Marathon Weekend 2025

[sandam1]

I bought these two types of arm sleeves last year before the Disneyland races:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09ZK9R4Q5?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07CFX29Z4?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title

 

[jrsharp21]

One of the Orlando stations said to not rule out a possibility of snow that weekend? Say what???? Snow in Orlando? “Dogs and cats living together! Mass hysteria!”

 

[Mr_Incr3dible]

One question I do have - here in winter I have winter/ snow running shoes - I will NOT be running in those in Florida and my long distance running shoes are all light mesh. Definitely not a recipe for keeping feet warm during the 2+ hour wait pre-race. Any suggestions short of bringing my winter runners (which I honestly am not sure I could run a full marathon in - and certainly not 4 days in a row of races).

I would stick to the regular running shoes, especially for the half or full.
Someone has already mentioned the blue over-booties like for hospital use or when you are protecting new carpet. One other thought is some large cheap socks to wear over the shoes. Or long, thicker socks to wear from the room and change into the running socks closer to race time while in the corral.
I’d be sitting on my towel and pillow, huddling inside my Mylar sheet and/or my Tyvek jacket. Probably with some disposable hand warmers as well….

 

[StarGirl11]

One of the Orlando stations said to not rule out a possibility of snow that weekend? Say what???? Snow in Orlando? “Dogs and cats living together! Mass hysteria!”

Oh I have no clue how they’ll handle us if we get snow. I have no clue what rDs plan for us if that’s a concern. Snow is something I don’t think most of our field knows how to handle. I just had to google how do wheelchairs handle it and normal day chairs require special wheels.

2011 would have only a handful of wheels if any. So this is going to be interesting to watch go down.

Really, really hoping the weather station is being overly cautious since I know Orlando won’t have the capability to salt any ice that could form if it snows. Because I have to wonder if the risk of black ice might have RD understandably asking us to pull. I don’t even know how we could get the right wheels if we need them.

As it is the only day showing rain is Thursday currently. Fingers crossed it stays that way.

 

[DisneyParrothead]

One of the Orlando stations said to not rule out a possibility of snow that weekend? Say what???? Snow in Orlando? “Dogs and cats living together! Mass hysteria!”

And of course I heard that with Bill Murray’s voice

 

[StarGirl11]

Though the more the cold front is predicted the more hilarious the convo at my doctor becomes in hindsight:

Me: -talking about med stuff that’s being slower to heal then normal- I just hope it’s healed enough by the time I get to Florida

Doc: You know you can go swimming until it’s completely healed.

Me: -been through this rodeo but already knowing the weather is threatening to be cold enough that I don’t even want to get in a heated pool- Yep.

 

[sandam1]

One of the Orlando stations said to not rule out a possibility of snow that weekend? Say what???? Snow in Orlando?

Okay, let's everyone take a big ol' deep breath!

Here's a lesson from a northerner - the reality is that the high temps each day are predicted to be 50+ with the low temps (right now) just barely freezing. If, by some chance, some snow falls from the sky, the ground is likely to be too warm to stick.

Although I am thinking about taking my swimsuit and pool floats out of my suitcase...

 

[The Expert]

One of the Orlando stations said to not rule out a possibility of snow that weekend? Say what???? Snow in Orlando? “Dogs and cats living together! Mass hysteria!”

I lived in Florida in the 80s and it did actually snow once, but it was just flurries in the air for maybe 20 minutes, tops. As @sandam1 said, it will not be impactful to the course or transportation.

That said, if it snows when I'm in Florida I will freak out -- I LOVE snow!

 

[DisneyMountainWoman]

Okay, let's everyone take a big ol' deep breath!

Here's a lesson from a northerner - the reality is that the high temps each day are predicted to be 50+ with the low temps (right now) just barely freezing. If, by some chance, some snow falls from the sky, the ground is likely to be too warm to stick.

Although I am thinking about taking my swimsuit and pool floats out of my suitcase...

Don't remove the swimsuit, hot tubs are made for this weather!

 

[sandam1]

Don't remove the swimsuit, hot tubs are made for this weather!

But you have to get to and from them!

Okay, maybe the pool floats need to go...

 

[Fischstick]

Gear check is extremely easy and efficient for post race clothing/ gear! After the missing mylars race a couple years ago, I always utilize! That was NOT fun. Plus you can stash any snacks you might desire in there.......or ponchos in case of rain.

I know they will pull characters off the course for rain, do you think they will pull for really cold temps too? Or just bundle them, up? Can y’all image riding EE IN THE SNOW!?!

 

[Naomeri]

Jan 15. you're good.

Oh good, the balrog will be hiding at MCO for my departure. I guess the quote will be particularly apt

I lived in Florida in the 80s and it did actually snow once, but it was just flurries in the air for maybe 20 minutes, tops. As @sandam1 said, it will not be impactful to the course or transportation.

That said, if it snows when I'm in Florida I will freak out -- I LOVE snow!

Running in the snow when it's not sticking to the ground and causing problems is one of the most magical things you can do, IMO.

 

[nekonekoneko]

But you have to get to and from them!

The pools will be heated, but the air might not be.

 

[marty3d]

One of the Orlando stations said to not rule out a possibility of snow that weekend? Say what???? Snow in Orlando? “Dogs and cats living together! Mass hysteria!”

This is because I said I wouldn’t run in my winter/ snow runners isn’t it?

 

[Psymonds]

Where are you coming from? I'm in San Jose California...The time change is not fun, but so worth it!!!

East Bay

 

[kps7795]

For the corrals I’ll use an old blanket or towel and a throwaway sweater.

FWIW, I just bought fleece blankets to use in the corrals at Walmart for $2.50 yesterday.

 

[nancipants]

The pools will be heated, but the air might not be.

That’s what robes are for!

 

[PrincessV]

Yep, the S word has entered the conversation among my local (100 miles west of WDW) meteorologists, too.

For those who don’t know, it DID snow at MW in 2010. I wasn’t running, but I was there to witness it! It was very confusing… walking out to my car the morning of the half and it was drizzling, but the drizzle was… a solid??? Literally sat there watching the sleet hit my windshield for a few minutes, unable to process what was happening. Got to the TTC and boarded a monorail, on which a bunch of half finishers were shivering hard under their Mylar, looking shell shocked.

Anyway, that’s the most likely form of “snow” this far south in FL: a wet, sleety kind of snow that doesn't stick but is pretty freaking miserable.

The marathon the next day was snow- and sleet-free, but the temp dropped below freezing and water on the ground at hydration stops was freezing. People I know who ran it said it was pretty slippery.

My car’s windshield had a layer of ice on it the morning of the 2018 5K. I’ll be putting my 30+yo Superscraper in my car this week, just in case.

They do take most characters in in rain, so I imagine the same would be true for sleet. And if temps are dangerously cold, some characters may not be out, or may need to take more frequent breaks to warm up.

 

[PrincessV]

A couple more tips that came to mind…

1. KN95/N95 face masks - I’m high risk and mask in public indoor spaces and crowded outdoor spaces and have found that these masks do a great job of blocking cold and wind, in addition to viruses! Far superior to a Buff and they stay put better. I wound up wearing mine for long stretches of last year’s 10K, just because it was keeping my face warmer.

2. If you have the ability to bring more throwaway stuff than you need (especially blankets and Mylar), consider bringing an extra item or two to the start. EVERY cold race I’ve done I’ve seen some poor soul in a tank and shorts turning blue from the cold and gave up a layer of my own to help them out. The appreciation was immense. We’re all in this together!

 

[nancipants]

Just ordered a four pack of balaclavas from Amazon, so I’m doing my part to make the forecast get warmer!