Marathon Weekend 2026

[Sleepless Knight]

I'm currently attempting to ignore 2025 Marathon Weekend FOMO. While I never planned for everything to wind up the way it did, my plan to run my first marathon ever with Dopey thrown it because why not in 2019 and we'll see what happens next somehow morphed into running Dopey every year not counting 2021 since.

In a twisted way, the marathon is actually my favorite distance because it asks so much of you and then delivers that finish line feeling. That said, it is incredibly difficult and usually has me wanting to go home and rethink my life at some point, or 50 points along the way.

At one point, I had thought to run 2025 Dopey because 48.6 the month before I turn 49 felt right, but then Disneyland brought races back which eliminated the need to get my race fix in Florida since I live in California.

So I'm thinking about it for the year I turn 50, but we'll see.

 

[Fischstick]

I'll likely be in for 2026 too. There is something about STARTING out the new year with a marathon COMPLETED!! If I do nothing else ALL YEAR LONG, I still have a huge accomplishment. I, too, consider Dopey its own event.....keeping the parks for only AFTER the marathon is complete. Maybe 2026 is the year I train to do parks AND races? Hmmmmmm

 

[lilmc]

I did get to run the 5k when it was an actual race, so at least there’s that. You would all meet up early on the boat, and the runners were the first ones on the island. It was like a mini-RD event, with the bonus of passing confused cruisers showing up to the beach and seeing you with a bib, running clothes, and a medal. I’ve done the 5k twice since 2020, and somehow walking up to the bike rental shack and telling them you ran to get a medal doesn’t give the same vibes.

Yes, I mean the Challenge after Marathon weekend. I’ve done both of the other ways and while the vibe is def not the same on the current DIY version, I do like being one of the few that knows that the box at the start line opens to store stuff so I never have to fight for room as I drop my stuff in

 

[Sleepless Knight]

I'll likely be in for 2026 too. There is something about STARTING out the new year with a marathon COMPLETED!! If I do nothing else ALL YEAR LONG, I still have a huge accomplishment. I, too, consider Dopey its own event.....keeping the parks for only AFTER the marathon is complete. Maybe 2026 is the year I train to do parks AND races? Hmmmmmm

For what it's worth, I find light park touring after the races to be an outstanding form of recovery. I always take as many sit breaks on benches as necessary and refuse to wait in long lines so I do a lot of shows and such, but I find that it works for me.

In 2012, the Wine & Dine Half started at 10:00pm. I had planned to rest all day and stay out of the parks until the race started. Well around 11:30am, I found myself going stir crazy. I was way too anxious about the race sitting around my resort room. So I changed up my plan and headed over to Epcot. It turned out to be the right amount of light exercise, with lots and lots and lots of bench breaks in the shade and distracted my brain from all its silly fears that I would not be able to finish.

 

[PrincessV]

After the last two horrible hurricane seasons, I’ve written off W&D, at least for anything more than the 5 or 10K: it’s just been too stressful to have training and being away in the mix while navigating evacuations and emergency work requirements. MW is a much better fit for my Floridian calendar, and I haven’t missed it since 2013, so I’m sure I’ll register for something!

 

[Ronski]

My daughter has decided that "we" will be trying for our very first full. She wants to do it because it'll be 26 miles, for her 26th birthday, in 2026. I'll be hitting 60y/o and with some health issues I kinda am doubting myself.

We've done several half's, the SS challenge this year, but neither of us have tried a full.

Not looking forward to summer training in SE Fla!!!

 

[NewYKRunner]

My daughter has decided that "we" will be trying for our very first full. She wants to do it because it'll be 26 miles, for her 26th birthday, in 2026. I'll be hitting 60y/o and with some health issues I kinda am doubting myself.

We've done several half's, the SS challenge this year, but neither of us have tried a full.

Not looking forward to summer training in SE Fla!!!

If you’ve done half marathons, a full is likely within reach.

 

[KCO5988]

Planning on my first official Dopey in 2026. Did the final unofficial one back in 2013 when it was the goofy challenge plus the 5k. If the dates stay as expected, the 5k will be on the 6th anniversary of losing my dad to cancer. He was an awesome runner in his youth (like HS records good) so I'm taking dates as a sign to do it. Just trying to decide whether to make it a solo trip or not. Kiddos will 6 and almost 3 at that time so not sure if having them there will just exhaust me too much.

 

[Jason Bryer]

As the mind wanders as it does on runs, I figured out a few years ago that I would be 48.6 years old for the 2026 Dopey, so fate has decided I have to participate whether I want to or not. I don’t make the rules.


Now here’s hoping registration goes through…..

Our birthdays must be pretty close. August 1977. Never thought of being 48.6 doing 48.6 miles. I need to remember this when convincing the DW going down for the 8th year in a row.

 

[Herding_Cats]

Planning on my first official Dopey in 2026. Did the final unofficial one back in 2013 when it was the goofy challenge plus the 5k. If the dates stay as expected, the 5k will be on the 6th anniversary of losing my dad to cancer. He was an awesome runner in his youth (like HS records good) so I'm taking dates as a sign to do it. Just trying to decide whether to make it a solo trip or not. Kiddos will 6 and almost 3 at that time so not sure if having them there will just exhaust me too much.

Every year I’m a little sad that we don’t bring DD (she’s 5 now) with us, and then every year I’m sooooo glad she’s at home because there is 0 having to work around kids for food, getting in/out of the pool (let’s be real, the hot tub), no issues with bedtime, no worrying about waking her up in the morning when I get ready for a race, etc. There’s also a lot less pressure to keep her busy and as a result over-schedule myself.

 

[KCO5988]

Every year I’m a little sad that we don’t bring DD (she’s 5 now) with us, and then every year I’m sooooo glad she’s at home because there is 0 having to work around kids for food, getting in/out of the pool (let’s be real, the hot tub), no issues with bedtime, no worrying about waking her up in the morning when I get ready for a race, etc. There’s also a lot less pressure to keep her busy and as a result over-schedule myself.

I'm sure I would feel guilty not bringing them, but I can use that as an excuse to plan another trip with them, right??

 

[lilmc]

Got the email! Registration is March 11 for general public.

 

[KCO5988]

Got the email! Registration is March 11 for general public.

The whole season calendar is also up on rundisney website!

 

[fatmanatee]

 

[accm]

Added registration day to the calendar! And because I apparently have the memory of a goldfish, registration is at 10EST right?

 

[Mr_Incr3dible]

Added registration day to the calendar! And because I apparently have the memory of a goldfish, registration is at 10EST right?

10 am, per my calendar from last year. They've also moved registration up by an entire month.

 

[NewYKRunner]

That’s exciting and I wonder why registration is so much sooner.

 

[DianaMB333]

I will hang out virtually here but wont be registering in 2026
Might travel down to spectate

 

[LSUlakes]

My first choice for a January marathon in 2026 is WDW. However if certain things do not work out my other option is the Louisiana Marathon or Houston Marathon. Really hoping for a return to WDW though!

 

[pluto377]

Our birthdays must be pretty close. August 1977. Never thought of being 48.6 doing 48.6 miles. I need to remember this when convincing the DW going down for the 8th year in a row.

March 1977 here, so I'll be a little more than 48.6, but this seems like the best time to close out my Dopey career.

Planning on my first official Dopey in 2026. Did the final unofficial one back in 2013 when it was the goofy challenge plus the 5k. If the dates stay as expected, the 5k will be on the 6th anniversary of losing my dad to cancer. He was an awesome runner in his youth (like HS records good) so I'm taking dates as a sign to do it. Just trying to decide whether to make it a solo trip or not. Kiddos will 6 and almost 3 at that time so not sure if having them there will just exhaust me too much.

With kids that young, I would 100% leave them home. Especially doing Dopey. Your schedule will be off, you may want extra rest or not feel well etc. It's just easier, imo, to do it solo and bring the family some other time. 2025 will be my 6th time doing MW solo and I have no regrets!