Marathon Weekend 2025

[lukemorenus]

I lament some of the losses too... And some of the additions of more parking lot miles... But going through Tron and the grid at night should be amazing! Hope they have the ride running. Think we should get on?

That's a great point!

 

[Naomeri]

I already got a response from rD:

We pride ourselves on the quality of our races and want every mile to be absolutely magical. I’m truly sorry to hear of the disappointment with course changes during Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend and appreciate you taking some time to share your thoughts. I’ll be sure to share your comments with runDisney Leaders, as we are always looking for ways to make our race experiences better.​

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We sure hope to see you at another finish line real soon.​

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Kind Regards,​

I think they must've known we'd riot and had some staff on hand to deal with us.

 

[DopeyBadger]

Here are the estimated times needed for Everest and TOT/RnR based on the course and 4:30am start time:




To read it. If I were starting in Corral A, and wanted to ride Everest, then I need to go slower than 10:24 min/mile pace up through Mile 17.3, but not slower than 16:46 min/mile pace as that puts me at risk of being swept.

If I were starting in Corral C, and wanted to ride TOT/RnR, then I need to go slower than 9:50 min/mile pace up through Mile 23.5, but not slower than 15:34 min/mile pace as that puts me at risk of being swept.

Here are the estimated sky color backgrounds for the MK Castle based on the course and 4:30am start time:



To read this. If I started in Corral D, and wanted an Astronomical Twilight background in my MK Castle picture, then I would need to run faster than a 6:46 min/mile pace though Mile 9.75 of the Castle. If I was ok with a Nautical Twilight background, then I would need to be faster than 9:38 min/mile pace.

Using the 2023 DIS'er data I have, the vast majority of runners will make it to the MK Castle before sunrise at 7:19am. The balloon ladies are scheduled to leave MK at 8am. In most past years, the balloon ladies were projected to exit closer to 9am.

 

[nancipants]

I already got a response from rD:

We pride ourselves on the quality of our races and want every mile to be absolutely magical. I’m truly sorry to hear of the disappointment with course changes during Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend and appreciate you taking some time to share your thoughts. I’ll be sure to share your comments with runDisney Leaders, as we are always looking for ways to make our race experiences better.​

​

We sure hope to see you at another finish line real soon.​

​

Kind Regards,​

I think they must've known we'd riot and had some staff on hand to deal with us.

I'm very sorry, Luke. I don't blame you.

 

[Jason Bryer]

Agreed! I just went to https://www.rundisney.com/contact/ and filled out the form to voice my disappointment in World Showcase being removed from the end of the race. Hopefully, with enough people, they might reconsider or not make this a permanent change.

Just did the same thing. They are making enough money on these races to manage the crowds for one day of the year (I am assuming only the marathon is the only race that is long enough to impact opening crowds).

 

[cburnett11]

I'm going to be positive about this change, at least until I experience it in person. I think I'm happy to trade the traditional WS race finish for early WS with torches and getting to run through all the MK lands.

 

[nancipants]

Just did the same thing. They are making enough money on these races to manage the crowds for one day of the year (I am assuming only the marathon is the only race that is long enough to impact opening crowds).

Yes; the balloon ladies finish the half marathons in 3:30, and I believe they push Epcot's opening time to 10 am on those days. When I did Princess, there was nobody in the park yet and I finished a little after 9 am.

 

[fatmanatee]

I lament some of the losses too... And some of the additions of more parking lot miles... But going through Tron and the grid at night should be amazing! Hope they have the ride running. Think we should get on?

I don’t think they’ll have anything running in MK, expecting the park to be completely swept before open.

 

[superchime]

I don't have anything to say that hasn't already been said but I'm excited for the earlier start time and disappointed that for my first (and only? probably only) marathon I won't be ending in World Showcase... assuming I even make it that far. But I'll also have a husband on hand for drink requests if anyone wants one.

And, could we not run through Blizzard Beach instead of around in the parking lot? I don't know what time that park opens or how wide the sidewalks are. More miles in DHS would have been welcome too, we barely touch it.

 

[DisneyParrothead]

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

Let Marathon Investigation know since he'll be able to tell from the missing splits.

 

[Ponoche]

Agreed! I just went to https://www.rundisney.com/contact/ and filled out the form to voice my disappointment in World Showcase being removed from the end of the race. Hopefully, with enough people, they might reconsider or not make this a permanent change.

Not even running this year. But I did this as well. That course is just not good.

 

[lukemorenus]

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

Jumping off a bridge for a "PR"? LOL - tempting!

 

[GuinnessRunner]

Just read a comment on FaceBook that made sense. With construction set to start on draining Rivers of America in MK to bring in Not Cars Land, having us avoid the backstage area behind Tiana and Big Thunder as a result of construction staging may be the reason for the changes in MK.

 

[The Expert]

I don’t think they’ll have anything running in MK, expecting the park to be completely swept before open.

Last year or the year before they were running teacups and let some runners on. I don't think it'll be entirely out of the question and could even be a bonus perk they are planning for.

And, could we not run through Blizzard Beach instead of around in the parking lot? I don't know what time that park opens or how wide the sidewalks are. More miles in DHS would have been welcome too, we barely touch it.

The first course to skip ESPN did this, but I didn't run it. Based on reports, the pathways were pretty tight in and around BB.

Jumping off a bridge for a "PR"? LOL - tempting!

LOL to be fair, I hadn't realized there was an overpass there when I typed that!

 

[DisneyMountainWoman]

Just read a comment on FaceBook that made sense. With construction set to start on draining Rivers of America in MK to bring in Not Cars Land, having us avoid the backstage area behind Tiana and Big Thunder as a result of construction staging may be the reason for the changes in MK.

See I understand this... why did rundisney not just say with future construction we need to change the course... don't gaslight me about more time in parks...

 

[morgsmagic]

Just read a comment on FaceBook that made sense. With construction set to start on draining Rivers of America in MK to bring in Not Cars Land, having us avoid the backstage area behind Tiana and Big Thunder as a result of construction staging may be the reason for the changes in MK.

I hope most of that stays backstage until after the marathon, running along the rivers through Frontierland with tons of construction walls up would not be ideal.

 

[The Expert]

It just occurred to me to check the AK route. I know we had speculated about what may happen in the area we normally exit, with Dinoland getting torn up. I can't really tell from the map zoomed out like this, but it doesn't appear they changed our route much through AK.

 

[DisneyParrothead]

When my dad discovered runDisney in 2003, the marathon and half marathons were run at the same time. The course started with a passthrough World Showcase, and then after the marathoners kept going after MK, they also finished with a lap around World Showcase. It's obvious runDisney could do something like that and get rid of Blizzard Beach.

 

[kps7795]

Just did the same thing. They are making enough money on these races to manage the crowds for one day of the year (I am assuming only the marathon is the only race that is long enough to impact opening crowds).

At this point, I am reluctant to defend Disney because of all of the changes that they have made to nickel and dime the customers (formerly guests), but I am giving them the benefit of the doubt regarding the start time change. There is certainly the reasonable expectation that runDisney is starting the marathon earlier to minimize the impact on Epcot. However, how much will 30 minutes really change things? Rather, I believe that the death of the runner at the Disneyland Halloween Half Marathon has them spooked (pun truly not intended) into trying to minimize runners being out in the sun and potentially the heat depending upon race day.

 

[lukemorenus]

When my dad discovered runDisney in 2003, the marathon and half marathons were run at the same time. The course started with a passthrough World Showcase, and then after the marathoners kept going after MK, they also finished with a lap around World Showcase. It's obvious runDisney could do something like that and get rid of Blizzard Beach.

My RunDisney obsession started with a similar marathon course in 2012 ... and the route through DHS was exponentially better