Marathon Weekend 2026

[*DisneyDreamer]

How about SAFD: Where are the freaking medals??

Yes! I’m getting very impatient! Kind of not expecting them until the week after next at the earliest now. If they stick with the “Medal Monday” reveal, next Monday would be to celebrate Halloween Half Weekend so looks like we’ll still be waiting a couple weeks.

 

[Goofed98]

I also think I'm in the minority that would rather they just stop doing medal reveals altogether.

First of all, you're a monster.

I think the timing just all runs together too much this year. Between the DL half, brooks release, 12ks of Christmas, etc., they couldn't go too early in August, and now they're bogged down with DL stuff.

At this point, I'm targeting 9/15 (I think DL still takes the glory for this Monday, so next one up...).

As far as the course through AK, anything we can do to cut BB out of the equation. I still want Osceola and ESPN back!

 

[Naomeri]

First of all, you're a monster.

I think the timing just all runs together too much this year. Between the DL half, brooks release, 12ks of Christmas, etc., they couldn't go too early in August, and now they're bogged down with DL stuff.

At this point, I'm targeting 9/15 (I think DL still takes the glory for this Monday, so next one up...).

As far as the course through AK, anything we can do to cut BB out of the equation. I still want Osceola and ESPN back!

As a first timer this year, I didn't think BB was too bad; however, TTC was a bleeping nightmare. I think I'd rather run up an extra cloverleaf than spend that much time in the TTC maze.

 

[marty3d]

As a first timer this year, I didn't think BB was too bad; however, TTC was a bleeping nightmare. I think I'd rather run up an extra cloverleaf than spend that much time in the TTC maze.

While there seems to be debate over whether ESPN or BB is better (or worse) I think we can all agree that the TTC parking lot is by far the worst! (the run through the endless Angels stadium parking lot for the 2024 DL half may be a close second).

 

[Zutroy]

While there seems to be debate over whether ESPN or BB is better (or worse) I think we can all agree that the TTC parking lot is by far the worst! (the run through the endless Angels stadium parking lot for the 2024 DL half may be a close second).

I didn’t mind the TTC. It was still pitch black when I went through it, and I was mostly alone, so it wasn’t that different just running on the road. BB still sucks because it’s at mile 21, and it’s just a loop in a parking lot. Mentally I’ve usually pegged out my fun meter by that point, and at least the long stretch of road gets you closer to the finish line. With BB, I’m just back where I started from. Whee!

Also, the first year they switched from WWOS, BB went through the actual water park and had fake snow blowing. Olaf was there and it was neat running by the flowing river. Now it’s just a lazy way to add a mile to the marathon.

 

[Goofed98]

As a first timer this year, I didn't think BB was too bad; however, TTC was a bleeping nightmare. I think I'd rather run up an extra cloverleaf than spend that much time in the TTC maze.

I think my issue with BB is that you're just running through a parking lot. Period. Even the first year, when we went down some trails, it was nothing.

ESPN has a lot of turns, but it also had the stadium, the fields, the track, etc., and it was so different than everything else that we had covered already, it stood out. In my mind, anyway.

 

[The Expert]

The one benefit of BB is, being a loop, it helps if you're trying to spot or find people that you think/know are fairly close to your position. I've never gotten to do ESPN but I'd kinda like to try it to compare.

 

[fatmanatee]

BB this year wasn't bad. BB in 2022 (at 80 degrees) was brutal.

 

[nancipants]

I hated the TTC parking lot. I didn't mind BB because at least they had music (and porta potties).

Going through WWoS would be interesting, but that would require running down Osceola Parkway, which is the same direction as Western Way, and I think longer, so that's a no from me, dawg. UNLESS they can put more entertainment on Osceola.

 

[Goofed98]

I hated the TTC parking lot. I didn't mind BB because at least they had music (and porta potties).

Going through WWoS would be interesting, but that would require running down Osceola Parkway, which is the same direction as Western Way, and I think longer, so that's a no from me, dawg. UNLESS they can put more entertainment on Osceola.

They used to have a decent bit of entertainment.

A trampoline troupe, for one. And I'm sure there were others, but they had characters and some entertainment. And a few overpasses, which broke things up a bit.

I didn't mind Osceola at all.

 

[SheHulk]

They used to have a decent bit of entertainment.

A trampoline troupe, for one.

The Tumble Monkeys from Festival of the Lion King!

 

[jmasgat]

The Tumble Monkeys from Festival of the Lion King!

See this just goes to show how mostly oblivious I am when I run. I have no recollection of this at all. But I do recall the 20th mile “spectacular” in 2013….or rather I recall the lack of it being…..spectacular.

 

[SheHulk]

See this just goes to show how mostly oblivious I am when I run. I have no recollection of this at all. But I do recall the 20th mile “spectacular” in 2013….or rather I recall the lack of it being…..spectacular.

They weren't dressed like the Tumble Monkeys but I was informed they were the same performers. I could be wrong, it was a long time ago!

 

[AZMermaid]

9 miles today! Woot! 84 the first time by the school and 86 the second time when the sun was fully up. 50% humidity which is unusual for us so it was a sweaty one. I switched To 30/30 and maintained them the full time. I feel good about that!

 

[WDW 4 ME]

I’m currently at Pop too (unless the Swolphin opens up - there’s been zero availability for months now)

Yes!! M husband is a Marriott titanium member and the Swan is our 2nd home. I look every single day, but SOLD OUT!!! Ugh!!!!

 

[WDW 4 ME]

Ooooffffff, not me! There’s no way I could run at midnight! I’m really good at getting to bed early and on a normal day I’m up at 4:30 w/o an alarm so the 2:30 wake up isn't that bad.

SAME! I am NOT an evening person.

 

[The Expert]

Yes!! M husband is a Marriott titanium member and the Swan is our 2nd home. I look every single day, but SOLD OUT!!! Ugh!!!!

My DH is also titanium
My guess is they are holding a room block for an event. If it doesn't sell out, they'll release what's left. IIRC that's 60-90 days out, so don't give up yet!

 

[marty3d]

My DH is also titanium
My guess is they are holding a room block for an event. If it doesn't sell out, they'll release what's left. IIRC that's 60-90 days out, so don't give up yet!

That’s my assumption too- especially since Monday night rates are pretty high for that time of year. Last year was the same situation and I finally got a room late September.

 

[The Expert]

Good morning Disney runners! While @camaker is off enjoying his mountain retreat, I'll kick off this week's SAFD.

Since we're all still (not so) patiently awaiting our reveal, what are you hoping for in this year’s MW medal designs?
Do you love spinners, bright colors, oversized medals, … or would you prefer that rD backs off on some of those trends?
Any elements from past years you’d like to see again (or never again)?
Bonus: What would make a medal truly “wall-worthy” for you (rD or otherwise)?

My SAFD response: I don't mind some variations to keep with the theme, but would prefer quality over gimmicks and paint. I love a spinner, some selective color, or a clever design element, but it seems rD suppliers just can't seem to get the quality control nailed down. I'd rather they keep it simple and everyone get nice looking bling. If they want to get creative, play with shapes!
I really loved the Sydney Marathon medal this year with the Opera House cutout. Can you imagine this with the castle or Spaceship Earth? The marathon medal could have four cutouts around the edges for all four park icons! (Though MCO TSA might not love us bringing essentially throwing stars through security. )



Bonus: I put all my medals up on wall hangers, so the only thing that makes one wall-worthy for me is that I did the race.

 

[SheHulk]

SAFD: I'm a fuddy-duddy but I don't like the painted medals. I liked the older WDW Marathon medals that were simply variations on a theme and a gold look of different levels of shininess. I didn't run the Princess races back then, but I also thought the look was fine when those medals were virtually identical year to year. I totally get that people don't want to receive the same medal every year, but a more open race theme leaves it more open to interpretation for the participant. MW is different because the Fab 5 are generic enough to have on a medal while still feeling the race is generally Disney.
On top of that, I may be in the minority, but I'm kind of hoping these extra layered "themes" for MW are a one-off. My friend and her husband are traveling down this race weekend with us. He is the runner in that couple and is doing Dopey for the first time. Honestly one of the reasons I chose "just" the marathon this year instead of Goofy, was because I kind of didn't want to run the "romance" half marathon with my friend's husband. Just leave it generic Donald and Daisy! It works! I do realize I sound nuts saying that, and it wasn't the only consideration that went into my decision to just do the marathon, but it was a part. It's kind of an awkward theme to have on such a big race that so many people take part in, IMO. We'll see how they play it out. It may not really be much of a theme on the race course after all.
Anyway, SAFD is for expressing opinions, that's mine