Marathon Weekend 2026

[Mr_Incr3dible]

SAFD: As another Atlanta area person, I'll echo several earlier people in that the heat and humidity are just a fact of life here that I deal with. I do most of my running in the late afternoon, which means during the summer it can be brutal T+D. Most of my weekday runs are at or just under an hour, so I hydrate before and after I run, but don't carry any water with me. Yes, I sweat buckets of water, and typically sit on the front porch cooling off before I go inside. I do slow my pace a bit, but when that happens, it is usually out of necessity, as in I have to take a walk break due to the heat. (cue Scotty saying, "I dinna think she'll take much more, Captain!")
This summer will be the first time I've more diligently adhered to a RWR method, so we'll see if that changes anything much.

 

[princesspirateandrunner]

Happy Boston Marathon Day! I like to turn on the coverage, and just leave it on as I go about my morning. DS27 and his fiancée live on the course on Beacon St., so they have a great vantage point. It looks like a beautiful day for some fast times!

Sorry, my lingo was wrong—Happy Marathon Monday!

 

[jrsharp21]

SAFD: Running in the Houston area during the summer, there is no escaping the heat and humidity. Unfortunately I usually have to get my midweek runs in at lunch time. I try to load up on water while at my desk in the morning. Then when I go out to run, there are several water fountains on my route. I make sure to stop at each one and splash my face and head with water. When it gets hot, I do carry a Nathan running bottle with ice water in it. Not only do I use that for hydration, but if the heat really starts to get to me, I will squirt my face and head. Other than that, not much else you can do. Running in the heat in Houston is just a way of life. On weekends for my long runs, I do try to be out of the house just as the sun is starting to show.

 

[camaker]

Ok, here's my thumbnail summary of SAFD responses thus far:

Up North: You beat the heat with a variety of techniques.
Down South: The heat beats you.

 

[marty3d]

Ok, here's my thumbnail summary of SAFD responses thus far:

Up North: You beat the heat with a variety of techniques.
Down South: The heat beats you.

SAFD:
Add me to the "up north" group - hot weather running seems a long way away as it was only about 2 degrees above freezing when I went out for my long run yesterday.

As for how I deal with the heat when it finally arrives? I actually love running in the heat (to be fair - our summers are nothing like FL or GA summers - having run in both Atlanta and South Florida in July/ August- I think I'd be running on the treadmill for anything longer than 5k). I tend to run early or late afternoon on the really hot days and run on trails where I'm in the shade 90% of the time. Plenty of hydration as well - I will carry both water and sports drink for my long runs.

Given how cold this spring has been - I'm more than ready for hot & humid! Bring it on!

 

[accm]

SAFD: I hate running when it's hot. It doesn't get consistently hot enough here to fully acclimatize to it, so on the occasions when the T+D is above 140, I just suffer and am grateful that I don't live in the South.

 

[Erika10021]

SAFD: I sorta feel like eastern PA in the middle, not too north, not too south. It can get pretty warm during the summer for running but we try to get out earlier in the morning before it gets too hot. When we're getting ready for the races, we start going to be way earlier. I think we're going to start doing that once the weather gets warmer. Get the run done before 7:00 a.m. should beat most of the heat. We also have water fountains on the route, which makes a huge difference!

 

[rick1zoo2]

SAFD: I sorta feel like eastern PA in the middle, not too north, not too south. It can get pretty warm during the summer for running but we try to get out earlier in the morning before it gets too hot. When we're getting ready for the races, we start going to be way earlier. I think we're going to start doing that once the weather gets warmer. Get the run done before 7:00 a.m. should beat most of the heat. We also have water fountains on the route, which makes a huge difference!

BEFORE 7AM?!?! Good grief. Wake me up when you get back....

 

[LSUlakes]

For those who are not DVC or renting DVC points for marathon weekend, WDW packages go live tomorrow morning!!! Of course this is taking place on the same day I need to make ADR's for my trip this June! The whole system is going to be slow!!!

If you are booking tomorrow or at some point this week where are yall staying? I plan to book a room at Pop.

 

[LSUlakes]

SAFD: I sorta feel like eastern PA in the middle, not too north, not too south. It can get pretty warm during the summer for running but we try to get out earlier in the morning before it gets too hot. When we're getting ready for the races, we start going to be way earlier. I think we're going to start doing that once the weather gets warmer. Get the run done before 7:00 a.m. should beat most of the heat. We also have water fountains on the route, which makes a huge difference!

I do this regardless of time of year except for Saturday long run days. Afternoons are to busy to run and carpool starts at 7:15 AM, work starts at 7:30 AM. I do like the early morning runs. Very peaceful.

 

[jrsharp21]

For those who are not DVC or renting DVC points for marathon weekend, WDW packages go live tomorrow morning!!! Of course this is taking place on the same day I need to make ADR's for my trip this June! The whole system is going to be slow!!!

If you are booking tomorrow or at some point this week where are yall staying? I plan to book a room at Pop.

I think we are going to try to book our MW stay at POR. We stayed at POR for 2022 MW and really liked it. Super easy to get to Epcot, especially on 5k and 10k mornings. The food court was good and we had a room right near it. So we will book POR for now and then may adjust late in the year when they announce AP hotel discounts.

 

[SheHulk]

For those who are not DVC or renting DVC points for marathon weekend, WDW packages go live tomorrow morning!!! Of course this is taking place on the same day I need to make ADR's for my trip this June! The whole system is going to be slow!!!

If you are booking tomorrow or at some point this week where are yall staying? I plan to book a room at Pop.

Is it only packages or can you book hotel-only also?

 

[LSUlakes]

Is it only packages or can you book hotel-only also?

You can do both. Technically you can book a hotel room only 399 days out I believe even if prices are not out yet. To do so you would have to call in. If you make any changes to it after that, the prices adjust to the current rates. It's kinda a pita, unless your seeking a very specific room category for a extremely popular week/weekend.

 

[Mr_Incr3dible]

I've put in my request to MBT for a room at the Pop, preferably away from the pools. I was just in the 50's section, and it's OK and has its own pool, which got a bit noisy in the evening until they shut it down. Mostly a non-issue if you aren't trying to fall asleep too early, but an issue if you are trying to get to sleep at 8 or 9 pm.
Two years ago I was in the 70's section and away from the pool, which had me facing the lake, which was very peaceful in the mornings and evenings, plus that much closer to the Skyliner. That is what I specifically requested for MW 2026.
I brought a bunch of protein and snack bars, but next time I'll also be bringing my own boxes of cereal, and maybe some milk as well. We didn't do a ton of special dining in the parks (other than a breakfast buffet one morning) and by the time we got back to the room, I wasn't wanting much more than a couple of bowls of cereal, and I can bring a case of it for what I spent at the dining hall.

 

[Stitch&Co.]

BEFORE 7AM?!?! Good grief. Wake me up when you get back....

I need multiple "Thumbs Up" for this

 

[mmm_texas]

PSA: We just received an update from Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida, and I thought I'd pass it along in case anyone is still looking to register for the 2026 Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend. They do still have bibs available: 9 for the 5K, 15 for the 10K, 12 for the half marathon, and one for the full marathon.

Their web site is: https://secure.qgiv.com/event/2026bgccfwdwmarathon/

 

[Fischstick]

SAFD:
Fellow GA runner here and I am totally TEAM DARK once the morning temps get in the 60s. I aim to start and finish before the sun fully rises. And YEP! It’s very early. But I’m a fair weather runner and loathe the heat. And the cold. . But I DO love being finished with my run before most people are out of bed.

 

[Mr_Incr3dible]

SAFD:
Fellow GA runner here and I am totally TEAM DARK once the morning temps get in the 60s. I aim to start and finish before the sun fully rises. And YEP! It’s very early. But I’m a fair weather runner and loathe the heat. And the cold. . But I DO love being finished with my run before most people are out of bed.

Pass. I don’t run well in my sleep.

 

[_shiny_side_up_]

SAFD:
Fellow GA runner here and I am totally TEAM DARK once the morning temps get in the 60s. I aim to start and finish before the sun fully rises. And YEP! It’s very early. But I’m a fair weather runner and loathe the heat. And the cold. . But I DO love being finished with my run before most people are out of bed.

We've got a lot of GA runners here . One of my favorite runs during training is driving 45 minutes out to the Silver Comet trailhead in Cobb and getting started just before sunrise.

 

[PrincessV]

On the pre-sunrise run topic… I despise running that early. My hatred for it grows every year. Running in the heat leaves me feeling worn out and tired, often with a delightful accompanying headache. So if I run in the hot morning, I feel icky all day, vs. for a couple hours before bed. BUT, in addition to the heat factor, I’m on the west FL coast, where thunderstorms are a near-daily occurrence late July through Sept. around dinner time, when I prefer to run. Every year, I put off switching my runs to pre-sunrise as long as I can, but I know it’s coming and I’ll have to choose between the early mornings or torture-by-treadmill. I’m thankful for the gorgeous weather we’re having now to remind me why I live in this stupid place!