Getting to the parks on marathon day

[tiggercrew]

I am traveling with a group of friends to WDW, one of which is running in the marathon in January. We would like to go to the parks and cheer her on but I have read about all the road closings and we are concerned we won't make it there. Any suggestions or tips on where would be the best place to go and what time do we need to leave the hotel by (we are staying at POR)? We also want to be at the finishing area to meet her. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[goofyinohio]

They will have a spectator tool for you to use in the near future. Since you are staying at POR you can use the buses to get you around. I believe you would want to be on a bus by 4:30 and I think the cut off is 5am. They then shut down the buses until 7. Someone can correct me here. What kind of speed are you looking at from your runner? If you will be up early and on the bus before they cut people off until I think it's 7 my suggestion would be to take the bus to EPCOT and then if you would like to go and watch right after the start. The problem is it's dark and depending on the speed of your runner you could not see them the first time they go past as they have a red start will be close to you and a blue start will be across the street and it's very crowded through here. Runners do go back past you again after the 4 mile mark. If your runner is fast you may want to skip the above.

You could then take the Monorail to the TTC and catch your runner there and then walk over to the Polynesian and see your runner just before the half way point. I've heard it's very difficult to get in our out of Animal Kingdom during the Marathon and if you go to Studios it would be difficult to make it to the Finish line.

Again the Spectator tool will be available and give you a much more accurate way of how to see your runner including their estimated time, etc.

Hope this helps and good luck!

Chris

 

[tiggercrew]

Thanks so much for the info. This is my friends first marathon so she is still learning all the details herself. I'll be looking for that spectator tool soon.

Thanks again!

 

[cewait]

Just adding a bit...

From POR, you will want to grab the first marathon bus post start (usually around 6:30-7 am. It will drop you at the marathon finish area. Walk to the monorail station and take it to the TTC. The math is real simple, take you runner's pace and multiply if by 9 miles. take a little time off for a buffer and you should be OK. You will be stationed on course left so tell your runner to look left as they make the little tramway underpass.

Then it is a really short walk to the Poly. Again, you are on Course left.

You should be OK getting back to Epcot for the finish. AK and DHS are usually out of the questionf; unless your runner is pushing a 15 minute or so apce; and even then it may not be doable.

I would suggest that a burning of a pass and stationing yourself at Mile 25 or the point where the marathon course reenters Worls Showcase is a great spot for fans. You then have a short hop to the front gate while he makes his way the long way around the park.

One other thought; you may want to take a cab to the TTC. Traffic is unecumbered from POR to the TTC and there is a taxi stop at the TTC.