Marathon Weekend 2026

[AZMermaid]

Are there any schools or community centers near you with indoor tracks? Going in repeated ovals in somewhat less awful than a treadmill (as long as you can switch directions from day to day--both of the indoor tracks near me switch on even/odd days)

No…. They are all outside. I think the LA fitness does (I’m not sure it’s called that anymore lol). That’s a good idea though. I’ll look into it!

 

[mmm_texas]

Same! I’m in AZ and we have weeks at a time when the 4:30AM low is 85-90 degrees. It makes me nervous for the Marathon plan starting in June. We had a crazy 70 days over 110 this year with them happening until mid October. That was not typical… but it happened. I’m thinking I may need to embrace the treadmill. But I’m resisting. Hard.

I hate the treadmill as well! I don't know the details of your training plan, but for most training runs remember that miles on feet is more important than speed. Take is slow in the heat, you'll still get the benefit.

And hydrate! When it's really hot, my strategy is to take at least 3 swallows of Powerade every 5 minutes, during my walk interval. (That means I have to stick to a ~3 mile loop, so I can pass by my car and get a new bottle from a cooler each loop.)

 

[Ronski]

I hate the treadmill as well! I don't know the details of your training plan, but for most training runs remember that miles on feet is more important than speed. Take is slow in the heat, you'll still get the benefit.

And hydrate! When it's really hot, my strategy is to take at least 3 swallows of Powerade every 5 minutes, during my walk interval. (That means I have to stick to a ~3 mile loop, so I can pass by my car and get a new bottle from a cooler each loop.)

Lol.... I plan all my runs with only 2 things in mind-- bathrooms and water. You can't call yourself a runner if you don't have a bathroom story and unfortunately I have several!

 

[camaker]

Lol.... I plan all my runs with only 2 things in mind-- bathrooms and water. You can't call yourself a runner if you don't have a bathroom story and unfortunately I have several!

Mine revolve around key findings:

1. A Kale Power Salad from POFQ is a poor dinner the night before a marathon
2. Do not have a Ghirardelli sundae as a snack the evening before a half marathon

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Speaking of which... my time spent in the MK Adventureland men's bathroom during the full this year was.... an interesting experience. Mental note if you find yourself in a similar situation - don't hit the first restroom in a park after a long running stretch like that, hold off until the Fantasyland/Pinocchio or Barnstormer/train station restrooms (if the course stays the same) - I'm assuming those had to be a better experience.

 

[nancipants]

Speaking of which... my time spent in the MK Adventureland men's bathroom during the full this year was.... an interesting experience. Mental note if you find yourself in a similar situation - don't hit the first restroom in a park after a long running stretch like that, hold off until the Fantasyland/Pinocchio or Barnstormer/train station restrooms (if the course stays the same) - I'm assuming those had to be a better experience.

There was no wait by the Barnstormer bathrooms, and they're big! I spent way too long in there taking my leggings off, though.

 

[SheHulk]

Mine revolve around key findings:

1. A Kale Power Salad from POFQ is a poor dinner the night before a marathon
2. Do not have a Ghirardelli sundae as a snack the evening before a half marathon

Same goes for a No Way Jose from Beaches & Cream the night before! Don't ask me how I know

 

[Ronski]

OMG what have I done?!?! Bathroom stories!

Ok, after all my "issues" in the past you'd think I would know better but-- celery sticks and peanut butter an hour before a run will absolutely ruin your day!!!!

Also (according to my daughter) NEVER unless its an emergency (and it was) ask to use the porta-potty at a med tent!!!
She says it was both the worst and also most relieving experience of her life..... LOL....

 

[AZMermaid]

I hate the treadmill as well! I don't know the details of your training plan, but for most training runs remember that miles on feet is more important than speed. Take is slow in the heat, you'll still get the benefit.

And hydrate! When it's really hot, my strategy is to take at least 3 swallows of Powerade every 5 minutes, during my walk interval. (That means I have to stick to a ~3 mile loop, so I can pass by my car and get a new bottle from a cooler each loop.)

Good idea about the loops!

 

[marty3d]

Well here's a fine kettle of fish.... I may need to go to a conference that is during MW signup. So much for having my computers all set up to optimize chances of race entry.
OTOH, the conference is in Orlando. Shame I can't go sign up in person.

Looks like I'm in the same boat now - just got booked for a trip March 11 even though I had blocked my calendar - I'm trying other push it by a day.....

 

[TylerAggie]

Hi! I’m turning 50 this year and have decided to run my first full marathon. I’ve taken off work to hopefully get registered. My daughter and I did the Wine and Dine Challenge last year. I’ll be solo for this race and look forward to learning all I can for marathon preparation in this thread.

 

[Naomeri]

Hi! I’m turning 50 this year and have decided to run my first full marathon. I’ve taken off work to hopefully get registered. My daughter and I did the Wine and Dine Challenge last year. I’ll be solo for this race and look forward to learning all I can for marathon preparation in this thread.

Welcome!! Have fun getting to know everyone here, and be sure to go to the meetups on race weekend, you never know when you'll need a friendly face on course.

I just did my first marathon as part of Dopey 2 weeks ago, and everyone here was super helpful and fun.

 

[camaker]

Good morning RunDisney All-Stars! The dust has settled on Marathon Weekend 2025 and plans should be starting to crystallize for 2026, especially with that March registration looming early this year. For today's Sundays Are For Disney (SAFD) question let's set the stage for the upcoming year. What are your plans for Marathon Week 2026? Will this be your first time running the weekend or are you a MW veteran? Lurkers, this would be a great time to introduce yourselves and join in the conversations! I promise we don't bite (or judge, or pace/distance shame) and this is a great "safe place" to get good support and advice.

SAFD: I'll definitely be back for a re-run at Dopey #8 after this year's disappointment. Overall, it will be my 11th Marathon Weekend. It's far and away my favorite RunDisney race weekend. We'll see what the first half of the year brings, but I'll be modifying my fall running schedule this year to increase my odds of getting to Marathon Weekend fully healthy. I just hate that I've got to wait more than 11 months to get back to the event!

 

[Naomeri]

SAFD: as much as I loved doing my first Dopey this year, not just for the sense of accomplishment, but for the fun and camaraderie with all of you, I will not be returning to MW in the foreseeable future. The peak of training just comes at a very bad time with all the holiday prep I have to do with my grandparents.

But I will absolutely be hanging out with you all virtually between now and then, and cheering you on from Minnesota when race weekend comes.

 

[SheHulk]

Hi! I’m turning 50 this year and have decided to run my first full marathon. I’ve taken off work to hopefully get registered. My daughter and I did the Wine and Dine Challenge last year. I’ll be solo for this race and look forward to learning all I can for marathon preparation in this thread.

 

[nancipants]

Doing my second marathon. Posssibly also signing up for the 10k because I like that distance and love Chip and Dale, but it will depend on how my body responds to the upcoming Princess Challenge. My goal this year was to just finish, so next year my goal will be faster.

 

[superchime]

SAFD: I'm not saying never again, but I will not be attempting Dopey #2 any time soon. Just the half for me next year, and cheering for the full, especially those at the back of the pack!

 

[laurend]

SAFD: not brave enough to tackle Dopey yet, but I’m doing the marathon again and we’ll be flying in one day earlier (Thurs-Mon) to have two full days to settle in, hydrate, load up on carbs lol. We stayed at SSR this year and I actually loved it there but we’re booking a 1 bedroom at VGF instead for 2026.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

SAFD: I did my first Dopey/marathon in 2023, was trained/ready for Dopey 2024 but had to cancel at the last minute due to a family funeral, and just did my second a few weeks ago (had a fantastic weekend). In reflecting back on the weekend, I think one of the reasons I enjoyed it so much was the two year gap. Plus I sort of need a break from the fall/holiday season training and early January time commitments, with kid/work/family/life responsibilities becoming increasingly challenging to balance. So I think I’m likely out for Dopey 2026.

Although I find myself being somewhat intrigued with “just the half” or “just the marathon” as I think focusing on one or the other could be interesting and a tad more manageable in terms of time. I shaved like 29 minutes off my marathon time this year so may have caught some kind of bug wondering what focusing on the marathon alone would be like.

Sort of hate that we have to decide all of this so soon!

 

[RuntheMouse]

SAFD: Planning on a break from runDisney but still doing our annual January trip down there so we’ll be there that weekend. ChearSquad!!!