Marathon Weekend 2027

[Z-Knight]

I'm semi-almost-probably-definitely in for Dopey 2027. I got confirmation I'm on a charity list so once they get links I will have mine without worrying about registration. Not as much worry for 2027 but 2028 will be super hard so going with charity early to maximize my chance of getting in.

ok, now training starts so i can improve on what was a dumpster fire of a finish this year.

 

[smrt1]

Give MCM another chance! I ran it this past October and it was a perfect day.

Oorah!

Agreed. I ran it in 2018 and it was an amazing experience.

 

[princesspirateandrunner]

Agreed. I ran it in 2018 and it was an amazing experience.

We also ran it in 2018, and it was terrific! It’s still my marathon PR (and always will be, as I don’t expect to do any more fulls).

 

[WDW 4 ME]

SAFD: My most memorable weather race was actually a 5k. The majority of the 5k is ran through a cavern. About an hour before the race, it poured down rain. The race was delayed a bit but by the time we started running, it was barely drizzling. That didn’t stop the other issue, however. Since it’s a low lying area and caves everywhere, the water had nowhere to go. Water started coming up out of the sewers!!! And we were literally running through it!!! I’m not talking a little. The streets were flooded with it. You could smell it! My husband, who walked it with my boys, has dubbed it “the sewer run”. No amount of disinfectant made us comfortable to wear our shoes again.

 

[WDW 4 ME]

So, does shoveling snow for 3 hours count as strength training for my next race?!

 

[SheHulk]

So, does shoveling snow for 3 hours count as strength training for my next race?!

YES

 

[Naomeri]

So, does shoveling snow for 3 hours count as strength training for my next race?!

Of course!!

 

[jrsharp21]

I'm semi-almost-probably-definitely in for Dopey 2027. I got confirmation I'm on a charity list so once they get links I will have mine without worrying about registration. Not as much worry for 2027 but 2028 will be super hard so going with charity early to maximize my chance of getting in.

That is why I stayed with the same charity for Dopey 2027 that I did this year. I figured staying in good graces with them would be beneficial in trying to get a bib for 2028.

 

[3princesandaprincess]

Does anyone have a charity they love to run with? We had thought of securing a bib that way…. I’m familiar with a few of them but have no idea on pricing or how to get on a list this early.

 

[DisneyParrothead]

That is why I stayed with the same charity for Dopey 2027 that I did this year. I figured staying in good graces with them would be beneficial in trying to get a bib for 2028.

Same. I’m doing Princess for a second time with a charity, and I’m on their priority list for MW next year. I got my dad on that list too since he wants to do the marathon to celebrate being 70.

 

[KCO5988]

Late SAFD: I have two that come to mind:

1. Shamrock Marathon in VA Beach 2016 - Crazy winds and cold. Wouldn't have been that terrible except I followed an over-eager pacer and blew up at mile 13. I proceeded to walk the second half but was freezing so my DH (bf at the time) met me along the course to bring me extra dry layers which I changed into in a porta-potty. He proposed the next day though, so it balances out good/bad memory-wise for the weekend hahaha.

2. The craziest/scariest I ever had was Lake Placid Ironman in 2014. This is a long one haha. There was a thunderstorm closing in at the start, but the race announcers said we are starting as normal but be prepared for the swim to get cut short. It was a two loop swim, where you had to get out of the water after the first loop and run back over to the start a few hundred meters away. I finished the first loop and it was already raining and I could hear thunder and see lightening. Looked around at the race officials expecting them to say don't do another loop, but nope no one stopped me. That second loop was terrifying. The water was so cold my hands were getting shooting pains and I thought maybe lightening was striking the water and I was being slightly electrocuted (race brain). Luckily I'm a fairly strong swimmer and finished my second loop and ran to the transition tent. I fully changed clothes between the swim and the bike because I "wanted to start the bike dry" which went out the window as it was pouring, but as I was in the tent I heard a volunteer say "they're all coming". Turns out they sounded an alarm and told everyone still in the water to swim to the closest shore/dock/anything. People who lived on the lake were pulling athletes onto their private docks and letting them run through their homes to get to the street to run back to transition. I think they waited so long because of age group qualifiers to Kona and didn't know what to do. The bike was still pouring rain and the hills at Lake Placid are crazy which was a terrifying combo. I was riding my breaks so hard on all the downhills out of fear of skidding out and losing all the momentum for the up hills. Lighting was striking uncomfortably close to the course (at least for me but was given no notice to shelter) The bike was also two loops and by the second loop the sun came out and I, of course, got sunburnt because who puts on sunscreen when they've just been destroyed by a multi-hour-long thunderstorm. The run was also two loops- consistency haha. The second loop it had gotten dark and and temperatures plummeted. Some random angel runner gave me a pair of unopened fleece sleeves which saved me. I survived but it was a long 15+ hour day hahaha

 

[nancipants]

Late SAFD: I have two that come to mind:

2. The craziest/scariest I ever had was Lake Placid Ironman in 2014. This is a long one haha. There was a thunderstorm closing in at the start, but the race announcers said we are starting as normal but be prepared for the swim to get cut short. It was a two loop swim, where you had to get out of the water after the first loop and run back over to the start a few hundred meters away. I finished the first loop and it was already raining and I could hear thunder and see lightening. Looked around at the race officials expecting them to say don't do another loop, but nope no one stopped me. That second loop was terrifying. The water was so cold my hands were getting shooting pains and I thought maybe lightening was striking the water and I was being slightly electrocuted (race brain). Luckily I'm a fairly strong swimmer and finished my second loop and ran to the transition tent. I fully changed clothes between the swim and the bike because I "wanted to start the bike dry" which went out the window as it was pouring, but as I was in the tent I heard a volunteer say "they're all coming". Turns out they sounded an alarm and told everyone still in the water to swim to the closest shore/dock/anything. People who lived on the lake were pulling athletes onto their private docks and letting them run through their homes to get to the street to run back to transition. I think they waited so long because of age group qualifiers to Kona and didn't know what to do. The bike was still pouring rain and the hills at Lake Placid are crazy which was a terrifying combo. I was riding my breaks so hard on all the downhills out of fear of skidding out and losing all the momentum for the up hills. Lighting was striking uncomfortably close to the course (at least for me but was given no notice to shelter) The bike was also two loops and by the second loop the sun came out and I, of course, got sunburnt because who puts on sunscreen when they've just been destroyed by a multi-hour-long thunderstorm. The run was also two loops- consistency haha. The second loop it had gotten dark and and temperatures plummeted. Some random angel runner gave me a pair of unopened fleece sleeves which saved me. I survived but it was a long 15+ hour day hahaha

Okay, you win!!!

 

[MissLiss279]

Does anyone have a charity they love to run with? We had thought of securing a bib that way…. I’m familiar with a few of them but have no idea on pricing or how to get on a list this early.

I’ve ran with Scott Carter Foundation several times and Kellsie’s Crew once. I wouldn’t hesitate to run with either again. SCF gives an up front donation option and Kellsie’s Crew is probably a little more active with a FB group plus they’re fun to see cheering everyone on the course.
I think charities will start to receive there bibs in the next week or two, so keep an eye out.

Link to charities:
https://www.rundisney.com/plan-your-trip/disneyworld/travel-providers/disneyworld-marathon-weekend/

 

[lukemorenus]

Sadly, I think my personal WDW marathon streak will end in 2027 (it began in 2012) ... I'm scheduled for heel/achilles surgery on Monday and will also need the other foot done later in the year... ugh

 

[Mr_Incr3dible]

Does anyone have a charity they love to run with? We had thought of securing a bib that way…. I’m familiar with a few of them but have no idea on pricing or how to get on a list this early.

I have had nice experiences with both Give Kids the World, and Team Red White and Blue. Just reach out to them via the contact info on their web sites.

>> ok, now training starts so i can improve on what was a dumpster fire of a finish this year.
You finished, and sometimes that is enough. Now it's time to be a goldfish and look forward. You've got this.

>>. The craziest/scariest I ever had was Lake Placid Ironman in 2014
My summer trip with DS2 one summer was to upstate NY, including Lake Placid. Lovely area in the summer, and as we were heading out we went through town and wound up in the middle of (I think) the Iron Man up there. So that is my very unexpected one degree of separation with that event.

SAFD: My most memorable bad weather race was a 5K: the Pi Mile Road Race around Georgia Tech. This is normally in late March with fairly mild weather, but 3 or 4 years ago it was in the 20's with a howling wind at race start. We were all huddled under the stadium to stay out of the wind until right at race time. My DS2 and I ran it and then headed to the car as fast as possible to get warmed up. A couple of days later, it was in the 70s....
My other bad weather encounter was the shortened Half during MW a couple of years ago. I have vivid memories of the skies that morning, full of swirling winds but warm. It was like something out of a movie. If you were there, you remember the unexpected u-turn across the median and heading back to Epcot. IMHO, it was a good call; the first drops started hitting me as I was in line for a bus back to Pop. I can only imagine what it would have been line for race support and any runners still out on the course if it had not been shortened.

 

[smileyanna]

I am having trouble deciding between Goofy and Dopey for 2027, and will need to let my charity know pretty soon. I'd love your advice. Background: Longtime marathon runner, just recently (re)started runDisney. Ran Dopey in 2025 and Goofy in 2026.

Pros of Dopey:
- It's the Everest of runDisney events.
- So much camaraderie. More meetups. The podcasts I listen to focus on that week's Dopey training and I like feeling a part of that. I was shocked how it felt like my entire corral was running Dopey and not the standalone Marathon/Half/Goofy!
- The 5k and 10k are my favorite races. My least favorite course is the half marathon. Marathon weekend is my only runDisney event for the year, and I like these morning run experiences
- Forces an extra long vacation, and I'd go to the parks on 5k and 10k day.

Pros of Goofy
- I call it "The Working Man's Dopey," in that you get almost all of the challenge in a fairly efficient weekend. The training is almost identical. The feeling of accomplishment was the same for me.
- Much less Disney hangover - I found reentry to real life MUCH easier this year.
- It was great getting to the corrals on half marathon morning this year fresh and excited, and not feeling like "oh, this again?!" Dopey is awesome but also a slog
- Cheaper, less time away from family
- I can avoid the expo on the first day
- Rumor has it that 2028 is a good year for Dopey (anniversary?). So if I am really torn, I can hold back for 2027 and then return to Dopey in 2028

 

[Mr_Incr3dible]

I am having trouble deciding between Goofy and Dopey for 2027, and will need to let my charity know pretty soon. I'd love your advice. Background: Longtime marathon runner, just recently (re)started runDisney. Ran Dopey in 2025 and Goofy in 2026.

Pros of Dopey:
- It's the Everest of runDisney events.
- So much camaraderie. More meetups. The podcasts I listen to focus on that week's Dopey training and I like feeling a part of that. I was shocked how it felt like my entire corral was running Dopey and not the standalone Marathon/Half/Goofy!
- The 5k and 10k are my favorite races. My least favorite course is the half marathon. Marathon weekend is my only runDisney event for the year, and I like these morning run experiences
- Forces an extra long vacation, and I'd go to the parks on 5k and 10k day.

Pros of Goofy
- I call it "The Working Man's Dopey," in that you get almost all of the challenge in a fairly efficient weekend. The training is almost identical. The feeling of accomplishment was the same for me.
- Much less Disney hangover - I found reentry to real life MUCH easier this year.
- It was great getting to the corrals on half marathon morning this year fresh and excited, and not feeling like "oh, this again?!" Dopey is awesome but also a slog
- Cheaper, less time away from family
- I can avoid the expo on the first day
- Rumor has it that 2028 is a good year for Dopey (anniversary?). So if I am really torn, I can hold back for 2027 and then return to Dopey in 2028

Good summary of the pros and cons.
Dopey was a hill that I wanted needed to conquer, and I did so 4 years ago. But, as you note, it was a larger time and $$ commitment. For that reason, since then I have been doing the Goofy. As you say, most of the satisfaction of a Dopey with less time and money and no 1st day Expo hassle.
I've been thinking only the marathon for 2027 so that I can prioritize rides over photo ops, and then maybe Dopey in 2028 for the anniversary year. YMMV

 

[marty3d]

I am having trouble deciding between Goofy and Dopey for 2027, and will need to let my charity know pretty soon. I'd love your advice. Background: Longtime marathon runner, just recently (re)started runDisney. Ran Dopey in 2025 and Goofy in 2026.

Pros of Dopey:
- It's the Everest of runDisney events.
- So much camaraderie. More meetups. The podcasts I listen to focus on that week's Dopey training and I like feeling a part of that. I was shocked how it felt like my entire corral was running Dopey and not the standalone Marathon/Half/Goofy!
- The 5k and 10k are my favorite races. My least favorite course is the half marathon. Marathon weekend is my only runDisney event for the year, and I like these morning run experiences
- Forces an extra long vacation, and I'd go to the parks on 5k and 10k day.

Pros of Goofy
- I call it "The Working Man's Dopey," in that you get almost all of the challenge in a fairly efficient weekend. The training is almost identical. The feeling of accomplishment was the same for me.
- Much less Disney hangover - I found reentry to real life MUCH easier this year.
- It was great getting to the corrals on half marathon morning this year fresh and excited, and not feeling like "oh, this again?!" Dopey is awesome but also a slog
- Cheaper, less time away from family
- I can avoid the expo on the first day
- Rumor has it that 2028 is a good year for Dopey (anniversary?). So if I am really torn, I can hold back for 2027 and then return to Dopey in 2028

I had done Dopey in 3 of the last 4 years and decided on Goofy this year and never had any Dopey FOMO. I did not miss getting up those 2 extra mornings.

That being said - I think this is the key point in your Pros for Dopey - the 5k and 10k are your favourite races. They aren't mine which is why I didn't really miss it. Would you feel like you've missed out on those if you do Goofy? I think if they are your favourites and you like the morning run experiences the right answer is probably Dopey.

 

[GuinnessRunner]

I've done both multiple times and I think you essentially nailed it.

For me, I don't like the 5-K, althought he 10-K is fine. I've gravitated more to Goofy because it (theoretically) means I can take less time off work and since I do these solo now (or with the grown kids), less time away from the family. The two fewer wakeups should not be overlooked either. That being said, I do get a bit jealous on Goofy years when I see everyone arriving earlier in the week and for sure the commentary for the weekend is much more focused on Dopey and sometimes makes other participants feel like second-class citizens.

I had to switch to Dopey again this year because of a charity snafu, but had it gone well (i.e. I wasn't injured this year) I probably would have gone back to Goofy this year, But now I want "revenge" so back to Dopey I go.

Good news is that there is no wrong answer on this one.

 

[RuntheMouse]

I am having trouble deciding between Goofy and Dopey for 2027, and will need to let my charity know pretty soon. I'd love your advice. Background: Longtime marathon runner, just recently (re)started runDisney. Ran Dopey in 2025 and Goofy in 2026.

Pros of Dopey:
- It's the Everest of runDisney events.
- So much camaraderie. More meetups. The podcasts I listen to focus on that week's Dopey training and I like feeling a part of that. I was shocked how it felt like my entire corral was running Dopey and not the standalone Marathon/Half/Goofy!
- The 5k and 10k are my favorite races. My least favorite course is the half marathon. Marathon weekend is my only runDisney event for the year, and I like these morning run experiences
- Forces an extra long vacation, and I'd go to the parks on 5k and 10k day.

Pros of Goofy
- I call it "The Working Man's Dopey," in that you get almost all of the challenge in a fairly efficient weekend. The training is almost identical. The feeling of accomplishment was the same for me.
- Much less Disney hangover - I found reentry to real life MUCH easier this year.
- It was great getting to the corrals on half marathon morning this year fresh and excited, and not feeling like "oh, this again?!" Dopey is awesome but also a slog
- Cheaper, less time away from family
- I can avoid the expo on the first day
- Rumor has it that 2028 is a good year for Dopey (anniversary?). So if I am really torn, I can hold back for 2027 and then return to Dopey in 2028

I did Dopey once, Goofy once and this year just the marathon. Dopey IS a slog, you’re right. I’m over doing 5k’s at Disney, getting up that early for a 30 minute run no longer excites me. The marathon excites me! Adding on the half is a fun way to get the challenge experience without draining yourself mentally and physically. 2 early mornings are so much better than 4. Oh and the late visit to expo, the best!