runDisney has just announced that the start time and race course has been altered for the half marathon planned for January 6th at Walt Disney World.
©runDisney
Severe thunderstorms are predicted to reach the Walt Disney World area shortly after 8 a.m. on Saturday, and last most of the morning.
At 6:30PM tonight, runDisney posted an urgent announcement that the start time for the race has been backed up to 4:45AM, from the original start time of 5AM. In addition, the length of the race has been shortened, and will no longer be a standard half marathon course of 13.1 miles.
©runDisney
runDisney said it hopes to have everyone off the course by 8AM, to avoid expected lightning in the area.
©runDisney
Here’s a look at the updated, shortened race course map.
©runDisney
The National Weather Service predicts that lightning activity near Disney World has the potential to be at a Level 3 between 7AM and 6PM on Saturday. Level 3 Lightning Activity is defined as 6 to 10 cloud-to-ground lightning strikes in a 5-minute period, during scattered thunderstorms.
A strong cold front will reach the Orlando area by Saturday morning, bringing a threat of damaging winds and hail, according to meteorologists at WKMG-TV.
Disney World
runDisney has announced that runners who are registered for one of the multi-race challenges that include the Walt Disney World Half Marathon, such as the Dopey Challenge, Goofy’s Race-and-a-Half Challenge, and the runDisney Coast to Coast Race Challenge will remain eligible for their medals, as long as they complete tomorrow’s shortened course on pace.
©Disney
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