Observing 1/2 Marathon participants?

[bobbiwoz]

DDiL will be in the 1/2 marathon in January. We want to see her, either at the end at Epcot or at the Magic Kingdom. We will not have a car. How do observers get to the different places?

Does the boat between the WL and the Contemporary run the morning of the marathon in time to get us there to watch? What time of the day do the runners go through MK? I'm under the impression that it all takes place very early in the morning.

Thanks.
Bobbi

 

[FireDancer]

I would recommend going here for some good tips and info.

The monorail opens early so that is an option. If you have a car onsite you can drive it before the roads close to either the TTC or Epcot and use the monorail and some walking to view the runner as many times as you can. That will depend on how quickly you can move from place to place and the pace of the runner.

This would be my plan of action to see someone in the half. Keep in mind that I would be willing to do some running or jogging myself to see them as many times as possible and this is basd on the possibly changing 2009 course.

1. Drive to TTC and get over to the road between the parking lot and Contemporary. This will let you see the runner between miles 4 and 5.

2. I would jog on over to the road that runs along the west side of the Grand Floridian and Poly and camp out there waiting for my runner between miles 7 and 8. This is the most boring part of the course and pretty uncrowded so it is a good place to provide encouragement and stand out.

3. I would then jog to either the GF or Polly and take the monorail to the TTC and then to Epcot where I would head over to the bus area to see the runner enter the park just before mile 12.

4. I would then make a quick jog over to the finish area and either try to see them finish (unlikely) or wait to see them after they collect their stuff.