For the third year, The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror 10-Miler has crept up on us once again…are you ready to take a trip into the fifth dimension?? Well I hope so because I have all the information you will need for the race weekend so you can run directly to these medals!
Health & Fitness Expo
Like all other runDisney race weekends you will need to start yours by heading to the Health & Fitness Expo at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. Hours for the Expo are:
- Friday, October 3rd: 10:00 am – 7:00 pm
- Saturday, October 4th: 8:30 am – 3:00 pm
Participants in all of the races MUST attend the Expo to turn in signed waivers (click here to print your waiver) and pick up race packets, which include your race bib with B-Tag timing devices, race shirt, and gEAR bag. The gEAR bag also doubles at the bag to use for bag check during the race. This is also where you will receive any commemorative items you may have purchased during registration, such as pins or necklaces.
Your first stop at the Expo will be the HP Field House for Packet Pick Up. If you are unable to attend the Expo, you can arrange for an absentee pick-up by filling out an authorization form (found here) and providing the person picking up your bib with a photo copy of your ID and signed waiver. This is also where the Speaker Series will be held throughout the weekend.
From there you will then proceed across the way to the Jostens Center to pick up your race shirt and gEAR bag, visit with over 40 vendors and spend all your money on runDisney merchandise.
Here’s a preview of some of the merchandise that will be available from runDisney!
Resort Transportation
Bus transportation will be available to bring participants to and from ALL events taking place during The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror 10-Miler Weekend. This includes the Expo, 5K, Kids Races and 10-Miler. Bus service to the Expo will run during the following times:
- Friday, October 3rd: 9:30 am – 7:30 pm (last bus will leave resorts at 6:30 pm)
- Saturday, October 4th: 8:00 am – 3:30 am (last bus will leave resorts at 2:30 pm)
For the 5K, runners must be on a bus by 6:30 am to make it to the corrals by 7:15 am at the latest. For Kids Races, families must be on a bus by 8:30 am to make it to the corrals by 9:15 am at the latest. For the 10-Miler, runners must be on a bus by 8:15 pm to make it to the corrals by 9:15 pm at the latest. Buses will run until 4:00 am on Sunday for a return trip to the resort. If you are staying at the Boardwalk, Beach Club, Yacht Club, Swan or Dolphin, you have the option of walking to the staging area.
These are the host resorts for the weekend:
- Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort
- Disney’s All-Star Music Resort
- Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort
- Disney’s Beach Club Villas Resort
- Disney’s Boardwalk Villas Resort
- Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
- Disney’s Old Key West Resort
- Disney’s Polynesian Resort
- Disney’s Pop Century Resort
- Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter
- Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside
- Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa
- Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Resort
- Disney’s Yacht Club Resort
Driving Directions
If not staying at a host resort, participants will need to provide their own transportation to all events. An important thing to note is that there will be NO parking at Disney’s Hollywood Studios on the evening of the race. Runners and spectators will need to park at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex and take shuttles to the Studios. Runners must be on a shuttle by 8:15 pm, so make sure to leave extra time to park your car and wait in line for a shuttle.
Costumes
Since these races have a villain/Halloween theme, the costumes are always great!! It’s amazing to see what some people run in! Last year I ran into the Siamese Cats from Lady and the Tramp!
Please note that runners are NOT allowed to wear a face mask of any kind and will be removed from the course if this is violated. This is for your own safety, especially during a night race! So who are you dressing up as??
Bag Check
Participants MUST use the clear bag provided at the expo to check any belongings during the race and affix the label with their bib number on the outside. Tip for you: Put a small, lightweight backpack or duffle bag inside your clear gEAR bag to transfer everything into after the race. The strings on the gEAR bags make them horribly uncomfortable to carry around if you are planning on staying for the after party.
All bags must be checked by 9:00 pm in the Film Lot at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Bags will be available for pick-up at the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular Theatre and must be claimed by 2:30 am on the morning of October 5th. This is a LONG hike after the race so if you are meeting friends or family at the after party, consider having them take your bag instead of checking it.
Staging Area & Start Corrals
The corrals will be located on the south side of the Film parking lot past the bag check area. Your corral will be listed on your race bib and you will only be granted access to that corral or one behind you. All runners MUST be in their starting corral by 9:15 pm. Corrals will then be walked down to the starting line (starting with A), which is on the other side of the main toll plaza at the south entrance to Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The 10-Miler will start at 10:00 pm with the wheelchair start at 9:58 pm.
You can find your corral placement by printing your waiver and finding the corresponding corral for your bib number.
Race Bibs
Bibs must be centered on the front of your shirt. Safety pins will be provided in your race packet at the expo. Do not bend our fold your bib, as the ChronoTrack B-tag will be affixed to the back of the bib which will be used to track your time. If your bib is not properly centered, damaged or covered, your time may not be recorded properly. Your bib will also be used for the on course photographers, so make sure the number is clearly visible.
Pacing Requirements
You must keep a minimum of 16-minutes per mile throughout the race or you will run the risk of being picked up and brought to the finish line. Keep this in mind if you are planning to stop for character photos. Those lines can get long and it’s easy to lose track of time. Pace cyclists and the dreaded balloon ladies will be on the course to let you know if you have fallen behind.
Aid Stations
There will be 7 PowerAde and water stops along the course and they are located approximately 1.5 miles apart from each other. The PowerAde flavor is lemon-lime, so if that isn’t your thing you should carry your own.
Changing Tents
Changing areas will be available outside the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular Theatre after the race so you can get out of those sweaty clothes to enjoy the Disney Villains Hollywood Bash. But be warned that there is no privacy and the tents are HOT, so I have found that it is worth it to stand in line for a bit to get into an air conditioned restroom to change.
Course Maps
Happy Haunted 5K Trail Run
The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror 10-Miler
More information on other events like the Kids Races is available on the runDisney website and in the Official Event Guide for the weekend. Also, check out some of my packing tips as your get ready to travel and one of my plans for prepping for night races. I have run this race race for the past two years and have a lot of tips and insight in my race recaps. Hopefully you will find some of them useful:
2013
- Happy Haunted 5K Trail Run Recap
- 2013 Twilight Zone Tower of Terror 10-Miler Race Recap
- 2013 Twilight Zone Tower of Terror 10-Miler Expo
2012
- Inaugural Twilight Zone Tower of Terror 10-Miler Race Recap
- 2012 Twilight Zone Tower of Terror 10-Miler Expo
- Tower of Terror 10-Miler Post Race Snacks
I decided to take a break from running this race this year, but I have tons of reporters out there bringing you photos and stories from the weekend. I have my fingers crossed for you that this year brings some cooler temps so you have a more enjoyable race. I can’t wait to follow along!!
