Spectator Tips for Cheering at RunDisney Races in 2023

Being a runner and a chEARleader for runDisney races, I have experienced the best of both worlds.  If you’re going to support your favorite runner at their next race, I’ve got come some tips for cheering for runDisney races in 2023. Things have changed over the years at runDisney. 

Spectator Tips on How to Cheer for RunDisney Races

Cheering for runDisney races really is the best! I had so much fun at Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend, I decided to cheer year after year for different runDisney races, especially since I’m local now.  I love being about to cheer on those magical moments.

Before you cheer on your favorite runDisney runner, check out these best tips for spectating runDisney races.

Thinking about running a runDisney race? Here’s all the info on whether runDisney races are worth it. 

runDisney Runner Tracking

Sign up to  track your runner through runDisney. This will give you an idea when you can expect your runner around where you are spectating. 

Family and friends will be able to track participants with live online runner tracking for the 10K, Half Marathon and Marathon Distances.

For Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend 2023, family and friends will be able to track participants with this live online runner tracking for the 10K and Half Marathon distances.

Choose Your Spectating Spot With Your Runner

Let your runner know where you’ll be when choosing a spectator spot during runDisney races! Then they can look out for you. As a runner, when I’m having a hard time on the course, and I’m hitting a wall, knowing I’ll see a friend somewhere helps me push through.

However, now you can’t just meander your way to whatever spot on the course you want, like the Animal Kingdom parking lot. There are certain spots you can cheer on your runner depending on what race they are running. 

2023 Wine & Dine Half Marathon Spectator Locations

Where can you cheer for your runners during Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend? There are only certain locations on the runDisney allows spectators. 

Spectator viewing on open roadways and overpasses isn’t allowed, and you can cheer inside the theme parks once they are open.

Make sure to leave yourself enough time to travel to these spots as some roads may be closed for the race.

Officially, runDisney states that viewing is available in the EPCOT Rocket Lot at Start Line only. However, you can also cheer in a few other locations if you can get there.

The key to timing is when your runner starts (depending on their corral) and how fast they run. You can guesstimate based on their pace and start time. Runner tracking and communication with your runner is helpful.

Wine & Dine 5K Spectator Spots

• You can cheer for your runner at the start and finish lines in EPCOT Rocket Lot – EPCOT Rocket Parking Lot. Accessible 5:00am-6:00am at the start.

Spectator Locations for Wine & Dine 10K

• EPCOT Rocket Parking Lot – Accessible 5:00 am-6:00 am 
• Hollywood Studios Parking Lot (Around Mile 4)
• Disney’s BoardWalk Hotel area (You will not be able to park here, but if you are a guest then you can walk out or if you’re staying at the Beach or Yacht Club, you could walk over).

Where to Cheer for Wine & Dine Half Marathon

• EPCOT Rocket Lot – Start and Finish
• Disney’s BoardWalk Hotel area (You will not be able to park here, but if you are a guest then you can walk out or if you’re staying at the Beach or Yacht Club, you could walk over).
• Hollywood Studios Parking Lot (Around Mile 4) 

2023 Walt Disney World Marathon Spectator Locations

2023 Walt Disney World 5K Spectator Locations

LOCATION	TIME	DETAILS
Start – Epcot Explore Parking Lot	5:00 a.m. – 6:00 a.m.	Accessible via Epcot Explore Parking Lot
Finish – Epcot Imagine Parking Lot	5:30 a.m. – 7:30 a.m.	Accessible via Epcot Explore Parking Lot

2023 Walt Disney World 10K Spectator Locations

LOCATION	TIME	DETAILS
Start – Epcot Explore Parking Lot	5:00 a.m. – 6:00 a.m.	Accessible via Epcot Explore Parking Lot
Finish –Epcot Imagine Parking Lot	5:30 a.m. – 7:45 a.m.	Accessible via Epcot Imagine Parking Lot

For the 10K you can also spectate around the BoardWalk area if you’re a guest there or can get transportation there.

2023 Walt Disney World Half Marathon Spectator Locations

LOCATION	TIME	DETAILS
Start – Epcot Center Drive	5:00 a.m. – 6:00 a.m.	Accessible ONLY by foot from Epcot Parking Lot
Mile 3.6 – Ticket & Transportation Center	5:00 a.m. – 7:00 a.m.	Take monorail from Epcot to Ticket & Transportation Center
Mile 4.4 – Disney’s Contemporary Resort	5:15 a.m. – 7:15 a.m.	Accessible to guests staying at Disney’s Contemporary Resort
Mile 4.8 – Magic Kingdom Park- Main Street, U.S.A. Area	5:15 a.m. – 7:30 a.m.	Take monorail from Epcot to Ticket & Transportation Center, exit monorail and walk down ramp, follow overhead signs and take the monorail to Magic Kingdom Park. *Theme park admission ticket not necessary before 8 a.m.*
Mile 6.7 – Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa	5:15 a.m. – 7:45 a.m.	Accessible to guests staying at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
Mile 7.1- Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort	5:15 a.m. – 8:00 a.m.	Accessible to guests staying at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
Finish – Epcot Imagine Parking Lot	5:45 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.	Accessible via Epcot Imagine Parking Lot

2023 Walt Disney World Marathon Spectator Locations

This information was provided for the 2022 Walt Disney World Marathon spectator locations. 

 

For the 2023 Walt Disney World Marathon, we cheered from the outside of Hollywood Studios. It was pretty easy to park there and then walk over by the Skyliner.

runDisney Race Transportation

Check your race guides or with the concierge at your Disney hotel if you’re relying on Disney Transportation to transport you to spectating spots. Sometimes the information gets a little muddled, so take it with a grain of salt. Sometimes transportation will start earlier than listed.

Leave adequate time to get where you are going. Road closures during race times slow things down. Like with everything Disney, sometimes it takes longer to get places than you think, so make sure you leave earlier than you think if you really want to see your runner.

Again, check your Disney hotel for more information on race transportation for your event. 

Make Race Signs for runDisney Races

One of my favorite things about spectating is making runDisney race signs! Since Steve Harvey first made an appearance at a race, we’ve adopted Celebrity Corner and now blow up pictures of celebrities with different sayings.

My friend, Diane, always likes to invoke pop culture to make people laugh! Mariah Carey was a hit. I had to go with motivational and Captain America. There was a shout out to Hamilton fans, and of course, Kevin Bacon. Though some runners wanted real bacon.

Can You Pass Out Food to Runners on a runDisney Course?

The official answer is no. RunDisney says, “For our runners’ safety, you’re not allowed to hand out any food and/or beverage items to runners or participants along the race course.”

Rules have changed, and spectators can no longer bring food and snacks to give to their runners. It’s a bummer, because we used to bring waters, sodas, and candy for the marathon. My friend, Bonnie, even saved me half an Earl of Sandwich when I ran the Walt Disney World Marathon.

However, for safety reasons, they’ve done away with spectators handing out snacks at runDisney races, but there are still water stations along the course.

If you happen to see your runner along the route and they really need something to finish their race, if they step off the course and see you, you can slip them a snack or beverage. I think they want to avoid people handing items to people they don’t know. 

Have Fun and Have a Meeting Point at the Finish

Cheering for runDisney races is such a great experience. I know how much it means to have that support on the course. The people you know, the people you don’t know, the strangers, the sense of community as a whole. I love it! Have a great time and don’t forget to set up a place to meet your runner in the finish line area if that’s where you’ll be meeting again. We usually choose a letter of bag check and meet there.

Sometimes it can get crowded at the finish staging area.

Know what your runner is wearing, and have your runner know what you’re wearing. Stand out in the crowd! 

Good luck, runners and spectators. Have a magical race!

Need some cheaper Disney souvenirs after spending all your money on races? Try the Disney Character Warehouse outlets to save some money for your Disney trip! Sometimes they have old runDisney merchandise there.