Marathon Spectator Tool?

[dumbo_buddy]

Hi all!

The spectator tool that is online doesn't have the updated course map for the full marathon in January.

Does anyone have thoughts or their own "tool" or something that would help someone who wants to cheer for the marathon?

Looks like AK is about the halfway point. Will the buses be running for spectators to AK?

What are you runners telling your spectators to do for the full? Where will they cheer?

 

[Bephus]

I am sure Coach Charles will come on here with some great advice but I can tell you what we do. This us my third Disney marathon and typically we have our group go to the TTC to see me first (used to be mile 9, it will be sooner nowadays we may have to skip this part). They then walk over to the Grand Floridian and see me after MK. Previously they took the monorail to Epcot and saw me in the park but we are staying at BC so they may bus back to the resort and cheer me from there instead this year and then maybe walk through IG to meet me after the race as I return to the resort.
We do have small children and so we cannot be trekking all over the course so this works best for us.

AK will be earlier in the course this year so the park will not be open to guests, not even sure if the parking lot will be. DHS on the other hand is open so that is an option for late in the race cheers in a park. Main street is open for cheering, it just gets very crowded and they would need to go very early as we get to MK early this year. Of course Epcot is always open and it is great to see your family one last time before the finish line. Last time mine surprised me and it was a huge lift to help me finish my Goofy experience with more pep in my step!

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[dumbo_buddy]

thanks. this new route is tough because although it would be great to see DH and the kiddos at MK, it will still be early on in the race and probably still too early for them to get moving and out the door in time.

none of the old tools really work. if MK was closer to the halfway point it would be much better. i hope they will open AK for spectators. because otherwise it seems as if we won't be seeing many spectators until the last couple of miles of the race (DHS, boardwalk, epcot). i know i'll need something to look forward to before then!

 

[dreams91]

Hi all!

The spectator tool that is online doesn't have the updated course map for the full marathon in January.

Does anyone have thoughts or their own "tool" or something that would help someone who wants to cheer for the marathon?

Looks like AK is about the halfway point. Will the buses be running for spectators to AK?

What are you runners telling your spectators to do for the full? Where will they cheer?

I'm also wondering. We are staying at AKL. I'm hoping DH can come out and see m, then somehow travel to the finish area. He will have access to a car but I'm not sure if the road will be open for him to get to the finish....

 

[cewait]

I was trying to rework our personal spreadsheet based on the new course. The spectator tool from last year's HALF will work for the first 8 miles of the full this year as it is the same course.

One needs to figure out what is important for you and the spectators. If MK is important, then AK is almost a no-go. Or it has been. The added mile for the race track makes the AK a possibility this year for runners slower than a 12-14 minute pace.

I am almost certain the rD will not recommend trying to catch a runner in both places. However, if one does catch the runner at TTC then bails to AK by taking monorail, first resort bus leaving from Epcot then AK bus, they may make it. I needed Mary to catch me on the old course and she was able to go to OKW that year and pick up something I needed and catch me at AK. It was tight, so tight that she later admitted walking up to the line as I passed.

Getting back to this year, we run 10 miles between TTC and the AK bus stop. For a 10 minute runner, that would mean the spectator would need to get to the AK within 1:40... maybe possible. Timing with the regular busing is where this may fall down this year. That same 10 minute runner would pass the TTC around 6:20-6:40. That means they would be passing the AK bus stop just after 8 AM. On race day, AK opens at 9AM. This pushes the early limit of the bus schedule so that 10 minute runner's spectators would possibly not make it in time. However, a 14 minute runner would arrive at the bus stop in the 9:10-9:20 range... making the TTC/AK split a possible opportunity this year.

The issue with heading to AK to watch is that bus times back out from the park can be tremendous. Runners have the left lane on Osceola up through Buena Vista (All Star Exit). All traffic must leave here and traffic can back up for a good half mile or longer since all traffic is forced to turn left at the intersection below.

The WWoS is served by bus for spectators this year, at least according to runDisney. I think that would be an interesting trip... though, I am uncertain how the mouse will effect the bus stop there. It looks like they are touting the baseball stadium as a spectator point, but I am betting that is not a great opportunity as one must cross the course to get there. It will be interesting.

 

[dumbo_buddy]

yes, it will be interesting. and for a first time marathoner like myself, i really need some support at least by the halfway point. but it seems that the new course really kinds of put a damper on that.

i don't even know where to suggest my DH go with the kids. as a slower and kind of injured runner, he'll have extra time to get places. i feel like AK is the best in theory because he could see me at the halfway point and then make his way to either meet friends at the boardwalk for another viewing or just go to the finish.

what mile is the TTC?

we are at OKW so relying entirely on disney's transportation. shoot. i wish they would re-do that spectator tool.

 

[ironz]

yes, it will be interesting. and for a first time marathoner like myself, i really need some support at least by the halfway point. but it seems that the new course really kinds of put a damper on that.

i don't even know where to suggest my DH go with the kids. as a slower and kind of injured runner, he'll have extra time to get places. i feel like AK is the best in theory because he could see me at the halfway point and then make his way to either meet friends at the boardwalk for another viewing or just go to the finish.

what mile is the TTC?

we are at OKW so relying entirely on disney's transportation. shoot. i wish they would re-do that spectator tool.

I hope you get it worked out! Sounds like AK might work for you. What corral did you end up in? I think we decided we were by each other?
Heck...PM me on FB sometime between now and the race and we can make a meet up plan. (I'm on FB more than Dis). Merry Christmas!

 

[cewait]

I have revised a really rough spreadsheet that will help predict where and when a runner should be located. PM me with your email address and I can email a copy if wanted.

The sheet is for both the half or the full. Once you open the tab, place the wave alpha character in the wave square, the runner's expected pace and an pace interval to help create a table. I think we usually put in a 15 second interval for me, thinking that I could be a little faster, but more than likely show up a little later.


What I do not have is an overlay of how long transportation will/should take. That I will leave up to the spectators to evaluate.