Hi Kaylee,
Thanks for racing back with another great question—I'm so excited you're diving into all the details. Let’s lace up and get right into it!
For the
Springtime Surprise 10K, there are multiple sweep points along the course. These typically appear near mile markers, park entrances, or backstage areas, and they’re marked by sweep buses. While the exact locations can vary from race to race, the key is that once the balloon ladies begin moving, the clock is ticking.
You’ll recognize the balloon ladies right away—they’re a beloved part of the
runDisney community, always cheerful and encouraging, with balloons tied to their waists and pacing a steady
16-minute-per-mile from the very back of the final corral. Once they start, the sweep team uses their pace to determine when and where to begin clearing runners from the course.
Because the parks need to reopen on time, the sweep process can happen at any point once you're behind them, so staying ahead is super important, especially if you're hoping to stop for lots of characters.
Here’s a tip from my runDisney playbook: If you're worried about time, arrive early and grab photos with the characters at the pre-race stage area! These characters sometimes appear on the course too, so you won’t feel like you’re missing out if you skip a few during the run.
And if you’re in a later corral, try to position yourself toward the front of your group—you’ll start in one of the earlier waves within your corral, which gives you a little extra buffer time.
The best part of any runDisney event is the energy, encouragement, and pure magic around every corner (including the costumes). And remember—even if you're swept, you still receive your 10K finisher medal, though not a challenge medal if you're part of one. That said, I know plenty of runners who’ve made unforgettable memories no matter how the race ends.
Kaylee, I’ll be cheering you on every magical mile of the way! Let me know if you need costume tips, snack ideas, or just a little extra pixie dust.
See you at the starting line,
Christina