Marathon Weekend 2027

[garneska]

I completely agree with everything @camaker said.

Oh and I ran on Friday and today. Only allowed 10 intervals but it’s a start. In the mean time Whisky is going to the vet tomorrow. She has lots of issues so at the end of the day I am hoping her current issue is that all her meds are causing her to not eat. The problem is she seems very light and having some issues with her backend going out. Worried that she is losing muscle mass. The big fear is that means we are going to have to make her food. Once we start that probably not going back. Why do we get all the hard dogs.

 

[Herding_Cats]

Ha! We must've been typing simultaneously.

What's even more hilarious is that your question is one I had intially considered asking.

 

[Herding_Cats]

SAFD for @lhermiston 's question:

I'm going to be a bit of an oddball and say my favorite parts of the course are:
-World Drive (or whatever the road is) between Epcot and MK where things are 3+ lanes wide and you can finally spread out from other runners.
-the *downhill* into HS during the marathon because you survived Western Way, Blizzard Beach parking lot, the "uphill" and all you have left is a right turn into HS and then it's off to Epcot and the finish! You've done all the crappy parts! You're nearly done!

Also, World Showcase in the dark.

 

[DianaMB333]

SAFD. Overrated thing.., I agree that merch is a big one… mostly because I have fallen in the trap LOL I have tons of shirts that are only fun at the rD event and then I buy the one for the weekend …

Preferred segment (outside of Main St and finish line), when the Boardwalk segment or running around the lake has a beautiful twilight/sunrise sky.. I feel so blessed then

 

[RuntheMouse]

SAFD Part 1: The merch, definitely the merch. I’m including the Brooks shoes in there, I just don’t get the hype. There is so much good merch at other races and Disney just can’t get it right so why are people going crazy for it??

SAFD Part 2: I LOVE the World Showcase in the dark. The torches around the lagoon and an absolute favorite of mine, the bring back memories of Illuminations that still make me tear up. I also love the highway miles, room to breathe and no one is jumping in front of me for a pic

 

[Naomeri]

SAFD-1: this is probably mostly a "me" thing, but post-race snacks are over-rated, especially at runDisney where it's pre-packaged and I can't pick and choose what I want (I get why they just have pre-made boxes for logistical reasons, I just hate the food waste if I actually take a box)

SAFD-2: my favorite part of runDisney courses is the hills after the Cloverleaf of Doom. You've finally made it up the stupid cambered loop, and the road is straight, sometimes there's grass you can run in, and there's a couple big downhills to pass people on (which is a nice ego boost for a slow runner) Sure, there's uphills, and it's a little narrow, but it usually means you're closing in on the end of the race, and the hardest parts are over. And you can see Spaceship Earth.

 

[jpholic]

SAFD #1:
The runDisney shopping portion of the expo. I just wanna grab my magnet and then my weekend cup on race day. That is a very intense experience.

SAFD #2:
- Running through DHS or DCA. Love the lighting in both parks. Carsland is hands down my favorite. I really hope some day west coast races come back.
- This might be a mid take but I kinda like World Dr. I zone out and run.

 

[matt and beth]

SAFD:

Overrated? The pineapple seltzer cider thing.

Favorite segment? Blizzard Beach

 

[fatmanatee]

10k had occasionally gone between HS and Epcot but not recently, since they’ve standardized all of the routes. As much as I like the variety you lose a lot of Epcot and gain a minute or two at HS.

 

[smrt1]

10k had occasionally gone between HS and Epcot but not recently, since they’ve standardized all of the routes. As much as I like the variety you lose a lot of Epcot and gain a minute or two at HS.

View attachment 1088257

Interesting. I was there but have no recollection whatsoever. I, along with everyone else, hate the removal of the World Showcase finale for the marathon. All of the other changes I am very happy with. Sometimes I do miss the baseball field at WWoS, but then I remember how long and boring the rest of ESPN was. It was too late in the race for it to have been enjoyable. Where did you get that map? Is there an online archive of rD maps somewhere? I kept all of the old paper maps they used to give out, but it’s been quite awhile since they’ve done that.

 

[smrt1]

SAFD:

Overrated? The pineapple seltzer cider thing.

Favorite segment? Blizzard Beach

So I’ve never heard of the pineapple seltzer thing until I saw it mentioned in a post here a few days ago. Please elaborate. I don’t drink so it’s nothing I would’ve paid attention to during MW.

 

[GollyGadget]

SAFD: I agree with folks that the merch is overhyped. I’m also at a stage in my life where I don’t want to accumulate more things so it’d have to really blow me away. My actual answer though is the walk to the start is overblown. You’re there to run several miles and it’s typical of large races to have long walks to the start and/or finish. I think of it as a nice warm up and time to get my mental game ready.

For favorite segment, I really like the path from GF to MK with the Electric Water Pageant. Those floats & music hold a special place in my heart and it’s such a nice addition. I will acknowledge that I’ve run from corral A and it’s never been crowded for me but I could see how it’d be a worse experience for others.

 

[jmasgat]

SAFD1: Most over hyped? The Mile 20 spectacular Now if you ask me what I like the least ... the expo setup for bib and shirt pickup. Don't make me stand in multiple lines across multiple buildings. It's annoying.

SAFD2: World Showcase in the dark deserves the love. The old Burma Shave style signs in cone alley were also fun. Anything that brings a smile to your face during a race is appreciated.

 

[Barca33Runner]

SAFDs:

Most overrated: Will concur with basically everyone on the merch. I don’t like the way they have it set up, I don’t like the lack of design and manufacturing quality, I don’t like charging name brand prices for the quality delivered, and I don’t like that the few times I actually like something it’s rare I can get it before it’s gone. I also dislike that I can’t convince my traveling party to skip the Disney merch on Wednesday, just pick up our bibs, and come back later in the week if we want some Brooks shoes or to check out what’s left.

Course Favorites: I actually always liked running through ESPN. There were changes in terrain, good places for refreshment stops, there were usually characters, and it always felt good coming out and knowing I was in the homestretch.

 

[llviguy]

Interesting. I was there but have no recollection whatsoever. I, along with everyone else, hate the removal of the World Showcase finale for the marathon. All of the other changes I am very happy with. Sometimes I do miss the baseball field at WWoS, but then I remember how long and boring the rest of ESPN was. It was too late in the race for it to have been enjoyable. Where did you get that map? Is there an online archive of rD maps somewhere? I kept all of the old paper maps they used to give out, but it’s been quite awhile since they’ve done that.

Archive of old maps.
teamrundis.com/rundisney-course-maps

 

[fatmanatee]

Interesting. I was there but have no recollection whatsoever. I, along with everyone else, hate the removal of the World Showcase finale for the marathon. All of the other changes I am very happy with. Sometimes I do miss the baseball field at WWoS, but then I remember how long and boring the rest of ESPN was. It was too late in the race for it to have been enjoyable. Where did you get that map? Is there an online archive of rD maps somewhere? I kept all of the old paper maps they used to give out, but it’s been quite awhile since they’ve done that.

I googled this one bc I did it and remember, I think it’s the only time I’ve done this route. They did it a few times and it was very random IIRC.

Site below has a good history of RD maps.

https://www.magicofrunning.com/rundisney-maps/

 

[lhermiston]

I could be wrong, but I don’t think it was ever part of the MW 10K.

No, you're right. The story is that back in 2020, at the height of ROTR hype, John cooked up a plan to deviate from the 10K course, run to Hollywood via the aforementioned walkway, enter the park, snag our ROTR reservations (which at the time could only be done in-park, I think), run back to the course and finish the race.

It basically had to be perfect timing, it was, and we snagged the reservations.

 

[matt and beth]

So I’ve never heard of the pineapple seltzer thing until I saw it mentioned in a post here a few days ago. Please elaborate. I don’t drink so it’s nothing I would’ve paid attention to during MW.

It’s very popular. Cult following status. It’s just very sweet and slightly perfume tasting. Gives me a tummy ache.

 

[dobball23]

It's nearly 4pm and no SAFD question? Well shoot. Let me stir the pot, friends.

What the most overrated part of a race weekend in your opinion? If this is your first runDisney race weekend, what have you seen people post about that you just don't understand the hype?

In my opinion, and this is also heavily colored by my experience in February, the most overrated (aka skippable) part of race weekends is the pre-race character pictures. The lines are bananas, people are NOT ready, and it's *a lot* of standing right before you head off to the corrals (where there is also more standing.) ALSO, on MW they usually have some really odd/unrelated characters. No Dopey on Sunday? Clara Cluck? Will Donald be a pre-race picture for all 4 days since they have themed most of the weekend around the anniversary? Make it make sense! (I understand why the pre-race pics are there from a crowd perspective....I just struggle with the burning desire for pics with characters that are readily available in the parks.)

SAFD: The themes of each weekend. For example, the "books" theme of last year's MW. That could have been anything and it would have been the same experience for me.

 

[marty3d]

-the *downhill* into HS during the marathon because you survived Western Way, Blizzard Beach parking lot, the "uphill" and all you have left is a right turn into HS and then it's off to Epcot and the finish! You've done all the crappy parts! You're nearly done!

Most years I've actually enjoyed that. This year I honestly thought I was going to die at that point. The only thing worse was the uphill into Fantasmic. If I had been running alone that might have been the end of my race. I would have just boarded Tower of Terror and refused to get off the elevator. (This is a good reminder to myself not to stop marathon training in November and December)

SAFD: Parts 1 & 2
Most overrated: The Merch craziness. I do often find one or two merch items that I want but for the most part I don't understand the hype. Maybe I'm just bitter over people coming in and buying everything up to resell it on eBay. Just put everything on pre-order already!

Favourite Segment: Epcot in the Dark. I also love running into AK and the run up to and riding Everest.