Race weekend advice for non-runners?

[shortster]

My family of non-runners are heading to WDW in early April, and one weekend coincides with the Springtime Surprise races. We'll be there for the Saturday 4/2 Race for the Taste 10K and the Sunday 4/3 Tower of Terror 10 Miler.

If you've been there on a race weekend, what's your advice for non-racers like us? (Aside from wishing everyone good luck or telling them congrats!)

I haven't been able to find the race routes, so are there parks, restaurants or areas to avoid that weekend? Are there certain times of day when the parks are more or less busy?

Appreciate any tips!

 

[Stacybaeasm]

Once race routes are announced, check those against the park you will be going to in the morning. Travel to the parks can be disrupted a bit while the runners are on the road. Having done Princess a couple of times, my personal belief is the parks are less busy in the evening. Those 2am or 2:30am wake up calls are brutal so I always ate an early dinner and left the park by 6 or 7pm to get to bed. Depending on race routes and timing, you may have some areas of the park (MK or Epcot mostly) that are still seeing runners around opening time. Usually main street or around the ball are high traffic areas until all runners are off the field. Usually the 10K will be clear by 9 or 9:30 depending on the start time. I'm not sure about the 10 miler...probably 9:30 or 10.

Just know, the runners LOVE to wear the medals in the parks and love to hear people tell them congrats. It's a big accomplishment (maybe that's just me personally). Have fun and if you are an early riser, see about getting to one of the viewing areas and cheering people on. It was the cheers and "you can do it" from strangers that got me through the half.

 

[1lilspark]

I assume the 10K route will be similar to past 10Ks runners should be clear of the parks (Epcot and possibly studios) before open however if you are staying at a resort on crescent lake there may be minor impacts….
idk the 10M route yet

 

[Col. Forbin]

I enjoyed spending some time cheering everyone on. It’s a pretty cool event.

 

[shortster]

Once race routes are announced, check those against the park you will be going to in the morning.

Do you know where the routes will be posted so I can keep an eye out?

Just know, the runners LOVE to wear the medals in the parks and love to hear people tell them congrats. It's a big accomplishment (maybe that's just me personally). Have fun and if you are an early riser, see about getting to one of the viewing areas and cheering people on. It was the cheers and "you can do it" from strangers that got me through the half.

I am all about the congrats! One of my kids runs track (short distances) and another runs XC. I've seen how hard long-distance runners have to work. Congrats to you...it is a big accomplishment!

 

[shortster]

I assume the 10K route will be similar to past 10Ks runners should be clear of the parks (Epcot and possibly studios) before open however if you are staying at a resort on crescent lake there may be minor impacts….
idk the 10M route yet

Thanks for the info! Good to know the 10K will likely be Epcot/HS. I'll check up on it closer to the event.

 

[Stacybaeasm]

RunDisney site will have the routes when they get posted. There is also a RunDisney thread here on the Dis and the routes might get posted there.