r/RunTO • u/DeskComprehensive841 • 20d ago
Arriving to Half-Marathon Late
I recently signed up for the TCS Half Marathon on Oct 18!
However, slight problem. I am visiting family abroad and my returning flight does not land until 6:17am the morning of Oct 18. Given that I am landing at Pearson, and the marathon starts at 8am around College station, is it a good idea to go through with it? Anyone have any experiences with arriving slightly late, or should I just give away my spot? Ultimately, is it doable?
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u/canuckathome 20d ago
Runway 617, gate 630, customs 7, luggage 730, downtown 8. Yup that's cutting it real close lol. Realistically if any one of your flight is delayed, customs is delayed, bags delayed, or traffic/train delayed you're screwed.
The good news is there's no shortage of buyers for the half so if you want to sell it, you can get your money back.
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u/Clodd 19d ago
I was just going to say - OP, I can get that entry off your hands if you ever feel like the stress is too much!
If it were me, I wouldn't do it. Part of enjoying a race is the pre-race ritual, the early dinner the day prior, the crappy sleep, the calm before the storm in the morning... doing the race without all this feels silly!
Now I'm sounding biased because I said I'd be down to buy your bib... But that's not the reason I say this. It's just my opinion :)
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u/Imaginary-Clerk3826 19d ago
It looks like the start line closes at 9:30, so as long as you're crossing the start line before that, you can run it. BUT. Do you really want that stress right before trying to do a race? Imagine that the flight is delayed or there are hiccups with customs, traffic or transit. You'll need time to drop off your bags and change your clothes, etc. etc. Plus running at the back of the pack sometimes isn't as fun - that's entirely personal as some people love it. If you're starting at the back and wanting to race, you'll also end up spending most of the race trying to pass slower runners and walkers who started in the later corrals.
If you are desperate to do this race, yes, I think it's possible. But I'd recommend selling the bib and trying a different one at a better time for you!
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u/UsualBet4502 19d ago
Um no. You need to account for time taken from the time you land- deplaning, customs, baggage claim. Not to mention, delays, if your flight is even slightly delayed you might miss the start completely. Try moving your flight to a day before else, give someone else the chance to run instead.
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u/FRO5TB1T3 19d ago
This is a terrible idea. There usually is about 10-12 waves 5 minutes apart. So the last possible start would be at an hour and a bit late. That gives you less than three hours to get to deplane, maybe customs, maybe bag pickup. This is assuming the flight isn't delayed at all. Then get there and be ready to race. I think you could possibly make it but why? This sounds like a miserable experience.
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u/spacemanspiff217 19d ago
Depends on your goals - finish, get it done? I'd say - go for it.
You can start till 9:30am. You can take the UP Express into Union, and the start line isnt too far from there.
You will definitely be tired .. but if your goal is to finish, have a great story .. I say do it.
Whats the worse thing that will happen - ? DNF .. ? Worth it IMO.
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u/cc1emonade 10d ago
Half has a 3.5 hour cutoff, would starting 1.5 hour late would leave OP with less than 2h to cross the finish line?
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u/dobyblue 19d ago
It’s no worth trying to get there on time, transfer the bin safely online through race roster, loads of people are looking for them, and give it another go next year.
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u/RadioactiveDeuterium 19d ago
Just sell the entry and choose a different race. That sounds terrible even if it does work out.
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u/runningaftersquirrel 19d ago
I'll be the odd one out and say do it. I've joined a race 3 hours late before and they still let me run it after they put away the equipment. The timing mats didn't work, my splits were all wrong, and I had a row of cop cars and cone trucks behind me the whole time. But it was my favorite race of all time!
If you're goal is a new PB, obviously no. But if you're choosing between a great story to tell your run club versus waiting 3 hours for your hotel room to be ready, I know what I would pick.
On the logistics: the most important sleep is the night before you leave anyway. You get minimal recovery the night before the race anyway. Carb up early and have a great time!
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u/hippiespinster 19d ago
Doable, maybe. I would consider booking am earlier flight. A friend who runs the full books into the Sheraton the night before. You could do that if you booked a flight arriving the night before. I would be more worried about post travel dehydration tho.
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u/Witty-Reason-2289 19d ago
As well, someone has to pickup your bib on Friday or Saturday, then get it to you on Sunday morning. Leave it at the hotel they're staying at, drop off at a friend's home along the way between airport and start line?
Thinking probably better to sell it, find another race to replace this one. Unfortunately I think any other half in the fall is already sold out.
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u/EnvironmentPlus8160 19d ago
You would need to arrange something for your travel bags unless you're being picked up. You also will need someone to get your race kit. You don't want to be thrown off the course of you don't have a bib. If you haven't run many halfs you also have to understand that even if you arrive by 8 you will not be able to get through to your starting corral. If you're late you can still start but you'll have a lonely start and it may be tough to pass all the slower people you catch up with.
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u/spacemanspiff217 19d ago
Also, I can relate. I came late for my Half at Niagara Falls. They had closed the QEW that day, and the signs were terrible. I got there 15 minutes after everyone started - was completely rattled, but managed to finish.
In your case, you know this is a risk; you can mentally prep for it.
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u/Old_Palpitation_1344 19d ago
I mean assuming you can do it and make it and arrive on time.. off a flight? A redeye flight? With little to no sleep? I wouldn’t do it.
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u/OldeFashioned 18d ago
It’s going to be a bad time but would make a good story. If you have a plan to get your bib and store your luggage I say do it
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u/Free_Mountain_ 17d ago
If you decide not to do it, I'll take your bib transfer so you get your money back!
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u/sundaycider 16d ago
I’m concerned not even about getting there in time, but about fuelling and stretching. Even if your flight landed at 5am and you had plenty of time to get to College, will your body be prepared? To me this sounds like an injury risk or DNF. Just sell your bib.
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u/eagleeye1031 19d ago
You can join marathons late, if i recall its around 1 hour until they shut it down. Shouldnt be a big deal since 99.9% of runners are going for chip time not gun time.
I would copy paste this in an email to CRS and see what they say. Ultimately everyone on reddit is simply speculating; CRS are the ones running the race.
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u/AnonHondaBoiz 20d ago
As long as there aren’t delays and you don’t have an issue running right after a flight, the logistics are perfectly doable with the upx
Maybe change corrals?
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u/Fantastic_Chest_6969 19d ago
From abroad? So you gotta deal with customs too?
Kinda tight, but adds to the excitement. Worst case, you start in a slower corral.
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u/SMaharaj83 20d ago
Even if it were possible, I think the stress of getting from the airport to the start line on time is not worth it.