Marathon Weekend 2026

[accm]

There's a whole DLS (dead last start) contingent in the rD Facebook group. I've never paid close enough attention to know how they calculate it, but might be worth a search over there to find out if you're thinking of doing it.

I don't actually want to DLS. I just think it'd be cool to see how many people I pass if I decide to run for time. I have considered being a target though, and donating money depending on how many DLS runners pass me.

 

[The Expert]

I don't actually want to DLS. I just think it'd be cool to see how many people I pass if I decide to run for time. I have considered being a target though, and donating money depending on how many DLS runners pass me.

Totally understand. I just thought they may have figured out an easy way to calculate that you could borrow for your own uses.

 

[Disney at Heart]

@Fischstick are you going to join us at Lake Hartwell for the Dam run? It is May 3. I still need to sign up but will do it this week. I am doing the 10k. I am waiting to sign up DH, he is having some ankle issues at the moment. He might be babysitting whisky while i run. I told him let's see how it goes but right now walking the dog is bothering him so i think he is going to lay off running for a few days.

So sorry to hear your DH is injured. Looking forward to seeing you, him, and Whiskey at the Lake Hartwell Dam Run, even if he can’t actually run it!

@Fischstick So far @garneska and DH, @princesspirateandrunner (both?), DH and I plan to be at the run. @GuinnessRunner and @camaker tried to make it work, but had work and injury issues. @Mr Incredible 221, how about you? It’s a good 10K for a POT and an otherwise beautiful 5k/10k for a Saturday morning. @OldSlowGoofyGuy also has run in the past, but is not on the thread much lately.

ETA Also Whisky plans to come!

 

[garneska]

I am officially signed up. I told Bert we can wait and sign him up later, but right now his ankle is hurting just walking the dog. I can only imagine if he tried running on it.

We will plan to hang out for a bit after. I am hoping to race this to see where I am.

 

[Fischstick]

I am official too! Will plan to race it if the temps cooperate. If it’s too hot, I’ll reconsider.

 

[princesspirateandrunner]

@Disney at Heart I haven’t registered yet, but probably will tomorrow. I’ve been debating 5k or 10k, and haven’t made up my mind yet. DH is in for the 10k.

 

[camaker]

Good afternoon RunDisney All-Stars! Welcome to this week's edition of Sundays are for Disney (SAFD). We talked about what everyone got for registration for Marathon Weekend last week and now we enter that long wait for the event to arrive, so let's dream a bit. When you get done running your race(s), be they 5k, marathon, Dopey or anything in between, what's your favorite place to celebrate your accomplishment?

SAFD: This year was the first MW where I made a celebratory reservation. My weekend then ended inauspiciously early with an injury DNF in the marathon. I'm not superstitious, but I am a little stitious, so I'm not sure if I'll make another reservation next year.

This year's celebration location was Via Napoli, which I did enjoy, but I think, if I do it again, I'll try reserving a bit earlier so I can get somewhere like Le Cellier.

 

[nancipants]

I didn’t go anywhere on Disney property since I’m local and was pretty sure I wouldn’t want to leave the house again once I go home. But it was my birthday, so I wanted to celebrate, so we ordered in my favorite hibachi takeout and got pizza delivered for dinner. This year, I might try to go out to eat at a local restaurant, but more than likely I’m going to want to rot on the couch/bed again!

 

[WillRunForPizza]

SAFD: I like celebrating with snacks. I find that grazing feels better than gorging after a hard race. Epcot is always good for this strategy, especially during a festival.

Particularly if I'm running a marathon, I like to save the big celebratory meal for Monday when I can be pretty sure I'll be mostly functional again. At lunchtime after the race, I'll still be putting myself back together again, and by dinnertime, I'll either be asleep or want to be asleep.

 

[Dopey 2020]

SAFD After a marathon (or Dopey) I am generally ravenous and like to eat as much as I can get my hands on. That usually goes for a couple days so I do enjoy a nice dinner. The last few MW trips has depended on where we are staying and is often the Monday night instead of Sunday because we fly out Tuesday and like to celebrate the entire trip. Quite often it is Jiko, this past MW and upcoming though we were at Wilderness so I had to book Artist Point on Sunday for the Dopey meet and greet and plan to again.

 

[jmasgat]

SAFD: Chocolate milk shake (aka frappe). It's my go-to reward of choice. That used to mean Beaches and Cream, but no longer. Last time I was there, they made it with non dairy soft serve! I actually took it back and had them remake it with real ice cream (which, apparently, you have to ask for) That is sacrilege in my book.

Will have to find a new place. Ghiradelli is fine, but there have to be other quality shakes on property.

 

[SheHulk]

SAFD: Most years, the first day of my semester is the day after the marathon so I have to shower & get on a plane directly after the finish line. Even so, I'm just too physically devastated after a marathon to eat much that day.

But just to play along, imagining I ran a half or less and wanted to celebrate, I'd do a buffet like Biergarten. I like the oompah band and the atmosphere there. And it's all you can eat! I'm not much of a foodie so the quality of the food doesn't matter to me as much as the beer and atmosphere.

 

[Herding_Cats]

SAFD: all of my celebrations have been post-marathon, and usually post-Dopey and I usually want to move as little as possible. We’ve done pizza from the resort quick-service or left-overs, and then DH will bring me a donut from everglazed or a box of treats from Les Halles, or similar. This year was the first year we actually did a sit-down at the Turf Club, which is at SSR.

This is all generally done after 6:30 or 7pm because my stomach usually turns off after anything over 10mi. This year was an exception though, and I was starving when we got back to the room and I finished off a LOT of leftovers (DH picked up fresh naan from Eet to go with our sauces from Sanaa, shepherd’s pie from Raglan Road, and a few other things.)

I have my eye on either paddle fish, something else in springs, or turf club again because proximity is nice

 

[Barca33Runner]

SAFD: It’s a long way off and we will be staying off property; so I don’t think I’ll be looking to spend the money on a park ticket after I finish the Marathon for a half day and dinner. I’ll be hoping for After Hours events for any park time at Disney more than likely.

That leaves Disney Springs, Resorts, Universal/CityWalk (I have an AP at Universal), or local Orlando for a Sunday celebration. Plenty of good options at each of those locations. Early front runners from my perspective (others in my party will also have opinions):
-Boatwright’s- Was our celebration meal after our first marathon in 2013 out of necessity, we were staying at POR and could barely walk farther than our room to the restaurant, but the prime rib has always been good and I can eat my weight in the cornbread and whipped butter. Reservations tend to be available and we’ve been back several times for our celebration meal. This year might be one for nostalgia.
-Animal Kingdom Lodge-Have never been to Jiko but have always thought about it for a celebration meal. Haven’t been to Boma since the pandemic and it may be time to go back. Sanaa is still one of my favorites on property. Any of the three would pass my approval.
-Sebastian’s-Always a favorite of mine, but I don’t think we will necessarily feel like gorging ourselves.
-Disney Springs-Likely not at the top of the list. I like a few quick service establishments better than the full service (Polite Pig and eet, specifically). Not sure any rise to the celebration level for me.
-Taverna Opa-We love Greek food and don’t have great options where I live. We’ve been here a couple times and have really enjoyed the food and ambience.
-CityWalk-Probably on the Disney Springs level of interest, although I’ve personally had more celebratory feeling meals at Toothsome and Bigfire than anything at Disney Springs. Cowfish or Vivo would also be options. It’s the farthest drive from our rental, though, so it has a significant hurdle in that aspect.

For some reason I’ve been really interested in getting back to Le Cellier for another go. I may have just gotten lucky on my one trip, but it’s the ribeye in the Orlando area that is stuck in my mind. That’s kind of my go to meal for a celebration. Depending on our park trips, I may lobby for an early/late celebration dinner in Epcot and we may order pizza or something less fancy on Sunday depending how we feel.

Novella finished.

 

[RuntheMouse]

SAFD: We have a couple of dining traditions for MW. If we are just doing the HM, we love getting breakfast at Whispering Canyon. We usually stay at BRV so it’s wicked convenient! Post marathon, I love going to Steakhouse 71 for lunch. That Stack Burger hits the spot for me, with a Twisted Fig of course

 

[The Expert]

SAFD: I typically have a big late lunch/early dinner -- takeout or eat-at-the-bar steakhouse burger and fries at Shulas or the like, then do the celebratory dinner on Monday evening at Jiko or Citrico's. But in a perfect world, it would be V&A. Sadly they are still closed Sundays and Mondays.

 

[DisneyParrothead]

SAFD: I did my first half in over ten years at Princess this year, and booked Cape May breakfast the Tuesday after. Day of I went to Epcot for the afternoon and then Beaches and Cream for dinner and dessert. I don’t know if I’ll do Beaches again. I got the brownie sundae and the brownie was on the dry side. I can get ice cream at a lot of places on property.

The breakfast buffet was wonderful. I got a mimosa and went to the buffet three times.

 

[Baloo in MI]

SAFD:
Zebra Domes! A fantastic buffet with African inspired stews, usually two choices, and all the other good stuff found at a buffet; for me it is Boma. It has been our post Marathon meal and/or end of trip meal since my first marathon in 2015 and I don’t see that changing anytime soon.

 

[Novatrix]

SAFD:

No traditions day of per say, other than DATW the next day.

I usually try to stash some nice meals ahead of time in the room fridge to reheat and enjoy the pool if the temps are warm enough, but otherwise I like to play things by ear after the marathon.

 

[matt and beth]

SAFD: or sure we want to give away our favorite way to celebrate . The immediate is a beer or two for the immediate location recovery. That’s followed by a shower and nap, lunch at the pool (hopefully), and the finale has usually been Beaches and Cream