Hi Walter!
Welcome to the Disney Parks Moms Panel. Congratulations on taking part in the
Star Wars Half Marathon-The Dark Side! I think it's a great idea to have your family waiting at the finish line to chEAR you on!
While they haven't officially released the course maps yet, in my experience in past years the finish line usually has plenty of room so I think they should certainly come to watch. In the past, I have signed my husband up for
runner tracking, which can be done on the runDisney website approximately a week before the event or at the runDisney Health & Fitness Expo. In doing this, he received text message updates with my current pace, location and estimated completion time. With the corrals being spaced a couple minutes apart, it was difficult to judge my finish time until he knew my start time and this was a huge help! He then sends me a text message when I'm around mile 10 and tells me approximately where he is so I can be on the lookout. Even a simple "run on the left side" helps tremendously! Once the course map is released it will be under the Runner Info tab on the events page, maybe try and plan a point for them to camp out so you'll be ready!
Another option for them to consider is purchasing a
ChEAR Squad Package. This will give them a reserved seating area right next to the finish line that you can't miss as the runner because it's rather large bleachers! In addition to the reserved seating, they'll have a reserved restroom, hot and cold beverages, plus some awesome ChEAR Squad swag that includes a waterproof blanket, Mickey clappers and a ChEAR Squad t-shirt! While this is by no means a necessity it is an added luxury!
-Lindsey ºOº