Marathon Weekend 2026

[jillinastoria]

Thank you for the advice, everyone! I am thinking I’ll walk/run, take it slow, hope to get to half distance … and see where I end up.

I’ll report back in a week or two. Thanks for all the support—keep it coming, I appreciate it all so much!

 

[jrsharp21]

SAFD:

1) Looking forward to the energy that comes with MW. Such a great environment not only during the races, but at the parks.
2) Looking forward to seeing everyone again at meet ups. Catching up with people from the last two years, getting to know everyone better, and meeting new internet friends.
3) Staying at Saratoga Springs for the first time.

 

[lookingforsunshine]

SAFD:

1. My costumes! All book themed. Very excited.
2. Having fun with my friends & partner.
3. Dopey feels like a game to me between the races, nutrition, logistics, etc… and I love playing! Excited for that.

and also spectating the marathon

I might check in with you to see if you can give me an emergency uncrustable if needed lol. I had someone to give me one during the last two Dopeys but won’t have anyone cheering for me this time since my friend’s partner will be on a med bike this year and my partner is running with me.

 

[Herding_Cats]

OK. I drank coffee and looked at past years' threads and here's what I know:

2025 Expo Day 1 was Jan. 8, and the guide came out on Dec. 5 (a Thursday, which we were surprised by) but also included some sweeping changes including marathon start time and significant changes to the HM and M courses, some of which were announced months earlier.

2024 Expo Day 1 was Jan 3, and the guide came out on Dec. 19th (a Tuesday) and were were getting impatient.

Editing to add:
2023 Expo Day 1 was Jan 4, and the the guide came out on Dec. 16th

And I had done the math in late November for MW23 guide guesses.
Last year's (2022) event guide came out on Dec 6. That was 4 weeks and 2 days before the expo.
2020's even guide came out on Dec 12, which was 3 weeks and 5 days before the expo.

All of this is to say that getting the event guide isn't out of the question for this week, but since last year's was definitely on the early side, I wouldn't be surprised if we have another week or 2 to wait.

 

[marty3d]

OK. I drank coffee and looked at past years' threads and here's what I know:

2025 Expo Day 1 was Jan. 8, and the guide came out on Dec. 5 (a Thursday, which we were surprised by) but also included some sweeping changes including marathon start time and significant changes to the HM and M courses, some of which were announced months earlier.

2024 Expo Day 1 was Jan 3, and the guide came out on Dec. 19th (a Tuesday) and were were getting impatient.


All of this is to say that getting the event guide isn't out of the question for this week, but since last year's was definitely on the early side, I wouldn't be surprised if we have another week or 2 to wait.

I feel like this week is too early but given there will likely be (has to be?) some pretty big changes to the marathon route due to construction, earlier feels right. I put my bet on next week.

 

[Disney at Heart]

SAFD: Mostly Hurricane Hannah’s, DATW, morning meet-ups with friends, food, fun park time, and wearing my medals/shirts around the parks. I’m a little nervous about Running Goofy, even though it’s going to be the tenth Disney Marathon, because getting older makes it harder each year. It will be my last! (I know I keep saying that, but this time it’s TRUE!)

 

[Erika10021]

SAFD: I am mostly excited to be at another Marathon Weekend. I was so blown away by the atmosphere of the weekend at our first MW last year. I am also looking forward to running through Animal Kingdom, eating everything I want, the medals (including Z-Knight's), and the light pole meet ups.

 

[The Expert]

I might check in with you to see if you can give me an emergency uncrustable if needed lol.

I'll post a more formal ask before MW but I'm taking orders! I will have mini Coke cans for @Herding_Cats and @nancipants.

It will be my last! (I know I keep saying that, but this time it’s TRUE!)

 

[cburnett11]

Maybe I've missed some of the prior discussion on this topic, but what are the thoughts or predictions on course changes expected because of construction going on. I haven't been in any of the parks since last Dopey and that was just running through the races. I'm pretty sure we won't know until we see the course maps, but curious what others are thinking? thanks

 

[jrsharp21]

What better way to kick off December than start speculating about MW weather? LOL. We all know that it can change right up to day of the races, but always fun to start looking at the forecasts and seeing how it changes up to race day. This is what AccuWeather has as of right now:

Thursday, 1/8: High 75, low 57 - 60% chance of rain
Friday, 1/9: High 65, low 53 - 19% chance of rain
Saturday, 1/10: High 69, low 56 - 25% chance of rain
Sunday, 1/11: High 69, low 57 - 19% chance of rain

If these were to stay true, definitely would be ideal weather for me (minus the rain on Thursday).

 

[marty3d]

What better way to kick off December than start speculating about MW weather? LOL. We all know that it can change right up to day of the races, but always fun to start looking at the forecasts and seeing how it changes up to race day. This is what AccuWeather has as of right now:

Thursday, 1/8: High 75, low 57 - 60% chance of rain
Friday, 1/9: High 65, low 53 - 19% chance of rain
Saturday, 1/10: High 69, low 56 - 25% chance of rain
Sunday, 1/11: High 69, low 57 - 19% chance of rain

If these were to stay true, definitely would be ideal weather for me (minus the rain on Thursday).

I won't believe any forecast until I'm actually in the corral. And maybe not even then! Still have PTSD from 2017.

That being said - other than the chance of rain I would take those temps for sure!

 

[marty3d]

SAFD:

In no particular order - looking forward to the meetups (HH, DATW, morning), the food, the atmosphere, trying to get in a couple of attractions while still staying ahead of the balloon ladies and only having 2 early morning wake ups this year!

 

[Mr_Incr3dible]

OK. I drank coffee and looked at past years' threads and here's what I know:

I drank coffee and I know things. I like this.

>> I was so blown away by the atmosphere of the weekend at our first MW last year. I am also looking forward to running through Animal Kingdom, eating everything I want, the medals (including Z-Knight's), and the light pole meet ups.

This! I love the energy and the atmosphere that permeates the whole weekend. It is hard to describe to anyone who hasn't done a race, or a large race. The time I flew down in 2009, after the cabin door closed, the flight attendant asked how many were going to Orlando for MW and it seemed half the airplane raised their hands, so for that trip (my first) the atmosphere started before we even left Atlanta.

That said, I have to wonder if I'm not doing the Expo correctly, as I hear people talk about how much they enjoy it. For me, it has been the process of get bibs, go to other building for shirts, walking past all the stuff I don't need to buy (MW being where the gift shop is before the ride...), then to the merch building for a magnet (if still available), a mug, and any shirts that appeal, and then I'm done. Last spring I stood in line to talk to Mr Galloway for a few minutes, and that was way cool, but otherwise I'm not in there that long. What does everyone else do?

 

[cburnett11]

SAFD:

1. The overall energy of the weekend.
2. Seeing familiar faces in the corral and at various meetups over the week.
3. Racing when it's dark and hoping for some nice surprises (like Star Wars from last year)
4. Hanging out with another couple that we had lost touch with, but reconnected with after 25+ years. The guy just happened to get into running a couple years ago, so I convinced him that they needed to meet us in Disney so he could do his 2nd marathon.
5. Photo stops
6. Mayra at Pop

 

[GuinnessRunner]

SAFD: 1) Looking forward to the energy and excitement of the weekend and 2) the meetups across the weekend (and I never would have believed that would be one of my responses just a few years ago when I was always too nervous to go to them).

After first 1/2 of training going well, it has come off the rails over the last 3-4 weeks. Family health issues, work issues and injuries have me in survival mode at this point. In years past I probably would have just canceled, but the thought of missing the fun that MW weekend has become for me has me committed to trying. Assuming I can get the injuries under control, I think I can at least get through the HM and will see from there. At the moment it doesn't look like DD's health is going to cooperate for her to participate in the 5-K as planned (which is probably part of the stress/anxiety I am feeling) but that's also part of the motivation for me to come and do what I can. To remember I get to do this and that nothing is promised on the health front to anyone.

 

[nancipants]

What better way to kick off December than start speculating about MW weather? LOL. We all know that it can change right up to day of the races, but always fun to start looking at the forecasts and seeing how it changes up to race day. This is what AccuWeather has as of right now:

Thursday, 1/8: High 75, low 57 - 60% chance of rain
Friday, 1/9: High 65, low 53 - 19% chance of rain
Saturday, 1/10: High 69, low 56 - 25% chance of rain
Sunday, 1/11: High 69, low 57 - 19% chance of rain

If these were to stay true, definitely would be ideal weather for me (minus the rain on Thursday).

Our weather has been making me so mad lately. It cooled off for awhile, but it's been hot again. We had about cool front around Thanksgiving, which was wonderful, only for it to warm up again in time for the Space Coast marathon/half marathon yesterday. We're supposed to get another cool front midweek, and then it's gonna warm up AGAIN by Saturday when I'm doing the Orlando half. Last year, both races were unseasonably cold, as was marathon week. So if the trend holds, it's gonna be warm this year.

That said, I have to wonder if I'm not doing the Expo correctly, as I hear people talk about how much they enjoy it. For me, it has been the process of get bibs, go to other building for shirts, walking past all the stuff I don't need to buy (MW being where the gift shop is before the ride...), then to the merch building for a magnet (if still available), a mug, and any shirts that appeal, and then I'm done. Last spring I stood in line to talk to Mr Galloway for a few minutes, and that was way cool, but otherwise I'm not in there that long. What does everyone else do?

What do I do? Shop. And spend way too much money. So you are probably doing the expo the right way.

 

[The Expert]

Maybe I've missed some of the prior discussion on this topic, but what are the thoughts or predictions on course changes expected because of construction going on. I haven't been in any of the parks since last Dopey and that was just running through the races. I'm pretty sure we won't know until we see the course maps, but curious what others are thinking? thanks

There has been much speculation around the construction in AK (formerly Dinoland) and what that may mean for the course. There were some ideas posted a few months ago, mainly if we can still run by Everest and cut back stage or somehow skirt the construction area or if they may take us an entirely different route through the park.

What does everyone else do?

I go look at the rD area and scope out the medals for virtual and future races, maybe take some photos with the maps or big numbers. I walk around and pick up stickers and freebies. I might get a Joffrey's and join a meetup or sit for a bit and watch for people I know.

I usually grab a cider and maybe some food from the pop-up area upstairs just before the permanent restaurant, but the refillable beer cups and that food area were both missing at W&D, thanks to a new contract for food & beverage at ESPN. I hope we see them return for MW as there were a lot of complaints about it.

 

[rick1zoo2]

SAFD:

1. Seeing my wife complete the Dopey Challenge - she has worked very hard on training for this. After last year's incident where we didn't quite finish our first attempt (and our first marathon), this time will be especially satisfying. We will be much more prepared and will avoid all traffic cones.
2. Me completing the Dopey Challenge.
3. Everything else - meetups, staying at the resort, having some great meals, etc.