Tinkerbell 1/2 Marathon (and DL Half)

Originally Posted By FerretAfros

>>I wonder if they took away spaces from the general on sale or if they checked AP#s from those that registered during the week.<<

I would guess they're taking more spaces from general registration. When Dumbo and Dopey pre-registrations sold quicker than they expected, they pulled more slots from the standalone races, so I would expect they're doing the same here. I would be completely shocked if Disney actually went back and checked and "unregistered" people for races; given that they're in the customer service business (and have built a very vocal and empowered fanbase), I can't see that going over well

>>Any DL/WDW race is NOT a fast course.<<

I think that the WDW courses could be fast, if you're near the front. I typically run around a 9-9:30 mile (which is hardly front of the pack at most big races), and those courses are seldom crowded beyond the first mile or so. Yes, it does condense some for the parks and a couple other squeeze points, but it's nowhere near as bad as the DLR races. In part due to the scale of the two places, you don't really notice that the "wide open" parts of the DLR races are about the same as the "average-ish" parts of the WDW races. Of course it's still very possible to get stuck in the park in WDW, especially in the middle/back of the pack, but the flat straightaways to/from the parks make for a potentially speedy course

 

Originally Posted By VickiHD

I really love the weather we have at Tink. It's just not a issue like it is for the DL 1/2. Love the hot weather just not on marathon morning.

 

Originally Posted By sunNrainfall

About taking away registration, you're probably right. They would probably cause more angry customers than those they already have due to what happened. Plus trying to contact all those people and the credit card companies - it could even cost them money if they did that.

I still don't think either courses are fast courses. I've pretty much always been in corral A, my pace is anywhere between 8:15-9, aside from being sick or injuries. I'm usually a good 10-20 seconds per mile slower in Disney races than other courses. I just think the parts in the park affect your pace too much. Regular street races are straighter and you have more opportunities to really open it up for a while. I've only run WDW once though for Goofy, so I don't have much to compare there aside from those races, and I was taking it easy because of the back to back races.

 

Originally Posted By sunNrainfall

runDisney did something right! I got an email from them regarding my legacy status for the DL1/2. They said they are reserving a spot for me to maintain my status up until a certain date and time to ensure I get in if I want. I already got in, but I'm glad they are providing this, as other major races do the same. This is the first year I've received this.

 

Originally Posted By -em

^ Ive read that about the legacy runners and think thats pretty cool-

It feels weird that this is the first time in 4 years I wont be running DLR in september... I'm 90% sure Ill be heading out for Tink in 2015 (was 95% until they moved it)and couldn't justify 2 trips in 4 months..

-em

 

Originally Posted By FerretAfros

That's awesome that they're trying to let you maintain legacy status! This is the 9th year of DL1/2, right? Hopefully they'll start rolling that option out to other races too, but I have a long way to go before I'm a 9-year legacy (definintely trying to keep Dopey; we'll see about Dumbo)

>>and couldn't justify 2 trips in 4 months.<<

Well, now it's 2 trips in 9 months...totally justifiable! ; )

 

Originally Posted By Kidz-n-k9s

I'm actually considering Tink in 2015 because they moved it. MLK weekend is the RNR races here in Phoenix, but this year I went to Carlsbad for their half (loved it and PR'd!!), so I already have lots of choices for reasonably prices races for that weekend. The race season is over in Phoenix in March, so I will look hard at Tink 2015 or if not, defintely 2016.

 

Originally Posted By sunNrainfall

Yes, this is the 9th year for the DL1/2. It doesn't seem like it though. Geez. Time sure passes quickly. So does the money down the drain, I'm a sucker now to maintain my status. hehe. Do you know if they offer this for the WDW full marathon people, they are 20+ years now, right? There can't be that many of them left. I think for the DL1/2 it's around 200, possibly less.

 

Originally Posted By FerretAfros

>>Do you know if they offer this for the WDW full marathon people, they are 20+ years now, right? There can't be that many of them left.<<

Yes, I believe that the perfect Marathoners get early registration (and there's a chance they might even get it for free); from my understanding, they get a lot of nice perks, but they've totally earned them IMO. While a half marathon is no walk in the park, a marathon is so much more work, both physically and mentally. They've been with rD from the very start (including a bunch of dull courses through the years, especially before DAK opened) through all the hiccups along the way, and dealt with the inconvenient timing of Marathon Weekend (right after the big winter holidays). They've done a ton of work through the years, and have really earned their extra perks

Going into last year's race (the 20th), there were 95 perfect marathoners. They all got their names printed in the race program and gave them tons of awesome swag. After last year and this year, I'm not sure how many are left; I would assume most are doing everything they can to maintain the legacy status at this point

 

Originally Posted By -em

I would love to 'legacy' a run but I think the closest I can get is to complete the 5 year 'Big Bang Challenge' with Space Coast Marathon (1 down 4 to go)unless they add a new WDW race that qualifies (there was some confusion that ToT 10 miler would qualify since it wasnt a 100% 'new' race)

-em

 

Originally Posted By FerretAfros

>>(there was some confusion that ToT 10 miler would qualify since it wasnt a 100% 'new' race)<<

I hadn't even thought of that! I would assume that it's considered a new race, since there was a big hiatus and distance change from the 13K, but there's a chance that they would think differently. Now I'm starting to wonder if the 10K might not count because of the former Minnie Marathon, but that seems less likely since that was its own event weekend

(Though from my understanding, it doesn't appear that Race for the Taste impacts Wine & Dine legacy in any way, so I expect TOT to be similar)

 

Originally Posted By sunNrainfall

Very cool about the Perfect Marathoners. Do you know what kind of swag they got? They printed our names in the program the 5th year, and another random year. The only other thing we've gotten is the special legacy bib, usually a different color bib, and then an "L" on our dumbo bib last year. Also, there was an extra legacy designation lanyard attached to the medal. I'm wondering what the 10th year will bring us. I plan to keep it up as long as I can!

Yeah 20 years of marathon is tough. I tried to keep my LA Marathon streak (not legacy) each year, but a torn ligament in my ankle, broke my streak I'll be on my 7th LA in march though. I can't imagine 20 years with the training and not getting injured, not to mention family events that come up. Kudos to them!

 

Originally Posted By FerretAfros

>>Do you know what kind of swag they got?<<

I know they got custom rings (like a class ring), special tech shirts, a jacket(?), and beauty queen-like sashes. I believe they also had a special banquet for them (this may be an annual thing?), and 'retired' their original bib numbers so that they'll have the same number for the rest of their races. They may have also gotten some other things comp'ed along the way (hotel, park tickets, etc)

>>Also, there was an extra legacy designation lanyard attached to the medal<<

How many years did it take before they did this? I know that it's been going on at DL and WDW for a while, but they haven't started for Tink yet. Was it starting with the 5th year?

 

Originally Posted By sunNrainfall

Wow! That's a lot of stuff, pretty cool. The retired bib thing is kind of a cool idea. Interesting. I'm sure being a half legacy, we won't get as much, but hopefully some more cool things to come year 10.

Yes, the legacy lanyard started the 5th year and every year since then. I wasn't sure after the 5th year if they would continue, but they did.

 

Originally Posted By sunNrainfall

I signed up for Dopey! First time running in Florida since 2009. Excited. Meanwhile, I noticed the new Galloway Training Schedules have been posted for those that follow his training

 

Originally Posted By FerretAfros

Congrats! Dopey is a lot of work (the worst part is the early wake-up times, especially for West Coasters), but it's a blast!

I was hoping to sign up today, but I was unable to get an early registration link and was in a meeting all afternoon so I completely missed it. I've already blocked out my calendar for Tuesday!

 

Originally Posted By sunNrainfall

Yeah, I'm from LA. I remember for the Goofy I did, my sleeping screwed me up the most, because it's like waking up at midnight. I even tried to wake up earlier the whole week before but it didn't help much. Oh well. 4 days are going to be even more screwy. Did you nap during the daytime or right after the races? We want to have a flexible game plan. We don't plan on going into the parks until Sunday or Monday.

Has there been any word of a new DL race in January, or it's just going to be vacant again?

 

Originally Posted By FerretAfros

I just registered for Dopey this morning!

Even coming from the east coast, I still try to adjust my sleep schedule leading up to the races (I did Goofy the west coast once, and Goofy+5K and Dopey from the east coast). It makes it easier to fall asleep early the night before your first race, and from there it's pretty easy to keep the schedule, assuming you don't mind leaving the parks early each night

Generally speaking, we didn't nap after the races. We just came back to the hotel for a quick trip to the hot tub and shower off, and then headed back to the parks. I did take a quick nap after the marathon while my buddy was occupying the shower, and that really helped recharge me for the rest of the day

As crazy as it seems, it really helps to go to the parks and be semi-active after the races. It keeps your legs looks and ready for the next day's race

And so far, they haven't announced a January race for DLR. I've heard from a reliable source that another DLR race weekend is in the works, but I don't really know anything else about it (though he hinted that it might be a 10-miler and/or at night).

As pure speculation, I doubt that they would put it in Tink's old timeframe, but think they might want it in late February or early March. This would leave DLR's 4 race weekends more-or-less evenly distributed throughout the year, while avoiding Princess. It could also work with DLR's fondness of having races around already-busy holiday periods (worst decision ever, IMO) by tapping into the spring break crowd

 

Originally Posted By sunNrainfall

Awesome! Thanks for the tips! Maybe we'll have to rethink the park visits on race day. Still plenty of time. I might hit you up for more advice closer to the races I'm very excited though. I have to figure out how I want to train for it. I think my Dumbo training is going to lead straight into the Dopey training. Non-stop training :O So many decisions! We already booked our flight!

A night time race would be fun. I've only done 2 (not Disney) and they were fun. I agree about the holiday weekends, but I guess they want people to extend their trips. Since I'm close by that part doesn't really affect me much, but travel wise I see how it would be annoying and more expensive to travel. I hope they announce something soon, although all these races are getting $, yet I keep coming back...something is wrong with me. haha

 

Originally Posted By FerretAfros

runDisney has been in the process of releasing semi-cryptic tweets. This one reveals that a Star Wars race weekend is coming January 15-18:
https://twitter.com/runDisney/status/471282564884209666

And this one confirms it will be at DLR:
<a target="blank" rel="nofollow" href="http://instagram.com/p/ogPP3Non71/">http://instagram.com/p/ogPP3Non71/</a>#

Given the dates for the event (and an Instagram video that gave the 13.1mi distance in parsecs), I would assume that it will be expo-only on Thursday, 5K on Friday, 10K on Saturday, and Half on Sunday. The nighttime photo of the ewoks in front of the castle makes me think it might be a nighttime race, but I'm not sure that makes sense with the dates given

If registration is in-line with other DLR races, I would expect it to open soon. Registration typically opens about 7 months in advance, which is right where we are now