Marathon Weekend 2026

[Naomeri]

And make sure you keep your neatly packaged disposable poncho on your person, not in your checked gear bag where it can't do you any good. This past MW, it started raining on Half day less than 5 minutes after I checked my gear bag and I spent the whole time in the corrals wet and freezing, and my shirt never dried out even after almost 4 hours on course.

On that note, have a dry shirt or a jacket in a gear bag/with a spectator at the finish to put on after the race--especially if you're using the runDisney buses, they sometimes have the air cranked and I've had chattering teeth on the bus even when it's 75°F outside.

 

[FFigawi]

For race weekends, I have the following items on standby:

- For rain - A running raincoat (i.e. something light that breathes), a hat (keeps the rain out of your face), disposable ponchos (pro-tip: bring an extra one to cover your feet while waiting in the corrals), throwaway towel or cushion to sit on and keep your butt dry
- For heat - tank top, sweat towel, ice bandana, multiple water bottles, sunscreen
- For cold - throwaway sweatshirts, sweatpants, and blankets (if I see something cheap throughout the year, I pick them up), mylar blankets or ponchos (the ponchos do double duty as rain gear and are invaluable if it is both raining and cold), thin gloves, multiple packs of disposable hand warmers, a running hat, full length running tights and lightweight (non-throwaway) fleece jacket, arm sleeves (I cannot emphasize what a game changer these are!), I've also used my running raincoat as an additional layer, particularly if it's windy

Cold weather creates great "shopping" opportunities during the race too. I've upgraded my gloves from cheap white cotton ones to nice fleece ones during a cold marathon before, and last year, I found a brand-new-with-stickers-still-on fleece hoodie on the fence in the Epcot parking lot while waiting for a character photo during the 10k.

 

[camaker]

Every year, about ten days out, the subject of weather forecasts will come up. Every year, people will start to freak about one website or another's prediction that it is going to be hot or cold or rain or snow. And every year, all of the Floridians will remind the rest of the world not to believe the weather forecasts until, at most, 12-24 hours in advance. And even then, you still need to be aware that things could still change.

Well, I guess we're starting our process about 75 days early this year, then...

 

[PrincessV]

SAFD: ahem… time for the annual Floridian input?

Whether you costume or not, PLAN FOR ANY KIND OF WEATHER! We are not exaggerating when we say it can be anything from sunny and 80°+ to “snowing” (more like sleet, but the official weather people went with snow, so…) and wind chills in the teens. I’m not running this year, but it’s the one race weekend for which I always struggled to come up with costumes that would work for any kind of weather, so I mostly stopped bothering.

 

[Poohverine]

SAFD: I’ve always done a costume for the rD race weekends, but they’ve never been elaborate, usually just some type of athletic material top (usually found on Etsy since I’m not that creative) and a corresponding hat. I’ve usually run these events with others, so they’ve been part of a group idea.

For Dopey this year, I’m reusing 2/4 of my previous costumes (Pooh + Buzz) for two of the races, my group is still TBD on the costume for the race we’re doing together (10K), and for the Marathon, my plan is to run as Powerline (felt like a fitting idea/tribute as a millennial). However, after running Chicago, I’m now debating if I just scrap that idea and run with things that I know will be comfy for the 5+ hours I’ll be out there.

 

[The Expert]

I know that this is a controversial opinion, but I would rather have it be cold than hot. First off, I'm from the Northeast so I'm used to it, but also there are many things you can do to stay warm. There are only so many things you can do to cool off in the heat.

THIS all day! And second that the key pieces of gear are hand warmer packets and arm sleeves (in a pinch you can cut the toes off tube socks).

Cold weather creates great "shopping" opportunities during the race too. I've upgraded my gloves from cheap white cotton ones to nice fleece ones during a cold marathon before, and last year, I found a brand-new-with-stickers-still-on fleece hoodie on the fence in the Epcot parking lot while waiting for a character photo during the 10k.

True, but keep in mind it's still Florida and there is only so much cold weather gear available, and if it even approaches 60 degrees the locals will buy up whatever there is. It may seem like a pain to pack this gear, but if you live somewhere cold, it is much easier (and often cheaper) than finding it there.

 

[jrsharp21]

SAFD: When I first started running MW, I just wore my regular running attire. But through the years I started dipping my toes into themes and bounding. For last year's MW, I bounded every race and had a good time with it. Going to try again this year, but still haven't decided what I am going to do. For the marathon, I usually try to wear some type of Dopey color combo. So this year I will go with purple running tank and bright green shorts (last year the colors were flip flopped between the tank and shorts). I have some ideas but still not quite sure yet. I need to figure that out soon.

 

[Herding_Cats]

THIS all day! And second that the key pieces of gear are hand warmer packets and arm sleeves (in a pinch you can cut the toes off tube socks).

As someone who is cold in general, BOO ON COLD WEATHER IN FLORIDA! Yeah, yeah, I get that running when it's hot sucks for a variety of reasons, safety being one of them. But I'm flying from a state that will likely have several feet of snow, if the weather models are accurate, and I don't want it to be cold! That being said, you can get multi-packs of arm sleeves in a variety of colors off amazon for cheap. I got a pack of them 3 or 4 years ago and still have them all, and use at least 2 sets of them every MW.

True, but keep in mind it's still Florida and there is only so much cold weather gear available, and if it even approaches 60 degrees the locals will buy up whatever there is. It may seem like a pain to pack this gear, but if you live somewhere cold, it is much easier (and often cheaper) than finding it there.

I think he might be talking about "corral shopping?" Picking through other people's just-worn clothing is a major ick for me (thanks, volunteer hours at a charity resale store when I was in college and had required community service for a scholarship and had to sort through donated clothing) so that's a BIG pass.

I bought clearance jackets from costco for $5/ea back in February specifically to stash away for the next MW.

 

[Herding_Cats]

If the weather is trending toward cold, I'll definitely be considering copying @camaker 's idea from last year and getting a mylar poncho for the corrals.


Also, the temperature usually drops shortly after the sun comes up on HM and M day. For me, this is generally around the MK area, so it could just be the location and how open it is with the parking lots and whatnot, but I'll mention it as a general word of caution to not throw things away too soon if you can carry them tucked in your belt for a few more miles on those mornings.

 

[jrsharp21]

Also, the temperature usually drops shortly after the sun comes up on HM and M day. For me, this is generally around the MK area, so it could just be the location and how open it is with the parking lots and whatnot, but I'll mention it as a general word of caution to not throw things away too soon if you can carry them tucked in your belt for a few more miles on those mornings.

On the old course direction, that golf course area would get you. I would think it was warm in MK and then get to the golf course and it would be freezing. I did the same this year though, coming out of MK. Ditched my arm sleeves and gloves coming out of MK. Bad move. I could barely feel my hands for a few miles after MK.

 

[WDW 4 ME]

. I am a sweat demon

I read this as sweet demon. I was like oh for sure! SAME! You are my people! My sweet tooth is diabolical!

 

[sandam1]

Well, I guess we're starting our process about 75 days early this year, then...

Let's just say that we are "priming the plump"

As someone who is cold in general, BOO ON COLD WEATHER IN FLORIDA! Yeah, yeah, I get that running when it's hot sucks for a variety of reasons, safety being one of them. But I'm flying from a state that will likely have several feet of snow, if the weather models are accurate, and I don't want it to be cold!

I will say that our park time wasn't quite as much fun in the cold. The buildings just don't have much (any?) heat and I suspect that the cold temperatures were causing some operational issues with the rides.

If the weather is trending toward cold, I'll definitely be considering copying @camaker 's idea from last year and getting a mylar poncho for the corrals.

I actually found that my local Walmart has these in the camping section.

That being said, you can get multi-packs of arm sleeves in a variety of colors off amazon for cheap. I got a pack of them 3 or 4 years ago and still have them all, and use at least 2 sets of them every MW.

The arm sleeves are amazing because they are super easy to remove and stuff in a pocket (I tie them to my running belt) when you start to warm up.

Also, the temperature usually drops shortly after the sun comes up on HM and M day. For me, this is generally around the MK area, so it could just be the location and how open it is with the parking lots and whatnot, but I'll mention it as a general word of caution to not throw things away too soon if you can carry them tucked in your belt for a few more miles on those mornings.

THIS!!! I gave my gloves to my friend at the Magic Kingdom and really regretted it later.

On that note, have a dry shirt or a jacket in a gear bag/with a spectator at the finish to put on after the race

This was something that I hadn't considered before someone mentioned it before this last year's races (I have a rental car so I had never used gear check before) and it was the best thing EVER (particularly after the 5K) to have a warm layer to put on.

 

[WDW 4 ME]

Every year, about ten days out, the subject of weather forecasts will come up. Every year, people will start to freak about one website or another's prediction that it is going to be hot or cold or rain or snow. And every year, all of the Floridians will remind the rest of the world not to believe the weather forecasts until, at most, 12-24 hours in advance. And even then, you still need to be aware that things could still change.

For race weekends, I have the following items on standby:

- For rain - A running raincoat (i.e. something light that breathes), a hat (keeps the rain out of your face), disposable ponchos (pro-tip: bring an extra one to cover your feet while waiting in the corrals), throwaway towel or cushion to sit on and keep your butt dry
- For heat - tank top, sweat towel, ice bandana, multiple water bottles, sunscreen
- For cold - throwaway sweatshirts, sweatpants, and blankets (if I see something cheap throughout the year, I pick them up), mylar blankets or ponchos (the ponchos do double duty as rain gear and are invaluable if it is both raining and cold), thin gloves, multiple packs of disposable hand warmers, a running hat, full length running tights and lightweight (non-throwaway) fleece jacket, arm sleeves (I cannot emphasize what a game changer these are!), I've also used my running raincoat as an additional layer, particularly if it's windy

If you look at this list, you'll notice that most of the items won't take up too much room in your luggage if you throw them in "just in case." For this year's MW, I wound up shipping my throwaway gear to an Orlando-based friend since I was doing Dopey and my friend was also doing two races so I had 6 blankets plus my sweats and shipping was cheaper - and easier - than bringing an extra piece of luggage. I was so incredibly grateful to have them and even ran the first two miles of the marathon wearing my blanket (note: you need to dispose of the mylar blankets before you start).

I know that this is a controversial opinion, but I would rather have it be cold than hot. First off, I'm from the Northeast so I'm used to it, but also there are many things you can do to stay warm. There are only so many things you can do to cool off in the heat.

Valuable advice! Thank you!!!!

 

[PrincessV]

Also, the temperature usually drops shortly after the sun comes up on HM and M day. For me, this is generally around the MK area, so it could just be the location and how open it is with the parking lots and whatnot, but I'll mention it as a general word of caution to not throw things away too soon if you can carry them tucked in your belt for a few more miles on those mornings.

This. The year the half was canceled and the marathon was frigid? I ditched my throwaway sweatpants just before the turn on to World Dr. heading to MK. HUGE mistake that I regretted for the following 10ish miles, as I lost all feeling in my legs.

 

[camaker]

This. The year the half was canceled and the marathon was frigid? I ditched my throwaway sweatpants just before the turn on to World Dr. heading to MK. HUGE mistake that I regretted for the following 10ish miles, as I lost all feeling in my legs.

Most marathons, I would consider it a blessing to lose all feeling in my legs...

 

[fatmanatee]

SAFD: ahem… time for the annual Floridian input?

Whether you costume or not, PLAN FOR ANY KIND OF WEATHER! We are not exaggerating when we say it can be anything from sunny and 80°+ to “snowing” (more like sleet, but the official weather people went with snow, so…) and wind chills in the teens. I’m not running this year, but it’s the one race weekend for which I always struggled to come up with costumes that would work for any kind of weather, so I mostly stopped bothering.

I was about to tag you with weather talk ramping up again lol.

 

[PrincessV]

Most marathons, I would consider it a blessing to lose all feeling in my legs...

If I didn’t have Raynaud’s and knew that when they started to warm up I’d be covered in hives, it honestly wouldn’t have been half bad lol! I wasn’t really aware of it until I stopped at a restroom in MK a realized I couldn’t feel my tights sliding across my skin - no sensation at all. Very unnerving!