Marathon Weekend 2025

[Naomeri]

I also agree with changing up courses and start / finish locations. I understand why it's difficult to change locations during a given race weekend but it would be nice if they could at least vary the courses more between race weekends. Keep Epcot for MW and W&D but maybe run Princess Weekend from MK. Star Wars Weekend at DHS, etc.

I like this idea, and then Springtime can be a surprise as to where the races are based

 

[Zutroy]

SAFD:
I also agree with changing up courses and start / finish locations. I understand why it's difficult to change locations during a given race weekend but it would be nice if they could at least vary the courses more between race weekends. Keep Epcot for MW and W&D but maybe run Princess Weekend from MK. Star Wars Weekend at DHS, etc.

They need to bring back this course map. Running through Pandora in the dark was amazing, and nothing can top finishing the course by going around world and under Spaceship Earth.

 

[princesspirateandrunner]

SAFD: DH had opinions on this one, so I’m merely typing up his ideas.
He wants to do a trail race through the savanna at AK (maybe at night!) .
In all seriousness, though, bring back a nighttime race with an after party in the parks—that was so much fun! Also, DH would like a 50k option (similar to how MCM offers now). The people doing it could start at MK or near the water treatment plant, and then join in the regular course after they’ve run to the regular marathon start line from there.

 

[flav]

They need to bring back this course map. Running through Pandora in the dark was amazing, and nothing can top finishing the course by going around world and under Spaceship Earth.

View attachment 885345

It was my first runDisney event and I still consider this to be the best course ever!

 

[Naomeri]

I would love a night race. Heat is not so much my kryptonite as sunlight is.

 

[Baloo in MI]

SAFD:

My favorite part of any race is the time we get to spend running in the parks. I think a four race challenge where each race was either a 5K or a 10K and the majority of the race was run in each park with a medal that symbolized the park. Maybe the tree for AK, the castle for MK, spaceship earth for Epcot and, dare I say, Mickey’s Sorcerers Hat for HS. And then something that incorporates the monorail, the Skyliner and the buses (because they are the link btwn the parks) for the challenge medal.

If the distance was kept to 5K/10K it would be much more manageable to design courses that really focused on the parks individually and at worst areas adjacent. Added bonus would be new race courses and a challenge that might be more appealing to runners not interested in the half or full. I feel like this is the type of thing that would be perfect for a Spring Surprise weekend, of course it would add a day. I’d do it!

 

[Mr_Incr3dible]

I never had a chance to do a Star Wars race, so I'd be down for that. Ditto the Expedition Everest challenge.
I also loved the idea of the ToT 13K on Halloween weekend: a nighttime race with a party afterward. Awesome!

And put me down for wanting the HS route to go back to coming in the backlot (now Tatooine), going backstage, and then down Main Street and out the main entrance. Much better than the 1 block cameo appearance we do now.

DW now has some surgery scheduled for later in Dec, so unclear at this time if I'll be able to make MW. I was/am so looking forward to another Goofy and having my son along. So, happy that the surgery is on the calendar, but bummed that I may have to miss MW. We'll see how things shake out.

 

[marty3d]

I would love a night race. Heat is not so much my kryptonite as sunlight is.

I would love a night race again but that being said, the worst heat/ humidity I've run through in a rD race was the 2012 ToT 10 Miler. It was brutal. The recovery area was in the Fantastic theatre area and I just remember lying on one of those benches for about 30 minutes trying to recover.

On a different note - ran my first training run for Dopey today. Now it's feeling real.

 

[PrincessV]

I would love a night race again but that being said, the worst heat/ humidity I've run through in a rD race was the 2012 ToT 10 Miler. It was brutal.

Absolute truth. The post-race scenes were apocalyptic.

 

[Zutroy]

Absolute truth. The post-race scenes were apocalyptic.

Could be worse. During the 2011 Wine and Dine half, you got a free beer when you crossed the finish line and entered the after party. Mix in the full-strength Mission Space centrifuge, and it was a rough sight in the park.

 

[lahobbs4]

SAFD: I want a Muppets weekend! As long as Muppet Christmas Carol is included, I don't care about anything else

 

[jrsharp21]

SAFD: Put me down as a vote for Star Wars also. I never got to do a Star Wars weekend run, so would love to have one. I am also in the camp that would love to do a night run. I wouldn't be opposed to having a "15k in 10 hours" challenge. Do the 5k at 9pm on say, Thursday night. Then come back and do the 10k at 5am. Heck, do an "all nighter" challenge. Run the 5k at 9pm, keep Epcot open for the runners all night long, then the runners can just walk over to the starting line for the 10k after hanging out in Epcot overnight.

 

[emilyann704]

Is there any Disney transportation that takes you to ESPN World to pick up our race packets? I'll be staying at the Swan Reserve and can take a rideshare but bonus points for a free bus!

 

[marty3d]

Is there any Disney transportation that takes you to ESPN World to pick up our race packets? I'll be staying at the Swan Reserve and can take a rideshare but bonus points for a free bus!

Yes - there will be free buses from the Swan/ Dolphin to the expo and to/ from the races.

 

[sandam1]

SAFD: I’ve been thinking about it all day, and my idea is a Topsy-Turvy Marathon weekend. So instead of going 5K—>10K—>Half—>Full, let’s do it in reverse.

Honestly, I would love to do this! For me, the mental relief of having the marathon done would be wonderful. It wouldn't be an issue for me physically - I just did a 20 mile run this past weekend and I totally could have done a half marathon the next day.

My favorite part of any race is the time we get to spend running in the parks. I think a four race challenge where each race was either a 5K or a 10K and the majority of the race was run in each park with a medal that symbolized the park. Maybe the tree for AK, the castle for MK, spaceship earth for Epcot and, dare I say, Mickey’s Sorcerers Hat for HS. And then something that incorporates the monorail, the Skyliner and the buses (because they are the link btwn the parks) for the challenge medal.

I really like this idea! A four-course challenge with a 5K in each park. That seems totally do-able. Maybe a Thursday night - Friday morning - Saturday morning - Sunday morning? If you don't think too hard about the logistics end of things, it would be awesome!

 

[sandam1]

SAFD

What about a "Friends" or "Side Kicks" themed race? This would open up so many rare characters. Also, paired with this, I would love to see a relay option for the marathon. I remember seeing people mention that this used to be an option at one point. To have a special "team" medal would be epic.

 

[Naomeri]

Honestly, I would love to do this! For me, the mental relief of having the marathon done would be wonderful. It wouldn't be an issue for me physically - I just did a 20 mile run this past weekend and I totally could have done a half marathon the next day.

I’m glad I’m not the only one that thinks that “ooh, I only have to go half as far tomorrow” sounds better than “I have to go twice as far tomorrow??”

 

[DisneyMountainWoman]

SAFD: Yes to star wars weekend and marvel weekend... also really love the summer series dessert based runs which is something I think would be great for wine and dine run weekend. Everyone loves the Disney desserts.

 

[Let's Get Kronk]

SAFD: I desperately want an Inside Out weekend with a Core Memory challenge. I don't have the mental capacity right now to assign the characters to the various races, but I would want a Bing Bong race of some sort (and hopefully not kids races even though that probably makes the most sense because I want the dang medal! ). Other than that, I just take what runDisney gives me and continue to shell out money to run the race weekends regardless of what the weekend theme is.

 

[sandam1]

SAFD: I desperately want an Inside Out weekend with a Core Memory challenge.

YES!! This would be a "take my money now" race for me!