Cheering others on

Nemo14

Nemo14

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Boy do I feel out of my element starting a thread here, but I have a question that can probably best be answered by Disney runners.

My niece and nephew are running in the Princess thing next week, and I was just wondering where is a good spot to cheer them on from without burning a park ticket. Also how early should we plan to be there. We're staying about 15 minutes away.
 
FerretAfros

FerretAfros

Well-Known Member
The event guide has some pretty good information about where you can see runners, on p28 of the PDF below. You can get to the race start, TTC, Contemporary, Main Street, Grand Floridian, Polynesian, and finish line
http://as1.wdpromedia.com/media/rundisney/pdf/princess/2015/2015-princess-race-weekend-program.pdf

The spectator viewing along Main Street is free to get in. They'll clear everybody out before the park opens, but it's an option. It's usually pretty busy there, so they may have trouble picking you out of the crowd, but it's also an iconic place to be

Depending on their pace, you may be able to catch them in a couple different spots. For slower runners, you may be able to catch them at the Contemporary, Polynesian, and finish. For speedier runners, I would suggest only trying to see them in one place on the course and at the finish

Due to road closures, you'll need to use the Monorail to get around. I believe they close the entrance to the Epcot parking lot around the time the race starts (5:30am, maybe earlier), so you'll want to be there before then. If you arrive later than that, you'll only be able to view them at the finish line or at the Epcot bus loop (which is around mile 12)
 
Mad Stitch

Mad Stitch

Well-Known Member
I'd suggest skipping the start and go directly to Main Street and grab a good spot. The spectators are quite a distance from the runners at the start and it will be difficult to spot them in the pack. If your going to be waiting at least you can enjoy the ambiance of Main Street. Then take the monorail to Epcot for the finish.
 
Skippy

Skippy

Well-Known Member
JillC LI said:
Signs that are made and held up by loved ones mean SOOOO much to us runners. Kudos to you for supporting your niece and nephew.
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Signs in general are SO awesome. Be funny. Be Original. Your ridiculously optimistic cheering is amazing, especially if you cheer by name! (check the bibs!). Two of my favorite places I ran in the marathon were the parking lots, (TTA and Animal Kingdom) because they were just ridiculously crowded with people giving off a bottomless supply of support.

Seriously, it goes a long way, thank you.
 
imagination30

imagination30

Well-Known Member
the crowd support is amazing... --- youll have a blast , and it will make your Niece and nephews day to if you can get to where you can see them and hollar for them..
 
Nemo14

Nemo14

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Thanks for the pep talk. I'm working on a few ideas for signs -I'll post them here when I get them done. You guys are awesome!
 
dreamfinder

dreamfinder

Well-Known Member
I'd agree with @Mad Stitch , skip the start and head over to the MK area. Depending on their pace (and yours) you may be able to catch them as they enter the TTC area, and then again when they leave over by the GF. Then hop back on the monorail, and catch them again either right at the finish, or about mile 12 (over by the Epcot bus areas). Or just try Main Street and then head back to mile 12/finish. Cheering at the finish area is possible, but the best spots are reserved for people who paid for the cheer package, and the other spots are usually 5-6 people deep. My DW usually plans on spending 30-45 mins to get through the crowds up to the barricade in the finish area when she cheers for me at the full. Definitely sign up for runner tracking so you can estimate when they should be showing up. Know what they are wearing, and realize that even that awesome hideously neon rainbow shirt they are wearing will probably have a few twins in a crowd of 20k+ runners since everyone is trying to stand out. Have fun!

As far as arrival time, check out the racer guide. It should specify the time they want runners to be at Epcot if they are driving themselves, I wouldn't head over any later than that. Remember that roads will be closed for the race, so depending on how you have to get there, you may need to allow for extra time.
 
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Nemo14

Nemo14

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Thanks for all the advice everyone. We were over there about 5:15 this morning, saw the fireworks for the Star Spangled Banner, and the first runners fireworks, then hopped on the monorail to the TTC and waited there to see them go by (we were right across from the drummers). I was so impressed with all the runners!
 
dreamfinder

dreamfinder

Well-Known Member
Nemo14 said:
Oh rats - I forgot to take pictures of it - I was just so fascinated by all the hoopla.
Anyway, it was neon green and said something to the effect of Toll Booth Ahead - Florida SunPass or Disney Faspass+ accepted.

Kind of lame I know...
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The only lame signs are the ones that don't get made. Seeing anything course side can be a huge boost, thanks for showing up!
 
ChristaH

ChristaH

Well-Known Member
Hey! I saw that sign! Thanks for being there! The crowd support affected me more this year than before. Maybe because I was more focused on really soaking in the experience this time, but I literally teared up a few times, especially when a stranger read my bib and called my name. It was really amazing,

You must have had a headache after spending all morning across from those drums! They were loud!!!
 
Nemo14

Nemo14

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
ChristaH said:
Hey! I saw that sign! Thanks for being there! The crowd support affected me more this year than before. Maybe because I was more focused on really soaking in the experience this time, but I literally teared up a few times, especially when a stranger read my bib and called my name. It was really amazing,
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I cheered on a lot of people if I saw their name or if someone in the crowd yelled their name. There was one grandmother next to me with her little granddaughter asleep in a stroller. She woke her up when it was time for the little girls mom to be running by. When mom came by she came over and kissed her child and the little girl smiled at her and said "keep on running Mommy". I may have teared up a little then...
 
JillC LI

JillC LI

Well-Known Member
Nemo14 said:
It was a lot of fun - made me feel a little guilty about feeling winded after climbing up the monorail ramp though. :D
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Twenty years ago, in 1995 my sister was training for the NYC Marathon. I went to see her run a training 10K race in NYC that June. As I walked the .2 miles uphill to see her at the Finish Line, I was huffing and puffing, and moments later she came breezing by, not breathing hard, after having run 6.2 miles. I was impressed and awed by her. That was the day I decided I was going to learn how to run. I could barely run a full block when I started, but by the end of the summer I could run 3 miles. And 10 years after my sister finished the NYC Marathon, I finished it myself. And she was right there at the Finish Line cheering me on. Out of spectators grow runners!
 

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