Marathon Weekend 2026

[GollyGadget]

I was already planning to take a year or two off, but the themes definitely aren't doing anything to convince me otherwise. The book theme is a stretch similar to W&D 2022 which was music "themed" but also featured Raya.... Still confused about that one.

I will say that Pluto art is the cutest. I wish they would have done the entire weekend space themed, or adventure, etc. At least this way, they may finally be done splitting the races into different decades/eras.

 

[AZMermaid]

I agree the Pluto art is adorable! My two friends and I are still planning for the full. I altered our post swim meet plan to drop Bisbee and come home in time for registration. That and dance is bleeding me dry and it’s an easy way to save some cash. That I’ll just spend on race registration fees .

I snagged flights with miles that I can cancel or alter easily once we get in and firm up dates.

I’ve started my pre training. Which is very very pre training… but it’s something. This was today- blah! I reallllllllly don’t want start getting up early yet!

 

[DianaMB333]

Speaking of sell-outs, I need help with my strategy. With my Club rD Platinum I get two registrations, but I'm doing three races for MW. My gut says to use the early reg to lock in the 5K and 10K, since they will sell out first, then go for the half during public registration. With this group, I'm not likely to be shut out.

BUT if I'm going to be shut out of one, I'd rather skip the 5K than the half. Do I leave the 5K for reg day??

My dilemma too … I might sign up for the 5k and 10k first and HM with public registration..

I am under the impression that telegram alerts were more common for the HM, so it works as plan b

 

[Stitch&Co.]

I like what they did with the overall theme. It gives them a chance to really change up each day with which characters they put out on course and what they are dressed in. At least we shouldn't get more of the decade themed characters again. I think all of the artwork looks good except for Dopey. That one doesn't look right. And hopefully we'll get a marathon shirt that isn't red or a shade of red. I’m still planning on the 10k and full, but I’m not gonna lie and say the 5k sci-fi Pluto isn’t seriously cute. I just can’t justify 5K’s at Disney.

 

[FFigawi]

At least with the switch to Brooks, they can't reuse this year's Dopey shirt base, right??

Never say never…

 

[Mr_Incr3dible]

Should I continue to make blanket statements like “I’m not going to run the full in a costume this year”?

Have I mentioned that our 20th anniversary is the day after registration?

You are going to turn me into an amateur bookie, aren’t you?

Kudos on the anniversary. My 5th wedding anniversary was this past weekend, so goals…

 

[Herding_Cats]

You are going to turn me into an amateur bookie, aren’t you?

Not sure how successful this venture would be since someone would have to bet against me

Kudos on the anniversary. My 5th wedding anniversary was this past weekend, so goals…

Thanks!

 

[Novatrix]

Not sure how successful this venture would be since someone would have to bet against me

@Mr_Incr3dible - Put me down for a parlay that @Herding_Cats does Dopey AND her DH+DD do the 5k.

 

[Novatrix]

Add me to the list of people who love the themes.

I generally dislike Dopey due to too little sleep with the 4 early mornings, but the sci-fi Pluto theme is giving me second thoughts. Probably going to "only" do Goofy, as I have a trip down the next month with friends that I need to conserve DVC points/vacation time for, but man is it tempting...

 

[Mr_Incr3dible]

@Mr_Incr3dible - Put me down for a parlay that @Herding_Cats does Dopey AND her DH+DD do the 5k.

Will do. And….

 

[marty3d]

Add me to the list of people who love the themes.

I generally dislike Dopey due to too little sleep with the 4 early mornings, but the sci-fi Pluto theme is giving me second thoughts. Probably going to "only" do Goofy, as I have a trip down the next month with friends that I need to conserve DVC points/vacation time for, but man is it tempting...

It’s the sci-fi Pluto that’s getting me too! However This is what happens- I think when this thread started I said I was out for 26. Then 2 races but no marathon, then Goofy….then the themes get released….

 

[Herding_Cats]

It’s the sci-fi Pluto that’s getting me too! However This is what happens- I think when this thread started I said I was out for 26. Then 2 races but no marathon, then Goofy….then the themes get released….

Same. Saaaaaame. I honestly feel like if you don't want to do a race weekend, you absolutely cannot be in here reading posts for the 2-3 week stretch between themes getting released and actual registration. Because we are all just a bunch of enablers.

 

[marty3d]

Same. Saaaaaame. I honestly feel like if you don't want to do a race weekend, you absolutely cannot be in here reading posts for the 2-3 week stretch between themes getting released and actual registration. Because we are all just a bunch of enablers.

I think I will be able to resist Dopey. All I have to do is calculate my cost in Canadian dollars (which I usually avoid doing as I’ll never leave the country) and what I’m spending to do NYC in November and come back to Goofy being the “smart” choice.

But ask me again on registration day.

 

[Novatrix]

Same. Saaaaaame. I honestly feel like if you don't want to do a race weekend, you absolutely cannot be in here reading posts for the 2-3 week stretch between themes getting released and actual registration. Because we are all just a bunch of enablers.

For me, it really can be theme dependent.

My interest in 2025 Wine and Dine died quickly after the themes were released. In contrast, I had no intention of doing 2023 Wine and Dine until the Figment challenge was announced. All of that was independent of this groups enabling.

 

[camaker]

Same. Saaaaaame. I honestly feel like if you don't want to do a race weekend, you absolutely cannot be in here reading posts for the 2-3 week stretch between themes getting released and actual registration. Because we are all just a bunch of enablers.

I resent being called an enabler. I simply facilitate the process of others realizing their true heart's desire.

 

[Mr_Incr3dible]

They also dropped a new shirt size chart for Brooks shirts!
https://digital-media-prod-usw2.s3....s-+runDisney+Participant+Shirt-Size+Chart.pdf

I just measured, and I'm still an XL per chest measurement. <sigh>
What's interesting is that appx 30 years ago, I was still just an "L", which is why my scrawny fit son who works out a lot has inherited a few of my vintage PTRR shirts and other shirts.

 

[PrincessV]

The theming is great, but knowing runDisney, they'll still stick us with an awful mustard yellow shirt.

And runDisney Grey. Always a runDisney grey to be found.

I hope more people feel similarly to you because judging by the comments, I’m not getting my hopes up of being able to get into anything. It feels like it will sell out in about 0.5 seconds with all the people claiming they weren’t going to do it but now have to and how they just can’t miss out on these medals. I enjoy doing RunDisney races, but it just keeps getting worse with the FOMO and influencer presence that it’s become more about medals and what someone can put on Instagram than actually caring about running.

Thank you for this - I needed that. I really struggled with the constant “do it for the ‘Gram!”-ness of this past MW. I don’t know how to define that, exactly, but there was a vibe… and it left me feeling very off. MW used to be my favorite weekend because it seemed more immune to that than, say, PHM or W&D, but not so with this last one. I’m still torn about whether I want to participate at all, or if I do which race/s to choose, but this is helping to temper my expectations.

 

[Herding_Cats]

I resent being called an enabler. I simply facilitate the process of others realizing their true heart's desire.

 

[Herding_Cats]

I hope more people feel similarly to you because judging by the comments, I’m not getting my hopes up of being able to get into anything. It feels like it will sell out in about 0.5 seconds with all the people claiming they weren’t going to do it but now have to and how they just can’t miss out

To be fair, some of us say this every year. Definitely not me. I've definitely never loudly proclaimed NEVER AGAIN and then signed up 4 months later.

Hang out with us on registration day and you'll have a good chance of getting registered.

 

[Wendysofftoneverland]

I like the Chip N Dale 10K theme because it kind of goes along with the Chip N Dale Rescue Rangers. Overall, I liked that this was a classic Disney weekend, no themes. I'm planning on sitting this one out, but it is a good thing my 9 year old hasn't seen this space Pluto yet. He'd love that. He told me after the Swedish Chef Wine and Dine 5K that he wants to do all the Disney 5Ks but doesn't want to train for them. He loved race day, but not the 3 times a week Galloway training plan. I see a Pluto 5K in my future, just not 2026.