Marathon Weekend 2026

[smileyanna]

Since we are hitting on big mileage in training over the next bunch of weeks, I’m thinking of adding some race course snacks at various points in my training runs.

When are/were the banana stops for the marathon?

What are/were the sport bean brand/types? When in the course?

These aren’t my main source of fueling, but I did grab some on course snacks last year. I want to formalize getting used to it in my monster mileage training runs.

Thanks in advance.

 

[The Expert]

When are/were the banana stops for the marathon?

What are/were the sport bean brand/types? When in the course?

Bananas are usually on the way in and out of AK, so at roughly miles 16 and 19. The beans are Sports Beans brand but I don't recall where on the course.

 

[sandam1]

Since we are hitting on big mileage in training over the next bunch of weeks, I’m thinking of adding some race course snacks at various points in my training runs.

There is also usually a chocolate stop as we enter Hollywood Studios. In 2023, it was Dove dark chocolate. This past year, they gave out some sort of chocolate covered cookie/biscuit. I had issues with the chocolate in 2023 (it felt like old chewing gum in my mouth) so I declined taking whatever they were offering this past year.

 

[WDW 4 ME]

Does anyone know if they have Untapped at the expo? It’s gotten to be my favorite running fuel and it just dawned on me today that I might not be able to get it on the plane if I’m not checking luggage. No room in my quart bag!

 

[WDW 4 ME]

There is also usually a chocolate stop as we enter Hollywood Studios. In 2023, it was Dove dark chocolate. This past year, they gave out some sort of chocolate covered cookie/biscuit. I had issues with the chocolate in 2023 (it felt like old chewing gum in my mouth) so I declined taking whatever they were offering this past year.

In theory, i love this! In reality….it might just do me in!

 

[nancipants]

I checked last year's course map because I also want to utilize them during training! Bananas were around mile 13.5, after MK and before Bear Island Road, as well as mile 17.5, after leaving AK but prior to getting back to Western Way.

 

[pluto377]

Is there a chart floating around anywhere of what time the balloon ladies or 7 hour pacers have started the marathon in the past few years? Trying to get a sense of whether or not there's consistency.

 

[sandam1]

Does anyone know if they have Untapped at the expo? It’s gotten to be my favorite running fuel and it just dawned on me today that I might not be able to get it on the plane if I’m not checking luggage. No room in my quart bag!

I think that I might have seen it at Fit 2 Run.

If it's a "must have," you could try calling their store at Disney Springs and seeing if they carry it.

 

[smileyanna]

In theory, i love this! In reality….it might just do me in!

I liked the biscuit chocolate thing! I think that’s an unpopular take, though.

Thanks to @nancipants and @sandam1 for your response. I can’t believe that I’m actually going to buy sport beans, since I’m not a huge fan… but they did the job on course and I want to try them again in training.

I remember eating sport beans in the Blizzard Beach parking lot. Don’t recall if they also showed up elsewhere on the course.

 

[marty3d]

Does anyone know if they have Untapped at the expo? It’s gotten to be my favorite running fuel and it just dawned on me today that I might not be able to get it on the plane if I’m not checking luggage. No room in my quart bag!

You could also order online and have shipped to your hotel - especially if you're there a few days before you need it.

 

[The Expert]

Does anyone know if they have Untapped at the expo? It’s gotten to be my favorite running fuel and it just dawned on me today that I might not be able to get it on the plane if I’m not checking luggage. No room in my quart bag!

I also use Untapped and have never found it at the expo or anywhere in Orlando. I HAVE packed and taken it with me -- both carry-on and in checked luggage -- and I've never had it pulled. I do take it in ziploc bags just in case of leakage.

The company is literally five minutes from my house and when I order, they often hand deliver it. It's pretty cool to have your running fuel brought to your door by a World Champion skiier and Olympian! (Marilyn is the one I typically see. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skiing_Cochrans)

 

[Herding_Cats]

I liked the biscuit chocolate thing! I think that’s an unpopular take, though.

Thanks to @nancipants and @sandam1 for your response. I can’t believe that I’m actually going to buy sport beans, since I’m not a huge fan… but they did the job on course and I want to try them again in training.

I remember eating sport beans in the Blizzard Beach parking lot. Don’t recall if they also showed up elsewhere on the course.

Sport Beans usually show up somewhere around the MK, and then again in BB. Looking at the map it was just past mile 6 last year, and then just past mile 22. The packets they hand out have like 6 in them, and if it's cold they are extremely hard to chew.

 

[marty3d]

SAFD Part 2: My second window opened today - was not able to get Geo82 on Marathon Sunday so booked Via Napoli instead. (I do have Geo82 booked Friday and Monday - will decide as I get closer which to keep).

 

[Herding_Cats]

Is there a chart floating around anywhere of what time the balloon ladies or 7 hour pacers have started the marathon in the past few years? Trying to get a sense of whether or not there's consistency.

it's nearly always about an hour (7hr pacers) to an hour and 10min (balloons) after the first release of runners.

Last year Bryan Beckering was a 7hr pacer. His "clock time" was 7:52:52 and his chip time was 6:59:29. So that was 53min after the first corral. They're usually somewhere around 5min ahead of the balloons.

Editing: what I’m quite certain is one of the balloon ladies had a clock time of basically 7:56:00. So 3 min longer/later start than the pacers.

 

[rick1zoo2]

at the Wine and Dine Half last month they gave out Honey Stinger chews at the food stop, not the Sports Beans. I think that is a big upgrade as I had trouble chewing the beans. I am hoping they stick with these:

 

[Herding_Cats]

at the Wine and Dine Half last month they gave out Honey Stinger chews at the food stop, not the Sports Beans. I think that is a big upgrade as I had trouble chewing the beans. I am hoping they stick with these:


View attachment 1023569

They had these in 2022 for MW and I agree that they are a big upgrade from sport beans.