Marathon Weekend 2026

[Herding_Cats]

Ok. Couldn't find much on the RunDisney site. First time Runner (half marathon), and dragging my non-disney loving husband with (blasphemy, I know). He is not a fan of crowds. Confirming, I realize it's a pain, but we can drive from Boardwalk to the Epcot parking lot in the AM, right? There will be road closures, but it's totally feasible, and he can stay in the car and avoid crowds til we need to get into the corral, right? (submitted POT so should be in B) I don't think the atmosphere on the bus is his thing, and im hoping to convince him to do more of these races

Yes. This is entirely doable. Note the time that your corral *closes* once you know for sure which corral you are in (you'll find out when you pick up your bib) and then give yourself at least 25min to get there from your parking space in Epcot, as it is quite the walk once you get through security, and then walk alllll the way down to the pre-race area and then out to the corrals. More time if you think you'll want a bathroom stop. Don't try to cut it super close as it won't be worth the stress of [potentially] needing to hurry to your corral before they close it.

 

[marty3d]

I totally agree with the pack for any weather approach - and I will be following it for the races (see my previous comments about 2017), but that forecast has me seriously rethinking my packing strategy for the daytime next week.

 

[nancipants]

Ahem... (from the shared doc). Pink stars are locations.

View attachment 1034853

@AZMermaid Do you want to meet at the TTC together?

 

[FFigawi]

Yes. This is entirely doable. Note the time that your corral *closes* once you know for sure which corral you are in (you'll find out when you pick up your bib) and then give yourself at least 25min to get there from your parking space in Epcot, as it is quite the walk once you get through security, and then walk alllll the way down to the pre-race area and then out to the corrals. More time if you think you'll want a bathroom stop. Don't try to cut it super close as it won't be worth the stress of [potentially] needing to hurry to your corral before they close it.

@clbielick Add even more time if you are planning to check a bag. If you want to convince him to do more Disney races, getting to your corral after it closes is not going to be helpful.

 

[AZMermaid]

@AZMermaid Do you want to meet at the TTC together?

I’ll DM You!

 

[The Expert]

I’m running, not spectating, for the half. DH is the one spectating. I’m sorry! We’re each running one race and spectating for the other.

D'oh! I did indeed misread that. I should've noticed when I also put your info in as a racer. Sorry for the confusion! If we do an update for the pacers, I'll fix that.

With this, you could potentially monorail to the Poly, spectate, walk to the TTC, spectate, and then monorail back to BLT. Of course it's always an option to just get off at the TTC and walk to Poly and then walk back to spectate again, depending on how mobile your parents are and how much walking you want to do.

This could work! Just know that you'll be going to the far end of the Poly parking lot to spectate (iirc), which is not very close to the monorail and even further from the path to TTC.

 

[Mr_Incr3dible]

Thanks to @Herding_Cats and @The Expert. Y'all are amazing! And I will say that in person soon! Arriving Tuesday. Can't wait!

@Mr. Inccredible Can you reschedule?

I think I will call tomorrow and see about trying to reschedule. If not, then I may come to DATW for a few hours and then start driving north. That should keep me out of the ugly evening Atlanta traffic. It'll put me getting home late, but it isn't as if I sleep much anyway.
Oh, and on the MW guide, Mr Incredible Pedantic notes that DATW should be Jan 12th, not 13th.
(But still very impressive).

 

[Terry Sheehan]

Is anyone else planning to spectate the half marathon? I’m thinking of going to Main Street and then the turn near the finish line.

I will be spectating both the half and full and doing the 10K. My best friend is a Perfect Goofy so we will be chasing him around. For the half we will be on Main Street under the tree. We will then get on the Monorail to Epcot. We will be positioned at the spot where runners enter Epcot near the bus stops. Then we will get to the finish. For the full we will again be on Main Street under the tree and then we will go into Epcot to see our friend and then out to the finish to reconnect and hit the beer tent to start the celebration!

 

[Disneyhanna]

I'm just about done packing as I leave the tundra tomorrow! A check bag, a large duffel, and a carry on I have no idea how I packed so much considering I didn't pack a single pair of pants and only two sweatshirts I'll blame my work laptop and monitor that take up a good chunk of my carry on.

I'm gambling on a warm race weekend based on the forecast. I did pack throwaway sweatshirts, and have mylar. Worst case, I guess I will be going shopping early next week! Race shirts make good race under-layers for anyone debating if they want to pack long sleeves.

 

[WDW 4 ME]

So this might be super obvious to everyone else and I’m just oblivious. Posting in case there are others who would benefit from this *new* knowledge.

iPhones have a feature where it will stop charging at 80% when plugged in overnight, and finish charging closer to the time you normally wake up. Since most of us don’t wake up at 2am, our phones won’t be at 100% when we head out. To fix this, go to settings, battery, charging, and toggle off the “optimized battery charging”. You are welcome!

 

[accm]

At the airport waiting to board our flight! I’m usually a light packer, but we ended up with 2 carry on sized and one full sized suitcases. Thanks to everyone that mentioned the massage gun. I originally had it in a checked bag since I forgot about the battery thing.

I’ve surprised myself by barely looking at the forecast. Usually I’m over analyzing it. Just pack for everything and go shopping there if you *happen* to not bring enough

 

[frozengirl]

Thank you for all of the amazing advice!
Spectating question: If my daughter wants to be at the marathon finish line and I will cross after 9am, does she need a park ticket? Thanks!

 

[Herding_Cats]

Thank you for all of the amazing advice!
Spectating question: If my daughter wants to be at the marathon finish line and I will cross after 9am, does she need a park ticket? Thanks!

No. She will drive or bus to the epcot parking lot, go through security (but NOT through the tapstiles to get into the park), and then turn LEFT and follow the sidewalk (and signs) to the finish area. There will be bleachers, etc along the final straightaway to the finish line, and then she can meet you in the reunion area. The reunion area is usually *really* busy (at least when I cross it is!) so it may be a good idea to pick a landmark to meet her near. A food truck. A light pole. Across from a certain tent. The bleachers. Just pick something.

She would follow the white arrows. I haven’t downloaded this year’s dis doc yet, but the finish hasn’t changed from last year.

 

[princesspirateandrunner]

The Brooks shoes were just revealed on Good Morning America. They do have brown Chip and Dale ones!

 

[KCO5988]

The Brooks shoes were just revealed on Good Morning America. They do have brown Chip and Dale ones!

Wait, did they show the shoes or just announce what they would be?!

 

[princesspirateandrunner]

It looks like they’re also displaying a black pair, the Stitch ones, and a couple of others. They really only showcased the Chip and Dale ones, though. I can’t find a picture.

 

[princesspirateandrunner]

Wait, did they show the shoes or just announce what they would be?!

They showed a display, but then a close up of Chip and Dale.

 

[princesspirateandrunner]

I’ll post pictures from the tv

 

[princesspirateandrunner]

These aren’t great, but here are some shots:

 

[PrincessV]

Ok. Couldn't find much on the RunDisney site. First time Runner (half marathon), and dragging my non-disney loving husband with (blasphemy, I know). He is not a fan of crowds. Confirming, I realize it's a pain, but we can drive from Boardwalk to the Epcot parking lot in the AM, right? There will be road closures, but it's totally feasible, and he can stay in the car and avoid crowds til we need to get into the corral, right? (submitted POT so should be in B) I don't think the atmosphere on the bus is his thing, and im hoping to convince him to do more of these races

ENTIRELY feasible and IMO a great plan! I always drive to the races, no matter where I’m staying, because I also do not enjoy the bus thing. It’s a very easy, short drive from BW.

I totally agree with the pack for any weather approach - and I will be following it for the races (see my previous comments about 2017), but that forecast has me seriously rethinking my packing strategy for the daytime next week.

LAYERS!!! ‘Tis the season.