Marathon Weekend 2026

[marty3d]

That March registration date pushes decision day much closer. Thats barely 2 months from now. This completely rules out Dopey or the Marathon for me - no way I’ll know by then if it makes sense. But that’s likely for the better.

I’ll see how I feel after this week but I’m thinking a10k/ Half solo trip is the best case scenario.

 

[apwoodr]

Well FOMO from this week already led to my determination to do the Dopey next year. Took me a few months to recover from the plantar fasciitis and torn MCL from last year to think I could get it done this year

 

[flav]

As of two days ago, Dopey 2026 is a potential.

DD will have turned 18 by then and she is tempted to start big (she also runs a relax 1:38 HM so she will be fine… it’s me who has to train to get a PoT so we can hang in the same corral).

 

[prncssjas]

I am considering (only *slightly*) Dopey for 2026 but more than likely Goofy (the early wake ups are brutal ). I know it's not confirmed until the pages go live but what can I expect for PoT qualifying race dates for 2026? Is races at the 10 mile, 1/2 or full distance run between 1/1/2024 to 7/30/2025 sound right? I can't recall what timeframe I used last year when signing up for the half this weekend. Thank you for any insight.

 

[accm]

I am considering (only *slightly*) Dopey for 2026 but more than likely Goofy (the early wake ups are brutal ). I know it's not confirmed until the pages go live but what can I expect for PoT qualifying race dates for 2026? Is races at the 10 mile, 1/2 or full distance run between 1/1/2024 to 7/30/2025 sound right? I can't recall what timeframe I used last year when signing up for the half this weekend. Thank you for any insight.

These were the requirements for this years races:

Proof of time must be provided from an officially timed race on a USATF certified course reflecting results between January 1, 2022 and July 1, 2024

Full Marathon Proof of Time: Results for a 10-Mile, Half Marathon or Marathon

Half Marathon Proof of Time: Results for a 10K, 10-Mile, Half Marathon or Marathon

So I'm assuming the oldest POT would be Jan 1, 2023. Not sure if with them moving up the registration day if that means the POT cutoff will be earlier as well.

 

[movingthestars]

I'm going to try to get in for Dopey for the first time for 2026! Ran just the marathon distance in 2023 (my first marathon), then had a kid at the end of that year so I'm trying to come back strong. Reeeeally nervous about registering, March can't come soon enough so I can see my fate!

 

[prncssjas]

So I'm assuming the oldest POT would be Jan 1, 2023. Not sure if with them moving up the registration day if that means the POT cutoff will be earlier as well.

Perfect, thank you, yes! I realize that things could change with any race weekend but I could not remember the oldest date possible--this is super helpful, thank you so much!

 

[jpholic]

the theme dictates the attendance for me. i have fomo for missing out on 2023.

 

[The Expert]

the theme dictates the attendance for me. i have fomo for missing out on 2023.

MW race themes are the classic characters. Pluto for 5K, Chip/Dale for 10K (for a few years they swapped in Oswald), Donald/Daisy for the half and Mickey/Minnie for the marathon. Obviously Goofy and Dopey for their challenges. What varies is the graphic treatment and color scheme. Unless something dramatically changes, I wouldn't expect a significant change.

 

[1lilspark]

I’ll be on the Destiny during MW 2026 but assuming they still do the castaway cay fun run and/or add one to lookout cay I’ll bring one of my costumes to run in for solidarity

 

[dobball23]

I’ll be on the Destiny during MW 2026 but assuming they still do the castaway cay fun run and/or add one to lookout cay I’ll bring one of my costumes to run in for solidarity

I currently have the Destiny booked for the day after the marathon. Hoping my vacation budget and time off budget at work end up coinciding where I can do both!

 

[RuntheMouse]

I am out for MW in 2026. I thought my FOMO would be bad with a DNS for the half today but truth be told I’m not feeling it. I’ve realized how much I love running at Disney but not races at Disney. They’re just too stressful and frustrating for me. I love races where I can arrive shortly before start time and a smaller field with better self seeding. Rundisney is starting to feel like a giant social media event to me and I’m not into that.

Hopefully you all won’t kick me out of the group though but the running thread is probably where I’ll be hanging mostly with a pop in here from time to time!

 

[camaker]

Hopefully you all won’t kick me out of the group though but the running thread is probably where I’ll be hanging mostly with a pop in here from time to time!

I'm sure we can work out some sort of MW Runner Emeritus title so you can stick around! Plus, it's way too early to be calling lack of Marathon Weekend FOMO final, too! Plenty of time between now and registration for it to kick in...

 

[kleph]

I am out for MW in 2026. I thought my FOMO would be bad with a DNS for the half today but truth be told I’m not feeling it. I’ve realized how much I love running at Disney but not races at Disney. They’re just too stressful and frustrating for me. I love races where I can arrive shortly before start time and a smaller field with better self seeding. Rundisney is starting to feel like a giant social media event to me and I’m not into that.

Hopefully you all won’t kick me out of the group though but the running thread is probably where I’ll be hanging mostly with a pop in here from time to time!

im right there with ya. after seeing all the chaos unfold in this year's MW thread, i cant really justify the hassle and expense.

i did a half last week that had a total of 63 runners and, boy, i forgot how nice a small race can be. so i am really considering the celebration marathon next year. that way i can get the post-race disney experience if i want.

 

[AZMermaid]

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!!!

I’m in the same boat. I’m starting to toy with the idea of doing the full next year. I’ve done two Disney halfs at more or less 3 hours with 1-2 character stops each time and a solid med tent stop for a hard fall at the DL half last year. But I’m once again not in shape, overweight, and like can I really do this?

My ultimate goal is also 48.6 when I’m just about 48.6 (late June bday) which would be MW 2029. It seems like a good idea to do “just” a marathon first.

I’m also an elementary teacher and it gets tricky to take more than 2-3 days off. I’ll figure it out for Dopey but it’s not feesible on a recurring basis. I’m in AZ so flights aren’t short. But both Southwest and American have direct flights that leave around 3/4:00 and get in around 10PM. I’m thinking that could work on Thursday night. Or take the morning flight Friday but then I’d need to go to the expo Saturday. Just thinking out loud!

I might also be solo. DH would go with me I’m sure, but then it gets tricky with my teens and all their sports and such.

Decisions, decisions.

 

[nancipants]

During the marathon yesterday I thought never again. After finishing I told my husband to never let me do that again.

And now I want redemption.

 

[GuinnessRunner]

During the marathon yesterday I thought never again. After finishing I told my husband to never let me do that again.

And now I want redemption.

Yep. Same reason I registered for my second one 9 races ago

 

[marty3d]

During the marathon yesterday I thought never again. After finishing I told my husband to never let me do that again.

And now I want redemption.

That's pretty good motivation!

 

[KCO5988]

I read every post from this weekend over on the 2025 page. Was living vicariously through them!

 

[*DisneyDreamer]

That March registration date pushes decision day much closer. Thats barely 2 months from now. This completely rules out Dopey or the Marathon for me - no way I’ll know by then if it makes sense. But that’s likely for the better.

I’ll see how I feel after this week but I’m thinking a10k/ Half solo trip is the best case scenario.

This is where I am right now. I know for sure I want to do Marathon Weekend next year (if I can get in) but I was hoping for a bit of a later registration date. My sister and I want to do Dopey again, but I’m not sure if I’m ready and 2 months is not long to decide. If the races weren’t so hard to get into, I’d be leaning 10K and half but getting into both seems like a longshot these days. There’s a little time to think about it for now but I would have preferred registration in April.