Race spectating advice for the fam

JusLyn678

My DH and possibly some family members are going to be spectating a half marathon that me, 2 cousins, and a couple friends are running next weekend.

My H has been to a couple 5ks that I have done and pretty much just watches me finish.  So a 2+ hour race is totally different.

Any suggestions for where exactly they should be along the race?  Should they attempt to see us at multiple locations or just stay in one spot?  FWIW, this race is an out an back...so really they could be in one spot early on and that same spot will be late in the race.

I ran my first half marathon out of state with a few friends so the thought of having familiar faces along the course really puts a smile on my face. 

IndyGirl02

If it's an out and back course, you're right, it might be tough for them to see you more than once early and then once late. Depends how much they're willing to hustle, though -- I've known spectators to ride bikes along the course to see their racers at multiple points along an out and back course. Although, it sounds like they'll be wacthing/cheering for multiple racers, so it might be hard for them to hop along the course if they're tracking more than one person. But seeing them even just twice would be a big boost to you!

psyri

It depends on how the course is set up. Sometimes it is easy to walk/run/bike/drive to points on the course, and sometimes it isn't. For example, I spectated at mile 24 of a marathon where mile 24 was about a mile from the finish line. Got to see my runner at mile 24 and then hustled it back to the finish in time to see my runner there too.

Personally, I like having spectators near the middle and in the second half and just before the finish line (but not right at the finish line). Good luck and have fun!

ReginaPhalange72

You've already gotten good advice, but I just wanted to add one thing we just tried at my last race.  If you and one person in your group both have an iphone, they can track you using the "find my iphone" app (they log in with your info on their phone and you just carry your phone with you) so they know exactly where you are and if they have enough time to get somewhere before you do.  It's free and works great.  My husband tracked me at my last marathon and my family was able to catch me on the course WAY more than we originally thought they would.  Also, it didn't run down my phone battery like one the the GPS apps would.

kat.in.the.hat

Have them start about a mile or so from the start line so they can see you as you run past, then once you pass them, they can walk down to the finish line to see you at the end.