Marathon Weekend 2026

[Mr_Incr3dible]

Caution runners: I’m going to wax poetic for a minute

Between working from home most of the time, and the DW’s knee getting replaced (doing quite well, thank you) and me being her Uber, I’ve gone for over a week without driving my own car.

So when I settled into it yesterday, I couldn’t help but think that in less than a month, I’ll be in that comfortable seat listening to a podcast and making my way to WDW for MW.

It also made think to the discussion about getting to the race. I can see the appeal of sitting in one’s car and even napping a bit, but I do like getting to the resort and my car staying parked for the duration. So I’m on the side of getting up, shuffling out to the bus stop, and riding the bus with 50+ other people. It is my first look at other costumes and race attire, plus some quiet-ish time to sip my coffee and eat my Clif bar. And to see parts of the race course with the pallets of water and other gear stacked off to the side, thinking “Hey, that is for us!” And then riding the bus back to the resort and (depending on the resort) seeing what sort of reception they have for us. So I’ll remain Team Bus.

And, I occasionally get artsy, so sharing this as I continue to get spooled up for MW:

 

[Novatrix]

All depends if we think rD will accept it as a refillable beer cup or not

Maybe not, but if you can convince people you ran the whole race with it they might buy you a beer at the end!

 

[3princesandaprincess]

I may have missed it, as I’ve been in and out with holidays… but is anyone doing a Photopass share?

I can’t believe it’s only 4 weeks! Getting excited!!

 

[Disney at Heart]

Last year, the marathon was on my birthday, and I was really tempted to duck into Cake Bake for a slice, but I was so ready to be done by then.

Last year when I went past Cake Bake, a CM tried to hand me a slice of cake, and I declined! I was too close to the end to stop and eat it, and I couldn’t see running the last few miles carrying it!

Don't forget Teetz who was very active here for years before the powers-that-be kicked him out. And I have it on good authority that @lhermiston will be running MW in 2027 when Rogue Two makes its triumphant return.

Yeah, I miss Teetz’s posting, but I see him pretty regularly at the Expo, or on the big screen with his spaghetti costume being interviewed at W& D, and on his YouTube channel, so haven’t totally lost touch with him. Glad that @lhermiston will be back. You two were some of my favorite entertainment a few years back! I’ll never forget the look on Mary Poppins’ face. IYKYK

 

[matt and beth]

Caution runners: I’m going to wax poetic for a minute

Between working from home most of the time, and the DW’s knee getting replaced (doing quite well, thank you) and me being her Uber, I’ve gone for over a week without driving my own car.

So when I settled into it yesterday, I couldn’t help but think that in less than a month, I’ll be in that comfortable seat listening to a podcast and making my way to WDW for MW.

It also made think to the discussion about getting to the race. I can see the appeal of sitting in one’s car and even napping a bit, but I do like getting to the resort and my car staying parked for the duration. So I’m on the side of getting up, shuffling out to the bus stop, and riding the bus with 50+ other people. It is my first look at other costumes and race attire, plus some quiet-ish time to sip my coffee and eat my Clif bar. And to see parts of the race course with the pallets of water and other gear stacked off to the side, thinking “Hey, that is for us!” And then riding the bus back to the resort and (depending on the resort) seeing what sort of reception they have for us. So I’ll remain Team Bus.

And, I occasionally get artsy, so sharing this as I continue to get spooled up for MW:
View attachment 1030962

. Except replace the Clif Bar with a Pop Tart

 

[Kerry1957]

I’ll never forget the look on Mary Poppins’ face.

Here's a couple of pics from DATW 2020:

 

[Mr_Incr3dible]

Crud. Now I have even more FOMO. Maybe next year....

 

[Baloo in MI]

Feeling nostalgic now! @John VN @Keels @Coach @Ariel484 @lhermiston @OldSlowGoofyGuy @tigger356 @Waiting2goback @Wendy98- just a few who used to post regularly, and I miss their presence here. Also, @DopeyBadger who is still active in the community, but doesn’t post here as much. Some may have changed user names or left the boards; some may no longer be running Disney or running at all. If you are still active somewhere, just know that you are missed.

Wow! Such a great list of folks who brought so much to the runDisney threads! Great advice, fun stories, the start of SAFD. How does time move so fast!

 

[FFigawi]

Here's a couple of pics from DATW 2020:

View attachment 1031108View attachment 1031109View attachment 1031110

Mary Poppins was definitely not amused by us. What a fabulous day that was!

 

[WDW 4 ME]

Would anyone be willing to pick me up a jacket at the expo?? . Our flight lands at 10 on Wednesday, so while we are coming to expo on day 1, as soon as we pick up our rental car, I’m scared they will be gone. I know it’s a huge hassle, but would be so grateful!!!

 

[apwoodr]

What merch is the first to sell out at expo? I'm trying to decide if its worth going early or just waiting until the afternoon.

 

[Zutroy]

What merch is the first to sell out at expo? I'm trying to decide if its worth going early or just waiting until the afternoon.

Probably the race jackets. Everything else seems to be there when (or if) I mosey into the expo. Unless you are XXXL or XS, most of the jackets are gone. But I’ve never been impressed with their quality for the price and I can’t imagine a scenario where I’d wear one, so I never feel a need to rope drop the expo.

 

[apwoodr]

Thanks. I feel the same way. The past two times I coudn't get there until the afternoon, but I only bought a couple little things anyways.

Probably the race jackets. Everything else seems to be there when (or if) I mosey into the expo. Unless you are XXXL or XS, most of the jackets are gone. But I’ve never been impressed with their quality for the price and I can’t imagine a scenario where I’d wear one, so I never feel a need to rope drop the expo.

 

[fatmanatee]

Often can depend on designs. Jackets are probably most consistent to sell out first and even have trouble if you get there early. IIRC this past year people were going crazy over a Dopey hoodie? Or spirit jersey? One or the other but I was kind of baffled by that. Sometimes you don't know.

Doesn't matter for this next weekend but I say every time (as someone who once made a mistake on this) that if there's something you're tempted by and it's available for pre-order, you should just go for it. Worst case scenario is that its a bad fit or you don't like it and you can return it.

 

[Smooth_Whiskey]

Yeah dopey hoodie was sold out fast. Really wanted one for my 1st dopey. I keep searching for reasonable resales but haven't found one

 

[marty3d]

Doesn't matter for this next weekend but I say every time (as someone who once made a mistake on this) that if there's something you're tempted by and it's available for pre-order, you should just go for it. Worst case scenario is that it’s a bad fit or you don't like it and you can return it.

pre-orders are the way to go if they have what you want. For me, I think I will likely want a Brooks shoe that isn’t something you can pre-order. I’m hoping to get to the expo as soon as I can on the Thursday (which likely means 5) and not stress out.

 

[rick1zoo2]

Back from Disney and woke up to this and it’s supposed to be very cold this week. I guess it’s the indoor track or go back to WDW

 

[The Expert]

Last year when I went past Cake Bake, a CM tried to hand me a slice of cake, and I declined! I was too close to the end to stop and eat it, and I couldn’t see running the last few miles carrying it!

I think carrying it across the finish would be pretty fun! But yes, those slices are substantial and that's a long way to carry one.

What merch is the first to sell out at expo? I'm trying to decide if its worth going early or just waiting until the afternoon.

Jackets and hoodies, especially if the weather is cool. Anything Dopey tends to go pretty quick since everyone doing it wants to commemoriate. I will say, since Brooks is doing some of the merch, the jacket quality has improved. We just got our Club rD jackets, which is Brooks this year, and they are nice!

people were going crazy over a Dopey hoodie? Or spirit jersey?

It was a hoodie. It was really the only warm item of clothing that was Dopey specific and it was cold that week. I'm Platinum so I get early access, and it was a feeding frenzy even at the start. I haven't seen anything like it since Princess expo in 2017! Funny thing was, I thought the MW hoodie with the patches was WAY cuter than the Dopey one.

pre-orders are the way to go if they have what you want.

Agreed, and I'll make yet another plug that they should offer 90% of the merch via preorder, with guaranteed availability for the races and challenges you've signed up for. Add a few extra surprises at the expo, sure, but don't lock people out of getting something to commemorate their accomplishment.

For this year, I'll probably grab something cute to mark the race weekend (always a sucker for a hoodie or cross-body bag, but I'm not doing any challenges this time and I really don't love the Half theme. I like the graphic on the character tees they do for each race, but can't get over them being cheap unisex cotton shirts. I'd NEVER wear them, so I take a pic and move on. I'm running in Brooks now, so depending on the new designs and what models they are offered in, I could leave with a pair of shoes. But with Princess being my 10th rD anniversary and 50th rD race, I'll likely save my merch splurge for that weekend.

 

[dobball23]

Back from Disney and woke up to this and it’s supposed to be very cold this week. I guess it’s the indoor track or go back to WDW

View attachment 1031308

As many here do, I have my peak week of training this week and I had a similar view this morning. Luckily, I'm scheduled to be off running today. But I have a total of 2+ hours of runs scheduled the next two days in low teens temperatures. Need to make sure my warmest mittens are washed and ready to go!

 

[marty3d]

Agreed, and I'll make yet another plug that they should offer 90% of the merch via preorder, with guaranteed availability for the races and challenges you've signed up for. Add a few extra surprises at the expo, sure, but don't lock people out of getting something to commemorate their accomplishment.

100% this. No one should have to pay inflated eBay prices to commemorate their accomplishment.

I wonder if I will be able to make it out of the expo without buying anything this year.