Marathon Weekend 2026

[nancipants]

For this years wine and dine half they issued a heat advisory and many had issues with the heat on the course. Things could change, but it's looking like temps and conditions for the half and full could be similar to this years wine and dine. Do they ever shorten the races because of heat?

In 2020 they cut the marathon course later on in the day. Basically instead of turning to go to Blizzard Beach from Western Way, they sent people toward Hollywood Studios.

 

[BigEeyore]

SAFD: Flying down Thursday AM, straight to expo to hopefully get the Brooks Adrenalines and whatever else catches my fancy! Doing Goofy - have a few ADR's (finally Beak and Barrel!) and my friend arrives Friday. Hoping to meet up with some of you at some point!

Do they ever shorten the races because of heat?

YES a couple of years ago it got quite warm and they shortened the course after a certain time. I was able to finish before that happened but I know a lot of people were frustrated. Hoping for a little cooler weather than what is forecast!

 

[marty3d]

In 2020 they cut the marathon course later on in the day. Basically instead of turning to go to Blizzard Beach from Western Way, they sent people toward Hollywood Studios.

I can’t remember if it was 2022 or 2023 but they also started the marathon 30 minutes early because of heat.

 

[BigEeyore]

My collection of shoe ornaments! Hoping to add a new one for 2026

 

[StarGirl11]

For this years wine and dine half they issued a heat advisory and many had issues with the heat on the course. Things could change, but it's looking like temps and conditions for the half and full could be similar to this years wine and dine. Do they ever shorten the races because of heat?

So the answer to this is yes. They did that in 2020.

That being said I’m running around in the 60s and it’s not a warm 60s it’s a chilly 60s. Not sure how that will bode for race temps. But just thought should mention it.

Like I’ve been here when it’s hot, sticky 60s and that’s not how I would describe the current weather

 

[fatmanatee]

I don’t recall them cutting the course in 2022, it was probably at the absolute limit though.

2020 got a course cut (not sure when exactly) at our favorite section, Blizzard Beach. Part of this was due to heat but what I didn’t know until now, as I’m refreshing my memory (i didn’t run it) is that the start was delayed 20 min due to traffic issues.

 

[FFigawi]

Like I’ve been here when it’s hot, sticky 60s and that’s not how I would describe the current weather

This morning was absolutely hot and sticky 60s. I felt like I was back home.

 

[Herding_Cats]

Yes. As others have said, they do shorten the course in extreme cases. In 2022 they started a little early AND had everyone across the start line in 40min instead of the usual 60-65.

 

[CaliforniaGirl09]

SAFD: Flying out on a red-eye from Bay Area on Tuesday night--will hook up with my daughter in PHX on my stop and continue on together to MCO. Supposed to arrive stupidly early Wednesday morning but will drop bags at BC before heading to expo to collect our first Dopey bibs. This will be my 19th half but I've never done a marathon. Feeling a little anxious as we were in London for past couple weeks and did more training for DATW than the races, LOL. Sunday would have been my 34th wedding anniversary and it will be the second after the unexpected death of my husband in April 2024. I figured it was going to be a miserable day so I might as well go for the marathon. DD and I are hoping to hook up with you all at HHs and DATW. I'm also extremely nervous about getting sick so planning to mask up for the first time in years. Not planning to do much at the parks and only have a couple dining reservations so will be an unusual trip for us.

 

[Goofed98]

Sadly, that is no longer the case with the new ownership. We went to try it out in October and the service was seriously lacking. Also the menu prices doubled on everything -- $80+ for a filet?! We won't be going back.

This is for the place that replaced Shula's, correct?

 

[radiodome21]

SAFD: Staying in the Chicago burbs following this thread until my wife and I run a MW race in 2027. Never thought I’d ever have interest in a MW race but I can’t wait.

 

[AJruns]

SAFD: I arrive early Tues morning, because even though I’m “only” doing the 10k and full I got sucked into the Weds early expo access again for CrD Normally I would work remotely all week and make my park days Sunday and Monday, but this year it’s job hunting instead so I may take some breaks and bop around for some snacks before then. My last dogsitting dog (of 4 in the past week) got picked up today, so tomorrow I can finally focus on leaving and finishing everything (and cleaning!). My head hasn’t really been in it this year, for various reasons, and so while this is my first visit to this thread this year I love knowing that there are others preparing and talking about everything and I can’t wait to be among the people that “get it” so soon. I haven’t scrolled back to look for meetup details but if there is one on Friday I will definitely come by.

 

[AZMermaid]

In 2020 they cut the marathon course later on in the day. Basically instead of turning to go to Blizzard Beach from Western Way, they sent people toward Hollywood Studios.

So the answer to this is yes. They did that in 2020.

That being said I’m running around in the 60s and it’s not a warm 60s it’s a chilly 60s. Not sure how that will bode for race temps. But just thought should mention it.

Like I’ve been here when it’s hot, sticky 60s and that’s not how I would describe the current weather

I don’t recall them cutting the course in 2022, it was probably at the absolute limit though.

2020 got a course cut (not sure when exactly) at our favorite section, Blizzard Beach. Part of this was due to heat but what I didn’t know until now, as I’m refreshing my memory (i didn’t run it) is that the start was delayed 20 min due to traffic issues.

Thanks for sending me on an hours long detour of reading the 2020 thread.

 

[JediKnightXan]

Got my 8 miler in today was in the high 50s, threw on a jacket to hopefully simulate the heat a little more. Made it through my plan only missing three runs, (and only one black toenail), so hopefully that means I'm prepared. I have been mostly stuck on a treadmill since late November so hopefully that helps me be ready for the little warmer temps. All that treadmill time also means I got to burn through the end of the Clone Wars and the 1.5 seasons of The Bad Batch.

SAFD: Flying in late Wed, landing in MCO a little after 5 (assuming everything is on time). Mears to AOA, if all of that happens much much faster than I think it will, then will try to get to Expo for bib pickup.

Thursday will be Hollywood Studios (this is a late audible as of yesterday it was AK before), then try to hit the expo in the afternoon and depending on when/how that goes either run back for Fantasmic or just enjoy the pool. Friday EPCOT, and then Saturday MK. Not sure how late we will stay at MK, kid doesn't like fireworks so at least I don't feel like I'm going to short change her by leaving a early.

Safe travels everyone and hope you all have a great races and wonderful vacations!

 

[AJruns]

2020 got a course cut (not sure when exactly) at our favorite section, Blizzard Beach. Part of this was due to heat but what I didn’t know until now, as I’m refreshing my memory (i didn’t run it) is that the start was delayed 20 min due to traffic issues.

I had totally forgotten about the late start… IIRC that was the year they switched from 5:30am to 5am, and while I was really bummed about the delay (I’m team the darker the better, thrilled with 4:30) it technically was still the usual timing for people that had done it before. I passed through Blizzard Beach before the cutoff and only heard about it after I finished, but it was a brutal morning and I wasn’t surprised that they tried to do something.

 

[smileyanna]

but it was a brutal morning and I wasn’t surprised that they tried to do something

Does anyone remember the temps that morning in 2020? Sunday is looking warm, but not that warm, right?

 

[dobball23]

SAFD: I've been at my parents' place near Fort Myers since Dec. 22. We make the three-hour drive to WDW (OKW) Wednesday morning. Excited for Marathon Weekend, but sad that our three-week trip to Florida (from PA) is winding down.

 

[AJruns]

Does anyone remember the temps that morning in 2020? Sunday is looking warm, but not that warm, right?

I remember it as 74 and 96% humidity at 5am, must have been at least 85 a few hours later with the sun… so no, not that warm.

 

[PrincessV]

For this years wine and dine half they issued a heat advisory and many had issues with the heat on the course. Things could change, but it's looking like temps and conditions for the half and full could be similar to this years wine and dine. Do they ever shorten the races because of heat?

Yep, I was among the first folks in 2020 to be diverted where they cut the course. They told us on Western Way that it would be cut at x:xx time and we had to make the turn off Western Way onto Buena Vista before that time to get through before they cut it. Some friends of mine hustled and made it, but I stayed with some other friends who were really suffering from the heat and I was worried about them. As an acclimated Floridian, it was miserably hot to me, but tolerable: it was really, really bad for a lot of others, though. I finished the remaining distance in the parking lot lol!

Does anyone remember the temps that morning in 2020? Sunday is looking warm, but not that warm, right?

My phone recorded it as 70º and 90% humidity at the start. My comments in my note for the run said 84º by the time I finished 7 hours later.

 

[FFigawi]

Does anyone remember the temps that morning in 2020? Sunday is looking warm, but not that warm, right?

My Strava says something similar to everyone else: 68 with 96% humidity at the start, low 80s when I finished. It’s not likely to be quite that warm on Sunday, but the humidity doesn’t look like it will drop much during the race either. A good day to slow down and take it easy.