Marathon Weekend 2025

[marty3d]

I mean, they used to take a photograph of you holding the bib to verify later when you picked up your challenge medals, and that’s when they registered twice as many runners. I can’t imagine scanning would add any appreciable time to the process.

And most races here offer optional scanning. If you want to be sure your bib works you go scan it. If you don’t care you don’t have to. Completely optional. Disney could easily do that.

 

[Disney at Heart]

Not sure if I missed this, but just wanted to update that the Disneyland expo had a bib check. You walked across a line and it showed you on the screen. I got to the expo later on Thursday so it wasn’t busy but the process was very easy.

Yes! Years ago Disney World runners did the Expo bib check. It took no more time than walking through a security scanner. You just kept walking and looked at a screen to see your name pop up. If it didn’t (which was rare), you headed to runner relations.

 

[Fischstick]

I did the bib check here at DL half. It was as easy as crossing the mat they had set up. Info popped up immediately. Whole process took approx 2 seconds. area was completely unmanned and 100% voluntary

 

[Kelkee]

Our self-reported 5k times showed up today. I submitted them Jan 17. So that rearranges the times into the correct boxes on the Dopey Challenge certificate. We were affected by the timing tag malfunction for the challenge bibs and got replacement tags right before the 10k.

Where do you get the Challenge Certificates?
Not seeing Dopey or Goofy on the rDis results page... just the individual race certs.

 

[rick1zoo2]

Where do you get the Challenge Certificates?
Not seeing Dopey or Goofy on the rDis results page... just the individual race certs.

Kind of tricky to find, but if you log into your runDisney account, then towards the top of the screen click on "Your Events", then "Past Events". Then click on "open Registration" (NOT See Your Finisher Details) for the Marathon Weekend. You will see each race and challenge that you can click on to get to the certificate for each.

 

[Kelkee]

Got it! Thanks!
I guess they are not giving the Goofy cert to Dopey finishers now?

I have all of them from 2022.

 

[GollyGadget]

For anyone interested, I finally finished my trip/race recap.

If you want to read the whole thing, start here:
https://www.disboards.com/threads/running-renaissance-wdw-marathon-2025.3595467/post-65948541

If you just want the race bits, start here:
https://www.disboards.com/threads/running-renaissance-wdw-marathon-2025.3595467/post-65965020

 

[DisneyMountainWoman]

Also here is my trip report if you guys want to read it. It is complete
Trip Report

 

[rick1zoo2]

So we got around to displaying medals from marathon weekend along with the springtime surprise.



And just ordered two more shadow boxes for the 2024 Wine and Dine and the upcoming Princess weekend. I started out thinking I would just get two: one for all of my medals and one for my wife’s. But we decided it would look too cluttered and instead used one shadow box for each race that has both of our bibs and one set of medals.

this is the one I got from Micheals, currently on sale:
https://www.michaels.com/product/16-x-24-black-medal-display-case-by-studio-decor-10740681

 

[Kelkee]

Did anyone who did only the Goofy get a finisher certificate?

 

[jrsharp21]

So we got around to displaying medals from marathon weekend along with the springtime surprise.

View attachment 937095

And just ordered two more shadow boxes for the 2024 Wine and Dine and the upcoming Princess weekend. I started out thinking I would just get two: one for all of my medals and one for my wife’s. But we decided it would look too cluttered and instead used one shadow box for each race that has both of our bibs and one set of medals.

this is the one I got from Micheals, currently on sale:
https://www.michaels.com/product/16-x-24-black-medal-display-case-by-studio-decor-10740681

Awesome! Thanks for this. My medals are still wrapped up in my hotel towel and in a Disney shopping bag. Was looking for something to display them since my current set up is out of room. Going to look at picking these up.

 

[Zutroy]

Did anyone who did only the Goofy get a finisher certificate?

I did the Goofy and have the half and full finisher certificates in my RunDisney account. In the side bar of the account it will show past events, and there’s a link below it to get your results.

 

[Kelkee]

Looking for the Goofy certificate itself. Did you get a challenge certificate for Goofy? I'm not seeing one at all.

 

[GollyGadget]

Now that the race is well over with and we've all had time to reflect on the experience, I'm curious everyone's opinions on the highly controversial new marathon route? Which route do you prefer?

Personally, I didn't mind the changes. My favorite addition was the path from GF to MK but that's only because the EWP was out. If that's missing, this isn't really a highlight. I also enjoyed the extra time in MK although I did find it a bit disorienting since it was so different from all my past experiences.

The biggest misses for me included winding through the MK parking lot. This could easily be fixed if they did something more for entertainment. It kind of reminded me of the WWoS routes minus the sports fields. Likewise, I'm still not a fan of the BB parking lot or the lack of time in HS. My mom actually thought I was hurt or lost at BB because she didn't know why the course would have me run in circles like that

On the controversial part, I'm indifferent on the Epcot changes. I'm always ready to be done by that point of the marathon so I was glad to not run around the world. However, as a ~4 hr finisher, Epcot is never open when I finish. I can appreciate how that final mile would be more special for folks if there were guests cheering for them in that stretch.

My favorite course is the one from 2018. Likely some nostalgia since it was my first, but it provided more spots for spectators without a park ticket. My partner was easily able to see me in the parking lot of AK and at the finish. He probably could have also made WWoS but didn't want to chance it. The newer routes make it much more difficult to spectate multiple spots in the second half.

 

[lukemorenus]

Now that the race is well over with and we've all had time to reflect on the experience, I'm curious everyone's opinions on the highly controversial new marathon route? Which route do you prefer?

Personally, I didn't mind the changes. My favorite addition was the path from GF to MK but that's only because the EWP was out. If that's missing, this isn't really a highlight. I also enjoyed the extra time in MK although I did find it a bit disorienting since it was so different from all my past experiences.

The biggest misses for me included winding through the MK parking lot. This could easily be fixed if they did something more for entertainment. It kind of reminded me of the WWoS routes minus the sports fields. Likewise, I'm still not a fan of the BB parking lot or the lack of time in HS. My mom actually thought I was hurt or lost at BB because she didn't know why the course would have me run in circles like that

On the controversial part, I'm indifferent on the Epcot changes. I'm always ready to be done by that point of the marathon so I was glad to not run around the world. However, as a ~4 hr finisher, Epcot is never open when I finish. I can appreciate how that final mile would be more special for folks if there were guests cheering for them in that stretch.

My favorite course is the one from 2018. Likely some nostalgia since it was my first, but it provided more spots for spectators without a park ticket. My partner was easily able to see me in the parking lot of AK and at the finish. He probably could have also made WWoS but didn't want to chance it. The newer routes make it much more difficult to spectate multiple spots in the second half.

View attachment 941526

I preferred this route as compared to the last several years... but I value 2012/2013 more (perhaps due to the nostalgia factor)

 

[The Expert]

The biggest misses for me included winding through the MK parking lot. This could easily be fixed if they did something more for entertainment. It kind of reminded me of the WWoS routes minus the sports fields. Likewise, I'm still not a fan of the BB parking lot or the lack of time in HS.

I agree with all of this. I'll also add that I LOVE that they brought the Star Wars theming to the stretch between MK and AK. I would like to see more of that where they are able. If they're going to keep the BB lap, why not theme it out with Frozen and other cold-weather characters? Give us some water sprayers or "snow" and maybe bring back the snow cave photo opp from Star Wars weekends?

I'd love it if they could just get rid of some of the parking lot laps (MK and BB) and give us more time at DHS. It's almost a joke how little real estate we cover in that park.

I'm indifferent on the Epcot changes. I'm always ready to be done by that point of the marathon so I was glad to not run around the world.

I still wish we had the victory lap (especially if it meant less parking lot weaving earlier in the race), but I agree with this. Once we got there, I was ready to be done and happy not to have to go all the way around.

 

[marty3d]

Some quick thoughts on the new route a month later:

- I don't hate it
- While I prefer the WS Victory lap, I'm surprisingly ok with less time in Epcot at the end
- I am not ok with how little time we get in DHS - though that's not a victim of this route, I wish they could come up with something better - I do completely get that some parts of DHS are simply too narrow to run through while the park is open
- Wish we could still go through the MK parking lot booths (caution runners, speed bump ahead)
- I like the new route (minus the construction mess) from GF to MK with EWP
- More time in MK is a big win
- The MK parking lot - I'm still trying to understand this one - I think I hate it more than BB
- Star Wars theming- yes and more please!
- Time in AK is just about perfect (no real changes from the past)
- BB - I know I'm in the minority but I would take WWoS in a heartbeat if it meant less BB and parking lot time - I liked the change of running on a track for a short distance and LOVED entering the ballpark with he cheering spectators.
- A negative of no victory lap - fewer beer options and you don't pass Mexico (not sure if anyone tried going off route this year to get a marg - I picked up beer in Canada)

 

[Zutroy]

I just did the Princess weekend, so I had a chance to revisit the new half marathon route. I share many of the same thoughts as other people.

I also do not miss the loop around world showcase. I’m ~3:20 marathoner, and nothing is open there when I’m running. Plus, I’m ready to be done. I really appreciated it mentally when I knew that by the time I entered Epcot that it was almost over. There’s something about seeing Spaceship Earth get smaller as you run around the world that’s disheartening.

That said, I’m totally over the three overpasses you have to climb at the end of the half before you enter Epcot. Whoever decided to put the sweep busses at the bottom of the incline on the overpasses also has an inherently dark soul.

I would love if they incorporated Pandora into the AK loop, and if they insist on BB, at least let us run through the waterpark like in 2020. If it’s just loops in a parking lot vs. WWOS, I’m choosing the latter every time.

The Bear Island Road Star Wars display was a triumph and hopefully makes its way into more races (or similar theming for other IP). Imagine a mile of Toy Story characters with giant toy props along the road, or Monsters Inc. characters with various doors leading to different areas (snow blowing in one, maybe disco lights in another). You know, something other than another high school band. Also Disney should just abandon Springtime Surprise as a theming failure and bring back Star Wars.

 

[SheHulk]

I overall liked the new course a lot! The only problem I had was how dark it was in the mile or so coming up to GF. It seemed like there might be irregularities in the road with little bumps up for reflectors, and combined with so little lighting, it felt a bit dangerous. Loved loved loved electrical water pageant and more time in MK!

 

[The Expert]

I’m totally over the three overpasses you have to climb at the end of the half before you enter Epcot. Whoever decided to put the sweep busses at the bottom of the incline on the overpasses also has an inherently dark soul.

The repeated road tilt was AWFUL and a recipe for injury IMHO.