Can spectators ride the busses to the start?

[disynut]

DH is wanting to go with me to the start, but we aren't sure how we should do it. I'm thinking he won't be able to get on the bus with me, right? And if he can, how would he get back to the hotel? I'm worried if we drive we'll get stuck in traffic. If we do, what time should we leave OKW---I'm wondering if we leave there at 3:45 if that would be enough time?

Any info would be appreciated!

Jen

 

[disynut]

sorry==posted twice

 

[Ronda93]

Short answer - maybe.

It is suppposed to be for runners, but I have read many accounts of spectators taking the bus there and back. The wildcard is the weather and space. If runners wait to take the later busses to avoid spending extra time milling around, the later busses will be packed and DH might get bumped - if not by the driver, then by runners on the sidewalk.

FWIW, unless he's paid for the primo seats the start is nothing to see. You cannot see your runner and your runner cannot see you. Fire shoots up and thousands of people ooze forward. Not much to look at. If he's going for moral support at some point you'll be separated by protocol. Not sure how fast though.

Is he just going for the start and not going to spectate along the route?

I'm having this delima with DGF, too. Latest plan is for her to take a cab to TTC/MK around 6:00 and catch the monorail to MK from there. I'll drive the car and sit in the parking lot shielded from the wind. I plan to leave 3:15/3:30. You could probably make it leaving later, but I've worked for a year to get there. I'd much rather be an hour early than a minute late. When the gate closes - it's closed. Period.

Good luck.

Ronda

 

[cewait]

Really maybe = yes if you are on an early bus. If after 3:45 plaease have some courtesy and allow runners priority.

agree 10% about the 'spectator' viewing area. One year I was injured and did watch the start from across the canal (at OKW). That was a surreal sight. The fireworks went off then all of a sudden the colorful mass of humanity sureged forward.

The best thing for your crew is to head to the monorqil once you head to the start.

 

[disynut]

Thanks all. That's kind of what I was thinking, and knowing him he wouldn't have gotten on the bus even if he thought there was a chance he would knock someone else out of a seat. He is kind of wanting to drive me over, but that makes me nervous since I've read about traffic jams, etc. I think he just is worried about putting me on a bus at 3:30 in the morning all by myself, lol. Can you tell I'm a bit looked after?. (My family does not likeit when I head out to run if it is still dark either)But I thinkI have convinced him I'll be fine.

 

[mortimor]

We did it last Jan and had no problem with my father-in-law riding there and back. It actually worked great for us because he hung around until we lined up and then gave him all the extra clothes we were wearing....and with the weather forecast you are either going to want to dress appropriately or show up at the last minute.

 

[wdw4us]

Last year my DH rode the bus with us to the family area. He then hopped onto the monorail to head to the MK so he could be there with our food supplies/water/juice. He said it was a good thing he did because there was a limited opportunity to get into the MK. He then hopped back on the monorail to meet us at the end.

denise

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Spectators are always allowed on busses...if there is room. Preference is given to athletes with number, so if there were a long line of runners waiting--it is likely a spectator will be asked to wait.

The early bird gets the worm so to speak and it is best to go as early as possible if you guys wish to travel together. Though spectators cannot go into the runners area as that is crowd control. Though spectators have been known to go the long way around and hang with their runner until the start. There have always been vieweres at the start when I did my events.

Given the cold, I'd drive my car and keep it running in the lot to stay warm and toasty. Then your spectator has a place to wait until they must get to their appointed viewing position.