Official 2013 Tinker Bell Half Marathon Thread

[CALIFLADY]

Okay, I'll start this thread.

Race day is Sunday, January 20, 2013 at the Disneyland Resort.

I'm in and waiting for registration to open. Anyone else?!?

[lisah0711]

I had a great time at the Tinker Bell Half this year.

I'm doing the Donald the week before this one so it would take a miracle for me to manage this one . . . nonetheless I do have my DVC reservations for VGC already just in case some comes my way.

And that is why I am subscribing. Thanks for starting this thread!

[DisNorth]

Originally Posted by CALIFLADY

Okay, I'll start this thread.

Race day is Sunday, January 20, 2013 at the Disneyland Resort.

I'm in and waiting for registration to open. Anyone else?!?

Thanks for starting the thread Califlady!!
I just started running about a month ago and my goal is the Tinkerbell!
So excited!

[kim3339]

I'm in. Definite for the 1/2, 5k depends on what they do w/ the reg next year.

[HockeyKat]

I might be in. Not sure yet. I just took an all-travel job so maybe I can get enough airline miles to make it cheaper!

Subscribing to the thread regardless, though!

[VickiHD]

I'm definitely doing the Tink again. I had SO much fun the first time around.

We've got our hotel reservations already taken care of. Reg. is supposed to open mid June so I'll sign up right away.

[CALIFLADY]

Vicki - Thanks for the rough registration date. I'm still struggling with some IT band issues that started right after the Princess Half last month. I've got plenty of time to get that sorted out and healthy again, so I'm not too worried.

I plan to do the C2C in 2013, so the Tinker Bell will be my West Coast run. Then I'll run the W&D Half (if it's still alive by then - you never know with Disney races) in Florida in the fall of 2013.

I'm still trying to figure out where to stay and how many days I'll need in Anaheim to run and then see the parks. If I come in early on Saturday, can I get all my registration stuff done that day, then run on Sunday morning? Then I'll plan to hit the parks on Sunday post-race and Monday. But I think that'll be a holiday weekend (Martin Luther King Day), so I'm thinking of stretching my stay through Tuesday and do the parks for three days. Any opinions? Ideas?

[VickiHD]

Originally Posted by CALIFLADY

Vicki - Thanks for the rough registration date. I'm still struggling with some IT band issues that started right after the Princess Half last month. I've got plenty of time to get that sorted out and healthy again, so I'm not too worried.

I plan to do the C2C in 2013, so the Tinker Bell will be my West Coast run. Then I'll run the W&D Half (if it's still alive by then - you never know with Disney races) in Florida in the fall of 2013.

I'm still trying to figure out where to stay and how many days I'll need in Anaheim to run and then see the parks. If I come in early on Saturday, can I get all my registration stuff done that day, then run on Sunday morning? Then I'll plan to hit the parks on Sunday post-race and Monday. But I think that'll be a holiday weekend (Martin Luther King Day), so I'm thinking of stretching my stay through Tuesday and do the parks for three days. Any opinions? Ideas?

Congrats on working towards your C2C in 2013. I'm planning on finally getting mine in 2013 too. My plan is Tinker Bell then the Princess the following month. It's going to be a busy winter.

You could definitely get your registration done on Saturday. Even just explore and hang out at Downtown Disney if you don't want to hit the parks that day. Just a couple of things to think about..... If you are a shopper and like to shop at the Expo try getting there ASAP even on Friday if you can swing it. There were a number of people (NOT RUNNING the race) that just went to the expo to shop and then later sell items on eBay. (Dooney purses) This isn’t fair to the runners who really wanted to purchase something special. (I have no idea if the purses will even be offered next year)

Hotel options are easy with all the hotels on Harbor and Katella. With the parks being so close and walking distance. That does not even include the “on property resort hotels". I'm sure they will have special rates once registration opens up. We stayed a couple of days after the race and the crowds were not bad.
Hope that helps

[specialks]

I loved running the 2012 Tink. It was my first 1/2. I'll be earning my C2C at the W&D this Nov. I'm already planning to return to the Tink in 2013 (even though I promised my DH we'd take a break from Disney vacations)

[StarGirl11]

I want to do it again but the likelihood is close to nill since my trainer will probably throw a fit at the sheer thought of coming off of a weeks rest from the marathon. They're all ready very reluctant to let me even consider doing London Marathon which is in April. One part of me wants to say 'screw it, forget them, lets do it anyway!' and another part is like 'but they know better they've been around longer'. Not sure I like the idea myself too much really. I still want to know whose bright idea at RunDisney was it to move the race up a weekend? It was perfectly fine where it was before! Real shame I absolutely adored the inaugural race. My Mom LOVED the nighttime 5k. Wish I could go back but probably not going to happen.

Guess I'll have to put off C2C until Sept which may interfere with any plans if I finally get into the CP. But I am really hoping for spring admittance to that so hopefully I'll get at least one race at my 'home' resort.

[kim3339]

Originally Posted by StarGirl11

I want to do it again but the likelihood is close to nill since my trainer will probably throw a fit at the sheer thought of coming off of a weeks rest from the marathon.

Guess I'll have to put off C2C until Sept which may interfere with any plans if I finally get into the CP. But I am really hoping for spring admittance to that so hopefully I'll get at least one race at my 'home' resort.

Week after the WDW Marathon? You should do it! That's what I'm doing. I'm doing Goofy then Tink. But just going for finish and not time in any means at all. Tink is going to be a nice and easy walk/run and more just to enjoy it and the course instead of a race. If you can do it, you should. I need another crazy person w/ me!

Good luck w/ the CP this spring!

[barryzchick]

I am hoping to register for this event when it opens in June. I was wondering what your best recommendations are as previous participants? I am getting a bit overwhelmed with all of the 'extras' (chEar packets, pre-race lounges, etc. etc.). While I don't want to miss out on anything super fun or essential to my race, I also don't want to spend a zillion dollars to run in a race. So. What are your 'must-do's' and best recommendations for an 'as smooth as possible'-weekend? I will be travelling with two non-racers, who will want to possibly cheer for me along the route somewhere. We will also want to enjoy some time in the parks together.

Also, what is your best estimate for cost for the weekend? We are not first-time Disney people, however, I haven't ever done a special event in the park.

THANK YOU!!!!

[Cripey]

Originally Posted by barryzchick

I am hoping to register for this event when it opens in June. I was wondering what your best recommendations are as previous participants? I am getting a bit overwhelmed with all of the 'extras' (chEar packets, pre-race lounges, etc. etc.). While I don't want to miss out on anything super fun or essential to my race, I also don't want to spend a zillion dollars to run in a race. So. What are your 'must-do's' and best recommendations for an 'as smooth as possible'-weekend? I will be travelling with two non-racers, who will want to possibly cheer for me along the route somewhere. We will also want to enjoy some time in the parks together.

Also, what is your best estimate for cost for the weekend? We are not first-time Disney people, however, I haven't ever done a special event in the park.

THANK YOU!!!!

I can give you my two-cents worth on Chear Squad and spectators cheering from my experiences at DL. In the 3 years before the Tink was introduced, we came to DL for the DL half...first year my BF ran and it was both of our first time to DL...we've always been more WDW people It was also the BF's first half ever so we also were interested in an as-stress-free-as-possible experience for him. We ended up staying at the DL hotel that year since it was so close to the start line...I went with him when he left that morning and parked myself in the bleachers at the finish line before the sun came up to assure myself a spot! The following year, he ran again and bought the Chear Squad package for me...I forget what it was called but it was like the VIP package or whatever that is across from the bleacher area. There were private restrooms (that were clean!!!) nice comfortable seating (cushioned folding chairs and some outdoor-style couches, shade umbrellas and a table of fruits, pastries, juices, coffees, etc. Unfortunately for me, the BF had really kicked up his training in the moths prior and I didn't get to enjoy the area for as long as I would have liked because he got is first sub-2 hour half that time However, I did enjoy it and I thought it was worth the extra $$. The 3rd year we both ran the half...no spectating Now, earlier this year for Tink, the BF was there to cheer me on. He studied the course map and was able to make it to 5 different places along the course (and ran with me for about a half mile at one point)...all on foot! Now, I ran it in 2:30 so obviously someone who's alot faster than that probably won't be able to have spectators make it to that many places without missing them...and he said a couple of times he really had to book-it to the next planned spot. We joked that he probably ran a half that day too, but didn't have anything to show for it! So if you have someone that's mobile and good with maps and directions, there are tons of spots where you can have your own personal cheer section! For me though, we've been 4 years in a row now, and I still couldn't tell you which way is up when I'm there though.

oh yeah, i should add, i am not really sure how the Chear Squad worked at Tink in particular...it finished in a different spot than the DL half so it may have been set up differently than it was at the DL half.

[kirstie101]

Originally Posted by Cripey

I can give you my two-cents worth on Chear Squad and spectators cheering from my experiences at DL. In the 3 years before the Tink was introduced, we came to DL for the DL half...first year my BF ran and it was both of our first time to DL...we've always been more WDW people It was also the BF's first half ever so we also were interested in an as-stress-free-as-possible experience for him. We ended up staying at the DL hotel that year since it was so close to the start line...I went with him when he left that morning and parked myself in the bleachers at the finish line before the sun came up to assure myself a spot! The following year, he ran again and bought the Chear Squad package for me...I forget what it was called but it was like the VIP package or whatever that is across from the bleacher area. There were private restrooms (that were clean!!!) nice comfortable seating (cushioned folding chairs and some outdoor-style couches, shade umbrellas and a table of fruits, pastries, juices, coffees, etc. Unfortunately for me, the BF had really kicked up his training in the moths prior and I didn't get to enjoy the area for as long as I would have liked because he got is first sub-2 hour half that time However, I did enjoy it and I thought it was worth the extra $$. The 3rd year we both ran the half...no spectating Now, earlier this year for Tink, the BF was there to cheer me on. He studied the course map and was able to make it to 5 different places along the course (and ran with me for about a half mile at one point)...all on foot! Now, I ran it in 2:30 so obviously someone who's alot faster than that probably won't be able to have spectators make it to that many places without missing them...and he said a couple of times he really had to book-it to the next planned spot. We joked that he probably ran a half that day too, but didn't have anything to show for it! So if you have someone that's mobile and good with maps and directions, there are tons of spots where you can have your own personal cheer section! For me though, we've been 4 years in a row now, and I still couldn't tell you which way is up when I'm there though.

oh yeah, i should add, i am not really sure how the Chear Squad worked at Tink in particular...it finished in a different spot than the DL half so it may have been set up differently than it was at the DL half.

I have to admit I haven't even looked at the website yet so I had no idea about any of this. Can you help me decide if I should get the cheer squad package or not? Basically I know my mom, DD5 and DS1 will for sure be traveling with me. Quite possibly DH as well. They are not early risers so I know they wont spectate for the entire race. This will be my first half so I'm sure it will take me a long time to complete. I'm pretty positive they arent going to be running around anaheim to find spots to cheer me on at. They'd probably only wait at the finish line. Is it possible to do this witout the cheer squad package or do you think thats the safest route to take being as they're not gonna be there at 5am to get a spot?

[Cripey]

Originally Posted by kirstie101

I have to admit I haven't even looked at the website yet so I had no idea about any of this. Can you help me decide if I should get the cheer squad package or not? Basically I know my mom, DD5 and DS1 will for sure be traveling with me. Quite possibly DH as well. They are not early risers so I know they wont spectate for the entire race. This will be my first half so I'm sure it will take me a long time to complete. I'm pretty positive they arent going to be running around anaheim to find spots to cheer me on at. They'd probably only wait at the finish line. Is it possible to do this witout the cheer squad package or do you think thats the safest route to take being as they're not gonna be there at 5am to get a spot?

Well, like I said, the only Chear Squad info I had experience with personally was with the DL half and I don't think they've posted any info yet on a package for Tink yet have they? But, I know there are definitely places at the finish to spectate without purchasing a Chear Squad package...I had a couple of friends there cheering for me right as we turned the corner to the finsh chute and I was able to hear them call out my name when they spotted me. The packages just normally include a reserved area so you are somewhat guaranteed a spot...as long as it's not jam-packed when you get there. If your family isn't planning on being out there the whole time and may just try to see you at the finish and time it to arrive shortly before you are expected to cross, then I wouldn't think it would be worth it to buy any cheer squad packages for them.