Marathon Weekend 2020

[jhoannam]

This is the main reason that Marathon Weekend is the only full I will run. None of our locals have the course support from spectators and I hate it. This may make me choose the half and 10K instead of Dopey/Goofy.

Wow, all of our big races in town have course support. We like beer & jello shots.

 

[rteetz]

I wonder why this change was made and whether it will continue going forward. In all my RunDisney races in the past, I never remember spectators creating safety or traffic issues, so it doesn't seem like the old policy needed to be changed. Does this mean spectators won't be allowed onto Main Street in Magic Kingdom prior to park opening, like in years past? Running down Main Street with the crowd roaring was a highlight of Marathon Weekend. It won't be the same if it's only CMs (who are great, but there's just not as many).

I can’t see them getting rid of Main Street cheering because they sell spots for that. That’s a source of revenue for them.

 

[lahobbs4]

Wow, all of our big races in town have course support. We like beer & jello shots.

I'm jealous!!

We have one in our community and it is a DUD. Even the halves around here don't get much support. I can drive to Memphis (hour away) for the St. Jude full and it's fantastic. It's a month before Dopey so I skipped it last year but may do it instead for this year!

 

[jmasgat]

What's the back story to that? I don't recall the specifics.

A group of people used to cheer at the exit to DHS and sometimes others at WWoS, and BC. We had oranges, twizzlers, pretzels, wet washcloths, etc,etc. About 5 years or so ago, we were told we couldn't hand things out. Disney volunteers forced us to leave WWoS (God help me if I ever get to be THAT crotchety of a senior citizen), and also eventually the other spots.

Some of the "old group" is still out there cheering, but I don't think the other stuff occurs (at least not in an obvious way)

 

[dodukes]

I'm gearing up to sign up for the full in January and the spectating rules disappoint me. I was already telling DBF that he was in charge of driving around to cheer me on and bring me lunch ( and a possible change of socks/shoes). I have been reading and looking at pictures and one of the exciting things this past 10k was seeing he people dressed up and lined up (although very few) in the epcot parking lot. It was fun to read their signs and just seeing them cheer, it would be tough to go 26 miles on barren desolate roads with nothing but my music and other tired runners (or well walkers cuz i'd be way back there by the end of the first half LOL) I do hope they allow the spectators and while I probably would not take anything from anyone from the side of the road, at mile 23 who knows what I would do LOL I do hope they keep the magic kingdom cheering because that looks VERY COOL!!!

 

[SarahDisney]

I can’t see them getting rid of Main Street cheering because they sell spots for that. That’s a source of revenue for them.

And ... this.
I could see Disney doing away with spectators but then selling enhanced chEAR squad packages for various areas ... so you can still spectate, you just have to pay for your spot. And only select areas, so most of the course probably still would then be empty.

Sigh. I would probably still do some rD without spectators, because that's not as big of a thing for me (especially not the food, since I can't eat most of it anyway ...), but it would be a very different atmosphere for sure.

 

[cavepig]

Tell me about the tofu dish at Skipper Canteen! I’ve never been there.

It was so good. The tofu is pineapple crusted and was served in a separate bowl to then add to the curry vegetables and rice. It wasn't too spicy or anything. Here's the description on their menu. It was sweet yet savory. I had it after the marathon this year as my first visit to Skipper Canteen. It's served with Nan bread too.
Curried Vegetable Crew Stew
a favorite of the Crew Stew Crew (especially Stu). Seasonal Vegetables and pineapple Tofu in a House-made Curry Sauce served with Coconut Rice

 

[disneydaydreamer33]

I do hope they allow the spectators and while I probably would not take anything from anyone from the side of the road, at mile 23 who knows what I would do LOL

I didn't think I would need extra food during the race, but around mile 23, someone was giving out soft peppermints right around the time my stomach decided to revolt and I felt so ill. Those peppermints hit the spot big time! My BRF and I talk about this angel of mine that allowed me to finish the race with a smile on my face. I had the same grateful feeling for the spectators/cheerers at the the end of the marathon that I had for the nurses that took care of me after having my babies lol

I will be very disappointed if Disney takes this away from the marathon.

 

[flav]

Spectators support is key in running events. Those who can write to runDisney, please do so (internationally and Quebec based people are barred from getting their emails or writing to them!).

I wonder if DH will be taking the trip if he cannot cheer me easily. For sure, I am happy about not booking BC ($$$) for that purpose!

 

[Neon Cactus]

I hope this isn’t the case. Yesterday I walked from the Swan to EPCOT and when I look at the path to DHS, all I thought about was how important those spectators were at that part of the marathon in encouraging me to keep going. The thought of them not allowed there is terrible.

 

[Bree]

*** is up with limiting the spectating? Ugh. I’ll be sending an email too.

 

[Bree]

I hope this isn’t the case. Yesterday I walked from the Swan to EPCOT and when I look at the path to DHS, all I thought about was how important those spectators were at that part of the marathon in encouraging me to keep going. The thought of them not allowed there is terrible.

Agreed! I got the best hug from @mrsg00fy on that part of the course.

 

[rteetz]

Agreed! I got the best hug from @mrsg00fy on that part of the course.

Same!

 

[FFigawi]

A group of people used to cheer at the exit to DHS and sometimes others at WWoS, and BC. We had oranges, twizzlers, pretzels, wet washcloths, etc,etc. About 5 years or so ago, we were told we couldn't hand things out. Disney volunteers forced us to leave WWoS (God help me if I ever get to be THAT crotchety of a senior citizen), and also eventually the other spots.

Some of the "old group" is still out there cheering, but I don't think the other stuff occurs (at least not in an obvious way)

I know Corrina, DK, and a few others are out there cheering every year, but I really miss the candy and cold washcloths.

 

[MissLiss279]

I guessing it has something to do with security - only wanting to allow spectators in areas where they will pass through some sort of security check point...

 

[ZellyB]

Wow This is disappointing if true...

 

[Barca33Runner]

Unpopular opinion alert: *whispers* I wish they would get rid of Main Street USA spectating. It makes a narrow portion of the course even narrower and induces more chaos than is necessary. Absolutely fine with people being in the hub and don’t see any real reason to limit spectating on any other area of the course.

Specifically for Main Street though, it limits the area for runners to get pictures, causes dangerous crowding and makes what should be a magical experience way less magical. I’m slow, so by the time I get there my options are walk in a slog of humanity or jump up on the sidewalk and dodge poles, CMs, trash cans, and other runners exiting the slog with their phones out trying to get a clearer spot for a picture. Claiming over half of that real estate for spectators considerably cheapens my Main Street USA experience. I’d be much happier if they corralled spectators through the emporium and picked up spectating after Casey’s.

 

[Desdemona924]

Unpopular opinion alert: *whispers* I wish they would get rid of Main Street USA spectating. It makes a narrow portion of the course even narrower and induces more chaos than is necessary. Absolutely fine with people being in the hub and don’t see any real reason to limit spectating on any other area of the course.

Specifically for Main Street though, it limits the area for runners to get pictures, causes dangerous crowding and makes what should be a magical experience way less magical. I’m slow, so by the time I get there my options are walk in a slog of humanity or jump up on the sidewalk and dodge poles, CMs, trash cans, and other runners exiting the slog with their phones out trying to get a clearer spot for a picture. Claiming over half of that real estate for spectators considerably cheapens my Main Street USA experience. I’d be much happier if they corralled spectators through the emporium and picked up spectating after Casey’s.

I don't agree completely. I wish that they would move the spectators back though to leave more room for runners. I have noticed there is always a large space between the back of the crowd and the buildings. I get that people don't want to be under the overhangs and that they need a walkway, but I feel a bit the same when it comes to the course crowding. However, I do love running up Main Street with the cheering crowds and can't imagine the race without it.

 

[PrincessV]

Most other races are run on public streets or lands, not privately owned. From that standpoint, I think the liability would be much higher. In addition, if someone got a "bad" snack from a spectator in a non-Disney race, who's going to get sued? The municipality is most like going to be immune, where Disney would have full exposure as a private company.

This is exactly what I think is going on. Just by creating the new rule and putting it in print out to the public, Disney now has a CYA in place. Will it opt to spend money and resources to enforce it? I seriously doubt it. I just did the SW races and saw spectators on Osceola and at the BW - not as many as marathon wknd, but SW never has the same turnout at marathon wknd. I know there were people who tried to spectate & were turned away, but others were able to. That tells me WDW isn't interested in strict enforcement. I think one person cheering who hands his wife a granola bar halfway through a race isn't going to be a problem. But a group of folks with tons of treats to give to strangers may be told to shut it down.

I'll add that spectators have been a real hazard to themselves in the past, so that may be part of this, too. I've seen spectators nearly hit by cars in the lanes left open for traffic on Osceola and Floridian Way. I've also seen spectators encroach on the course, creating a potential hazard for runners. I think WDW can find a middle ground to limit spectating in dangerous places and still allow it in safer spots.

 

[PCFriar80]

Unpopular opinion alert: *whispers* I wish they would get rid of Main Street USA spectating. It makes a narrow portion of the course even narrower and induces more chaos than is necessary. Absolutely fine with people being in the hub and don’t see any real reason to limit spectating on any other area of the course.

Specifically for Main Street though, it limits the area for runners to get pictures, causes dangerous crowding and makes what should be a magical experience way less magical. I’m slow, so by the time I get there my options are walk in a slog of humanity or jump up on the sidewalk and dodge poles, CMs, trash cans, and other runners exiting the slog with their phones out trying to get a clearer spot for a picture. Claiming over half of that real estate for spectators considerably cheapens my Main Street USA experience. I’d be much happier if they corralled spectators through the emporium and picked up spectating after Casey’s.

Just remember, there's a rail track right up the middle of Main Street so that would have to be covered with some temporary covering/flooring to avoid turned ankles.