Disney Deads: Stories - Marathon Crowds

Note: some of this information is a little dated as Bill originally wrote it in 2004 but most of it still applies. Maybe even more
as the field is expanded every year.

With less than five weeks to go until the Big Day, I wanted to offer some additional unsolicited advice.

We all know that Disney does two things extremely well: suck money out of your wallet; and move masses of people around
efficiently. If you have ever visited Disney World, you cannot help but be impressed by the network of monorails, busses and
ferry boats that whisk people around. Not to mention the diabolically clever queue lines that make waiting in line for an hour
seem like no more than 55 minutes.

So it should come as no surprise that, on marathon morning, Disney moves 24,000 runners to the start and around the
course in a pretty efficient manner. Better than most large marathons. However, there are some parts of the course that
require you to pay attention and use caution. Like these.
1. THE START. Disney has the distinct advantage of owning an eight lane divided highway, which they happily shut down for
the start of the race. Even so, 24,000 people take up a lot of space. Half of the Epcot Drive is devoted to half marathoners,
half to full marathoners. Still, you can expect the first mile of the race to be crowded, with plenty of opportunity to bump or be
bumped. Especially since it is still very dark.

Part of the problem comes from those idiots who do not line up in the proper starting corrals. These lunkheads think they are
ready to run 5 minute miles, or believe that, because they paid their entry fee they can line up wherever they please. It only
takes a few slowpokes in among the greyhounds to cause problems.

(True example. A runner of my acquaintance - NOT a Disney Dead - ran the Disney half marathon a few years ago. His "chip"
finishing time was about 2 hours and 5 minutes - respectable, but not blazing. But his "gun" time was exactly the same as
his chip time. Which means he lined up in the front row of the race. So while he was plodding along at 9 minutes per mile,
thousands of faster runners had to dodge around him.)

My advice is to forget about trying to hit a certain pace for the first mile. Just relax and enjoy the fact that you are running on
Disney's roads, in the dark, with 23,999 new friends. Watch the road, be aware of slower runners in front of you and keep
your head on a swivel.

2. EPCOT - The next crowded spot comes after the second mile as we enter Epcot. The full marathoners will enter straight
through the main gate and squeeze under the huge ball of Spaceship Earth. It gets pretty narrow here, so watch out.

The half marathoners run along a back service road behind Epcot for about a half mile. This road is pretty dark, narrow and
has several turns. Plus, there are several bumps and manhole covers along the way. Run cautiously here until you burst out
onto the World Showcase Promenade, right in the middle of Merry Olde England.

3. THE MERGE - Just after the three mile mark, both marathoners and half marathoners have exited Epcot and are running
on service roads behind the park. At this point the two races merge, with the marathoners coming in from the left and the half
marathoners from the right. This can get pretty hairy! Again, it is dark, not well lit and a narrow roadway is filling up with twice
as many people as before.

My advice to marathoners is to stay to the left. To half marathoners, stay to the right. And say hello to your new neighbors.

4. FIVE MILES - The now combined race loops around past the starting point again at four miles. The runners tend to be
spread out by this point. But just about at the five mile mark, the race leaves Epcot Drive and funnels onto a highway exit
ramp.

Now, if you drive in the greater Boston area, cramming four lanes of traffic into one lane is nothing new, just an everyday
occurrence. But for those of you who live and drive in one of those sickeningly "nice" states, be prepared to elbow your way
into the crowd.

5. MAIN STREET - Everything is wide open and easy through ten miles, until you get to everybody's favorite part of the
course - Main Street in the Magic Kingdom. The Disney folks allow spectators in and rope off half of Main Street to keep
them in check. That leaves only the other half for all the runners. Watch out for the trolley rails embedded in the street, too.

6. FLORIDIAN WAY - Just after leaving the Magic Kingdom, miles 11 through 13 run along Floridian Way, another narrow
service road. For some reason, Disney narrows it further by placing tightly spaced orange traffic cones down the center of the
road. This may be the most crowded and dangerous spot on the course. I have seen several spills along this stretch over the
years.

Keep in mind that the half marathoners are nearing the end of their race, and may be quite tired and struggling, adding to the
confusion. Others may decide to start their final kick and speed up with a mile to go. Also, many people jump off the edge of
the road to run on the grass, then jump back onto the roadway. Watch out for them.

My advice: Half marathoners stay to the left, full marathoners stay to the right. Just before 13 miles you are going to be split
that way anyway.

7. HALF MARATHON FINISH - At 13 miles the lucky half marathoners get to cross a short bridge and enter the Magic
Kingdom parking lot, with just a few hundred yards to the finish line. It can be a mob scene, with runners trying to sprint to
the finish, others slowing down to look for their loved ones in the grandstand, and others too tired to care. Use caution.

8. EPCOT (again) - Once the half marathoners have peeled off for their finish, everything opens up again and there is plenty of
room. The one remaining spot that might be crowded is in the final mile. Just after we pass under Spaceship Earth again, the
course shunts off through a gate onto a back road leading to the finish at the Epcot parking lot. If you catch it at the wrong
time, it can fill up with tired runners.

After that, the only crowd you may encounter is the one waiting to use the hot tub at your hotel.

WATER STOPS - Every water stop is crowded and confusing. Here are a few tips on water stop etiquette:
" The stops hand out PowerAde first, followed by water further down the tables.
" Do not panic and try to grab the very first cup. There is plenty of time.
" Many of the water stops (especially early in the race) are set up on both sides of the road.
" Run down the middle of the road until you see an opening, then quickly dash in and grab your cup.
" Do not slow down to drink while still in the water stop! If you are going to walk or jog slowly while drinking, wait until you get
past the water stop, then head for the side of the road where you will not get in the way of faster runners.
" Be aware that many people will not read this sage advice and WILL MOST ASSUREDLY come to a full stop right in front of
you!

Hope all this helps.

Bill McDonough