Marathon Weekend 2026

[The Expert]

Agreed. If you did 23 you can do Dopey. Focus on avoiding injury!

 

[Dopey 2020]

Slightly freaking out. I just completed my 23 mile run last Friday, and the last 5 miles I was battling IT band issues. I pushed it out to get the run done and I know, I should’ve just stopped. I started cold plunging everyday to recover, went on a walk on Sunday about 2 miles, and then tried running yesterday for 3 miles, about 2.5 miles in it flared right back up. I’ve done marathons before, but this will be my first dopey.My plan is to continue to cold plunge daily, leg exercises daily to strengthen the IT band and muscles around it. As well as changing my runs into walks. I still have 1 more run for 26 miles slotted for 12/19, but debating on changing that. I’m not looking for a great time, but just to be able to do all races within the time allotted.

What others said, Galloway is a great get you ready plan but runs over 20 are not needed - unless you’re fast enough to go sub 3 - focus your long runs more on time on feet. 3 hours is great for your longest, whether that gets you 20+ miles or 12 miles doesn’t matter. You’ve gone to 26 before, stay healthy with less miles and you can do it. Injure yourself and chances of finishing or even starting decrease. You’ve got this!

 

[Dopey 2020]

SAFD looking forward to time with family and friends, the meetups, and this time planning on finally making it to Monday’s DATW!

Really looking forward to FL in January as well, really not liking NE winters…

 

[nancipants]

Slightly freaking out. I just completed my 23 mile run last Friday, and the last 5 miles I was battling IT band issues. I pushed it out to get the run done and I know, I should’ve just stopped. I started cold plunging everyday to recover, went on a walk on Sunday about 2 miles, and then tried running yesterday for 3 miles, about 2.5 miles in it flared right back up. I’ve done marathons before, but this will be my first dopey.My plan is to continue to cold plunge daily, leg exercises daily to strengthen the IT band and muscles around it. As well as changing my runs into walks. I still have 1 more run for 26 miles slotted for 12/19, but debating on changing that. I’m not looking for a great time, but just to be able to do all races within the time allotted.

I'm in Galloway Customized but will agree with the others - don't do the 26 miles if you're still hurting. Get to the start line as healthy as possible. You did 23 miles so you will be good!

And during Dopey, definitely walk the 5k and 10k, and as much of the half as you can while still beating the balloon ladies.

 

[dobball23]

3) We are trying a new resort - Old Key West, 2 BR Villa. Really looking forward to the extra space. Plus then I am clicking off one more DVC resort; got to get to all of them eventually!

I'm staying at OKW, too! Only a studio. Stayed there in 2024 as well and it worked well for us.

 

[Zutroy]

And during Dopey, definitely walk the 5k and 10k, and as much of the half as you can while still beating the balloon ladies.

I’ve seen this advice so many times and I never understand it. If you’ve trained for the Dopey, then race like you’ve trained and trust your training. I’ve found that walking around the parks takes more of a toll on my body than the actual running. Why add more time on your feet by walking the first three races? Why add different stress on your body by changing your gait pattern? I did 5 Dopeys before switching to doing Goofys, and it was much easier to recover from running a 20 minute 5k than walking for an hour.

 

[nancipants]

I’ve seen this advice so many times and I never understand it. If you’ve trained for the Dopey, then race like you’ve trained and trust your training. I’ve found that walking around the parks takes more of a toll on my body than the actual running. Why add more time on your feet by walking the first three races? Why add different stress on your body by changing your gait pattern? I did 5 Dopeys before switching to doing Goofys, and it was much easier to recover from running a 20 minute 5k than walking for an hour.

Lol, if I ran a 20 minute 5k, I would die.

 

[princesspirateandrunner]

We’re currently in Disney withdrawal. After DH ran a successful Space Coast Marathon on Sunday, we decided to celebrate at Disney, rather than head home. We spent most of yesterday at DS, with a celebration dinner at Morimoto’s. We would have stayed longer today, but decided to get ahead of the heavy rains and drive north. Yesterday was a beautiful warm day at DS, the crowds weren’t bad, the Christmas decorations were up, and it was fantastic. It does feel better knowing that we’ll be back in just a few weeks for MW.

SAFD: Staying in two new resorts (Poly and YC), doing the meetups and DATW (I’m determined to avoid catching the flu this year), and being finished with the training plan (although I’ll need to stay in maintenance mode until PW). I always enjoy the atmosphere of MW, and am looking forward to spectating instead of running the marathon. I’m doing the half; DH is doing the full. Spectating on Main Street is the best way ever to watch a race!

 

[dobball23]

I’ve seen this advice so many times and I never understand it. If you’ve trained for the Dopey, then race like you’ve trained and trust your training. I’ve found that walking around the parks takes more of a toll on my body than the actual running. Why add more time on your feet by walking the first three races? Why add different stress on your body by changing your gait pattern? I did 5 Dopeys before switching to doing Goofys, and it was much easier to recover from running a 20 minute 5k than walking for an hour.

I have always run the 5K and 10K hard during Dopey. I then take the half a bit slower (but not walking) to be prepared for the marathon.

 

[Dopey 2020]

I’ve seen this advice so many times and I never understand it. If you’ve trained for the Dopey, then race like you’ve trained and trust your training. I’ve found that walking around the parks takes more of a toll on my body than the actual running. Why add more time on your feet by walking the first three races? Why add different stress on your body by changing your gait pattern? I did 5 Dopeys before switching to doing Goofys, and it was much easier to recover from running a 20 minute 5k than walking for an hour.

I have always run the 5K and 10K hard during Dopey. I then take the half a bit slower (but not walking) to be prepared for the marathon.

This is me as well, race the 5k, shower, back to bed by 6:30, up at 8:30, it’s like I never ran. Run/walk the 10 and half with most of the photo stops, then try for a marathon PR. A little park time, lots of resort time (read: hot tub and beer) - it’s probably not the best idea but it works for me.

 

[jmasgat]

Re: how to get through Dopey. In the words of the great Sly and the Family Stone "Different strokes for different folks. And so on and so on and shooby dooby dooby"

What may be natural for one is not for another, and we arrive at the start line sometimes in great shape and sometimes not. And Dopey is a mental effort as well as a physical one.

It all adds up--as usual--to finding your own personal key to success for the weekend.

So to those trying to figure it out, sure, listen to what those of us who have done it before have to say. But then you do you.

 

[Zutroy]

This is me as well, race the 5k, shower, back to bed by 6:30, up at 8:30, it’s like I never ran. Run/walk the 10 and half with most of the photo stops, then try for a marathon PR. A little park time, lots of resort time (read: hot tub and beer) - it’s probably not the best idea but it works for me.

My first Dopey I raced the 5k, and then sat around for an hour and half while I waited for the route to clear so the buses could leave. Ever since then I usually drop back to the lower corrals to “fun run” the 5k with friends. 10k I always race because that’s my distance, and right when it really starts to suck it’s over. Unlike the marathon . . .

 

[nancipants]

Re: how to get through Dopey. In the words of the great Sly and the Family Stone "Different strokes for different folks. And so on and so on and shooby dooby dooby"

What may be natural for one is not for another, and we arrive at the start line sometimes in great shape and sometimes not. And Dopey is a mental effort as well as a physical one.

It all adds up--as usual--to finding your own personal key to success for the weekend.

So to those trying to figure it out, sure, listen to what those of us who have done it before have to say. But then you do you.

This.

Also, the advice was specifically to someone having IT band issues. Running hard and causing it to flare up (or any injury, really) would be counterproductive.

 

[FFigawi]

Re: how to get through Dopey. In the words of the great Sly and the Family Stone "Different strokes for different folks. And so on and so on and shooby dooby dooby"

What may be natural for one is not for another, and we arrive at the start line sometimes in great shape and sometimes not. And Dopey is a mental effort as well as a physical one.

It all adds up--as usual--to finding your own personal key to success for the weekend.

So to those trying to figure it out, sure, listen to what those of us who have done it before have to say. But then you do you.

1000% this! Each of us is an experiment of one, and what works for one person may or may not work for someone else.

 

[marty3d]

SAFD:

2. Maybe getting over myself and making it to one of the dis meetups. My social anxiety always gets the best of me

You have to! You're literally describing almost everyone else before finally coming to a meetup!

 

[lookingforsunshine]

My Dopey strategy has historically been to walk the 5K and then take everything else easy and have fun. Last year the half was too easy for my tastes— I finished in like 4 hours. Honestly this was mostly because of getting stuck in course congestion and not being able to do intervals effectively. It seemed better to walk than to try to add a bunch of distance weaving in and out of people. I felt great during the marathon though so I suppose it worked out okay.

This year my plan will probably be the same. Someday I think it’d be fun to try to do a PR challenge with the races (like a Dopey PR for each one, not necessarily a distance PR) but not now.

 

[Naomeri]

Slightly freaking out. I just completed my 23 mile run last Friday, and the last 5 miles I was battling IT band issues. I pushed it out to get the run done and I know, I should’ve just stopped. I started cold plunging everyday to recover, went on a walk on Sunday about 2 miles, and then tried running yesterday for 3 miles, about 2.5 miles in it flared right back up. I’ve done marathons before, but this will be my first dopey.My plan is to continue to cold plunge daily, leg exercises daily to strengthen the IT band and muscles around it. As well as changing my runs into walks. I still have 1 more run for 26 miles slotted for 12/19, but debating on changing that. I’m not looking for a great time, but just to be able to do all races within the time allotted.

I never went beyond 13.1 training for Dopey 2025 and I didn’t die You know you can finish 23 miles, what’s another 5K(ish) after that? We can do 5K in our sleep.

 

[Naomeri]

This would be a change from prior years, for both Epcot and HS portions. I think it's driven more by the HS construction though, and as a result they have to adjust the last mile to get the total mileage right. This year's map as a comparison...

View attachment 1028556

If I’m looking at the new USATF map correctly, we now skip the part where we go backstage after the bus area and come into the park by Figment? Total win, that entrance from backstage is, by far, the nastiest, stinkiest spot I’ve ever encountered at WDW.