Marathon Weekend 2027

[SugarSweetLee]

Lots of soul searching lately which has led me to bow out of MW. I realized I need a break from runDisney, I don’t know if it’s a great fit anymore. I finally decided on a fall marathon and have supporting races lined up so that’s my focus. I wish all the luck for registration day for all who are trying. Hopefully someone grabbed my RIV reservation I dropped today!

I canceled my MW res (also at RIV!) a couple days ago after they released the Donald teaser and the art came out. Those colors and character style just aren't really for me, and that's okay! I'll let someone else have the spot who will enjoy it more, and wait for one that is more up my alley.

 

[lhermiston]

Lots of soul searching lately which has led me to bow out of MW. I realized I need a break from runDisney, I don’t know if it’s a great fit anymore. I finally decided on a fall marathon and have supporting races lined up so that’s my focus. I wish all the luck for registration day for all who are trying. Hopefully someone grabbed my RIV reservation I dropped today!

There are so many great races out there and cool places to run. I’ll always have a soft spot for rD (the community more than anything), but escaping the FOMO vortex of Disney and branching out to other races the past few years has been hugely rewarding (and easier on my wallet).

 

[camaker]

Good morning RunDisney All-Stars! Welcome to this week's edition of Sundays are for Disney (SAFD). This week, let's talk about one of a runner's favorite topics: shoes. Everyone has different wants and needs from their shoes, so what are your go-to model(s)? Do you have different shoes for different types of runs? Do you rotate? Between models or within a model? If it's shoe related, it's fair game for this week's SAFD.

SAFD: I'm pretty simple with my approach to shoes. I've got self-proclaimed "Princess feet" that are finicky about what I can run in. So, for me, it's Brooks Ghosts for all my runs. Races, long runs, slow runs, tempo runs, it doesn't matter. I do, typically, have two pairs in service at one time and rotate between them to ensure they're "fresh" for the day's run. It used to be the Glycerin in that slot for me, but Brooks broke them with the 15s, making them too soft. I dread the day when they do that to the Ghosts and I have to find a replacement.

 

[Naomeri]

SAFD: I mostly run in Brooks Ghosts, though I have some ASICS that I still rotate in on race weekends so my feet can switch styles from race to race. Even if I don't switch styles between races, I will still switch shoes, just to have fresh ones ( I do the same thing for park days--if I go back to the room for a break, I'll switch shoes when I leave again, or switch shoes day-to-day)

 

[lhermiston]

SAFD: I trained for and ran my first two marathons in New Balances because that was just what I liked. But I ran both races with knee and foot pain. I knew I could be better/healthier and that shoes were likely part of the equation.

I went to a running shoe store and was recommended Hoka Bondis. They were goofy looking and awkward at first (this was before Hokas really blew up), but I truly believe they’ve saved my running career. I tried a couple other Hoka models, but I’ve run almost exclusively in Bondis the past 8 years or so.

I’d hate to see what I’ve spent.

 

[drummerwife]

(SAFD) I’m with you on the “Princess feet” thing. I’ve had 7 foot surgeries and now require lots of cushioning. For that reason, I run exclusively in Hoka Clifton’s and rotate between 4 pairs. I also have 2 pairs of Bondi for recovery and 3 pairs for everyday use. I may have a shoe problem…

 

[jmasgat]

SAFD: Well, for the past bunch of years I have been a Ghost runner. But V17 gave me an issue with rubbing/pressure on one foot, so I dropped them. My current pair is a Saucony Ride in wide. I did look at the Ghost in wide, but decide to try the Saucony.

Of course, I went to Disneyland and bought two pairs of shoes—the Ghosts in Wide and the Glycerine in Wide. So either they work or I have two expensive pairs of walking around shoes.

 

[sunshine girl]

SAFD: I am a Brooks Ghost wearer also! I wore New Balance until about 2018, switched to Ghost and have worn them since.

Along with regular Ghosts, I've been wearing the Ghost GTX (Gore-Tex) version the past few years and I love them. They're perfect for winter runs and keeping dry in snow or rain. Wore them during the 2025 WDW Half... with that intense wind and sideways rain at the start ... and my feet stayed dry. (They tend to feel a little stiffer than regular Ghosts, at least at first, due to the weatherproofing but they break in nicely.)

Can't wear the Ghost Max, though ... I don't like the feel of rocker shoes. A few people I know developed knee issues after a few years of wearing rocker-style shoes (Hokas in particular).

In other news, Brooks restocked some runDisney shoes online, in case anyone is interested!

 

[matt and beth]

SAFD: Mizuno Neo Vista. Game changer for this older runner. Soft and comfortable for long distance mileage. Achilles and knee pain is gone. A little mushy for fast running but very very comfortable

 

[GuinnessRunner]

SAFD: Now have three shoes in the rotation thanks to this group. For the past several years I have been running in Saucony Rides for shorter distances and Hoka Cliftons for longer runs. After reading the shoe talk on here, I also tried the Asics Superblast and really like them, so they are in the rotation as well, mostly for longer runs. My feet will , thankfully, handle most shoes ok so it is really about what feels best. The only thing I try to make sure of is that the heel toe drop is 8mm or less. More than that seems to stress my calves.

 

[jillinastoria]

SAFD: I rotate between the ASICS Gel-Cumulus and the Brooks Glycerin. I was a Ghost runner for years but somehow they stopped working for me. I'm happy with the combo I have now and hope they don't change either too much in future versions!

 

[The Expert]

SAFD I've gone through several brands over the years as I have some weirdness to accommodate. I was running in the Brooks Ghost Max 2 before discovering the Brooks Hyperion Max 3. I started doing just speed work and long runs in them, but now that my GM2s are starting to wear down and the GM3s don't work for me, I'm just rotating between two pairs of the HM3.

 

[Dopey 2020]

SAFD Great timing on this one as I’ve been glued to my fleet feet app the last two days trying to decide on dropping or not dropping some $$
After trying about everything under the sun I became a Mizuno fan of many years, then the Endorphins from Saucony came out. Now it’s a Mizuno for daily trainers and some long runs with Saucony for some long runs and any races. Usually keep 3 pairs in rotation sometimes 4 and track every mile with 400 as a general target. If they start feeling flat it’s shorter runs and then they become park shoes. I did grab some runDisney Brooks last year which I can use on the treadmill or as park shoes.
That brings me to my question, with all the enablers here I should get the right answer. My favorite shoe by far is my current race day shoe, the Saucony Elite 2. They just emailed me the new color way drop as well as the fact that the 3 is coming in June. If I wait for the 3 the 2 should go on sale but could sell out fast. I might like the 3 better but I might not. I could just bite the bullet now knowing the 2 fits me to perfection and put another pair in the closet but that’s a pricey pair. I’m going to need another long runs with shoe in the very near future so that’s another bill but does it really matter how much gets spent if you just don’t add it up?

 

[The Expert]

but does it really matter how much gets spent if you just don’t add it up?

Telling DH this is my new philosophy!

If you know a shoe works well for you and you're going to need another pair soon, I'd just get it now. If you can get another when they do go on sale, bonus. I always like a bit of insurance just in case the next model stops working.

 

[Baloo in MI]

SAFD:
I really like Hoka Cliftons. They are a good neutral shoe that offers the right amount of cushion for my larger frame. However, the new version 10’s I have not tried yet, still burning through the 9’s I purchased last year. I have heard the 10’s have a deeper heel to toe drop, I think it was 8mm? Will probably buy a pair and try them out this spring. I have really loved the 9’s (and 7’s and 8’s before them) so hoping I can stick with Cliftons. Though I don’t run in them anymore I really like Brooks Ghosts as well. My PT introduced me to Hokas and I just have not looked back. I use the Hoka Speedgoats for trail running, hoping to do more of that once this winter decides to call it a season.

 

[lookingforsunshine]

I officially have a Dopey spot with A Running Passion! The marathon will be my 50th runDisney finish line (my first was 2015 MW half).

SAFD: I also have princess feet. The only shoes that work for me are Altras. My favorites are the Via Olympus (1&2), but of course they have been discontinued. I reallyyy wish I could get Hokas to work because I love the cushioning of the Bondis but they always cause me pain later on.

 

[marty3d]

SAFD: Running shoes - my favourite topic! I should preface this by saying that since this is the MW thread and every shoe I'm running in will be retired this year, my shoe rotation might look very different in January! (not to mention I suspect I'll end up getting a pair of Brooks at W&D because I have no willpower!). Very interested to read what's working for everyone.

Do I rotate shoes? Yes - I will almost never run consecutive days in the same shoes. I've learned from Dopey that they have to be different models too.

Speed Runs/ <10kRuns: Nike Pegasus (39). I'm not totally happy with these even though I've been running in them for >10 years. Likely to try some different options to replace them.

Long Runs: I changed from the regular Nike Vomero to the Vomero Plus last fall. I like them and ran the MW half in them but not sure I love them. The base is just too wide for me. I think I may try the Brooks Ghost Max 3 I bought at MW and/ or go back to the regular Vomero in this slot.

Races: Nike VaporFly 3 - this is my second pair of VaporFlys and unless I find something else I like better the VF 4 will be my next pair. I know that for slower runners like me they don't necessarily deliver a performance increase but my recovery from Half and Full Marathons has been much quicker since I switched to these. (I also ONLY buy these on sale given the price!!)

Winter/ Snow/ Wet Trail/ Hoka Speedgoat. I think these were recommended by @Baloo in MI and I've been using them all winter (when it's been warm enough to run outside). Traction is fantastic and I will be sticking with these.

 

[Disneyhanna]

SAFD: I used to rotate between Brooks Ghosts and Saucony Endorphin Speeds, but neither have worked for me with the recent models. I switched to the Novablast 5s which are THE shoe for me. The toe box is wider and they are so cushioned. The soles of my feet start getting sore really easily on long runs, so I have to wear cushioned socks (Balega hidden comfort or regular wool socks in winter) and a really cushioned shoe for 15+ mile runs. I have two pairs where I have hit 250 miles and they still feel great. I never take shoes past 400 or so miles because I'm a delicate flower I never wear the same shoe back to back and I'm rotating between probably 5 pairs.

 

[radiodome21]

SAFD: Oh yeah. Last year when we landed at MCO for the SS 10k I was wearing the same shoes I ran it in, Brooks Glycerin 21s. Only shoes I packed that weekend. I did buy the Mickey Mouse Ghost Max 2 at the expo later that afternoon and those became my long run and race day shoes. When we got into the Wine & Dine HF and the mileage increased for trainingI realized I probably needed another pair in my arsenal, no thanks in part to my cubicle neighbor is a huge runner. So I bought the Asics Novablast 5. A month before the run I was in a Dick's Sporting Good store killing time between my son's freshman homecoming dance and tried on a pair of Nike Vomero Plus. I loved them and bought them online directly from Nike that night because they had better color selection than the store. Vomero Plus are my racing and long run shoes, and I alternate my shoes for the other runs. I'm eyeing the Asics Megablast and will try on the Asics Superblast 3 at my local running store after they're released. I have 2 HFs and am attempting a full in November so my shoe needs will change. When my son joined the cross country team last fall I told him he needed a legit pair of running shoes. He thought I was crazy until his CC coach saw his shoes: He was wearing his old Nike basketball shoes. So we took him to our Dick Ponds and had them fit him for some shoes. He ended up in Brooks Ghost, which he loved. He had to bite his tongue when he tried them on because he thought they were "old people" shoes.

 

[Herding_Cats]

SAFD:

After 5 years in NB 1080s, I have successfully switched to Brooks Glycerin 22s (haven't tried the 23s yet.) I also enjoyed the NB Hierro v8 this summer during my foray into trail running.