Marathon Weekend 2025

[Blue Caterpillar]

I think I am ok with the 4:30 start time. I can barely sleep as it is, so might as well start early in my case, and avoid the sun!

 

[lukemorenus]

I think I am ok with the 4:30 start time. I can barely sleep as it is, so might as well start early in my case, and avoid the sun!

Same - I actually prefer it

 

[Disneyhanna]

Double out-and-backs? Fun!

runDisney is just like me in training. Crap, I'm just a little bit short. Let's run to that point and back. Now the other direction! Okay one more time! Finally done!!!

 

[disneyrunnergrl]

I'm super annoyed how rD phrased the email as "more parks time! Isn't this great!" When AK and HS are the same, and you change one of the biggest aspects of Epcot.

Just be honest and say "crowd management is easier this way, deal with it."

This. I’d be way less annoyed if they weren’t trying to sell it as more park time. Adding Adventureland for the world showcase loop at the end makes it basically a wash in park time. And more out and backs in the TTC parking lot? Just say it’s for the guests in Epcot and don’t try to lie.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

It’s too early in training to be spending so much time studying a 26 mile course map. Blah!

Don’t mind the start time at all. More MK time and running along the Seven Seas Lagoon from GF is nice. The ending Epcot route seems like a huge downgrade.

Park ops hates runD.

 

[disneyrunnergrl]

I wonder if they’ll have cast members blocking runners from going to Mexico. Some of the earlier runners could go off course and still get a margarita and then back track back to the course.

 

[nancipants]

I don't mind the earlier start time either. Half an hour extra running in the dark is great for Team Not So Fast.

I'm being super dramatic about this, but moving World Showcase from the end is like Boston not ending at Boylston or NYC not ending in Central Park or Berlin not ending at the Brandenburg Gate. It's ICONIC.

 

[sunshine girl]

This course map is a big disappointment. Running through World Showcase at the END of the race IS A HUGE PART of the WDW Marathon. !!

I feel like this is kind of like if the operations teams were to cut Heartbreak Hill in the Boston Marathon, or cut the iconic bridge in the NY Marathon. It's clear that whoever made this decision is not a runner and doesn't understand the experience. (Seems to be a trend lately.)

Plus, the first few miles I prefer road miles to disperse crowds, shake out my legs, and get a rhythm going. I prefer the park time later and like seeing the day guests cheer as I run by at the end. That is special.

I am fine with the 4:30 start, but the course change is tragic.

 

[nancipants]

I wonder if they’ll have cast members blocking runners from going to Mexico. Some of the earlier runners could go off course and still get a margarita and then back track back to the course.

There's gonna be a cottage industry for spectators to get drinks and hand them off to runners in World Celebration.

 

[The Expert]

running along the Seven Seas Lagoon from GF

I do have to wonder how crowded this will be that early in the race. I have visions of the DHS to Boardwalk sidewalk...

 

[fatmanatee]

This. I’d be way less annoyed if they weren’t trying to sell it as more park time. Adding Adventureland for the world showcase loop at the end makes it basically a wash in park time. And more out and backs in the TTC parking lot? Just say it’s for the guests in Epcot and don’t try to lie.

To be fair I think we end up with the same amount of park time in Epcot, the difference is that the World Showcase loop happens at the beginning now. I feel like they could have done these other changes while keeping the old Epcot structure so it's hard to believe this part was done for any reason other than crowd management.

 

[lukemorenus]

They better have a margarita stand in Canada, LOL

 

[azrivest]

View attachment 897791

WHAT IN THE WORLD

I'm so confused by that too. Is there an overpass at that location? I'm struggling to remember

 

[Naomeri]

Can't they add some more HS time instead of all that parking lot time? We barely touch HS.

Like everyone else, the extra half hour pre-sun is totally fine with me, I'm awake anyway. I'm so sad that I won't be finishing through World Showcase in first (and likely only) Dopey though

 

[The Expert]

I wonder if they’ll have cast members blocking runners from going to Mexico. Some of the earlier runners could go off course and still get a margarita and then back track back to the course.

IIRC Mexico has been off the course before and they haven't blocked anyone. There were a couple of runners from this board who went WAY off course a few years ago to do Galaxy's Edge and it wasn't an issue. As long as you get back in time to not be swept, it's fair game.

 

[The Expert]

I'm being super dramatic about this, but moving World Showcase from the end is like Boston not ending at Boylston or NYC not ending in Central Park or Berlin not ending at the Brandenburg Gate. It's ICONIC.

You're absolutely right! It seems there is time to recertify a course if enough people are vocal about this.

There's gonna be a cottage industry for spectators to get drinks and hand them off to runners in World Celebration.

DH will happily oblige!

I'm so confused by that too. Is there an overpass at that location? I'm struggling to remember

There is the flyover that goes to the MK resorts area now.

 

[nancipants]

I'm so confused by that too. Is there an overpass at that location? I'm struggling to remember

I think there is. Part of the newer construction.

 

[DisneyMountainWoman]

My takeaways:

I want more real park time! If you are going to say we changed the map for real park time, why are we seeing so much in parking lots still.... don't lie to us. And why does blizzard beach parking lot still exist?!

I like an earlier start... as a slow runner I want all the night time running as possible.

I am going to ask my mom get me a margarita drink and just walk it over to me...

I am soo going to miss the ending of running around World Showcase... glad I got the experience on my first marathon...

I am hoping we can still ride Everest that was my goal this time... it looks like I am slow enough it should still be open... but still need to be fast enough to not be swept... I feel like the window may have gotten smaller now.

Ohh and happy they gave this to us now... so I have time to process my feels.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

I do have to wonder how crowded this will be that early in the race. I have visions of the DHS to Boardwalk sidewalk...

Yeah, and I think I’ll miss the “MK reveal” you get when leaving the TTC then heading north on World Drive - glimpses of the castle on the left, CR on the right, then eventually making your way in the park. Keeps the excitement up. The GF path is sort of a boring way to enter MK.

 

[nancipants]

I do have to wonder how crowded this will be that early in the race. I have visions of the DHS to Boardwalk sidewalk...

I'm hoping that the mile on World Drive will thin everyone out.