Marathon Weekend 2025

[SheHulk]

Thanks @SheHulk for sharing the video! Loved their energy and made me relive the recent experience with chills, tears and smiles!

I know next comment might be unpopular, playing as devil’s advocate, but to me the experience at the events is awesome… there are still small things that show the care, ie. the CM at the hotels that do something extra; the live entertainment is abundant and good quality; the photographers do a lot on their end to get nice shots; the character stops are plenty with nice light and space; the safety feels a priority; and even runDisney organization taking on feedback and acting on it as it happened in Disneyland past Jan/24 and making a great Halloween race…

Again, I started participating just couple of years ago, and to me it is fun enough to make me run and go through training programs that I would dread doing otherwise (LOL)… I don’t really care for the themes, of course would love more parks time, but as long as the Castle is in the HM course I plan on do it, and starting early also means less sun for the back of the pack (me LOL) and beautiful sunrise scenes (like running through the World Showcase in Epcot with it, or the Boardwalk area)…

Some friends have joined me to some of the weekends and find it also pretty awesome… so might have been better before, but it is still good enough …

Oh yeah absolutely, like I said, none of these changes are enough to be a deal breaker, and the races are still way more fun than any other race I've done. I ran the 2024 DL half with two friends that are runners, but never did rD before and they thought that was amazing (you couldn't have guessed by the reception from rD vets about that race)! One of them did the marathon just now and immediately wanted to return for a challenge. But for people that have been doing it a while, you do notice the little things that go away and 10 years later, it adds up, that's all.

 

[UNCBear24]

For me, RunDisney stopped giving out to the top 5 runners male/female in each age group award plaques. This occurred for the races that happen after Covid. The first race I did was 2020 Princess, and I got one. As I get older, I have been getting into 1-5 place every time for the races that I have done

I remember receiving my one and only plaque for the 2019 Wine & Dine half. I was so surprised to get it in mail. If they had continued to award the top 5, I'd have at least a few more. It's disappointing that they stopped. It gave some incentive to getting a little older!

 

[UNCBear24]

As someone who did RD races between 2010 and 2020, the biggest change has been registration. You used to be able to register for any race almost any time. Ever notice the disclaimer that after a certain date registration prices go up? That actually used to matter. As a result, the races definitely had a much more local presence. It would not be unusual in the workplace to have a group of women all sign up to run Princess, or a group do Wine and Dine and then party all night (when W&D was only the half, which was held Saturday night).

The interaction with the runners was personal, rather than the modern parasocial influencer garbage that has ruined RD. As others have mentioned, on-course entertainment was actually entertainment, not a insta photo-op.

Another big change was to the volunteers. They actually used to be people from the community who came out to cheer on the runners. My first marathon I’m turning the corner in HS and hear my name called out. There was one of my friends who was a volunteer on the course. When I went to get my Dopey medal, another friend put it on me. Now none of them volunteer because of how Disney treats volunteers.

I meet a course photographer in the elevator at my hotel during MW and he said that rD no longer has any volunteers on the course.

 

[The Expert]

I’ll add another thing that bothers me immensely: Club rD.

I joined Club rD for the early registration when they cut out AP/DVC early reg benefits. The rest of the perks were just bonus. Early expo was nice as I was going early anyway. Being able to pick all my stuff up at once is great, but I'm hanging out for the main expo floor regardless.

I honestly almost feel guilty about the corral bump, but not guilty enough NOT to use it. As slow as I am, it allows me one or two character or bathroom stops early on, and then I'm pretty much running with the crowd anyway. Judging by numbers I see for early access and pick-up, I don't think there are THAT many runners at the corral-bump level and those that I do see when we start stay well to the side if we're going slower than the pack.

As for crowding, I do think we can place some blame on the influencer/social media attention these races get. Thanks to Youtube, Instagram and tiktok, people are seeing what the experience is really like. They notice how it's not a bunch of fast athletes, but normal people like themselves, taking their time and walking in costumes. It makes it look accessible and easy to do without a lot of intense training. Even those who do show their training are glossing over a lot of the details and hiding their paces.

I love that rD is encouraging non-runners to run, but they aren't showing a full picture of what you need to finish.

 

[Mr_Incr3dible]

I joined Club rD for the early registration when they cut out AP/DC early reg benefits. The rest of the perks were just bonus. Early expo was nice as I was going early anyway. Being able to pick all my stuff up at once is great, but I'm hanging out for the main expo floor regardless.

I honestly almost feel guilty about the corral bump, but not guilty enough NOT to use it.

Thanks to Youtube, Instagram and tiktok, people are seeing what the experience is really like. They notice how it's not a bunch of fast athletes, but normal people like themselves,

I love that rD is encouraging non-runners to run, but they aren't showing a full picture of what you need to finish.

1. I’ll be happy to accept your Club rD corral bump to help assuage your feelings of guilt, regardless of how minor they may be …
2. Mixed feelings on the social media. When I first contemplated doing a half, and that it would be at MW, I was able to find a YouTube and see that there were walkers and people with a comparable level of fitness and that I could do it. (And that’s how I wound up where we are today …)
So the social media goes both ways.
YMMV

Army man story: I’m in HS, waiting on one of my kids. As he approaches his eye get big. I turn around and right behind me is an army man saluting. I came to attention, snapped off a salute, and in my best command voice told him, “Carry on, soldier!”. At which time he completed his salute, did an about face and marched off.
One of the things I love best about WDW is interacting with the characters and that they will respond in character.

 

[FFigawi]

Do we feel like there's an increase in people who want to "goof off" on the course from 10 years ago? I feel like this could feed into the "do it for the 'gram" mentality and contribute to crowding in sections of the course where later corral runners are? Maybe?

I don't think so. My family, friends, and I have been dressing up and goofing off on course since we started running at Disney 15-20 years ago, and we're certainly not the only ones. That's always been one of the main draws of these races considering there are plenty of other less expensive ones to choose from.

 

[Psymonds]

There must have been some golden era with 20000 runners and no crowds...

I only have this year's marathon, mid to back of pack experience to speak from, but it's par for the course for most major running events.

it even felt sparse around mile 22.

Far Far Far better than say, Bay to breakers, in it's heyday with people wheeling kegs and DJ floats down the middle of the street at a walking pace. (or salmon running the course in reverse). 7 miles of wall to wall participants (runners?)

I also ran a half marathon across the golden gate bridge where the outbound runners were confined to the sidewalk (2-3 wide) and the return runners were confined to a single lane of traffic, I didn't get passed or pass anyone for 3 miles.

Suffice to say, I've run much worse. was it perfect? no, but there's no completely naked guys in my finish photo... (my third bay to breakers I learned to just let them pass me at they wouldn't be in my photos).

I wish it were on a more convenient weekend for me

 

[ckb_nc]

First Run Disney event was the 5k in 2012 which on a lark. It was OK, bit underwhelming but all Epcot. 2018 half from Coral B. That coral was a life saver; the miles from GF to Epcot were not my favorite but the bands and the DJ helped.

the marathon weekend is like the Halloween parties - very predictable content but very easy to sell out. I would love a late night race to return or even a 8k race.

 

[Z-Knight]

I started runDisney in 2016 (when they went to metal medals for the 5k) and did my first half in 2017. I’ll say the same as others, it’s difficult to pinpoint the difference but it is far from the magic that it was. Even after in the parks, I have far less CMs even acknowledging the medal I’m wearing. The only thing I’d say is still good is any character interaction.
I will second the age group awards, the first weekend back post Covid is still my half PR and I was amazed to get 3rd in my AG, crickets from RD. That felt like a slap in the face. When the quality of medals goes down and the cost to race goes up, you can afford to recognize the top AG finishers like every other race I’ve run.

2016 was still rubber 5k medal for marathon weekend - I got one too.

 

[FanforDisney]

I still have my age group awards, and I’m still salty they went away. I ran the 2022 Princess, got first in my AG, and got nothing. Honestly, the plaques you would get must have cost pennies, because they were nothing fancy. But it certainly symbolizes how RD views its participants.

Case in point: there used to be an actual ceremony on stage for the top 3 overall winners where they would give out the awards. Now, not even the winners get a ceremony—just the same plaque in the mail a couple of months later like I got.

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The first race I did was the Princess 1/2 Marathon in 2020. I came in 3rd for my age group and got my first plaque. Excited to continue doing the races. When the races started back up after Covid, I still was able to get into the top 3 in my age groups for the races I was doing. So disappointed no plaques. Keep hoping that they would come back. No such luck. Another drop by runDisney

 

[FanforDisney]

I remember receiving my one and only plaque for the 2019 Wine & Dine half. I was so surprised to get it in mail. If they had continued to award the top 5, I'd have at least a few more. It's disappointing that they stopped. It gave some incentive to getting a little older!

Same here. Now my better half gets a plaque done at a local shop and gives it to me on my birthday. Since I am doing the challenges I am able to get 10k and 1/2 Marathon top 5 in each race.....

 

[camaker]

2016 was still rubber 5k medal for marathon weekend - I got one too.

I think metal 5k medals were introduced at either Tink or Disneyland Half in 2016. It was a big deal to get a metal 5k medal when I ran DLH that year and the 2016 inaugural SWDS still had the rubber 5k medal.

 

[pluto377]

One interesting data point I noticed in that marathon guide link I posted upthread was that the average finish time (marathon) in 2000 was 4:52. In 2025, it was 5:52. Are people goofing off more? Are more beginner runners/walkers participating?

 

[fatmanatee]

One interesting data point I noticed in that marathon guide link I posted upthread was that the average finish time (marathon) in 2000 was 4:52. In 2025, it was 5:52. Are people goofing off more? Are more beginner runners/walkers participating?

More beginners. Could be mistaken but I think is a trend happening all over the place.

 

[Herding_Cats]

One interesting data point I noticed in that marathon guide link I posted upthread was that the average finish time (marathon) in 2000 was 4:52. In 2025, it was 5:52. Are people goofing off more? Are more beginner runners/walkers participating?

See, I wonder about this too. But I also wonder if the inclusion/creation of the Dopey Challenge really impacted this. AND, (and let me be clear that this is in no way me trash-talking the method) the "official" recommendation from Galloway to walk some if not all of things like the 10k or HM. As @fatmanatee said, there's been a really big trend with people starting their running journey, and I feel like a lot fewer of them are there to race things like the marathon, and are more there to complete a marathon. Sure, big races like Boston, NYC, etc keep having faster and faster times required to qualify, but outside of those there are a lot more "everyday" people signing up for marathons. One podcast I listen to discussed how "Half marathons are the new 5k" when it comes to events and the people signing up for them.

I also think that with Disney being a great destination for a family trip AND race weekend, coupled with the generous time limit (compared to some races) that it's definitely a popular first/only/"bucket list" race.

 

[Dopey 2020]

2016 was still rubber 5k medal for marathon weekend - I got one too.

Yup right you are, I was off by a year. My first runDisney race after castaway key summer 2016 was the Princess 5k 2017 with my wife and daughter, we got metal medals.

 

[PrincessV]

I’m hesitant to point too much at newbies or “goofing off” as primary reasons for course congestion. Simply because for as long as I’ve been doing them - since Feb. 2012 - they’ve always drawn plenty of newer runners/walkers, folks who wan to have a fun race, and/or those who “just” want to complete a distance vs. aiming for a time. I have no data to point to, only 13 years of DIS threads and personal experience.

What absolutely does drive course congestion is the very nature of Disney races. Think of a normal race, in which very few racers make stops. Maybe the occasional hug on the sidelines or need to re-tie a shoe, etc., but you don’t have thousands of folks running Boston stopping every mile to stand in line for a photo, right? So people of similar paces - regardless of what that pace is - tend to bunch together throughout the race. Even if there are many thousands of them, they’re all moving at about the same pace: you theoretically don’t wind up with faster folks stuck behind a wall of much-slower moving folks.

Disney races do the exact opposite. A fast runner who starts in a middle corral but stops for everything is going to at some point find themselves in a sea of slower moving people, simply because they’ve dropped back into the field by spending time not moving while the rest of the field passes by.

Again, I’m only able to speak from my own experience, but as long as I’ve been doing these, there have always been lines for photos and new people. What has changed for certain is how corrals are filled and released. I’ve seen a field of 25,000 split into only 4 corrals, and a field of 20,000 split into… gosh, didn’t we go up to a corral P once?! I’ve seen fewer corrals with more time between releases and the entire corral sent at once, and I’ve seen many smaller corrals being sent with less time between them and split into mini-waves. I almost always start in the very back of my assigned corral and without question, experienced less course congestion in the days of huge corrals with more time between releases. My method used to result in having a highway nearly to myself for a solid half mile or more until the faster people from the corral behind mine slaughter caught up, and by then that corral had spread out enough that no congestion built up. Now, there aren’t big gaps between corrals - add that to making stops and falling back into a slower field and you’ve got crowding that never has a chance to thin out.

ETA: corrected autocorrect typo, but it’s so ironically funny I opted to just do a strike through of the original

 

[BigEeyore]

Just catching up with this thread - I checked out about a week before the race because it wasn't helping my prerace anxiety
Finished another Goofy - overall happy with how the races went. I was in B, so I didn't have to deal with the course crowding but I can appreciate how there were some terrible bottlenecks

Major props for: Star Wars characters and the electrical water pageant
Boo to: poorly lit sections of the course (especially the sketchy construction mess by the GF!) and not much live entertainment on course (characters don't count!)

I have been doing rD events since 2011 - my first MW was 2013, so I appreciate all the things my fellow old timers miss. Something that I really miss is unique (and better quality/design) race merch. It's the same stuff pretty much every race, and the e-Bayers have ruined it for the rest of us. But it's saving me tons of $$ so maybe I should be grateful!
I also miss the early registration we used to get w/ AP and DVC - I refuse to participate in their money grab that is club rD.

 

[Psymonds]

There must have been some golden era with 20000 runners and no crowds...

I only have this year's marathon, mid to back of pack experience to speak from, but it's par for the course for most major running events.

it even felt sparse around mile 22.

Far Far Far better than say, Bay to breakers, in it's heyday with people wheeling kegs and DJ floats down the middle of the street at a walking pace. (or salmon running the course in reverse). 7 miles of wall to wall participants (runners?)

I also ran a half marathon across the golden gate bridge where the outbound runners were confined to the sidewalk (2-3 wide) and the return runners were confined to a single lane of traffic, I didn't get passed or pass anyone for 3 miles.

Suffice to say, I've run much worse. was it perfect? no, but there's no completely naked guys in my finish photo... (my third bay to breakers I learned to just let them pass me at they wouldn't be in my photos).

I wish it were on a more convenient weekend for me

I reread my post and in the light of day it is way snarkier than I had originally intended. my apologies.

I don't mean to discount the feelings and experiences of those who have longtime experiences with rD, I just felt my perspective from "outside" was that crowding wasn't anything I noticed. I wasn't really being bothered by any chokepoints or really having to stray from my pace at any point. I actually appreciated the first mile of the marathon that had 4 lanes wide for people to sort themselves out a bit.

thanks.

 

[Disneyhanna]

One interesting data point I noticed in that marathon guide link I posted upthread was that the average finish time (marathon) in 2000 was 4:52. In 2025, it was 5:52. Are people goofing off more? Are more beginner runners/walkers participating?

Could this be photos? I know I spent over an hour idle during this year’s marathon, aka photos. Obviously phone cameras weren’t a thing in 2000! But did they have character stops at all?