How to Host a Marathon-Watching Party

If you are lucky enough to live along a marathon race course, ignore the traffic delays and plan a party instead. If you’ve never sat on the sidelines before, you might be surprised how fun it is to cheer for thousands of runners putting one foot in front of the other, again and again.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Home along a race course
• Party food
• Noisemakers
• Posters
• Sidewalk chalk
• Unbridled enthusiasm

1. Find out which mile you will be watching. The earlier in the 26.2-mile race, the earlier you and your guests will be partying. If you are not normally the type to rise before 8 a.m. on a weekend, think strong coffee or strong mimosas.

2. Develop some sort of theme—encourage guests to dress as Elvis, bring Mardi Gras beads, or wear their most ridiculous hats.

3. With the invitations, include tips on getting to the party and avoiding race-related detours.

4. The day before the race, make posters (“You Rock!” or “Way to Go!” or "Marry Me!") and decorate the street with sidewalk chalk. Both activities are great for kids and creative friends.

5. If you have friends running the race, find out their expected paces and keep your eyes open for them. If you are located along a busy mile, have scouts a quarter-mile up to alert you to your buddies. Keep a pacing chart on hand so you know what time various groups will be running past.

6. Most important: cheer loudly! Great things to say: “Good job!” or “Looking strong!” or “Whoo Hoo!” Many marathons now offer race tags with the runners’ names printed on them, so try to cheer for individual runners as well as the herd. Do NOT say things like “one more hill,” unless you are absolutely certain that every inch of the remaining course is downhill.

7. Create your best rockin playlist and crank the tunes. If you have musician friends, encourage them to bring their instruments.

8. Even non-musicians can help make some noise with kazoos, maracas, toy drums or my personal favorite: duck calls. The object is to be lively and loud.

9. If you're an overachieving host, offer cut-up bananas or packets of energy gel to the runners.

10. If it’s warm outside, set up sprinklers for the runners to pass through.

11. Have some toys or activities ready for the kids, who will probably lose interest in the cheering long before the grownups.

Tips & Warnings

• Depending on your location along the route, prepare to have runners passing by for 3 to 6 hours.
• Official race motorcycles and cars often drive the course, so make sure guests (particularly kids) know to stay out of the street.

[bpreardon]

on 8/13/2009 Sounds like fun!

[robert_mcguire]

on 4/14/2008 Everybody loves a duck call.