I recently got to experience a different side of RunDisney as a spectator at the 2017 Disneyland Half Marathon. I've ran many RunDisney races to date, and actually volunteered at this same event last year, but I've never had the opportunity to attend specifically for spectating. I wanted to share some of my experience and also offer up tips for anyone who might be planning on cheering for family, friends, or strangers at an upcoming event. *Have a game plan, and arrive early Just like if you were going to run in a RunDisney race, it's best to arrive early when you're going to cheer on the runners. The is mostly because of potential traffic issues and security lines. For the 5:00 AM start of the Disneyland Half Marathon, I parked at the Mickey & Friends Parking Structure just before 4:30 and had plenty of time to make it to Downtown Disney, grab a tea from Starbucks, and find a spot at the Esplanade (which was around the 2.5 mile mark on the race course). There was plenty of viewing available, and I was able to catch all of the lead runners and wheelchair athletes. Arriving early also helps in getting prime viewing of the start line, if you're interested in seeing the athletes take off, listening to the national anthem, or hearing the banter of the announcers. The finish line area at this race had plenty of standing room available (I went there after cheering at mile 2.5 for an hour, to catch the first finishers), but I know from experience as a runner at Walt Disney World that the bleacher/grandstand seating can fill up quickly. *Really evaluate if purchasing into the ChEAR Squad is worth it to you RunDisney offers various ChEAR Squad packages for those who'd like things such as reserved bleacher seating, food, special restrooms, and gear while spectating. The packages can be a bit different for each race, and I understand that there are more included amenities for Walt Disney World races (but RunDisney is always changing things!). Pricing can vary based on the package, so do your research to determine if this is something of worth to you and your spectating experience. While I don't have kids of my own, I think this might be worth it if you're traveling with children or grandparents to guarantee everyone gets a place to sit at the finish and some food. I did not buy into the ChEAR Squad for spectating at the 2017 Disneyland Half Marathon, and I was still able get multiple viewing spots (albeit the place I was near the finish/mile 13 got crowded as more finishers started to come through). I was also able to easily use the Downtown Disney restrooms when needed, and a lot of the restaurants/quick service food and drink establishments opened at 3:00 AM for runners and spectators alike. But again, check out the various packages available for the race you'll be attending to see if it's worth it to you. *Don't interfere with the course and the runners' experience So something that bugged me a lot, coming from the perspective of a runner, were those spectators who didn't listen to race officials or take runners' overall race experiencing into consideration. Where I was standing at the Esplanade was a place to cross over the race course to get to the other side/exit the Disneyland Resort on Harbor Boulevard. Race officials kept it wide open until they got notice of the lead runners and wheelchair athletes approaching. From then onward, they still allowed people to cross through whenever there were "breaks" in the pack. The people that chose to cross here were certainly taking their time and I saw many runners have to dodge and bob and weave so as not to collide with anyone. Runners should NOT have to worry about this during their race. There was a similar crossing area near where I was watching at mile 13, just a few yards from the finish line. This is where guests staying at the Disneyland Hotel could cross over to Downtown Disney and vice versa. This cross point was much worse than the one at mile 2.5, and I actually saw runners collide, bump into, and brush non-participants. This is just not okay. If you're wanting to spectate at an event, please keep the runners' overall experience in mind and do not even try to attempt to cross over the course unless absolutely necessary. When choosing my spot at the Esplanade, I knew I wanted to eventually migrate to the finish line and watch, so I stuck to the side in which I knew I wouldn't have to cross over the course to get to my next destination. *Dress appropriately and stay hydrated The big story at this year's Disneyland Half Marathon was the heat and humidity. In past events, mostly at Walt Disney World, there have been opposite weather worries with near freezing temperatures. Even though you're not running in the event, be sure to dress for the weather and wear comfortable shoes (I was on my feet for over two hours when all was said and done). I'd also recommend bringing drinks and snacks, especially if you're planning on being at a race from start to finish. I was able to hit up Starbucks in Downtown Disney for an iced tea, but there might not be opportunities like this at certain events, so plan ahead and bring a few things you think you might want or need. *Bring your enthusiasm and energy! From my perspective as a runner, the overall mood at a race is definitely impacted by the spectators, whether you know them or not. So if you're going to cheer, be loud and proud - It will brighten someone's day and help motivate them to keep moving. You can also bring signs, clappers, or pom poms if you want to bring props. And don't forget to offer up high fives for extra power! A big part of RunDisney races are the costumes, so take that as an opportunity to call out runners by the name of the character they're portraying (i.e. "Looking good, Mickey!" and "Way to go, Aladdin!"). I saw a ton of great costumes at this race, and it was fun trying to spot as many as possible and give those runners a shout-out. *Consider spectating if you're in need of motivation Something I wasn't expecting was the self-motivation I got out of spectating at this event. It's been a few months since my last race (see my previous post on my Tinkerbell Half Marathon experience!), and while I do have a few coming up that I know I have to train and prepare for, seeing the action from another view really gave me an extra push to lace up my sneakers the next day and get out there. I saw athletes of all different ages and abilities, including some all-stars pushing family members with disabilities in wheelchairs. It was an emotional experience, and would definitely recommend getting out to spectate at any race you can if you're in need of a little extra motivation. Plus, being able to provide words of encouragement to others really felt good - I saw a lot of runners' eyes light up and push a little harder when I gave them a high five or complimented them on their performance. I really enjoyed spectating at the 2017 Disneyland Half Marathon, even if I wasn't there to cheer anyone on in particular. As a runner myself, I can attest to the fact that the energy and kind words from spectators really make a positive impact during a race, and it was awesome getting to provide that to other athletes. I definitely plan on spectating other races in the future (RunDisney and others), and would definitely encourage you to get out there as well! It's a great way to get a feel for what the races are like if you're new to running or RunDisney, and you also feel really good being able to provide encouragement to the runners. Be sure to check out RunDisney.com for official event information and details about the ChEAR Squad, if you're interested in the perks.
Until the next post, see ya real soon!
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About MeA twenty-something alumni of the Disney College Program looking to help others plan the Disney vacations of their dreams! Living that Disneyland AP dream in SoCal. Archives
February 2018
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