Impact on new construction on runDisney races

[Goofed98]

I actually ENJOYED the WWOS route.

Breaking the marathon down into shorter sections helps me mentally, so finishing AK, then having the long stretch on Osceola down to WWOS was one section, cranking through WWOS, then coming out and having the green army guy yell at me at the onramp right before Sweet Caroline, then into HS. It was a nice route, and I preferred it immensely over BB.

In fairness, I haven't run since 2020, which was the first year of the BB tour, but I'm hoping we bring back the AK parking lot and ditch BB.

 

[FFigawi]

I actually ENJOYED the WWOS route.

Breaking the marathon down into shorter sections helps me mentally, so finishing AK, then having the long stretch on Osceola down to WWOS was one section, cranking through WWOS, then coming out and having the green army guy yell at me at the onramp right before Sweet Caroline, then into HS. It was a nice route, and I preferred it immensely over BB.

In fairness, I haven't run since 2020, which was the first year of the BB tour, but I'm hoping we bring back the AK parking lot and ditch BB.

As much as I too would like to ditch the current course and head back to WWOS, I think that ship has sailed. Disney's primary focus when laying out the recent courses seems to be on minimizing the road closures and the time runners spend in the parks in order to keep the non-running guests happy.

 

[The Expert]

As much as I too would like to ditch the current course and head back to WWOS, I think that ship has sailed. Disney's primary focus when laying out the recent courses seems to be on minimizing the road closures and the time runners spend in the parks in order to keep the non-running guests happy.

Agreed, and it is sad to me that they can't err on the side of the runners ONE DAMN DAY A YEAR for a f*ing marathon! Honestly, it should be for all the race weekend long distances, but at the very least, the marathon should be king for that one day.

 

[Herding_Cats]

If they want to minimize guest impact, maybe don't open AK at 7:30.

I understand that they "delay" Epcot's opening until 9:30 for EE, but I also think that there are a lot of people who are there specifically to spectate/cheer for runners (likely APs, and we've seen how much disney cares about them)

 

[LSUlakes]

When do yall think we will know the official course for the 2026 marathon? November / December? I looked up the last time the course was certified and I believe it was 2019 according to USTAF. I feel like the course has changed since then? Are they no longer certifying the course or has it not changed since then?

 

[Herding_Cats]

When do yall think we will know the official course for the 2026 marathon? November / December? I looked up the last time the course was certified and I believe it was 2019 according to USTAF. I feel like the course has changed since then? Are they no longer certifying the course or has it not changed since then?

it was new this past race weekend. and because it had so many sweeping changes, they released it significantly earlier than anyone was expecting in either late May or early June. No telling what's going to happen with the course this year (ride closures/construction in MK and AK, specifically what will happen with the Villians/Cars area and that side of MK and Dinoland/Tropical Americas in AK.) So we could hear about changes (if they are major changes like the 2025 course was) at any time, or not until people who are good at snooping find it OR the guide comes out.



LINK to 2025 USATF course map. It was officially measured in September of 2024.

 

[fatmanatee]

I have an email from last September about the big changes, which also included the new start time. The revision to the start time was probably more important for them to get out there in advance, not sure if they would have made this announcement if they just made the route change.

Once again getting a kick out of how they framed the changes, ie “we’re doing this for you! not bc parks ops wants us out of there asap”.