as their runDisney comeback.

 

[LAKid53]

I am expecting a bit more chaos of sorts for MW. I think a lot of people have their fall plans already. All the world majors are this fall. The LA and NYC marathons are that exact weekend. I think more are betting on MW as their runDisney comeback.

^^^THIS

Plus, by the time runDisney made the announcement, rooms were getting hard to find for Wine & Dine. I made my reservation for the anticipated return of W&D to in person back in May.

 

[uncle jimmy]

I am expecting a bit more chaos of sorts for MW. I think a lot of people have their fall plans already. All the world majors are this fall. The LA and NYC marathons are that exact weekend. I think more are betting on MW as their runDisney comeback.

I'm in that bucket of MW being my comeback rD race b/c of fall (race) plans.

Plus, by the time runDisney made the announcement, rooms were getting hard to find for Wine & Dine. I made my reservation for the anticipated return of W&D to in person back in May.

Rooms are still avail for MW, not many to choose from, but there are some. Princess Wknd, I was shocked to see had some good room choices available too. Maybe some are like me, hoping to get in for MW and if not Princess is the back up. W&D 2022 would be my next after MW or Princess (whatever one I can get into).

 

[pdude81]

Looks like the finish for the marathon in 2020 didn't go out through the main entrance of Epcot. More around the back of WoL to get to the front. I assume that was due to the construction in the middle of the park.

Any ideas on whether the'll put it back for this year? I never mind running backstage, but I assume that Creations and Club Cool will be open by then and we'll have a path through there from WSL to the entrance. Did anybody run in 2020, and if so was there anything noteworthy in that alternate route to the finish?

 

[Rteetz]

Looks like the finish for the marathon in 2020 didn't go out through the main entrance of Epcot. More around the back of WoL to get to the front. I assume that was due to the construction in the middle of the park.

Any ideas on whether the'll put it back for this year? I never mind running backstage, but I assume that Creations and Club Cool will be open by then and we'll have a path through there from WSL to the entrance. Did anybody run in 2020, and if so was there anything noteworthy in that alternate route to the finish?

Correct. Given the amount of future World walls still up I expect it to be like 2020 again. I didn’t mind the 2020 route all that much. It was just sooooo hot.

 

[pdude81]

Correct. Given the amount of future World walls still up I expect it to be like 2020 again. I didn’t mind the 2020 route all that much. It was just sooooo hot.

Yeah that weather is so unpredictable. I've only done 2018 and 2019 so far. 2018 was like 40 at the marathon start, and 2019 I was soaked with sweat before I got to MK and glasses completely fogged over. I don't really even remember it being that hot... just started at like 95% humidity so it felt gross.

 

[drizgirl]

It really was hot that day in 2020. Didn't run, but was in the parks. I heard they even cut the race short because of it.

 

[Demarke]

It really was hot that day in 2020. Didn't run, but was in the parks. I head they even cut the race short because of it.

It was blazing in 2020, they red flagged when people started passing out too rapidly. People on pace for anything over about 6:30 (from the middle corrals) I think ended up skipping Blizzard Beach and shaved off about 3 miles from what I heard (I think I barely beat the reroute). That was my first marathon and first Dopey, it made my next one that March in 40-50 degree weather feel like a breeze by comparison!

 

[OG Runner]

I am hoping they change the marathon route. Too many switch backs. I hate seeing people heading in the
other direction. You know you still have to go to a turn around and don't know how far behind those runners
you are. It may just be me but it works negatively on me during that point in the race.