Marathon Weekend 2026

[The Expert]

I hope this isn’t a stupid question and I sincerely apologize if it is, how do you do that?

They typically list the pacers in the Galloway booth at the expo, and you can look them up and track them along with yourself. That way you get alerts for both and can compare timestamps to see the buffer. However, at W&D they listed code names for the pacers, instead of actual names so I'm not sure how that will work going forward.

 

[Naomeri]

Does anyone have a screenshot of what the trackshack live tracking looks like for race weekend? I'm making a spreadsheet to track the time between my friend and I and the balloons. I'm not sure if the live tracking gives you the time of day or chip time at each of the tracked splits

What I did for my iOS tracking spreadsheet was set it up so I just had to input the time I started, and then what time I hit each mile marker, and then have it calculate my overall pace at that point (because I pause my watch at character stops) and then I had another section where I just had to input the time that the balloon ladies or last pacer (whichever I could get) and it automatically calculated what time they'd hit each mile marker based on a 16 minute pace. It was nice to be able to pull out my phone at any given time and be able to say "the balloons should be at about mile X, and I'm at mile Y, so I'm doing just fine"

 

[accm]

What I did for my iOS tracking spreadsheet was set it up so I just had to input the time I started, and then what time I hit each mile marker, and then have it calculate my overall pace at that point (because I pause my watch at character stops) and then I had another section where I just had to input the time that the balloon ladies or last pacer (whichever I could get) and it automatically calculated what time they'd hit each mile marker based on a 16 minute pace. It was nice to be able to pull out my phone at any given time and be able to say "the balloons should be at about mile X, and I'm at mile Y, so I'm doing just fine"

So I ended up making a second spreadsheet that gives us our anticipated time at every mile marker using our actual pace, as well as the balloon ladies assuming a 16 minute mile and their actual live tracking in case they're ahead or behind. I'll have my husband update the times using the live tracking, and I'll try to remember to update the other miles as we go.

 

[Disney at Heart]

@Disney at Heart do you have a link for those handy glow bracelets you use when you run, or is it just a rechargeable LED bracelet?

Something like this on Amazon. There are several brands and I’m not sure which one we have.
https://www.amazon.com/Esonstyle-Br...ning/dp/B01K4HOTLE?ref_=ast_sto_dp&th=1&psc=1

 

[radiodome21]

Wow. I had no idea about live tracking anyone, let alone the balloon ladies. At SS I was a little too close for comfort to them; not my best race though it was my first. At the HF, since we took one of the last buses from the Poly we started pretty close to them. However, now that In in better shape than I was 6 months ago I built a good lead from them. Knowing what I know now I might start stopping for characters. Scrooge McDuck really tempted me, and I loved Duck Tales.

 

[jrsharp21]

SAFD: A little late on this as I was traveling for work. Ironically I was in Boston, where being in 40 degrees hit me hard when we were still seeing 90 degrees in Houston. Came back from Boston and we had a cool down in Houston. Decided i was going to start running in the mornings before work and went out this morning at 5:30am when it was 44 degrees. Wasn't used to that yet. But it was shorts, my Dopey shirt from this past MW (nice and bright for the morning darkness), running hat, and my head lamp/headband. Should have brought my running gloves with me as my hands were definitely cold the first few miles. I am looking for a decent running vest to run in the mornings with. When it gets to below 40, I will throw on running leggings under my shorts. I will also put on a beanie or some ear covers when it gets below 40.

Really hoping for 60 degrees marathon weekend. That is my comfort zone.

 

[WDW 4 ME]

You should look into merino wool for cold weather gear. It regulates temperature so you’re never too hot or cold by insulating you while also wicking away sweat and being breathable. I’ll wear either the Tracksmith Harrier shirts or Brighton base layers if the weather is 40s or below, and they keep me the perfect temperature. The shape of wool fibers traps heat close to your body (keeping you warm) and absorbs moisture which evaporates (keeping you cool). This is the opposite of cotton, which loses its insulation ability once it gets wet. There’s an old hiking saying that “cotton kills” because it can lead to hypothermia if you get wet in the back country.

I will thank you!!!! I currently run in performance type material.

 

[WDW 4 ME]

You should look into merino wool for cold weather gear. It regulates temperature so you’re never too hot or cold by insulating you while also wicking away sweat and being breathable. I’ll wear either the Tracksmith Harrier shirts or Brighton base layers if the weather is 40s or below, and they keep me the perfect temperature. The shape of wool fibers traps heat close to your body (keeping you warm) and absorbs moisture which evaporates (keeping you cool). This is the opposite of cotton, which loses its insulation ability once it gets wet. There’s an old hiking saying that “cotton kills” because it can lead to hypothermia if you get wet in the back country.

I will thank you!!!! I currently run in performance type material.

Thirding the wool suggestion. It’s too warm for most of my runs in FL, but I have a SmartWool jacket that is superb when the temp drops below 50 - even if it gets damp it keeps my temp just right. I only wear merino wool socks year round, even when it’s 100°.

do you have a brand on the socks you like?

 

[WDW 4 ME]

Something like this on Amazon. There are several brands and I’m not sure which one we have.
https://www.amazon.com/Esonstyle-Br...ning/dp/B01K4HOTLE?ref_=ast_sto_dp&th=1&psc=1

Ooo!!! I might need these! I currently use the apace vision clip on lights on Amazon. I like them because they don’t annoy me. One on the front, one on the back; lightweight, people see me from a distance. I use the slow strobe light effect. The fast one does mess with me a bit. I can see the bracelets working well for me too.