Marathon Weekend 2026

[sandam1]

For the 10K three members of my group went out of the last corral. Starting the race only 2 minutes in front of the balloon ladies. Yesterday we were joking around about next year - they did succeed in finishing but with the balloon ladies on their heals the entire time. So we were joking, “you conquered the 10k, I guess that leaves the Half next”. The response really made me think. In short they finished, but it was awful, stressful and anxiety provoking for 6.2 miles. They were proud to finish and that feels good but did not enjoy the process. Certainly not enough to want to do more. It was not just the pain of pushing themselves but the anxiety of having no space to slow down or even take in the moment.

I had a similar feeling during my first Dopey. During the races - particularly the marathon - I felt like I was running from the balloon ladies the whole time. The fact that I DNF'd the marathon the previous year (and finished the half with the balloon ladies) probably didn't help my mindset. My second Dopey was motivated by the goal to NOT feel that way and to know that I was fast enough and strong enough to run without fear.

To those members of your group, I would highly encourage them to NOT move up to the half, but to work on getting to the point where they can do a comfortable 10K first.

 

[accm]

I also just got the survey. First time ever. So I'm happy I'll get to share my thoughts. I just hope the fact that I'll say I'm definitely returning doesn't negate everything I have to say...

Definitely gave us a new perspective and appreciation for what people running from the later corrals go through during the race. I’m not sure I’d do well running and having to look over my shoulder all the time.

I mentioned before, but I ran with my friend from G for the first time. It also gave me a whole new perspective and appreciation for anyone who starts at the back, and has around a 16mm pace. I didn't let my friend look back, and instead took that worry on myself. She didn't get to stop for characters on the 10k or half, and the one bathroom break we took during the half really cut into our lead. Coming out of Epcot during the half with the balloon ladies was so crowded, we had no choice but to go with the flow of everyone else and get passed by them.

Now trying to figure out when I can get back and do another one, (although I know any future ones will probably not hit the same way as the first one), unfortunately 2028 is probably the next real chance I get.

I can say that even though this was my first Dopey, running down Main Street still makes me tear up. Same with coming out of HS and running through Epcot for the full.

 

[accm]

I definitely did not mince words about my expo experience. I also checked off that lighting and construction was an issue, even though I didn't personally experience it since we ran by the worst areas after it was already light out.

I hope the fact I said I'm definitely running again in the next 2 years doesn't make them blow off everything I said...

 

[dobball23]

@FFigawi I wanted to follow up and see which of your two 5K times did Disney include in the Dopey results?

 

[Erika10021]

We really looked for you and Rick at just near mile 24, even looked up your bib numbers, but we missed you!

I'm so sorry we missed you. But at mile 24, all I could think about was getting done. It was tougher than I expected to get through the last couple of miles. The people cheering certainly helped a ton but my brain was too fried to notice any individuals.

Thank you so much for watching for us and cheering everyone on! I wish there was a better way to cheer on the spectators. Maybe next year I'll have a shirt made up or hold up a sign telling the people watching that they are the real heroes, getting us all through it.

 

[cburnett11]

On my survey, I made sure to mention how bad the race shirt artwork was. I did wear them after the races, but probably won’t wear the again. I kept thinking I had a bib pinned to me because of that “iron on” stiff square.

 

[FFigawi]

@FFigawi I wanted to follow up and see which of your two 5K times did Disney include in the Dopey results?

Hypothetically, the second one

 

[Zutroy]

On my survey, I made sure to mention how bad the race shirt artwork was. I did wear them after the races, but probably won’t wear the again. I kept thinking I had a bib pinned to me because of that “iron on” stiff square.

The shirts this year from Princess, Wine and Dine, and now MW all had the giant wall of plastic on the front, so I hope this isn’t a trend that continues in the future. The Champion shirts really were the pinnacle of both design and function. The ones from 2011 were a little heavy for my tastes, but the ones around 2017 were perfection. It was such a shame when they switched to a generic unbranded shirt, because my 2019-2020 shirts are so scratchy. I had high hopes for the Brooks colab, but these shirts are essentially non-functional with so much plastic on the front.

 

[Dopey 2020]

The shirts this year from Princess, Wine and Dine, and now MW all had the giant wall of plastic on the front, so I hope this isn’t a trend that continues in the future. The Champion shirts really were the pinnacle of both design and function. The ones from 2011 were a little heavy for my tastes, but the ones around 2017 were perfection. It was such a shame when they switched to a generic unbranded shirt, because my 2019-2020 shirts are so scratchy. I had high hopes for the Brooks colab, but these shirts are essentially non-functional with so much plastic on the front.

View attachment 1039805

Agreed 100%
I still run in that exact shirt to this day, one of my favorite running shirts, high quality, comfortable, breathable, and bright

 

[The Expert]

Agree! When I turned my old race shirts into a quilt, I kept a few of those older ones to wear. Not only are they more comfortable and just better all around, they are still in great condition almost 10 years later!

 

[Barca33Runner]

I had high hopes for Brooks taking over the included shirts. Some of my favorite older shirts from other weekends have been Brooks. Was very disappointed that the front essentially feels like wearing a trash bag. Honestly, felt like rD made a cheap, generic shirt and the Brooks branding was applied to it rather than Brooks actually making the race shirts.

The best rD merch was always when Champion made the race shirts and several actual apparel companies were involved in making the additional weekend merch rather than than it all being in-house from Disney. IMO, this was the least variety and lowest quality they have ever had on offer and they should be embarrassed. The one thing Brooks was actually in charge of, their shoes, was the only aspect of the official merch area that was run with any sort of intelligence apparent. Purely an anecdotal and speculative observation, but I think many people bought shoes who weren’t expecting to because they could obtain them efficiently and because they weren’t spending on race weekend merch (both because of the lack of quality and the cluster-bleep that obtaining it required).

 

[fatmanatee]

What’s happening with the Brooks shirts is happening everywhere, all the major brands have their cheap fabric that they use for the freebies and then the regular stuff which they’re happy to sell to you. Last couple years I’ve gotten free shirts from NB, Brooks, and Adidas. All crap. My first marathon shirt is from Nike and I have quite a few shirts I’ve gotten from them for athletic activity but the free one from the marathon in the same size felt more like a cheap crop top.

 

[FFigawi]

Agreed as well! I used this year's race shirts as throw-away tops before the races. Someone out there must like them, though, because they got corral shopped almost immediately.

 

[MissLiss279]

I will say I do like the material / printing method (sublimation??) of some of the purchased shirts the last couple years, but not necessarily the design of what was on them this year. But I do agree mostly with all the merchandise/race shirt opinions.

Last year I bought marathon and Dopey racerback tanks (sublimated - no screened on print) that I really like. I bought a Springtime Surprise one and it wasn’t racerback that I felt the armholes were too small (but I did buy a size smaller than the MW ones). And then this year - no tanks except for a white general weekend one (non-racerback). I’m not a big fan of white, because I fear getting it instantly dirty. Ha! I really wish they would have brought back the racerback tanks, but I’m wondering if they think non-racerback are more gender neutral.

 

[Barca33Runner]

What’s happening with the Brooks shirts is happening everywhere, all the major brands have their cheap fabric that they use for the freebies and then the regular stuff which they’re happy to sell to you. Last couple years I’ve gotten free shirts from NB, Brooks, and Adidas. All crap. My first marathon shirt is from Nike and I have quite a few shirts I’ve gotten from them for athletic activity but the free one from the marathon in the same size felt more like a cheap crop top.

Yeah, it was unfair of me to pass this off on rD, it’s a cost cutting measure everywhere. Had so many great “free” shirts from the 2012-2018 range and, at this point, I can’t even remember the last included shirt I received that wasn’t a disappointment.

 

[fatmanatee]

Yeah, it was unfair of me to pass this off on rD, it’s a cost cutting measure everywhere. Had so many great “free” shirts from the 2012-2018 range and, at this point, I can’t even remember the last included shirt I received that wasn’t a disappointment.

There’s a good chance I break out my decade old SW Half shirt for DL. By far the best one I have, even if it has a bit of the “oversized graphic” problem that the MW shirts this year had.