Hi Cynthia!
Welcome to the Disney Parks Moms Panel. You are going to have so much fun watching your little ones toddle their way to the finish line! It's such an awesome moment for kiddos and Mommy alike!
The
runDisney Kids Races during
Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend take place at the
ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, so you will take the same bus you take to the runDisney Health & Fitness Expo to get there! When you check into your resort, ask the Cast Member assisting you where the runDisney transportation will pick up from and they should be able to direct you to the correct area. In my experience, it's usually in the front of the resort, not necessarily where theme park buses pick up, but I'd just double check to make sure!
The runDisney Kids Races do not require an exceptionally early arrival, like the other events do. I'd shoot to be there around 15-30 minutes beforehand, budgeting for the walk from the bus to the actual start line taking maybe 10 minutes or so. There can be some time waiting around for the corrals to be released so I caution parents to not arrive too early because it can be difficult with a little ones attention span. I'd bring something to make sure they are entertained during the potential wait time.
During the race, parents are certainly allowed to run with their children! The races release in small corrals of children at a time for safety precautions. With the Diaper Dash taking off first, then they'll move to the 100 meter distance, then 200 meter, etc. So please don't worry about your little one being on their own, you will be with them the entire time chEARing them on!
-Lindsey ºOº