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With a group that's been around as long as this one there are a ton of good stories to be told. You'll find everything from race reports to the history of some members nicknames in this section. |
Spectating the Disney Half and Full Marathons Bill McDonough |
Although I will not be in Orlando with all of you this year, I do have some insights into how family, friends and loved ones (in that order) can view the progress of runners through the marathon and half marathon races. First, I found that having your family or friends come along to the start is a waste of time. Yes, it is great to have their support and to be able to bid them a fond farewell before the start. But, considering that Disney starts to move the runners from the gathering area to the start corrals at about 5 am, is it really fair to drag people out of bed, into the cold, only to have them stand around without you for an hour? For what purpose? There is very, very, very little chance that they are going to be able to pick you out of the crowd of massed runners that passes by the spectator viewing area in the first mile. And even less chance that you will be able to see them in the dark. By mile four, when the runners go by the same spot again, there may be some contact made. But by then your poor supporters have been shivering in the cold for at least two hours. A better suggestion, if I may offer it: Have your wife/husband/family or friends sleep in until later. Then they can make their way to a viewing spot further along the course where they can see and be seen in the daylight. My family's favorite spot is the Transportation and Ticket Center at mile 9. It is a popular spot for spectators to gather (and company is always nice when waiting). Once you pass the TTC, the viewing options open up. If you are a fairly slow runner (aren't we all?), your fans can hop the monorail and get over to the Magic Kingdom to see you again as you run up Main Street. Then they can zip back over to the TTC via monorail and hustle to the Polynesian Resort area to see you run by at mile 13. Three hits in one area! For half marathoner spectators, the next step is to get on the monorail and go back to Epcot for the finish. For marathon spectators, it gets tricky. Adventurous spectators can hop on a bus to the Animal Kingdom in hopes of seeing their favorite runners emerge onto the parking lot at mile 17. Then try to catch a bus back to either the TTC or Epcot for the finish. This is OK for slower runners. But if a runner is moving along crisply, a side trip to Animal Kingdom may take too long and you will miss the finish. I would love to hear some variations and alternative suggestions. I know that spectators pop up at some odd place all along the course, and always wonder how they got there. And why. Wish I was going to be there to dash around trying to see all of my Dead friends. Bill McDonough |