Marathon Weekend 2026

[WDW 4 ME]

I should probably dust off the Awesome Amazing DISboard Marathon Spreadsheet huh?

I mean, I’m not sure what this is, but the answer is YES!!! It’s sounds legendary!

 

[camaker]

I'm sorry everyone, but I don't think there's going to be a SAFD question today. Got in from Scotland very early Saturday morning and between jet lag and picking up a little bug on the way home, I've just been worn out.

 

[garneska]

Stepping in for @camaker and it’s still Sunday.

SAFD: what is the one, two, or three things you are most looking forward to at MW this year?

Answer: seeing all my friends!

 

[WDW 4 ME]

Advice needed! I am registered for the marathon but injured my IT band back in October. I just finished PT and am running again and feeling good! But my mileage is way down since the injury—my longest runs are about an hour (or 5 to 6 miles) right now.

I could probably make it through at least the halfway point if I run/walk and take it slow. But this would be my first RunDisney event, and if can’t finish, is it worth it to run half the race to get a taste of the experience? Or should I just wait for a (hopefully) injury free experience next year?

Thanks in advance!

I FEEL YOU!!! I’ve been struggling with my IT band since August. One week, I can run 12 miles no problem and the next long run, can’t make it 7 without having to stop. I’ve done all the things….PT, cupping, needling, strengthening, orthopedist, gait analysis, new shoes. It’s so frustrating because I never know when it will be an issue. My DH mentioned that maybe we should cancel this year and plan for next the other day. After spending the rest of the day in tears, I have decided I’m fully committed. Intervals DO NOT work for me….make my band super mad and angry! My plan is to try to run half (more if possible) and walk the rest. My PT had food poisoning the night before her RD marathon. She did intervals for 8 miles and walked the rest and finished so that is my proof it can be done! Definitely not the way I want to do it, but again…I’m committed!

 

[RuntheMouse]

SAFD: I’m looking forward to actually stopping for pictures during the marathon!

 

[The Expert]

I mean, I’m not sure what this is, but the answer is YES!!! It’s sounds legendary!

A few of us DISers put together a giant document with TONS of info on the races, where you can expect to be on the courses based on your start group and expected pace, when and where the meetups are, real bathrooms on the courses, what costumes everyone will be wearing, etc. It's handy to have all the info in one spot and to know who may end up around you in the corrals. (It's in part how @Herding_Cats and I connected before the Half at MW 2022 and we've ended up pretty much running every HM and marathon we've both done at WDW since.)

We'll post asking for info from those who want to participate in the next few weeks, then share the resulting PDF here the week before the races (ish). Timing depends on when rD releases the race weekend packet and how busy those of us who work on it are over the holidays.

 

[The Expert]

SAFD: Most looking forward to seeing all my rD friends and also spectating the marathon! (Which reminds me, I need to also compile that guide for the shared doc.)

 

[garneska]

@The Expert where are you planning to spectate from? We are staying at Boardwalk, so planning to spectate there.

 

[jpholic]

SAFD: what is the one, two, or three things you are most looking forward to at MW this year?

Answer: i am really excited for the expo, the energy, the vibe. for the I-4 exit to orlando and checking into my resort. i think that is when it will hit me that its finally here. looking forward to the races and pushing my body and mind. the simulation this week went really well so feeling confident and strong. ill also be glad when its over and we have accomplished this huge achievement. ive been training for races since may... im tired. lol

 

[Herding_Cats]

SAFD:
1. Running DD’s first 5k with her. (Also how I was mostly able to convince DH to not not take a year off )

2. Seeing all you wonderful people!

3. HEA. I mean…we’re getting like 6 or 7 day tickets so I figure I can watch them a few times.

 

[Herding_Cats]

@The Expert I can handle the map pages and race-day info updates if you can handle the runner sheets (since you have built-in spreadsheet help) if that works? Just so you aren’t responsible for everything.

 

[FFigawi]

SAFD: Friends, parking lot beer with friends, DATW with friends

 

[The Expert]

@The Expert where are you planning to spectate from? We are staying at Boardwalk, so planning to spectate there.

I'm also staying at Boardwalk! I'll most likely try and get up near TTC or MK early on, then back to Boardwalk, but it'll depend somewhat on course timing. I'm hoping we can have a few groups of DIS spectators watching for all our people on the course.

@The Expert I can handle the map pages and race-day info updates if you can handle the runner sheets (since you have built-in spreadsheet help) if that works? Just so you aren’t responsible for everything.

Sounds great! Thank you. We'll DM once the packet comes out and figure out how to divide and conquer.

 

[AZMermaid]

SAFD: I’m looking forward to completing my first marathon!

I’m really hoping to pop in for the pre-race meetup. I’m running with a friend but she’s not a super close friend that will still love me if I drag her to meet internet people hahaha. But I might. Also depends on corral placement and things. But I’m hoping!

 

[matt and beth]

SAFD:

I have several… they are all equal
1. We are leaving early and love celebrating NYE at WDW with my family
2. Hoop De Doo
3. The Expo and its energy
4. Running with DD and DW.
5. Finishing our 5th Dopey with DD.
6. Visiting the parks
7. Some great eats and some fantastic restaurants

And hopefully a little visit to Hurricane Hannah’s

 

[dobball23]

SAFD:

1. Seeing how I do during the races. I'm two years older than I was my last Dopey and I'm coming off surgery this summer. Hoping to not have much drop off in my performance.

2. The RunDisney community, including those on this board. I went to the meet-up at Hurricane Hannah's in 2024 and hope to make it there again this year.

3. Being at Disney World. We haven't been much in recent years other than Marathon Weekend, but I always love being at WDW.

 

[nancipants]

SAFD:

1. Running the marathon with experience under my belt. Last year I felt very unprepared mentally, so I’m excited to see what the experience is like this year.

2. Spectating the half marathon!

3. Seeing all my runDisney friends, including you guys and other runners from the Galloway Customized Group.

 

[Mr_Incr3dible]

Thank you for the stories and advice, everyone! I'm feeling encouraged--I think I'm going to try a walk/run 8 mile next weekend, see how that goes, and then decide.

Two more questions--first, when is the pre-race meetup, sounds fun!

And second, does anyone have experience with the slower pace groups (5.5 hours, 6 hours, 6.5 hours or so)--are there specific groups and pacers to look out for? Or do people just generally join whomever is in their corral?

Glad you will be joining us.
Since you have been training, and can still do at least 5 to 6 miles, I wouldn't worry too much about keeping up with the weekend long runs in the various running plans. And if walking (or intervals with more walking and less running) enable you to do more miles, then I'd say go with that. At this point, just build up stamina, which will allow you to finish. Unless you do a dead-last start and can barely walk a 16-minute mile, you should do just fine with being able to stay ahead of the balloon ladies and finishing. If you were/are comfortably able to do 8 miles, then you've got this, speaking as the guy who wrote the book pamphlet on under-training. (Look for the HARM link in my signature). Good luck, YMMV

>>SAFD: what is the one, two, or three things you are most looking forward to at MW this year?
1. Seeing you guys at HH and the light pole, and maybe on the course as well.
2. Maybe some characters I recognize decent character photos
3. I really want to see the "Battle of Endor" after seeing clips of it. And seeing the MK in the dark during the Half is always magic to me.
4. Really looking forward to doing a ride other than Triceratop Spin during the marathon

 

[Naomeri]

Advice needed! I am registered for the marathon but injured my IT band back in October. I just finished PT and am running again and feeling good! But my mileage is way down since the injury—my longest runs are about an hour (or 5 to 6 miles) right now.

I could probably make it through at least the halfway point if I run/walk and take it slow. But this would be my first RunDisney event, and if can’t finish, is it worth it to run half the race to get a taste of the experience? Or should I just wait for a (hopefully) injury free experience next year?

Thanks in advance!

I absolutely half-a$$ed my training for my first Marathon/Dopey last year. My longest run was 13.1 miles, on Thanksgiving, and my last run of any kind was about a month before race day and I didn't die or get injured. @Herding_Cats did have to grab my arm and pull me for a couple minutes later in the marathon, but other than that, I was fine.

Since your training disruption was from an injury, doublecheck with a Dr or PT that you should be making the attempt at all, and if they give a green light, just do as much training as you can safely do, and then try to put as much space between you and the balloon ladies at the start as you can so you have the biggest cushion you can get.

 

[Baloo in MI]

Advice needed! I am registered for the marathon but injured my IT band back in October. I just finished PT and am running again and feeling good! But my mileage is way down since the injury—my longest runs are about an hour (or 5 to 6 miles) right now.

I could probably make it through at least the halfway point if I run/walk and take it slow. But this would be my first RunDisney event, and if can’t finish, is it worth it to run half the race to get a taste of the experience? Or should I just wait for a (hopefully) injury free experience next year?

Thanks in advance!

My guess is you have gotten lots of good advice by now, so apologies if I am repetitive. That is great that you are running again. Run/Walk/Run has always been the secret to successful recovery for me, I think that is a great idea to follow as you increase the distance. It is really doable to work your way up to the half distance from 5-6 miles you are currently doing. Add a couple miles to your long run each week, no more than two at a time and you will find yourself at the half distance with a week plus before MW to do a mini-taper. And as the old saying goes, if you can run a half, you can run the full.

Just go slow, use run/walk/run, get to the front of your corral to give yourself as much buffer as possible from the Ballon Ladies and you would have a real shot. And even if you get swept, that is ok, it can still be a great experience. The real goal should be to not re-injure yourself, just have fun and see how far you can get. You just might surprise yourself. Also, unfortunately, runDisney is very strict about deferrals and refunds. Good luck!!