Marathon Weekend 2026

[Novatrix]

SAFD: I got what I was aiming for during registration, Goofy.

Goals are the same as always. Have fun, escape the Northeast winter for (hopefully) warmer temperatures, host the 2nd annual Fantasia minigolf outing and get to attend the annual HH/DATW meetups with the cool people on this board.

 

[mmm_texas]

SAFD: Goals

Although I had fun, I was a bit disappointed in my time for my first marathon, which was part of Dopey 2022. My goal for my second marathon (Dopey 2024) was to improve on that, which I did by 11 minutes, but that race I was holding back due to also running the Dumbo+5K at Disneyland starting 5 days later. (I did get my best half marathon time that Disneyland weekend though, out of the 3 total official halves I've run. )

So for 2026 Dopey my goals are to have fun, get lots of photos, and get my third official marathon time down to 5:59 or under.

 

[matt and beth]

SAFD: My DD outperformed my registration abilities and she got us both signed up for Dopey. DW was able to register for the 10k and the HM.

Edit: Forgot the goals… I was recovering from a virus come race day 2025 and with the weather my pace was about 20min off total from the year before. I’m angry

 

[Herding_Cats]

SAFD:
I'm in for the 5k + Goofy (by the skin of my teeth as my 5k confirmation email has the same timestamp as when the website posted it was sold out!)
DH and DD are in the the 5k (only) I have a feeling that Frozen might be the costume theme for that one depending on what movie she is obsessed with in November/December.

2026 goals include:

-morning meetups for all of the days we run (seriously! come to the meetups!)

-many picture stops during the 5k (or as many as DD is a willing participant to stop for)
-AND pre/post race character pics. (This will likely be something like myself of DH waiting in line and then pulling DD in once it's our turn, unless that's frowned on?)

-running the HM with The Expert (as usual) and anyone else who would like to tag along with us.
-running the full with nancipants (and pluto377?) and anyone else who wants to tag along or get scooped up along the way

DH is talking about 3 park days, which may put HH attendance in jeopardy, but we (*I*) may pop in for a few minutes depending on which park we go do or if DD decides to take a nap. Mini-golf could be a good alternative if it's a nice day and we decide to designate that as a pool day instead.

 

[Herding_Cats]

Logistics question:

If DH wanted to take DD to MK (as a PARK DAY, not for spectating) during the marathon, would it make sense/be possible for him to bus to Epcot, and then take the monorail over? Were the road closures way better this year with the new route and he should just ride the bus from SSR?

 

[Naomeri]

AND pre/post race character pics. (This will likely be something like myself of DH waiting in line and then pulling DD in once it's our turn, unless that's frowned on?)

Plenty of groups seem to do this, and people will almost certainly not object to a little girl and her parent being out of line—how do they know it wasn’t just a bathroom break?

 

[GuinnessRunner]

SAFD: After my charity snafu I shifted to Dopey which worked out as my DD wanted to do the 5-K this year. After the usual registration day anxiety, I was able to get a spot for her. My goals, like others, is to have as much fun as possible during the races and not worry about time. My DD wants to do costumes for the 5-K so that will be a first for me this year. Also hoping to make it to the second annual Fantasia Gardens Open this year, as well as HH and DATW.

 

[Herding_Cats]

My DD wants to do costumes for the 5-K so that will be a first for me this year.

One of us. One of us.

 

[nancipants]

SAFD: I registered for the marathon through the Scott Carter foundation and managed to get a 5k registration separately. The space theme drew me in.

Goals:

- “Run” the 5k in costume. This will probably be treated as a shakeout run for the marathon. Since the weekend is themed to books, and the 5k is space themed, I want to dress as my favorite Star Wars book character.

- I hit all the meetups this year, so my goal is to repeat that this year!

- PR the marathon. This shouldn’t be too out of the question since I’ve only done one. otherwise, have a blast with Herding Cats!

 

[Herding_Cats]

- PR the marathon. This shouldn’t be too out of the question since I’ve only done one. otherwise, have a blast with Herding Cats!

So I can mentally (OK, OK, physically) prepare myself...what are we talking about for a PR here?

 

[The Expert]

SAFD: I'm doing my Happy Challenge -- 5K, 10K and HM. I used my club access for the last two, but jumped in the fray for 5K registration (got in thanks to kind link sharing from this group).

Goals:

• Be at all the meetups, including mini golf this time.
• Participate in group costumes.
• Run the half with Herding Cats and PR in fun.
• Spectate the marathon, hopefully with some fellow DISers, and ideally from at least a few spots along the course.

 

[smileyanna]

SAFD: I signed up for Goofy with the Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy charity, which is near and dear to my heart.

Even better, my husband is joining for the half (through PPMD charity too) along with two wonderful friends!

So my goals: Finish, have fun and try to share the special “community feel” of runDisney w my husband and friends. I’ve only joined pre-race meetups during Dopey mornings at MW 2025, but I love following these conversations and look forward to seeing many of you again!

 

[nekonekoneko]

If DH wanted to take DD to MK (as a PARK DAY, not for spectating) during the marathon, would it make sense/be possible for him to bus to Epcot, and then take the monorail over? Were the road closures way better this year with the new route and he should just ride the bus from SSR?

I would tell your DH to take whatever bus comes first. On Sunday, it's very possible that the "MK" busses will actually go to the TTC and they would have to take the monorail around, anyway.

 

[nancipants]

So I can mentally (OK, OK, physically) prepare myself...what are we talking about for a PR here?

My time was 7:11.

 

[DianaMB333]

SAFD: I'm doing my Happy Challenge -- 5K, 10K and HM. I used my club access for the last two, but jumped in the fray for 5K registration (got in thanks to kind link sharing from this group).

Goals:

• Be at all the meetups, including mini golf this time.
• Participate in group costumes.
• Run the half with Herding Cats and PR in fun.
• Spectate the marathon, hopefully with some fellow DISers, and ideally from at least a few spots along the course.

this x2!

 

[3princesandaprincess]

SAFD: DH & I were able to get signed up for Dopey! It will be a first for both of us (and his first marathon!). He can last year for my first marathon and caught the bug!

Goals : to finish injury free and have fun!

 

[marty3d]

SAFD: I got into Goofy which was my first choice.

Goals:
- Have fun
- Costumes for both races?
- Attend the morning meetups, HH and DATW - and get to the second annual golf outing this year

 

[FFigawi]

SAFD: I'm registered for Dopey again. My primary goal is to make it to the race. It's a long way to travel and my vacation calendar for next year is already getting quite full. Assuming I am there, my goals vary for each race.

5k - hit as many character stops as possible
10k - hit all the character stops and take even longer than this year's 2.5-hour 10k
half - pace my friend to her first sub-2 half marathon
full - hit all the character stops, ride three rides, have at least three drink stops

 

[JediKnightXan]

SAFD. Wanted to Register for the Marathon and got in, with about 10 min to spare before a meeting at work I couldn't miss (had my calendar blocked since the day registration times were announced but something came up). So hoping that is a sign it was meant to be!

Goals are to get through training healthy, finish the race, stop for lots of photos and have fun. Trip wise make sure my daughter gets to go to the BBB and meet as many princesses as possible (She will be four and princesses are one of her favorite things, hope it lasts).
The previous few weeks of SAFD have made me realize just how bad my Disney restaurant game is, we are usually quick service people. Les Halles sounds very interesting, may have to try and make it there.

 

[BigEeyore]

SAFD: Registered for Goofy, which was what I wanted!
Goals are always the same - get to the start line healthy and well trained so I can just enjoy the races and have fun!