DISNEY RACE: Twilight Zone's Tower of Terror 13K @1:15:53, DHS, FL

[NOTE: This entry contains the SUSPECTS, CLUES, & REVEAL for the 2009 Twilight Zone's Tower of Terror 13K & 5K Race Mystery.

Click HERE for the STORY, RULES, & SUSPECTS]

Saturday, October 24, 2009
The Twilight Zone's Tower of Terror 13K race was so much fun!

The 13K race began at 10:30pm (the 5K started at 10:15pm), but I got there at 8:15pm just to look around for clues. I also wanted to get pictures of/with the suspects who were mingling amongst the crowd. I met a fellow suspect-enthusiast, and soon, my new friend Beth and I were running around taking turns taking our picture with them. They all looked so suspicious. Here's my set:

Me with Detective Willie Ketcham (left)
and Otto Von Bonn Bahn (right)


Me and Shelby Mayer


Me and Talullah Fruiti


Me and Roman Holiday


Me and Jack Diamond


Sandi (left, friend from the D23 Sip & Stroll) and Me with
Bucky GreenHorn (2nd from left) and Francis Floot (right)

Those were the only suspects we managed to round-up. Still on the lam were following: Minerva Lipwhistle, Ready Freddy Fiddlesticks, Paige Turner, Francis Floot, Honey Darline, and Vladimir Pooey.

There were some runners in costume. There was a some bunnies, a Goofy, Raggedy Ann and Andy, Harry Potter and Hermione, [Where's] Waldo, Richard Simmon's #1 Fan, a Semi-Pro, and a white guy in a tink costume.

I dressed up as "The Invisible Pedestrian"/"The Human Shadow", and Beth was dressed up as "Stinkerbell" (her friend's endearing name for her).

And we ran into even more suspicious characters like Sandi from last weekend's D23 event (shown above), and here with me and Beth:

and there was Cyndi, president of the Space Coast Runners:

and my neighbors Pat & Linda:

So much love and fun!
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Asides from the characters, there were other activities in the race staging area. For instance, there was a hotel register for everyone to sign:

And there was one guy passing out small hotel key magnets and another guy passing out Tower of Terror 13K tattoos. There were tables, spray bottles, and paper towels set up for the latter.

Plus, there was a DJ playing some music and making race announcements.

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Anyways, just my own record here, the race went well. I started with the 11:00-13:00 pacers, which was okay. The course was good though narrow at times in the sports complex. Running with a cape wasn't as easy as I'd imagine but I managed but was still fun. And I did meet my goal of sub 9:30-pace in order to make the press conference.

My stats:
Bib #2333
Chip 1:15:53 (9:23.6/mile)
Clock 1:18:06
Overall 741/3247 (22.8%)
Male 503/1385 (36.3%)
Age 66/166 (39.8%)

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But anyways, what you really care about are the CLUES right? Well, here they are... the first three were in the race staging area, the next five at Disney's Wide World of Sports, and the next three were back in Disney's Hollywood Studios. Enjoy!

And here's a race number with the suspects. Feel free to PRINT IT OUT and play along.

Clue #1: Hotel Register

"Eliminate the suspect who left their mark here."
(Lip print -> Minerva Lipwhistle)

Clue #2: Spira Tent

"We are raising the bar and providing great footwear for you! Now that's what you must do."
(Read the columns from bottom to top: ELIMINATEFRANCISFLOOTNOW -> Francis Floot)

Clue #3: Pre-Race Staging Area


"My Dearest Stone,

I know someone is looking
to take you out!
But it isn't me.

Sincerely,
XXHXOXNXEXY
XDXXAXRXLXXINXXG"
(Remove the X's -> Honey Darling)

Clue #4: Disney's Wide World of Sports Trail

"Listen For The Clue"

("e val di mure pwoo..." rotated syllables -> Vladimir Pooey)

Clue #5: On Track

Cheerleaders with cheerboards "FR","UI","TI" and Little Richard's "Tutti Frutti" playing in the background.

(Spells out suspect's name -> Talullah Fruiti)

Clue #6: Horse Generator in Parking Lot

Rebus Puzzle: Sea Shell, Honey Bee, Female Horse
("Shell" + "Bee" + "Mare" -> Shelby Mayer)

Clue #7: Musical Reindeer

Reindeer with Green Trumpets
(Green Horn -> Bucky Greenhorn)

Clue #8: World Drive

"Find the missing letter.

A B C D E F G H I J K L M

N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z"
(The 'X' is missing -> The Ex-Girlfriend [Paige Turner])

Clue #9: Hollywood Studios Backlot

"T _ E
C _ _ K
Just add Water."
(Water = H20, Add an 'H' and 2 'O's -> The Cook [Otto Von Bonn Bahn])

Clue #10: Hollywood Studios Buildings

Stilted Violinists
(Violin = Fiddle, Stilts = Sticks -> Ready Freddy Fiddlesticks)

Clue #11: The Hollywood Tower

Playing Card projected on the side of the building.
(Jack of Diamonds -> Jack Diamond)

So what does that mean? Who did it? To find out, check out the video of Detective Willie Ketcham's Press Conference at the Sorcerer's Hat:


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The Twilight Zone's Tower of Terror 13K was SO much fun, and I wish Disney had kept the race. But I'm glad that it had such a lively, spectacular send off. And I look forward to next year's Wine & Dine Nighttime Half-Marathon, which should be an interesting race for runners and challenge for the coordinators.

Anyways, thank you so much Disney Endurance Sports for a great event!
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[NOTE: Click HERE for the STORY, RULES, & SUSPECTS]
[eop]

JOURNAL/RUN: Tower of Terror 13K Eve

[NOTE: This entry contains the STORY, RULES, & SUSPECTS for the 2009 Twilight Zone's Tower of Terror 13K & 5K Race Mystery.

Click HERE for the SUSPECTS, CLUES, & REVEAL]

It's a little past midnight, and I've just run 2.97 miles (Home <-LL-> WM+Stores [CCW]) in about 23 minutes. And to think, I'll be running this same time tomorrow night, but an extra 5 miles and wearing tights and a cape. Tomorrow night is The Twilight Zone's Tower of Terror 13K at Disney's Hollywood Studios, and it's a good excuse for wearing a costume. No, I'm not going dressed up as Superman. I'm going to be "The Human Shadow" -- I'm wearing all in black... black shoes, black socks, black tights, black shorts, black underwear, black shirt, black gloves, and a long black cape. I'm just a little paranoid about somehow getting disqualified.

Anyways, this is the third and last year that Disney's holding the Tower of Terror race [-- to make room more new exciting events]. The first year, there were people dressed like escaped insane asylum inmates roaming the Wide World of Sports Complex (funny) and some wicked awesome Oreo brownies at the finish. Last year, I think there may have been one place along the course where you could have a photo op with some villains (kinda lame) but we saw a guy dressed up like a Spartan (yay!). But this year, the race has a pretty involved and quite interesting story attached...

In an email leading up to the race, we were introduced to Stone Granite, movie star extraordinaire, who personally invited us to The Hollywood Tower Hotel's All Hallows Eve Celebrity Bash. Then in subsequent correspondence, the plot thickens and the mystery trap is set. See for yourself.

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October 6, 2009

The Hollywood Tower Hotel is pleased to announce our annual All Hallows Eve Celebrity Bash!

On Saturday, October 24, you will have a chance to see and be seen by anyone who's anyone in Hollywood! This year's spectacular soiree will be hosted by none other than the matinee idol, the debonair and mysterious Stone Granite - it's the one occasion you can't miss! Here is your personal invite from Stone himself! -

"Hello my admirers, I Stone Granite, movie star extraordinaire - enamored by women, envied by men - am offering you an exclusive invitation to THE party of the year! Don't disappoint!"

So drop everything and come to the Hollywood Tower Hotel for this once in a lifetime experience!

Sincerely,

Rob Sterling
General Manager
Hollywood Tower Hotel

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October 12, 2009

Reporter Bert Menken here with a late-breaking story ---

The Hollywood Tower's "All Hallows Eve Celebrity Bash" is quickly becoming the party of the century! Stars, would be stars, and has been stars are planning on having a flat-out good time!

Stone Granite (one of the biggest names in Hollywood!), his famous agent Jack Diamond, would be star Ready Freddie Fiddlesticks, and has been stars Talullah Fruiti and Roman Holiday are among the names attending! This is something you've got to get with, kid! It's gonna be a doozer! Even the mayor of Hollywood himself, Shelby Mayer, has counted himself to be among the lucky ones invited to the gala.

You don't want to miss out - October 24 is right around the corner - I'll see you there!

Bert Menken
News Reporter
Hollywood Tower Hotel

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October 19, 2009

From the offices of Detective Willie Ketcham, HPD -

This just in!!!

Stone Granite, host of this year's Hollywood Tower Hotel "All Hallows Eve Celebrity Bash," has gone missing!! Missing I say!

It is feared that he was kidnapped during his morning run. I need EVERYONE to make tracks and assist with this investigation. You will all be summarily deputized when you arrive at the Hollywood Tower Hotel.

You will retrace the suspected route of Stone Granite's morning run. I am convinced that there are clues out there that will reveal the true identity of the kidnapper.

I've narrowed the suspect list down to 12. Help me put the finger on the perpetrator! This is how it works....

MYSTERY TOUR EXPLAINED
Download the list of suspects and mystery tour rules. (information below)
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TOWER OF TERROR 13K & 5K MYSTERY TOUR GUIDELINES
The mystery tour is for your entertainment throughout the event and along the 13K and 5K course. You are not required to participate in the mystery tour and the mystery tour will not affect your race results or eligibility for awards. Mystery tour results will not be scored and no prizes or awards will be given.

On the other side of this page, there is a list of 12 suspects in the Stone Granite kidnapping case.

As you retrace the steps of Stone Granite’s morning run you will be given clues to help you eliminate the suspects.

Clues will relate to the name of the suspect or the suspect’s “occupation.” Clues will not refer to a suspect’s motive.

Clues may be visual or audio.

Clues will be positioned in the pre‐race “Check‐In” area and throughout the 5K and 13K course.

The clues regarding the potential guilty parties will be indicated by a light marked “Clue.”

If you see a clue that relates to a suspect, then that suspect can be eliminated.

The names of the suspects will be on your race bib. As you eliminate a suspect, just punch out the name.

Remember, if a clue leads to a suspect, that individual is to be eliminated from suspicion in the Stone Granite case.

The last remaining person, the one not seen or alluded to during the event, is the guilty party.

The answer to the mystery will be unveiled at Detective Willie Ketcham’s Midnight Press Conference and Award Ceremony!
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SUSPECT LIST
This is the list of suspects that Detective Willie Ketcham and his sidekick Officer Percival Peabody have narrowed the investigation down to. Unfortunately, every suspect has his or her motivations to kidnap Stone Granite ...

Jack Diamond, Stone’s Agent
Possible motive: Rumored to owe Stone large sum of money from a gambling debt

Honey Darling, Rising Star
Possible motive: In love with Stone but her love is unrequited

Talullah Fruiti, Has been star
Possible motive: Rumored Stone was going to reveal her true age to the press

Minerva Lipwhistle, Faded Star
Possible motive: Stone stepped in her handprints in front of the Chinese Theatre before the cement was set

Shelby Mayer, Mayor of Hollywood
Possible motive: Former Stone agent, was fired by Stone

Francis Floot, Best boy on Stone’s last movie
Possible motive: Supposedly snubbed by Stone at cast party

Roman Holiday, Former matinee idol
Possible motive: Set to star in new big film that would put him back on top until Stone took the role from him; rumored to have made the producer an offer he could not refuse.

Vladimir Pooey, Foreign director
Possible motive: Stone turned down leading role in his only film, a flop

Paige Turner, EX‐girlfriend and Script girl
Possible motive: Dumped by Stone in a humiliating public scene

Ready Freddy Fiddlesticks, Would be star
Possible motive: In love with Paige Turner, is said to want to avenge her broken heart.

Otto Von Bonn Bahn, The cook at the hotel
Possible motive: Stone hates his Weiner Schnitzel, complains loudly to food critics about it and threw it against the wall the last time he had it.

Bucky Greenhorn, Stone’s chauffer
Possible motive: Granite never tips him

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Cedric (aka, "The Human Shadow" / "The Invisible Pedestrian"): This should be fun! I'm going to try to run with camera and take pictures/video of the clues... we'll see how many I actually get. Also, with the race starting at 10:30pm, it may actually be a challenge to even make it to Detective Willie Ketcham's Press Conference at 12:00am. I will have to maintain a sub-10:30/mile pace while wearing cape and toting camera to have enough time to make it down Sunset after the race to the Sorcerer's Hat. Wish me luck!

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[NOTE: Click HERE for the SUSPECTS, CLUES, & REVEAL]

[eop]

RACE: Downtown Melbourne 5K @22:12, Downtown Melbourne, FL

This morning was the Downtown Melbourne 5K benefiting The Haven, a local organization that strives to meet the needs of neglected and abused children in Brevard County.

This race is maybe the only one in which the men and the women compete separately. Each year they alternate, and this year the men raced first at 7:30am; the women raced at 8:15am.

This was my fifth race in the 08-09 SCR ROY Series. I saw that I was the only person in the Men's 25-29 age group, so I entered this race to qualify for awards. I didn't have to run hard, just finish. But still, I came away with a season-best time of 22:12.

The course is essentially a double loop of Downtown Melbourne, with an small detour the first time on the back end, so there were some extra cones set up along a couple of the side streets. Well, on the first stretch of the race, I saw the front-runners make a left a few blocks early. When I reached that corner, I heard someone yell, "Go Straight!", and sure enough, those people were running off-course. I could understand their confusion because there was a tall old guy directing the runners down the wrong street -- was he a race official? volunteer? random spectator? -- either way, it really did suck for them.

I wasn't fast enough to have made the wrong turn but I did get to enjoy being near the "front pack" for an extra half mile or so. There were others near me that were ecstatic that they were "ahead of Art Anderson!". Anyways, the pressure was off, and I was able to run a pretty steady race. My splits were the following:

        Mile 1 - 6:55 (wow!)
        Mile 2 - 14:15 (7:20 is a good 2nd mile)
        Mile 3.1 - 22:12 (season best, woo!)

I came in 6th of 22 guys in my age group; 5th place was nearly a minute ahead of me, so I'm all good with that. And I was 72nd overall out of 233 men -- Top Third!. It was a fast course, even with hills.

I did take pictures at this race... about 250 of them -- I got more of the women's race (which ran smoothly) and of the youth series race. Asides from being really tired from a few nights of less-than-optimal sleep (quantity, not quality), this morning was really nice. I knew so many people there, and the sense of community was absolutely fantastic. It was an opportunity to catch up with friends.

I guess that I'll leave it there, and move onto managing all of the photos. I'd like to have it done and up on fotki before I head out to Orlando tonight.



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RACE: ESPN the Weekend 5K

I didn't expect to be running this race, but someone at the office had to pull out in order to work (I know), and I took his place. So I am not Marcos, but seeing how we're in the same age category (25-29) and the fact that there are no age group awards, I figured it's s'alright s'alright.

I had spent the night at a friend's house and woke up at 4:15am for the 7:00am race. And after walking the pugs that kept me company that night, I headed off. I arrived at DHS a quarter to six and met up with a fellow office runner, Larry, to get our packets. This was the first race I've been in that used the D-Chip timing system which was kinda cool (the "chip" being disposable) but I remained suspicious.

This may be the new wave of race timing.Anyways, there were hardly anyone dressed up at this race. There were some people in ESPN shirts, there were a couple female referees, and yeah... the Mullets were there. They got to get up on stage and high-fived John Anderson, who was also going to run.

*jealous*Then they brought up a couple sports celebrities. I didn't recognize the first person... (a baseball player/coach?), but the second was Misty May-Treanor, the two-time Gold Medalist in women's beach volleyball and Dancing With The Stars season 7 contestant. And I took a picture of her for MOM. I figured that she'd be *jealous*.

(MOM didn't recognize her)
Anyways, at the starting area, there were simple signs for the different pace groups: 7 minutes and under, 7:01-9 minutes, 9:01-11 minutes, etc. Yeah... of the 1450 runners, there were only a handful in the first corral, and it just felt weird that people were actually abiding by these pace group suggestions.

The number of people in front of me is countable.I really liked the course:

The first mile was an out and back on Disney-MGM Studios Access Road (the south entrance)

I liked how this pic turned out.then winding around inside the park for the other two miles -- Lights Motors Action, Streets of America,

The sign was a really nice touch!Echo Lake, Great Movie Ride, Sunset & loop around Tower of Terror,

The other side is clear.then up Hollywood Blvd, cutting right right before the gates back towards the cast parking for the last tenth. It had a lot of turns (especially at the end), but I really liked the layout. I liked it more than the DHS portion of the WDW Marathon and more than the ToT13K. There weren't any characters in the park to take pictures with, but the LMA jumbotron was up and you bet that I got a pic of me taking pic of me on it.

It's ME!There was a little kid, an 8-year-old running with his father, who bolted at the start. Larry and I figured that he'd tire out within 100 yds, but a mile later... the kid was still ahead of us then kicked it some more! (Seriously), I kinda gave up that fight and ran my own race from then on.

Whoa, kid.I didn't have to stop, but I did a couple times to get pictures (jumbotron and sunset blvd). Then I did have a great kick at the end (I actually loved the suspense of the twists and turns at the end). I found out that my co-worker finished about 40 seconds ahead of me and that the little kid only beat me by 13 seconds. Dah. :P Well, I enjoyed my time on the course and don't regret a thing, especially since I wasn't running as me, though I seriously feel like I'm in less shape than before.

Here is my Marcos's results:
  - #376 MARCOS WARD, 29M ROCKLEDGE, FL
  - chip 22:59, clock 23:01
  - overall 83/1450, male 71/753, age 15/120

Overall, the race didn't feel "too big", it was well-organized, and I had a lot of fun, plus the medals were nice. So I'll probably do this one again next year.

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I hung around the finish line for a little bit,

Mullets and Cheerleaders (oh my)then Larry and I went back to our cars and got freshened up before we headed over to breakfast.
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We walked from DHS to the Swan Resort and ate at the Garden Grove.


Larry had been there before for their breakfast buffet and enjoyed it. Our server was a nice old lady, who gave us a tour of the buffet and introduced us to the best omelet chef on property.

and this is only half of the pastriesThe food looked and tasted very beautiful. And I was amazed that we were each full with one trip to the buffet, one omelet, and one Mickey pancake.

We also found out that the Garden Grove was a character breakfast on Saturday -- Goofy and Pluto came around to greet us, we got our picture taken with them.

It was a really nice experience, and I'm glad that Larry suggested it. We decided to take the Friendship boat back to DHS, where Larry headed home, and I headed into the park.

:)