Disney World Half Marathon Spectating

[starcommand79]

Is spectating for this event free? Anyone have any tips for where to be during the run while spectating? Thanks.

 

[rteetz]

Visit the RunDisney events board for more info on this.

RunDisney does offer spectating packages for a price. You can also spectate from inside the parks if you have valid park admission. In public areas spectating is free.

 

[dwwlmw]

It depends where you are coming from. Here is what I did to watch the marathon in January but this should also work for the half. We were staying at the Poly so I walked over the the TTC and watched them run by there, then walked back to the Poly and watched from the grass area behind the Aotearoa building. I then took the monorail to Epcot and watched the finish from the bleachers that were just beyond the finish line.

This plan would work if you are staying at one of the monorail resorts or if you are at the starting area with the runners at the beginning you could take the monorail to TTC. Hope that helps!

 

[Bluegrrl]

Hell's yeah it's free!!! I love to watch the run, especially since my mom runs in them - I always wait for her!!

Here's what I do:

1. Make a huge sign saying "Run Mom Run!!" If you don't have a runner, then maybe a generic "Go Run!" or "Mickey says run!!"
2. Bring cowbell or clappers to cheer with. Cowbell.
3. Find a great location.
4. Call out names and encourage peeps! The names are on the runners signs, and a simple "go Jim!" or "you got this Jen!" goes a long way with runners. Or saying things like "Come on Belle, Gaston's behind you!" or "That's it Alice, don't be late!" or even "Food and water is right ahead!" makes runners day. Just be careful since cheering names can sometimes break their stride. And some runners don't want to hear that they are almost done. Cause they aren't and they know it.

My favorite place to cheer: TTC, Shades of green lawn or the area opposite that at the Polynesian. The entrance to Epcot is also good, that's where I was last year. Look at the race map, and you should be able to find a few good places. Depend on the monorail, since driving to "chase" your favorite runner will be hard. If a friend it running, you can track them with at app that you can get at the registration check in. I've done this so I can follow my mom.

I love making signs, cheering on people I don't even know and generally cheering for the underdog. Not everyone has someone to cheer for them, and I find that cheering for everyone makes their day.

Have fun!!

 

[wilkeliza]

Visit the RunDisney events board for more info on this.

RunDisney does offer spectating packages for a price. You can also spectate from inside the parks if you have valid park admission. In public areas spectating is free.

Before a certain time theme park admission is not required (or it use to not be).

 

[starcommand79]

Cool. Thanks for the responses!

 

[roselark]

As a runner, I totally agree with Bluegrrl. A stranger calling out my name and giving me encouragement has helped me get over a difficult spot in the course. Distractions are helpful sometimes too. Some of the best signs I have ever seen are "Hit the blue dot for extra ** (speed/magic/pixie dust, etc)" As runners go by, they will tap the sign. Gives encouragement, lets us interact with the spectator and is a nice distraction if we are feeling tired.

Just never, ever say "You are almost there!" unless you are standing less than 500 yards from the finish. You might get hit.

 

[Fire14]

I know for princess half I walked into MK no ticket required. I as a runner will take encouragement anyday

 

[bumbershoot]

For the Half I'm pretty sure that you will not be able to go into Epcot to watch unless you have a ticket. But MK is early enough in the run that you can be there without a ticket.

I love making signs, cheering on people I don't even know and generally cheering for the underdog. Not everyone has someone to cheer for them, and I find that cheering for everyone makes their day.

I adore you.

And some runners don't want to hear that they are almost done. Cause they aren't and they know it.

So so SO true.

Just be careful since cheering names can sometimes break their stride.

Also true, happened to me the other weekend, but it's OK. I had my bib on my skirt, which was slowly turning around as the miles went by, so my name was visible from behind. When a woman on the corner said "you're doing great...Molly!" it really surprised me since I was past her! But it was cool nonetheless.

 

[PCFriar80]

Hell's yeah it's free!!! I love to watch the run, especially since my mom runs in them - I always wait for her!!

Here's what I do:

1. Make a huge sign saying "Run Mom Run!!" If you don't have a runner, then maybe a generic "Go Run!" or "Mickey says run!!"
2. Bring cowbell or clappers to cheer with. Cowbell.
3. Find a great location.
4. Call out names and encourage peeps! The names are on the runners signs, and a simple "go Jim!" or "you got this Jen!" goes a long way with runners. Or saying things like "Come on Belle, Gaston's behind you!" or "That's it Alice, don't be late!" or even "Food and water is right ahead!" makes runners day. Just be careful since cheering names can sometimes break their stride. And some runners don't want to hear that they are almost done. Cause they aren't and they know it.

My favorite place to cheer: TTC, Shades of green lawn or the area opposite that at the Polynesian. The entrance to Epcot is also good, that's where I was last year. Look at the race map, and you should be able to find a few good places. Depend on the monorail, since driving to "chase" your favorite runner will be hard. If a friend it running, you can track them with at app that you can get at the registration check in. I've done this so I can follow my mom.

I love making signs, cheering on people I don't even know and generally cheering for the underdog. Not everyone has someone to cheer for them, and I find that cheering for everyone makes their day.

Have fun!!

#4
My name is "Jim" and I have run and am running the 1/2! So Thanks!

 

[mountdew1]

Watching the half marathon will depend on the course. But the main course goes from Epcot, down World Drive, through the TTC, into MK, out the back, back up World Drive, and then back to Epcot. This is the course used in January. You can cheer at the start, at TTC, on Main Street (no ticket needed, they clear it out before the park opens), by GF/Wedding Pavillion/Shades of Green, around Mile 12 (over by the Epcot bus depots, outside the park) inside Epcot (ticket needed) or at the finish area. You obviously cannot hit all those spots, but doing the start, taking the monorail to the TTC, cheering there and then hustling over to the GF area, hustling back to monorail to Epcot, and then cheering at mile 12 or finish is totally possible. That lets you maximize the number of times to see YOUR runner. If you want to see them specifically finish, or running down Main Street, then you want to prioritize those locations and get there early and wait. If you want to simply show up and cheer (which is totally awesome by the way) pick your spot and have fun. Keep in mind you will most likely need to take the transportation for the runners at like 3:30-4 AM in the morning to get to the start, and then from there to the other locations on the course. The later buses won't necessarily get you there in time due to the shorter race time.

 

[Pinkflmngo]

You have no idea how much the back of the pack runners (at least me) appreciate the encouragement of signs and personal wishes, such as "Go Lynda!". I also really like "go MOM!" because I feel like that applies to so many of us! Please don't tell me that I am almost there, though. As stated above, we do know where we are and telling us we are almost there is painful because we know that we are not.

I can't give you any info about where to watch because I have never been a spectator but I can tell you how much I appreciate your effort to cheer for your mom. Good luck to her and thanks to you. Funny signs are the best, too!

Lynda

 

[ols386]

When my daughter ran the half, I watched at that stoplight at the end of the drive that goes in front of the Grand Floridian.

It was a great place to watch from.

My daughter knew I was going to watch from that location, and she had no problem finding me. She even stopped and greeted me for a couple of seconds.

 

[cgattis]

Ditto PPs that random encouragement, even from strangers, is somehow still awesome. It just gives you a little burst of energy

Best sign I ever saw was during Inaugursl ToT 10-Miler...guy in the bleachers as we ran thru the stadium had a sign that said "Worst parade EVER." I LOL'ed . I have a buddy at work (our former running club pres) who has a sign that says "Course Liar" and tells out things like "Almost there! like, at the halfway point, etc. He always gets tons of smiles.

 

[Disnut4925]

Does anyone know if spectators can just go to the finish line? If anyone has done this, how do you get there?

 

[DOOM1001]

Does anyone know if spectators can just go to the finish line? If anyone has done this, how do you get there?

Finish line is in the Epcot parking lot,next to the family reunion area where the runners gather before heading to the corrals before the race as well as after the race.I've run plenty of races and been a spectator for some,I've found that watching the runners right at the finish line is not my favorite place to see the runners,they do have bleachers but you're pretty far away,it can be crowded and the bleachers are set up just past the finish line so runners have stopped running and are getting their medals and food and drinks.I prefer watching them from not right at the finish line but just before it as runners exit Epcot you can see the runners much closer and its great to see their reactions just a couple hundred meters from the finish.

 

[Disnut4925]

Oh great, good to know! Do you know, can you take a bus to the Epcot parking lot/family reunion area? I thought I saw somewhere that the parking lot doesn't open until 7am and my runner will be about finished by then. I originally wanted to drive to the finish line area, just to give him a ride back to the resort after such a long race!

 

[DOOM1001]

Oh great, good to know! Do you know, can you take a bus to the Epcot parking lot/family reunion area? I thought I saw somewhere that the parking lot doesn't open until 7am and my runner will be about finished by then. I originally wanted to drive to the finish line area, just to give him a ride back to the resort after such a long race!

For which race is this for? All the Disney resorts will have event transportation from the hotels to the starting/finish line in Epcot for the races as well as transportation to the expo.The buses are there for everyone,runners or spectators.For the 5K the event buses will run from 4:15-5:30 and then again from 7am to 9am.For the 10K it's 3:30-5am and then 7am to 10am.For the Half it's 3-5am and then 7-11am.And finally for the full it's 3-5 and then 7am until 2pm.Once the regular park buses start running you can also take those back to the resort,but the event buses are the nicer option.

 

[bumbershoot]

guy in the bleachers as we ran thru the stadium had a sign that said "Worst parade EVER."

I love that one.

Also, "run faster, my arms are getting tired", when the sign is held above the head.

 

[Disnut4925]

The race is the half marathon in January. I was hoping to drive..but not sure I can get into the Epcot parking lot. Thank you for the bus info, really appreciate it! I'm trying to get to the parking lot around 6:30am..looks like it might be difficult.

For which race is this for? All the Disney resorts will have event transportation from the hotels to the starting/finish line in Epcot for the races as well as transportation to the expo.The buses are there for everyone,runners or spectators.For the 5K the event buses will run from 4:15-5:30 and then again from 7am to 9am.For the 10K it's 3:30-5am and then 7am to 10am.For the Half it's 3-5am and then 7-11am.And finally for the full it's 3-5 and then 7am until 2pm.Once the regular park buses start running you can also take those back to the resort,but the event buses are the nicer option.