Marathon Weekend 2025

[The Expert]

Still digesting... as a slower runner, I LOVE the earlier start time to get a jump on the sun! I wonder what that will do to our ride possibilities?? HATE that we don't end through the World Showcase! How will we cross the finish with drinks now??

 

[jenljeffers1989]

This is so disappointing. I was planning on getting an ILL to ride Cosmic Rewind at the end of the race

 

[kristenabelle]

lol this map is cursed. granted, this is only my 2nd after 2023 but there seems like so many more out & backs and random loops to make up mileage.

totally fine with the earlier start time, but this doesn't look like more park time at all?

 

[The Expert]

This is so disappointing. I was planning on getting an ILL to ride Cosmic Rewind at the end of the race

We do still go through the front of Epcot at the end and run that path near Cosmic Rewind, so it may be an option!

 

[The Expert]

I do think we're getting more MK time, but how did they do this and NOT take out the BB parking lot loop???

 

[Barca33Runner]

This is really sad to me. Although I’m not running the Marathon this year, I fear that the intent will be for this to be a long term plan for the course. World Showcase at the end of the race is an iconic element for me and a true celebration of the achievement. Missing that element of the race in the future will be incredibly disappointing. RunDisney runners and day guests both pay the same type of money. Complaints from and slight inconvenience to the relatively few people who choose to go to Epcot on Marathon Sunday is a poor reason to make this change.

 

[lukemorenus]

The starting miles are a huge improvement... the finish, not so much

 

[matt and beth]

Still digesting... as a slower runner, I LOVE the earlier start time to get a jump on the sun! I wonder what that will do to our ride possibilities?? HATE that we don't end through the World Showcase! How will we cross the finish with drinks now??

Looks like England or Canada gets the drink sales now.

 

[Blue Caterpillar]

I do think we're getting more MK time, but how did they do this and NOT take out the BB parking lot loop???

I'll be honest I don't pay to much attention to course maps, but the first thing I checked was to see if BB parking lot was there. So sad....

 

[Disneyhanna]

WHAT IN THE WORLD

 

[WillRunForPizza]

I am also sad about this as a spectator because I enjoyed cheering from Germany last year

 

[The Expert]

I kinda like the switch of direction in and out of MK. Staying at Bay Lake Tower, it'll be a better time to get course support from DH as needed at mile 11 as opposed to earlier in the race as it was before.

 

[fatmanatee]

Off the top of my head:

1. 1.5 miles in MK, which I do believe is more than in the past.
2. less time at the end for Epcot, a bummer IMO. That final stretch with park crowds is really neat, nice way to finish. I think this also means no final mile drinks? Unless there’s another spot on the course.
3. AK happens two miles later BUT with an earlier start it’s worth keeping in mind for people who want to do Everest (me). Doesn’t appear to be any change in the route. Likewise for HS.
4. Obvious benefit to WDW, despite making this about us, is that crowd management in World Showcase when park opens is much easier.

EDIT: correction for AK, it's two miles later, not one, this year's race got there at mile 15 and it's mile 17 now. So impact for Everest rides might be minimal depending on pace.

 

[The Expert]

View attachment 897791

WHAT IN THE WORLD

Looks like a giant recipe for course jumping for those willing to miss out on MK.

 

[The Expert]

I am also sad about this as a spectator because I enjoyed cheering from Germany last year

Yes! I cheered from Norway with @superchime and had a great time. Looks like there will still be some spots in the front for spectators but much tighter.

 

[fatmanatee]

View attachment 897791

WHAT IN THE WORLD

LOL this threw me for a loop when i first saw it.

 

[matt and beth]

This is really sad to me. Although I’m not running the Marathon this year, I fear that the intent will be for this to be a long term plan for the course. World Showcase at the end of the race is an iconic element for me and a true celebration of the achievement. Missing that element of the race in the future will be incredibly disappointing. RunDisney runners and day guests both pay the same type of money. Complaints from and slight inconvenience to the relatively few people who choose to go to Epcot on Marathon Sunday is a poor reason to make this change.

Seems so strange to have people running right up the gut of Epcot and over by Cosmic Remind and Mission Space

 

[nancipants]

I'm super annoyed how rD phrased the email as "more parks time! Isn't this great!" When AK and HS are the same, and you change one of the biggest aspects of Epcot.

Just be honest and say "crowd management is easier this way, deal with it."

 

[nancipants]

Seems so strange to have people running right up the gut of Epcot and over by Cosmic Remind and Mission Space

You'd think this would be more difficult to manage than World Showcase! Most guests aren't even back there yet.

 

[lukemorenus]

View attachment 897791

WHAT IN THE WORLD

Double out-and-backs? Fun!