Springtime Surprise 2026 (Apr 16-20)

[sandam1]

Realistic advice for spectators of the 10miler? We've read through the provided event info but would appreciate some insight from experienced families.

If you're making a sign, make it bright. If you're not making a sign, wear bright clothes.

One thing that I did for Marathon Weekend which worked very, very well was to have a balloon. I was standing the crowds on Main Street and several of "my runners" said that it really helped them find me. We were staying off-site and stopped at a Five Below near our hotel and got one super cheap.

If you are texting your location to your runner, be very, VERY specific about your location. Saying the "third trash can near the second light pole" is NOT helpful. Something like "10 feet past the blue and white sign that says xyz" is much better - or better yet, send them a photo of where you are standing.

One last thing - if you are planning on meeting up at the post-race area, pick a very visible landmark (tents or food trucks work well) BEFORE the race starts And keep in mind that things look very different in the daylight than they do in the dark at 4 a.m.

I speak from experience because I've been there, had all of these issues as the runner. I love my best friend/travel partner to pieces and appreciate every early morning that she's come with me at o'dark thirty to spectate, but it's sometimes frustrating to try to find her in the crowd. Anything that you can do to help your runner find you (and the reality is that's more likely than you finding them), the better off you will be.

 

[PrincessV]

Wow - rD thinks I’ve picked up a bunch of speed over the past year?! My bib number is 1000+ number lower than last year lol! Or they’ve got a smaller field, or it’s totally irrelevant because both numbers would fit into the same corral.

 

[The Expert]

41242 for just the 5K, 10-12mm estimate but I'm CrD platinum so I'll be in B unless something has changed.

 

[Dopey 2020]

Got my pass! 200XX for the challenge, time to start packing, this one seems to have snuck up quickly on me.

 

[Naomeri]

One thing that I did for Marathon Weekend which worked very, very well was to have a balloon. I was standing the crowds on Main Street and several of "my runners" said that it really helped them find me. We were staying off-site and stopped at a Five Below near our hotel and got one super cheap.

If you are texting your location to your runner, be very, VERY specific about your location. Saying the "third trash can near the second light pole" is NOT helpful. Something like "10 feet past the blue and white sign that says xyz" is much better - or better yet, send them a photo of where you are standing.

Both very good points. Last year, my grandma not only waited where I suggested, but also stood next to some of the Kelsie's Hope folks, who always have those adorable bright signs on sticks, and she texted me that she was next to them.

My challenge bib is 217XX, CrD platinum, so that should be Corral B

 

[anniebean]

370xx for 10k
445xx for 5k

Ortho cleared me to walk, and only wants me running on soft surfaces right now. Bringing my crutches just in case I have a repeat of Princess weekend
Husband is signed up for 10k—his first. No clue about his bib number since he’s a work

 

[rick1zoo2]

213xx for the Challenge. Platinum and 58:58 10k POT, so B either way I think.

 

[fatmanatee]

Got a message from someone saying they think I might be in A with 2:03 half, hadn't really considered that the conversion for the half to 10 miler might do that but on second thought... maybe? Interesting because I don't think we have any notes on the corral cutoffs for the 10 miler.

 

[HubbsRunsDis]

Bib is 205xx, about 100 higher than last year with same POT, should be solidly in B though.

For post race meet ups one thing I have found helpful in the past, after setting up a meeting spot, is to also share your location on your phone, that way you can get directions to the each other pretty quickly (as long as one person does not move)

 

[1lilspark]

324xx 10k
418xx 5k

 

[sandam1]

I got #228xx for the challenge. Since I've seen numbers of 26xxx, that makes me feel comfortable that I'm going to have a buffer to slow down for the heat if necessary.

Does anyone know how many POT corrals there are? Is it just A & B or is C also a POT corral? I haven't followed this.

 

[dsk727]

I got #228xx for the challenge. Since I've seen numbers of 26xxx, that makes me feel comfortable that I'm going to have a buffer to slow down for the heat if necessary.

Does anyone know how many POT corrals there are? Is it just A & B or is C also a POT corral? I haven't followed this.

B for SS 2024 was a nightmare, absolute chaos and they seemed to reign it in better for 2025 but I do not know if C will be a POT corral this year or not. With the paid corral bump peeps you won't ever truly know who is truly in B for proof of time.

 

[MissLiss279]

I’m about 125 higher than last year. I might have used a POT that was 3 minutes slower. Last year I was in A. Not sure where I will be this year. For most MW I would be B, but with Springtime, the same POT sometimes gets me A.

 

[fatmanatee]

I’m about 125 higher than last year. I might have used a POT that was 3 minutes slower. Last year I was in A. Not sure where I will be this year. For most MW I would be B, but with Springtime, the same POT sometimes gets me A.

<2:00 half should convert to A for both 10 miler and half. It's B for the full though (you need better than 1:54 half to get into A for the full).

 

[fatmanatee]

I got #228xx for the challenge. Since I've seen numbers of 26xxx, that makes me feel comfortable that I'm going to have a buffer to slow down for the heat if necessary.

Does anyone know how many POT corrals there are? Is it just A & B or is C also a POT corral? I haven't followed this.

I think it's three. POT threshold is 1:55 ten miler, which I think is their conversion from a 2:30 half. 2:15 half converts very roughly to a 1:40-1:45 ten miler, somewhere in that range.

Needless to say they don't make this easy by not publishing details on this and on top of that they only run this distance once a year so we don't have a lot of data on where people end up.

 

[amazingact21]

I absolutely loved opening my check-in pass and seeing Coast to Coast Eligible. Been waiting to get one of those medals since about 2014! I think I'm more excited for this than the actual race weekend.


Bib 11xxx for the 10-Miler. I'm not sure where that lands me since I usually do the Challenge and have a number starting with 21 or 22 with a D corral. (I did submit a proof of time.)
Flight lands at 4:00pm Friday. Since I've got someone picking me up, I'm hoping I'll make it to the expo before the 7pm close, but if not, I guess I'll have to wait until Saturday to get my bib.

 

[Baloo in MI]

Bib number will be 227xx. No POT, interested to see where that places me this year. Time to buckle down and earn a new POT - especially before the MW deadline in August! So excited to head down to Florida, one more day of work!

 

[RunningPrince]

Bib number 210XX - should put me in B. Was 225XX last year and that was C.

 

[disneyrunnergrl]

Challenge bib 204xx with a 1:28 10 miler POT. That pot got me an A bib for wine & dine half and DL dumbo dare so assuming it will also be A for this weekend.

 

[KCO5988]

Challenge Bib 200XX using at 43:50 10k POT, getting so excited!!!