Marathon Weekend 2026

[rick1zoo2]

Maybe this is better for the overall running thread but how do yall deal with DNS out of your control. For those of you not in the Springtime Challenge thread. I was forced to DNS the 10 miler and the Challenge by extension when a piece of my Handcycle broke within less than two hours before the start has sent me into a mental funk in a way that I’m not used to mainly because I’ve never really been forced to DNS like this. Every DNS has been one I made well in advance of the race and it’s thrown me into a full on funk.

Any advice on how to deal with this? Not even DNFing has ever felt like this

Not sure that I have any advice for you. But I want to say I’m sorry that happened. It must be a huge disappointment. What I do think about is how tentative it is to be able to do any race. Especially one with so much logistics as these are. There are so many things that could go wrong with travel issues, health issues, family issues. My wife and I are in our upper 50’s and just started running about a year and a half ago. I try to remember how lucky we are to be able to do it and participate in the races. A hard reminder of that was in January when we attempted our first Dopey Challenge and marathon. My wife fell at about mile 20 and broke her wrist and we needed to abandon the race. We went through a range of emotions from massive disappointment to eventually putting it in perspective. Our challenge ended there, but we still achieved something that we never thought was possible. And now we are determined to try again next year. Something I keep hearing is that we ‘get to do this’ and that really makes sense.

I think that some time passing will help and I am sure you will be back at it for your next race.

 

[prncssjas]

Maybe this is better for the overall running thread but how do yall deal with DNS out of your control. For those of you not in the Springtime Challenge thread. I was forced to DNS the 10 miler and the Challenge by extension when a piece of my Handcycle broke within less than two hours before the start has sent me into a mental funk in a way that I’m not used to mainly because I’ve never really been forced to DNS like this. Every DNS has been one I made well in advance of the race and it’s thrown me into a full on funk.

Any advice on how to deal with this? Not even DNFing has ever felt like this

Hi @StarGirl11

I am sorry to read about your recent DNS at SS this month. That is super tough and I know, disappointing. While I don't know specifics about you (your background, your experiences, your overall circumstances), I do know that all of that shapes how we react to difficult situations. My husband's running coach (who is also a beloved friend and a highly accomplished runner who ran for Michigan many years ago) recommended the book "Do Hard Things" by Steve Magness. I am not sure if you have read it but if you are so inclined, you may find some benefit in the book. It's not just about mental "toughness" but more about how to respond (not react) when faced with very difficult or unexpected circumstances. Steve, who happens to be a very nice person (I met him over zoom a few months when his latest book came out), has coached runners so many of his references are to running/racing but it can be applied more broadly than that. He focuses a great deal on mastering resilience so that we can work through such adversity and come out stronger next time, as so often this is mental and not physical. So while I don't have poignant advice per se, just wanted to recognize the space you are in and I hope that you are able to work through it and come out better on the other side of this experience.

 

[Baloo in MI]

@StarGirl11
I wish I had something powerful or sage to share. But all I can say is that I can understand the disappointment of working towards a race and having the rug pulled out from under you. Now, not two hours prior - that must have been so frustrating! Having felt a similar pain I just want to send my thoughts and support.

My advice, use those feelings. Hold on to the frustration/disappointment/feeling of loss, let it fuel you when you put eyes on a new goal. The DNS was not you, it was bad luck! Many great races are in your future.

 

[smileyanna]

@StarGirl11
I was so sad to read about your situation in real time. That must have been so disappointing. No advice, just sending good vibes. I hope your next race can tide you over until the next and the next…

 

[Sakura1017]

I'm so torn because I really want one but can't decide between 2 sizes and would prefer to wait until I can try it on. I'm worried it will sell out during Platinum though.

I was torn and in between sizes. I ended up just purchasing the medium and large. I'd figure I can try to see if they will have extra to exchange. Disney is so inconsistent on sizing, and I didn't want to run out like last time during registration and missed out. Plus I was worried on day of expo since I'm not a club member so don't know if those sweatshirts will sell out with platinum. It would have been nice to get the discount at expo but pick your battles.

 

[Herding_Cats]

If anyone is interested, boxlunch has some cute dwarves stuff right now



And also this, but I can only find it in toddler sizes (2T-5T) and it has sleepy on the sleeve and the back

 

[PrincessV]

SAFD: my goal this time was to NOT register for any MW races… and I did not - go me! I have a bunch of friends who will be running, though, so if I can manage some time off and the hotel cost, I may show up for a couple days and spectate the full. Heck, I may even make it to a HH or DATW meet-up, since I won’t be running!

 

[KSellers88]

SAFD: I went in for Dopey and that is what I ended up with, but to say I am nervous is an understatement. So my goals are just to enjoy it and finish without worrying about my times, especially because I am 99.9% sure I will be one and done Dopey. I'd also love to work up the courage to actually attend a meet up. I've come close in the past and then chickened out.

 

[marty3d]

I am 99.9% sure I will be one and done Dopey. I'd also love to work up the courage to actually attend a meet up. I've come close in the past and then chickened out.

I think that’s what we all said about Dopey!

And come to the meetups - they are very casual! And you’ll be doing Dopey #2 in no time!

 

[Herding_Cats]

I'd also love to work up the courage to actually attend a meet up. I've come close in the past and then chickened out.

You're not going to meet a better group of people. Seriously. For me, it was only weird or awkward the first time (because these are now real people and not just screen names with avatars), and after that it's just your friends-from-the-internet that you've been chatting away with for months already! If my introverted husband, who teases me about my "disney running obsessed disboards people" can have a great time at DATW, I feel like that's a pretty good endorsement.


Also. One-and-done. Suuuuuuuure.

 

[SheHulk]

SAFD: I went in wanting to get Dopey for my friend (he's a go-big-or-go-home type), and I was debating among Dopey, Goofy, and "just" the marathon for me. I was totally expecting FOMO to win over if I got my friend into Dopey, so I would need to do it too, but that didn't happen. The registration gods smiled on me and I had one short queue out of my 3, and I got Dopey for my friend and I exercised restraint for myself and did "just" the marathon. I've done Goofy twice already, and I have been in a funk about training, it's been a rough year for me personally, so it wasn't so hard to resist the challenges. But I knew my funk wouldn't last forever, and I'd be sad when January came around if I didn't sign up for anything. I'm happy with my choices.

Also the guy I registered is the husband of one of my dearest friends, and we don't see each other in person often, despite texting every day. I didn't want my weekend with her to be tied up with early morning wakeups for me every single day. Pals over bling all day (I can't come up with terms for friends and medals that rhyme, sorry).

BTW, This was the only time in the past year or two that I got a good queue placement and didn't need to scrounge a shorter wait from someone on here. And then I couldn't return the favor because my other queues remained over an hour until everything was sold out. So crazy.

 

[KellyKateri]

delayed SAFD due to being at SS!

Registered a lot of people, my travel group has gone from 4 people in 2024, 11 people in 2025, and now up to 15 for 2026. Already thinking about avoiding dining reservations and picking up catering for our masses each night for dinners…

I’m registered for my first dopey! Which is crazy to write. I am planning on running the MCM marathon, as a DC local, for my first marathon in October 2025. In goals perspective, I am planning to just get through MCM to feel good about Dopey. I get very anxious before races, especially new distances, so I am looking forward to having my first marathon being a “stand-alone”. I don’t need a PR in any of my races, just getting through it and making it back out to the parks after the races is enough for me!

 

[nancipants]

SAFD: I went in for Dopey and that is what I ended up with, but to say I am nervous is an understatement. So my goals are just to enjoy it and finish without worrying about my times, especially because I am 99.9% sure I will be one and done Dopey. I'd also love to work up the courage to actually attend a meet up. I've come close in the past and then chickened out.

Will reiterate what everyone else said! I had only attended two pre-race meetups prior to last marathon weekend, when I ended up hitting the mini golf outing, Hurricane Hanna's, and DATW, plus the pre-marathon meeting. Everyone was so nice and welcoming and it was part of the reason I had such a good time. I even finished the marathon with @The Expert, @Naomeri, and @Herding_Cats and I'm pretty sure this is the reason why I'm signed up for another one instead of abiding by my Mile 20 declaration of "one and done."

 

[Disney at Heart]

SAFD: DH and I are in for Goofy, keeping up his perfect streak and my 10th marathon, with 2 being Dopey and 7 Goofy. I really struggled through last year’s marathon, so my goal is to finish running upright instead of with my body leaning to the left! And this is my last marathon, I promise (again)!
Don’t mind me. We’re all crazy here!

 

[col1]

Maybe this is better for the overall running thread but how do yall deal with DNS out of your control. For those of you not in the Springtime Challenge thread. I was forced to DNS the 10 miler and the Challenge by extension when a piece of my Handcycle broke within less than two hours before the start has sent me into a mental funk in a way that I’m not used to mainly because I’ve never really been forced to DNS like this. Every DNS has been one I made well in advance of the race and it’s thrown me into a full on funk.

Any advice on how to deal with this? Not even DNFing has ever felt like this

Sorry that happened, equipment malfunction forcing a DNS will be rightfully incredibly frustrating.

The way I would look at what has happened is that it would be the same to me as if I became injured before an event that prevented me from starting, which I have on a couple of occasions. The reason I say that is injuries and equipment malfunctions are largely out of our control. You prepared for the race and were ready but something outside of your control stopped you from competing so not on you. We all invest a lot physically, financially and emotionally into training and preparing for these events so when something like that happens it is a natural reaction to feel as you do.

My approach in the past (Albeit I knew a couple of weeks out I would be DNS) Was to allow myself to be disappointed, annoyed and frustrated for a short while then find another short term goal to focus on, not necessarily racing but something to focus on and distract from the disappointment.

Best wishes

Col

 

[garneska]

SAFD: My goal race was the half and i got it. I did sweat it a little bit as the 5k closed and i was still waiting but close. Then when i got in to register for the half i think the 10k went. As for goals, i guess survive the training. My secret (but not so secret) goal is to finish under 2:30 but i am not sure where my fitness is or if my knee can survive pace. First test of the knee is at the Dam run. Going to race that one to see if 2:30 is a realistic goal for the half.

 

[jrsharp21]

Just got the charity link for MW2026 registration. I am officially registered for Dopey! I ended up pre-ordering the Dopey challenge fleece and the race weekend jacket.

 

[KellyKateri]

I pre-ordered a dopey sweatshirt too. Definitely felt more inclined after seeing how fast the dopey and marathon sweatshirts went this year. I know that in January I’ll be disappointed if I miss out on getting one for my dopey weekend. Even if the fit isn’t perfect, reducing the stress is worth it!

 

[UNCBear24]

SAFD: I got registered for Dopey #5 and my DW for the 10k. We are meeting up with friends and will enjoying the race time together with them. My only goal is to have a good time!

 

[jrsharp21]

I pre-ordered a dopey sweatshirt too. Definitely felt more inclined after seeing how fast the dopey and marathon sweatshirts went this year. I know that in January I’ll be disappointed if I miss out on getting one for my dopey weekend. Even if the fit isn’t perfect, reducing the stress is worth it!

Pretty much why I pre-ordered both. I got into the expo this year at around 2pm. The Dopey hoodie was sold out. The race weekend jacket was only available in really big sizes. Luckily I pre-ordered the race weekend jacket. This year I went ahead and pre-ordered both. Got my eyes on the AP shirt and the race weekend jersey. But those usually are usually readily available through out the weekend.