First Time Princess Half-Marathon Runner

[Bethabi]

My sister and I are going to sign up for the Princess Half Marathon this week . . . But we've never run in a Disney event - can anyone give us some helpful tips for race day? Or point us to a blog, forum post, podcast that will help us know what to expect and how to plan?

I've been to WDW 4 times in the last 3 years, and my hubby is a WDW veteran so we know our way around the parks . . . it's just the race stuff we don't know anything about. Thank you in advance for any help

[athenna]

I did the Princess this year, it was my first race, I had so much fun, loved it! Alas, I'm not able to do the race in 2011.

Have you looked at the official site?
Disney's Princess Half Marathon Weekend | Endurance | Amateur Sports | ESPN Wide World of Sports

Let me know if I can answer any specific questions.

[NC_WDW_Daddy]

AllEars.net has a blog site dedicated to the races.

[Bethabi]

Congrats on finishing last year! I do have a couple questions - how early do we need to get up to be on time if we are using a rental car? Or should we even use a rental car, is Disney transportation a better idea?

I have checked out the official site, thanks for the tip!

[Bethabi]

Ok, thank you for the suggestion, I'll check it out

[athenna]

Congrats on finishing last year! I do have a couple questions - how early do we need to get up to be on time if we are using a rental car? Or should we even use a rental car, is Disney transportation a better idea?

I have checked out the official site, thanks for the tip!

Thanks
EARLY, lol. I was up at 3am....We were staying @ Kidani which wasn't a resort that the buses where going to for the Princess...These are the resorts
where they will pick you up:
Disney's Princess Half Marathon Weekend | Endurance | Amateur Sports | ESPN Wide World of Sports
Where are you staying?
So we took a cab, and when you get there, it's just a lot of standing around, they make you get there early but there isn't a lot to do. There is a baggage claim if you need to have stuff for afterwards you can check it in. I didn't bring anything, my fiance came to watch and cheer me on, so he held everything for me, I kept my phone w/me in case.
Let me know if this helps and if you have more questions

[Bethabi]

Thanks
EARLY, lol. I was up at 3am....We were staying @ Kidani which wasn't a resort that the buses where going to for the Princess...These are the resorts
where they will pick you up:
Where are you staying?
So we took a cab, and when you get there, it's just a lot of standing around, they make you get there early but there isn't a lot to do. There is a baggage claim if you need to have stuff for afterwards you can check it in. I didn't bring anything, my fiance came to watch and cheer me on, so he held everything for me, I kept my phone w/me in case.
Let me know if this helps and if you have more questions

We're staying at Port Orleans Riverside (my fav moderate) which is one of the hotels that Disney transportation is picking up at for the race . . . I just thought maybe we could get away with not having to get up quite so early if we took our own car . . . thanks for all the insider info!

[athenna]

Honestly, I think it's just as easy to take the WDW bus, 1 less thing to worry about. In terms of sleep, most people think they're going to get a good night's sleep the night before the race and hardly anyone does, lol.
You may be different of course. I got like 90 minutes sleep and then did my first race, adreneline pushing me along Friends that I did race with,they didn't sleep either.
Just my opinion, but if I was staying @ host resort, I'd take the bus.

[roswell]

I am also doing my first half at the princess in february. I had a question. My mom and I signed up as a team. Do you know how that works? I'm beginning to worry because she may not be able to run now due to an injury and I was wondering if we can finish separately if she has to walk or if i can do this race without her if she can't end up doing it. :/