The start of the Disney Marathon is as exciting as the finish.
Walt Disney World's Marathon Weekend near Orlando, Florida, offers several race experiences. Annually occurring at the beginning of January, this event spans four days with races for every member of the family. The weekend kicks off Friday with Disney's Family Fun Run 5K and kid races, including crawlers. Donald's Half Marathon takes place on Saturday, and Mickey's Marathon is on Sunday. But there are some ways to make this adventure stress free as well as memorable.
Instructions
1. Consume nourishment during training that is similar to what the Disney races provide at the food and beverage stations along the routes: Clif energy bars, bananas, water and either Gatorade or Powerade.
2. Prepare for an early start. The 5K begins at 6:30 a.m., and both the half and full marathons begin at 5:30 a.m. Start setting your alarm a little earlier each morning in the days leading up to the race to prepare your body for an early rise.
3. Pack clothes for all kinds of weather. In 2009 the temperatures were in the 70s for Disney's Marathon Weekend. In 2010 they experienced record setting low temperatures with snow and sleet. Buy a cheap sweatshirt, sweatpants, hat and gloves that you can wear over your running clothes and remove during the race. If you are participating in Goofy's Race and a Half Challenge (both the half and full marathons on consecutive days), buy two of everything, because you will not get those clothes back.
4. Visit the Health and Fitness Expo on Thursday before Marathon Weekend. Though the Health and Fitness Expo is open Thursday through Saturday, browse vendors for products that could help you on race day and before all of it has been picked over.
5. Stay at a Disney resort hotel. Anyone driving his own car on the morning of the race can expect significant delays, as many access roads will be closed. Using the Disney transportation system from a Disney hotel will alleviate the stress of traffic, parking and a potentially long walk to the check-in area. Ask the hotel what the transportation schedule will be for the morning of the race and where the pick-up location is.
6. Limit your time in the theme parks prior to race day. If you are planning to visit the parks while in the Disney area, plan to do so after the race rather than before. Visits to the theme parks involve a lot of walking, which could tire your body and cause sore feet before the race. Instead, plan to see a show or spend some time in Downtown Disney for a more relaxing, less physically demanding experience. If you decide to go to a park before race day, make it a half day visit to conserve energy for your long run.
7. Allow plenty of time on the morning of the race. If you are driving your own car, arrive at the check-in area two hours prior to the start. If you are staying at a Disney hotel, the shuttles stop running as early as two hours before the start of the race. Plan to be in line for the shuttle at least 20 minutes before the last bus is scheduled to depart. And plan for the 20-minute walk to the start line from the check-in area.
Tags: Marathon Weekend, check-in area, morning race, before race, both half