Marathon Weekend 2026

[marty3d]

My main gripes are that they managed to add more to the MK parking lot

I'm not 100% sure they have- it may just be the way the map is designed. Comparing it side by side to last year mile markers 12, 14, 15 and 16 are in the exact same spots. And the switchback between 13 and 14 seems to be the same. I hate the TTC parking lot too but I don't think it's longer.

 

[MissLiss279]

Am I dumb/missing something or is there no way to leave EPCOT via car after the 10k until 7am??
View attachment 1029134

Maybe you can exit going West at the cloverleaf.

 

[Naomeri]

My main gripes are that they managed to add more to the MK parking lot and I hated that last year since unlike BB where you have general sense of how long to get in and out that place I couldn’t with MK. That might be worse on wheels since we’re low to the ground. But anyway.

Also hey again been absent because the last few months have been crazy. Still been training.

I was absolutely lost in the TTC section this year

 

[accm]

My concern with the bus pick up for BLT/Contemporary for the full is since we share the bus that the drivers might end up going straight to EPCOT and forget about Contemporary. I’ve also had to wait for a few buses to have space, since for some reason rundisney doesn’t have a dedicated bus first thing in the morning

 

[jrsharp21]

Am I dumb/missing something or is there no way to leave EPCOT via car after the 10k until 7am??
View attachment 1029134

If I remember correctly, you exit the Crush Lot Exit Bridge and loop back around to Woodpecker Lane to Epcot Center Drive. The 10k is the opposite direction. Even though it is marked road closures, you can exit that way.

 

[cburnett11]

Try being on wheels. I’m crossing my fingers that I’ll hit it between waves like last year or Achilles will come through with the guides to help me get through that section. Or both, both would be great. But that part is the worst for potential wrecks. Someone almost always wrecks there from a runner cutting off which is why I’m estatic it’s not in the 10k course. Since it’s three downhills where people aren’t potentially paying attention to us.

I’m very good about hearing the wheel athletes coming and I’m even better about screaming to runners ahead of me to let them know when the wheels are gonna come rolling downhill.

 

[JackosinDIS]

Might be a silly question… but how do you get to the finish line to spectate from a monorail resort? Is it possible to spectate in MK and then travel to Epcot for the finish?

 

[Tall Todd]

You can do it, but you have to be there early. Here's the section of the guide with Spectator info for the Marathon: https://www.rundisneyexpo.run/walt-disney-world-marathon?show=692f3bce90d9256c4f6176b9

We'll also have some info on this included in the doc we put together for the board. I'm going to add some tips and tricks I've been gathering.

Thanks. How do I get to that doc?
Another logistical nightmare provided for free by runDisney.

 

[WDW 4 ME]

personally edited Des Linden’s Choosing to Run

Wow! That’s amazing! Definitely purchasing this one!

What genre do you generally like?

Just about everything. My favorites tend to lean towards adventure/fantasy and historical fiction but I truly enjoy most topics. I have read just about every John Grisham book and am a huge fan of Kristin Hannah. Do to get bored with some of the current popular authors as I feel if you’ve read one of their books, you have read them all.

 

[The Expert]

Might be a silly question… but how do you get to the finish line to spectate from a monorail resort? Is it possible to spectate in MK and then travel to Epcot for the finish?

You have to monorail to the TTC and switch to the express monorail there. To get back to Epcot/finish, you just jump on the monorail (or ferry, if it's running) back to TTC, then switch to the Epcot monorail. I've done this, but fair warning that the transition will be CROWDED!

Thanks. How do I get to that doc?
Another logistical nightmare provided for free by runDisney.

Just watch this thread. It takes a lot of manual work, but we try to have it out a week-ish before the races.

 

[JackosinDIS]

have to monorail to the TTC and switch to the express monorail there. To get back to Epcot/finish, you just jump on the monorail (or ferry, if it's running) back to TTC, then switch to the Epcot monorail. I've done this, but fair warning that the transition will be CROWDED

So the monorail is running at 7am from TTC to Epcot?

 

[The Expert]

So the monorail is running at 7am from TTC to Epcot?

Yes, it's on the spectator guide. It runs from 5am to 7:30am. https://www.rundisneyexpo.run/walt-disney-world-marathon?show=692f3bce90d9256c4f6176b9

 

[WDW 4 ME]

I keep looking at the AK map, and unless they send us out by Restaurantosaurus (and then onto Savannah Circle as usual, or in the parking AK lot) they have to send us across the bridge by the Oasis. Right? Or are there even more sneaky, hidden roads in there? I feel like there's little-to-no chance of them sending us through Pandora, or out on that side in general because that's where the park bus loop is.

So I'm guessing they'll end up sending us through that horrible construction wall corridor between Nemo and Dinosaur and send guests around the boneyard (rip) and in from that main hub side to get there so we don't have to cross and they don't have to deal with the rope-and-tape guest crossing islands.

You do paint a pretty picture. Ugh

 

[The Expert]

I just got an email from rD announcing the guide is out. There's a section at the bottom pushing pre-sale merch! I'm surprised it's still open, but maybe they got the stock in and realize they've over-ordered. It's only for the spirit jersey and unisex t-shirt.

 

[smileyanna]

I hate the MW/PW half course so much, especially since they’ve taken away EPCOT at the beginning. It now has maybe one mile of park time (plus the three on ramps/hills at the end). Last year it was so congested that I ended up being on the course for almost four hours. Please send me positive reframing lol.

SAME. And all the friends I have recruited for runDisney join me for the half. It's a rough course.

 

[smileyanna]

Last time I stayed at BLT was 2018 marathon and I remember nothing. I've stayed at POP and AOA more recently and was going off the lines for buses there, but that makes sense about the monorail! Fingers crossed!

It's my first time staying at Pop this year. What are the lines like? I'm not a first bus person, but I can be if I think I'll get stressed

 

[MissLiss279]

SAME. And all the friends I have recruited for runDisney join me for the half. It's a rough course.

I will say that this basic course (running to MK then back to Epcot with not much else) is what made me fall in love with runDisney. I hadn’t been to DW in several years, and turning the corner and seeing Main Street and the Castle was awesome.
But as a repeat runDisney-er, it’s not my favorite course, but it still has its moments.