Marathon Weekend 2026

[Mr_Incr3dible]

Hi All,

I’ve always wanted to do a WDW 5k but they never overlap with our trips… until now; we will be visiting during the 2026 Marathon weekend! I know registration is full, but other than trying to get a bib (which I don’t want to do as I would feel guilty taking a bib away from somebody who is in it to support that organization), is there any other way I can do the run? Can I do the run without being registered? Do people ever cancel? Can they give/transfer their registration to somebody else?

I’ve also signed up for the runDisney alerts.

Any suggestions would be much appreciated! Thank you.

Get a Telegram account and monitor the runDisney Alerts channel. It looks like they've been releasing bibs in the last 24 hours. Have your rD account up to date and ready to go, and as soon as one of the Alerts comes through, click on the link and try to sign up.
And if you still don't get a bib, contact one of the charities in December. They'd rather not have a bib go unused, so might be willing to sell it at cost plus a donation smaller than the fund-raising cost.

 

[The Expert]

Can I do the run without being registered?

This is called banditing a race and is not allowed and quite unsafe for many reasons. Disney checks diligently for valid bibs before you go into the runner-only area, again when you enter your corral, and along the course. I wouldn't even consider trying it.

Can they give/transfer their registration to somebody else?

They do not, sadly. If you see anyone offering this, it's a scam.

I’ve also signed up for the runDisney alerts.

That's a great option! Mr_Incr3ible's post above has a great explanation of how to use it.

One other alternative is to see if there are any charity bibs still out there. As fundraising deadlines start to hit, they may have people drop out and offer those bibs again. Check the runDisney site for official charities and reach out to them to see if they have anything or what their waitlist policy is. Best of luck!

 

[matt and beth]

Hi All,

I’ve always wanted to do a WDW 5k but they never overlap with our trips… until now; we will be visiting during the 2026 Marathon weekend! I know registration is full, but other than trying to get a bib (which I don’t want to do as I would feel guilty taking a bib away from somebody who is in it to support that organization), is there any other way I can do the run? Can I do the run without being registered? Do people ever cancel? Can they give/transfer their registration to somebody else?

I’ve also signed up for the runDisney alerts.

Any suggestions would be much appreciated! Thank you

Based on the post… I would strongly suggest you secure a bib through a charity

 

[otterpop]

Thanks all for the comments! I’ll probably try @Mr_Incr3dible suggestion of seeing if any charities have an unused bib closer to the race date.

 

[jmasgat]

Thanks all for the comments! I’ll probably try @Mr_Incr3dible suggestion of seeing if any charities have an unused bib closer to the race date.

I got a bib for this past MW 10k this way. People here usually post when this starts to happen. I was able to snag a bib with no fundraising requirement but I did make a donation anyway.

 

[JackosinDIS]

Only 6 months until we arrive at WDW for marathon weekend… I’m getting excited already. Too early?

Training going well…. I’m starting from scratch as a complete non-runner (other than a 10k I did 20 years ago). Up to 5k in distance now so feeling confident that I have enough time to build up to the full 10k, although slightly worried about dark nights between now and then (winter in the UK means sunsets at 4pm).

 

[jmasgat]

slightly worried about dark nights between now and then

Consider them as cross training for the dark 5 am race start time!

 

[The Expert]

Only 6 months until we arrive at WDW for marathon weekend… I’m getting excited already. Too early?

Training going well…. I’m starting from scratch as a complete non-runner (other than a 10k I did 20 years ago). Up to 5k in distance now so feeling confident that I have enough time to build up to the full 10k, although slightly worried about dark nights between now and then (winter in the UK means sunsets at 4pm).

Dopey training just barely started for those following the beginner Galloway plan, so you are WAY ahead of things. Keep it up!

 

[camaker]

Good afternoon RunDisney All-Stars! Welcome to this week's edition of Sundays are for Disney (SAFD). Today's question comes courtesy of Tropical Storm Chantal as I sat looking at the radar deciding if I could get my run in this morning. What's your policy on training runs in the rain? Do you just look to get it done, or do you move inside to the [gasp] treadmill. What are your techniques for running in the rain if you get out and just do it?

SAFD:
I'm an outdoor runner and you never know what weather you're going to have on race day. As long as there's no lightning, I'm going to be outside running in the rain. I pretty much just treat it as I would any normal training run. I run in a hat, which keeps the rain largely out of my eyes, but I don't worry about a jacket or anything like that. I'm going to be wet from running, whether in the rain or not, so at least the rain can cool me off in warmer weather. I'm not going to melt, so running in the rain is part of my routine.

 

[fatmanatee]

SAFD: try to avoid it as best as possible but ran into a few weekends in marathon training last year with long runs where I had to just take my licks and get through it (same happened when the weather dipped below freezing). I agree with the part where sometimes it can cool you off, I also find that if you're getting soaked, you're more motivated to keep going without breaks because the sooner you're done, the sooner you can dry off.

If I'm not marathon training I'm way more likely to just push the runs back until the weather is better.

 

[Barca33Runner]

SAFD: I love the rain, but I am a treadmill trainer at home. I used to get somewhat excited at Disney when races were setting up to be in the rain (particularly when it was going to be warm), but then I realized how many surfaces during a rD race become much more perilous when wet. I’ve definitely noticed an added strain on my legs after races that were on a wet course. For me, I definitely work more muscles making sure to stay stable, safe, and upright during those runs.

 

[jmasgat]

SAFD: If it’s light rain, I’m out there, any temps. Heavy rain and I would reschedule. I’ve yet to find an effective way to keep my glasses clear, which is the most annoying aspect of rainy runs.

 

[WillRunForPizza]

SAFD: In the summer I am quite happy to run in the rain as long as there's not lightning nearby. It feels cooler. Plus I'm probably going to be drenched either way.

In the winter I hate it and avoid it as much as possible. Cold and wet is not a good combination.

 

[The Expert]

SAFD: While most of my miles are on the treadmill regardless of weather, when we lived in the city I would go out in the rain (ok if warm) or snow (love) from time to time. Now that we live on a dirt road, rain/snow = mud/ice = sliding around and probably being splattered by passing vehicles, so I avoid it.

 

[Baloo in MI]

SAFD:
If I am going to run outside then running in the rain is unavoidable in a Michigan summer. Most of the time they are a wonderful reprieve from the Midwest summer heat. But I will reschedule if it is a thunderstorm or lightning in the area.

I just go out in my regular shirt and shorts and get wet. Of course when the weather starts to turn colder in the late fall I dress in a gortex jacket and running pants if needed.

Right now that sounds awful though!

 

[JackosinDIS]

SAFD: I don’t have access to a treadmill inside, so it’s out in the rain and wind for me! We have been having a nice summer so far this year so I’ve not had to experience too much bad weather. That will change soon though… bring on the waterproof socks and gloves!

 

[PrincessV]

SAFD - the Floridian edition:

So, “rain” can mean a lot of different things here in the F-L-A…

Just some normal rain, and the temp is above 60? Absolutely - sign me up! A rarity I’ll thoroughly enjoy.

Torrential rain from a tropical system? Maybe… depends on just how miserably hot my last few runs were, because come late August, I’m willing to endure ankle-deep water if it means not overheating. Plus, you know, bragging rights for running in a named storm is a thing.

Rain accompanied by lightning within 10 miles? NOPE. Not worth the risk at all: treadmill city. And that’s the majority of rain here.

Rain with a temp under 60? Only if it’s a race I paid a lot of money for. And even then, I’ll complain the whole time and for a year after.

ETA: I don’t do things any different in the rain, other than maybe putting my phone in a baggie if it’s really torrential - I’m not sure just how much water it can handle.

 

[Naomeri]

SAFD: if it's not cold out, and it's not lightning, and it's not so windy or pouring down so bad that visibility is a problem (I run on roads without sidewalks or shoulders, so drivers need to be able to see me), I'll probably go ahead and run.

 

[Herding_Cats]

SAFD: I did a 2.5hr run in the rain today! Darn lake-effect storms just kept popping up! Like others, as long as there's no lightning/hazardous winds/visual issues for drivers, I enjoy running in the rain when the temperature is above 65. Wear a hat or visor. Lubricate all body parts that are prone to chafing well.

During the 2024(?) WDW marathon when it rained heavily, I absolutely made a stop in a bathroom to check the radar and waited a few moments for the "red" part of the storm to pass. And then pulled over at the med tent in the backstage area by Thunder Mountain to wring out my socks and apply a bunch of vaseline between my toes.

 

[Disney at Heart]

SAFD: Warm and wet means run unless there is lightning, then we wait for it to pass. Cold and wet usually means watch the radar for a break and then run (easy to do when you are retired). Very cold and wet with no breaks in the rain means either reschedule, treadmill, or just skip it. Treadmill doesn’t happen but about 3-4 times a year in the dead of winter.