Spectating question and suggestions. I am running Dopey (3rd Marathon weekend) and I suckered DW into running the 5k and 10k with me. She is then going to spectate and support me on the Half and Full. We purchased the Chear squad for her but I am trying to figure out the best places for her to be on those days. I am middle of the pack runner, 1:55 HM and 4:15 Full type pace. Any suggestions with the new maps as best options for viewing based on time and transportation between areas? We were thinking MK Castle viewing area for full for sure, maybe half as well but concerned she wouldn't make it back to in time to see me finish. I have read through past suggestions but would love others thoughts with the new maps and transportation.
Thanks for any help or suggestions!
Can't believe we are under 3 weeks to the races...
Alright, this is what I came up with:
Half Marathon
Given your 8:50 min/mile HM pace, I placed you in Corral C. You would start around 5:39am. You would reach Main Street at about 6:20-6:25 assuming no character stops.
-The monorail to the TTC from EPCOT takes 15 min of ride time.
-The monorail to MK from TTC takes 15 min (and is a bit of a transfer).
Then a few minute walk to the inside Main Street.
I'd say in total the whole process is probably on the order of 45-55 minutes. So if you ran past Main Street at 6:21, and DW headed towards the monorail, then she would probably arrive to the finish around 7:15am. That leaves about 20 min of wiggle room.
I think trying to view at GF or Poly would be too tight based on your assumed pace.
Marathon
Estimated start of 5:06am.
You are estimated to run through the EPCOT parking lot at 5:20am. The parking lot of EPCOT is not listed so I can't guarantee they'll allow her to linger to watch. But from others, when the marathon used to cross through the parking lot they allowed spectators there.
You are estimated to hit Main Street at 6:46. This gives DW about 80 min to get from the EPCOT parking lot to the MK Main Street. I think this is reasonable. The other alternative is TTC and GF/Poly for a double dip.
Possibly Coronado Springs at Mile 20 is an option. Although it is not listed officially. There is no sidewalk and they may not allow her to linger around there. But you pass there at 8:22 leaving enough time to get to the finish at 9:21.
Officially, there aren't any more locations that you would hit that would allow your wife to make it to the finish on time. You're in AK before it opens (and we don't run through the parking lot anymore). And DHS while open would probably be way too close to the finish to make it in time.