Make the Most of Your Marathon Weekend

There are activities throughout marathon weekend for athletes, friends and families to enjoy together.  But when the horn blows Saturday morning, you’ve only got a few hours to find each other along the course and at the finish line.  The easiest way to ensure you and your friends see each other is to plan ahead.  Here is some advice for everyone on marathon day. 

On the Course

• Map out where you’ll be ahead of time. 

  • Spectator Viewing Location Map. (Look for the Binocular Icon)

• Know what each other will be wearing, or carry a sign or balloons.  Sometimes it’s easier for runners to spot spectators than the other way around. 

• Pick a side. Communicate where you will be, and watch from the same side of the road.  This will help runners see and find you. 

• Plan for traffic. Allow extra time to get from one viewing spot to another.  Get there early and don’t leave if you don’t see someone right away.  Your friend may be having a really good day or a tough one. 

• Cheer on the other runners too. It will mean a lot to them!

Courtesy of Twin Cities Marathon Spectator Guide

Click here for a great article about being a super star spectator! 

Spectators will naturally find places to watch the runners, but below are some suggested locations for the marathon and half marathon.  Please refer to the course map for binocular icons showing the viewing spots. 

• Start Line at MSU, Mankato Parking Lots (Monks Avenue & Stadium Rd)

• Monks Avenue & 200th Street (2nd time through for marathoners)

• Hwy 90 & 584th Avenue (marathoners only)

• Jaycee Park (Pohl Road & Balcerzak Drive) (marathoners only)

• Lions Lake (Homestead Road & Sandpiper Drive) (marathoners only)

• Hwy 90 & Indian Lake Road (both races)

• Red Jacket Trail trailhead on Hwy 66 just North of Mount Kato

• Poplar Street Across from YMCA by Burger King

• In Sibley Park and all along the Sibley Park River Trail

• All of Front Street and Hickory Street to Finish Line near the downtown Hy Vee and the Verizon Wireless Center

Review the course maps and plan your route ahead of time, review all road closures in order to see your runner make it to the finish line.

Spectator Viewing Location Map. (Look for the Binocular Icon)

ROAD CLOSURES

Please beware of road closures for the marathon and half marathon. There will some minor traffic disruptions in Mankato until early afternoon Saturday, October 22. We apologize in advance for any inconvenience caused by traffic delays.

Watch for the following roads & intersections:

• Monks Avenue & Stadium Road - 7:25 am to 8:20 am
• Monks Avenue from Stadium Road to CR 90 - 7:25 to 8:30 am
• Victory Drive and CR 82 Traffic Congestion - 8:50 to 10:25 am
• One Lane closed on Victory Drive from Balcerzak to CR 82 - 6:00 to 11:00 am
• One Lane closed on Balcerzak from Monks Avenue to Victory Drive - 6:00 to 11:00 am
• Blue Earth Street will have Traffic Congestion at the Red Jacket Trail - 8:45 am to 1:15 pm
• Riverfront Drive will be closed (from Poplar Street to Stoltzman Road) - 4:00 am to 2:30 pm
• Riverfront Drive will be reduced to one lane (from Main Street to Stoltzman Road) - 4:00 am to 2:30 pm
• Road closed from all side streets to Riverfront Drive from Stoltzman Road to Main Street - 4:00 am to 2:30 pm

Activity Guide

The Activity Guide will be available at Kiosks around town and will also be distributed to all the runners in their runner packets.

Spectator Rules

• No one is allowed on the course without a properly issued race number.
• Help keep the course beautiful by not littering. Respect the property of others while spectating.
• No vehicles of any kind are allowed on the course. The course can be crossed only at designated intersections.
• Bikers should stay well off the course and watch for spectators as much as runners.
• Spectators must stay clear of the course and off the roads to avoid interfering with the participants.
• Hold animals on a short leash. Keep them away from runners and be considerate of others.
• Watch your children at all times. There will be thousands of participants and spectators at the events.
• See maps for Lost Kids and Items booth locations.

FAVORITE CHEERS

Clap, shout and show your support for participants-it’s always welcome. Save the “You’re almost there!” cheer until the very end—a few miles is still a long way for someone who has been running for hours.  Here are some favorites.

• Keep smiling!
• You’re looking awesome!
• Running smooth!
• Way to wheel!
• Way to run!
• One stride at a time!
• Way to focus!
• Stay relaxed!
• Keep it up!
• Welcome to Mankato!(when appropriate)
• Way to go!
• You rock!
• Stay Strong!
• You are powerful!
• Chuck Norris never ran a Marathon!
• Call out something unique about a runner (bib#, the color or a logo on their shirt, etc)
• Cheer using the runners name, even if you don't know them - runners who write their name on their bibs want to hear you cheer for them

In addition to shouting your support, bring along cowbells, tambourines, thunder sticks or make a sign.  Many cheering supplies are available from sponsors at the Expo.  Please be respectful of private and public property and dispose of your cheering materials appropriately. 

Thanks to our Facebook friends for telling us their favorite cheers! Check out our Facebook page.