Official 2013 Disney Princess Half Marathon Thread - Take 2

[Tiresius]

Any racers who have done Princess in the past know the layout of the corrals? I understand that anything could change, but I am curious about the placement and logistics from the time you get to the pre-race waiting area until the starting line gun. The only long Disney run I have done is TOT, and the corrals were placed side by side. Is this the same for Princess?

The reason I ask is that I am traveling with my Mom, we are both running, but we run at different paces so don't need to actually start/run together. However, I am in A and she is in B, and it would be really nice to at least wait together. At TOT, this would have been super simple. A and B corrals were side by side with just a simple fence in between, so even if we each waited in our own corral, we could just sit near the fences and talk/wait/hang out together.

However, I have no idea if this is the standard. Are the corrals usually placed this close together? Similar set-ups? Or are they ever front to back?

It also seems like people are talking about a rather long walk from the corrals to the start. When does this happen? Less than 20 min from the gun? 30 min? 45 min? An hour? At TOT, it seemed pretty quick, so if Mom and I had to split up when the corrals started walking, we would only be waiting for a short time for the actual start. But is this time much longer at the Princess? Would we be standing around alone for a really long time in separate corrals post-walk?

Looong question, probably simple answer. Just wondering if its worth me moving back to B to wait with her, or if we can reasonably wait together and still run from different corrals. Once we start, we won't see each other until the finish, and that's totally fine. So I am hesitant to give up my A placement and face more a crowded course, if there is a way to take advantage of the waiting time together.

Thoughts?

[joan4mickey]

Originally Posted by Tiresius

Any racers who have done Princess in the past know the layout of the corrals? I understand that anything could change, but I am curious about the placement and logistics from the time you get to the pre-race waiting area until the starting line gun. The only long Disney run I have done is TOT, and the corrals were placed side by side. Is this the same for Princess?

The reason I ask is that I am traveling with my Mom, we are both running, but we run at different paces so don't need to actually start/run together. However, I am in A and she is in B, and it would be really nice to at least wait together. At TOT, this would have been super simple. A and B corrals were side by side with just a simple fence in between, so even if we each waited in our own corral, we could just sit near the fences and talk/wait/hang out together.

However, I have no idea if this is the standard. Are the corrals usually placed this close together? Similar set-ups? Or are they ever front to back?

It also seems like people are talking about a rather long walk from the corrals to the start. When does this happen? Less than 20 min from the gun? 30 min? 45 min? An hour? At TOT, it seemed pretty quick, so if Mom and I had to split up when the corrals started walking, we would only be waiting for a short time for the actual start. But is this time much longer at the Princess? Would we be standing around alone for a really long time in separate corrals post-walk?

Looong question, probably simple answer. Just wondering if its worth me moving back to B to wait with her, or if we can reasonably wait together and still run from different corrals. Once we start, we won't see each other until the finish, and that's totally fine. So I am hesitant to give up my A placement and face more a crowded course, if there is a way to take advantage of the waiting time together.

Thoughts?

In the past B was behind A. so you could be in the back of A and your mom in the front of B and you would be next to each other. Separated by a plastic fence. There would still be about 5-7 min. apart after start.

[Cripey]

Originally Posted by Tiresius

Any racers who have done Princess in the past know the layout of the corrals? I understand that anything could change, but I am curious about the placement and logistics from the time you get to the pre-race waiting area until the starting line gun. The only long Disney run I have done is TOT, and the corrals were placed side by side. Is this the same for Princess?

The reason I ask is that I am traveling with my Mom, we are both running, but we run at different paces so don't need to actually start/run together. However, I am in A and she is in B, and it would be really nice to at least wait together. At TOT, this would have been super simple. A and B corrals were side by side with just a simple fence in between, so even if we each waited in our own corral, we could just sit near the fences and talk/wait/hang out together.

However, I have no idea if this is the standard. Are the corrals usually placed this close together? Similar set-ups? Or are they ever front to back?

It also seems like people are talking about a rather long walk from the corrals to the start. When does this happen? Less than 20 min from the gun? 30 min? 45 min? An hour? At TOT, it seemed pretty quick, so if Mom and I had to split up when the corrals started walking, we would only be waiting for a short time for the actual start. But is this time much longer at the Princess? Would we be standing around alone for a really long time in separate corrals post-walk?

Looong question, probably simple answer. Just wondering if its worth me moving back to B to wait with her, or if we can reasonably wait together and still run from different corrals. Once we start, we won't see each other until the finish, and that's totally fine. So I am hesitant to give up my A placement and face more a crowded course, if there is a way to take advantage of the waiting time together.

Thoughts?

I can answer you based on the 2011 PHM and the TOT...completely different. When I did the PHM, corralls were lined up front to back, and were not led to the start in order like they did for TOT. However I think they were separated with the same simple fencing so in theory if one of you could get to the very front of their corral and the other in the back, you all could still hang out together for a bit. As for that trek to the corrals...in past Disney races that I've been to, normally the DJ will start making announcements of when people can start heading over. One year, and I think it was Tink 2012, but I'm not sure, the DJ announced by corral..."anyone in A go ahead and head over..." and so on...I guess to maybe help with crowd flow. So, they'll either do that or just say "hey Princesses, you can start heading over at any time." My advice...don't delay. It really is a long slow walk in a herd of princesses.

[longhorns2]

Originally Posted by newddmommie

So i'm sure the answer is here somewhere, but i just wanted to check and make sure i understand the sweepers.. The pace time starts when the last runner crosses the start line right? So for example, you should pass mile 1 at or before 16 minutes after the last runner starts, right? I did 13.3 miles on friday at an average pace of 12:30 but the last two miles where really slow at around 17 to bring my pace to 12:30 but i'd still be okay right? Just slightly panicked about sweepers, all my other half marathons didn't have them. Thanks for the help ladies.

FYI: i'm in Corral C too

There's 7 min between corral starts. So the FIRST person in the last corral will start around 35 min behind you. Add another 2 min for the last person to get across the start line.

That gives you 37 extra minutes to add to your time. 247 total minutes of running to finish ahead of the sweepers- or an average of 18:50 per mile.

If you are running at a 12:30 pace you still have TONS of time to stop for pics if you chose.

You are golden! Enjoy your race!

[AJackson09]

How do you all have your specific bib number? Should I have received an email or something, and if so, from who?

Thanks!

[Tiresius]

Originally Posted by joan4mickey

In the past B was behind A. so you could be in the back of A and your mom in the front of B and you would be next to each other. Separated by a plastic fence. There would still be about 5-7 min. apart after start.

Originally Posted by Cripey

I can answer you based on the 2011 PHM and the TOT...completely different. When I did the PHM, corralls were lined up front to back, and were not led to the start in order like they did for TOT. However I think they were separated with the same simple fencing so in theory if one of you could get to the very front of their corral and the other in the back, you all could still hang out together for a bit. As for that trek to the corrals...in past Disney races that I've been to, normally the DJ will start making announcements of when people can start heading over. One year, and I think it was Tink 2012, but I'm not sure, the DJ announced by corral..."anyone in A go ahead and head over..." and so on...I guess to maybe help with crowd flow. So, they'll either do that or just say "hey Princesses, you can start heading over at any time." My advice...don't delay. It really is a long slow walk in a herd of princesses.

Hmm. Ok, Thanks. Drat, but thanks. If I am going to go all the way to the back of the corral to wait, not sure that really does me any good vs just moving back a corral. The TOT set-up was perfect, but if that's not going to be the case, I think I am just going to have to make a decision. Spend the time with Mom and be the nice kid but end up with a less-ideal placement, or take advantage of my placement, enjoy my own race, and let Mom fend for herself. It sounds so mean when I say it that way...

[annmarieda]

I sent an email to the person who updated my finish time to see what he had put down since the finish tool on runners world had me with a finish time of less that what I had put at registration. I am impressed that I got such a quick response.

He explained that since a 10k is more than double that of a half - most people don't maintain that pace so he put me down for a pace greater than what I submitted would indicate. (2:30) Right on that edge of B... so this gives me something to shoot for next year! I mean... I already am faster than that time I submitted...so it seems a reasonable goal to have.

At least now I know that I don't have to bring a time to the expo...

[tinkerbye]

Originally Posted by PrincessV

C for me.

C for me?!?!?!?!

Seriously, I don't understand how they came up with these placements - how on earth do I end up in C with a 2:45:00 estimate and no proof submitted of anything?

I guess I'm happy: less time waiting = less time for my muscles to tighten up in the cold. And I'll start waaaaay in the back, far behind all the men-folk. But I can't help but feel a bit perplexed...

I did the same thing with my team registration and am in C, I thought I would end up in E or F. I'll 'C' you in the very back of the corral.

[Cripey]

I was reading the race program and noticed that they didn't list the vendors this time...wonder why? There's a map, will all of the booths numbered like usual, just no list of what vendors are in those numbered booths. I already know my 2 favs were booted and won't be there, but I still wanted to see who would be there...to kind of decide if I even want to walk around or not after I get my stuff.

[sunnygal041]

Originally Posted by Cripey

I was reading the race program and noticed that they didn't list the vendors this time...wonder why? There's a map, will all of the booths numbered like usual, just no list of what vendors are in those numbered booths. I already know my 2 favs were booted and won't be there, but I still wanted to see who would be there...to kind of decide if I even want to walk around or not after I get my stuff.

Yea, I saw that, too

[flatlandcycle]

Originally Posted by annmarieda

He explained that since a 10k is more than double that of a half - most people don't maintain that pace so he put me down for a pace greater than what I submitted would indicate. (2:30) Right on that edge of B... so this gives me something to shoot for next year! I mean... I already am faster than that time I submitted...so it seems a reasonable goal to have.

At least now I know that I don't have to bring a time to the expo...

I would take your best 10k, or longer, race finish printout to the expo, Runners Relations Booth. You stand a better than 50:50 chance of being moved to B. Runners World race time predictions do account for a slower pace at longer distances.

In my experience these folks are generous, not D to B but on the edge you are likely to get moved up. If you are shooting for 2:30, you are likely to get in with similar paced runners in corral B.

[Lawyer Mommy]

Originally Posted by PrincessV

C for me.

C for me?!?!?!?!

Seriously, I don't understand how they came up with these placements - how on earth do I end up in C with a 2:45:00 estimate and no proof submitted of anything?

I guess I'm happy: less time waiting = less time for my muscles to tighten up in the cold. And I'll start waaaaay in the back, far behind all the men-folk. But I can't help but feel a bit perplexed...

Originally Posted by tinkerbye

I did the same thing with my team registration and am in C, I thought I would end up in E or F. I'll 'C' you in the very back of the corral.

I'll be "C-ing" you both there too!!! I also estimated a finish time of 2:45 but had no proof. I was so convinced that I would be put in H because of the lack of proof that I'm signed up to run a 10K the Sunday before the race to get proof! I guess the good news now is that if the weather is awful that day, I can skip that one and not worry. I'm happy in C.

[joan4mickey]

One change at the WDW full this year and they did NOT do this the day before at the half...
They called for all in Corral A and B to go ...they were allowing all in the first two corrals to start the walk first. Makes sense so that they don't get the pile up and at the stop light about half way to corrals there was a split..A and B and I think a few other to the left and the others straight. I understand they continued to call corrals as time went on..B and C etc., etc.

[PrincessV]

Originally Posted by tinkerbye

I did the same thing with my team registration and am in C, I thought I would end up in E or F. I'll 'C' you in the very back of the corral.

Originally Posted by Cripey

I was reading the race program and noticed that they didn't list the vendors this time...wonder why? There's a map, will all of the booths numbered like usual, just no list of what vendors are in those numbered booths. I already know my 2 favs were booted and won't be there, but I still wanted to see who would be there...to kind of decide if I even want to walk around or not after I get my stuff.

Right? That was the one thing I really wanted, the vendor list! How am I to plot out my expo plan now?! Which two were booted?

[PrincessV]

Originally Posted by Lawyer Mommy

I'll be "C-ing" you both there too!!! I also estimated a finish time of 2:45 but had no proof. I was so convinced that I would be put in H because of the lack of proof that I'm signed up to run a 10K the Sunday before the race to get proof! I guess the good news now is that if the weather is awful that day, I can skip that one and not worry. I'm happy in C.

I did the same thing - signed up for a 10K on Feb. 2 to keep me out of H. In the end, I opted to pass on the 10K to give my injuries more rest... I've been worrying that I'd regret that decision. Not a bit now!