Springtime Surprise 2026 (Apr 16-20)

[sandam1]

For those who have run the SS before, what are the temps generally like?

It's usually icky sticky humid and very warm to hot. The good news is that, due to the distances, even the back of the packers get the majority of the miles in before the sun really comes up and starts to bake you. The temperature is probably one of the biggest factors as to why the SS races aren't more popular.

That being said, SS is my second favorite race weekend. The difference in the "fun factor" is palpable IMHO.

 

[AJollyHoliday]

It's usually icky sticky humid and very warm to hot. The good news is that, due to the distances, even the back of the packers get the majority of the miles in before the sun really comes up and starts to bake you. The temperature is probably one of the biggest factors as to why the SS races aren't more popular.

That being said, SS is my second favorite race weekend. The difference in the "fun factor" is palpable IMHO.

That is what I figured and we can prepare for. The 10 miles vs half marathon does make a big difference. I am not worried about the 5k or 10k distances. We have learned strategies to stay cool in warm/humid temps. Mainly using those cooling clothes on our wrists which helps a ton!

 

[sandam1]

We have learned strategies to stay cool in warm/humid temps. Mainly using those cooling clothes on our wrists which helps a ton!

One thing that also helps is dumping water on you. I don't go over my head (I hate water in my eyes), but on my shoulders, arms and the back of my neck and I do this at almost every water stop. My outer layer of clothes are moisture wicking so they actually dry fairly quickly although my underwear sometimes gets - and stays - wet. I also take care not to get my sneakers or my phone wet.

 

[AJollyHoliday]

I do want to gripe a little that one of the races is themed to Inside out which they just had for DL. Plenty of IP to choose from and not repeat themes in the same year.

 

[Naomeri]

First time SS runner here. Just did the DL races, all three. The weather was lovely for running, especially since I am also one of those northeast runners stuck in the cold/snow/ice. Luckily DH and I were able to get all our long runs done outside even if that meant running in the snow and with 4 F. For those who have run the SS before, what are the temps generally like? I have run many RD races over the last 11 years, just never one so late in the season. One year for princess, the starting temps were in the mid 70s with high humidity. I started with a baggy of ice in my bra.

So excited to get my coast to coast medal with this race series. Sadly, my work schedule will only accommodate the SS for next year so I am looking forward to seeing what these race weekend is like.

HUMID!!

I've done all the Springtime races so far and it's never not been humid and warm on race mornings

 

[fatmanatee]

I do want to gripe a little that one of the races is themed to Inside out which they just had for DL. Plenty of IP to choose from and not repeat themes in the same year.

It's very fair (speaking as someone who I guess will be getting two Joy medals this year). God knows they could have put a duo from STAR WARS in there for one of these races.

 

[1lilspark]

I do want to gripe a little that one of the races is themed to Inside out which they just had for DL. Plenty of IP to choose from and not repeat themes in the same year.

At least they are different distances in 2025
DL & Springtime 5k was Groot (albeit DL was baby Groot)

Princess & W&D 5k were both mulan

(Also springtime 10k and Halloween challenge were Hercules albeit different characters)

 

[g3pak]

Investigating for my 2 daughters. Running the 10k. This will be their first Disney race. Staying at Pop. What should they expect for their morning? What time should they go to the bus stop, what time do they need to be at Epcot? Will they start running at 5 am or a little later?

Thank you so much!

 

[Naomeri]

Investigating for my 2 daughters. Running the 10k. This will be their first Disney race. Staying at Pop. What should they expect for their morning? What time should they go to the bus stop, what time do they need to be at Epcot? Will they start running at 5 am or a little later?

Thank you so much!

The buses will start running at about 3am for the 10K. The corrals (where they gather before the race starts) will open 3:30-3:45.

Which corral they’re in, and therefore what time they start running, will depend on the expected pace they entered when they registered, and on how runDisney ends up allocating runners to corrals to keep things even-ish. It usually takes about an hour for everyone to start the race, so there’s a lot of standing around beforehand. But it’s generally considered a good idea to arrive earlier, rather than risk feeling rushed because you wanted a little extra sleep, and then your bus gets lost (rare, but it seems like it happens at least once every race weekend)

They will learn their corral when they pick up their bib at the expo the day before the race, and if they don’t end up the same corral, whoever is in an earlier corral can drop back to the other person’s later corral.

 

[PrincessV]

First time SS runner here. Just did the DL races, all three. The weather was lovely for running, especially since I am also one of those northeast runners stuck in the cold/snow/ice. Luckily DH and I were able to get all our long runs done outside even if that meant running in the snow and with 4 F. For those who have run the SS before, what are the temps generally like? I have run many RD races over the last 11 years, just never one so late in the season. One year for princess, the starting temps were in the mid 70s with high humidity. I started with a baggy of ice in my bra.

So excited to get my coast to coast medal with this race series. Sadly, my work schedule will only accommodate the SS for next year so I am looking forward to seeing what these race weekend is like.

Floridian here - high chance it’ll be quite warm for non-Floridians. Data from my last few starts that weekend:

2025 - 70º, 93% humidity
2024 - 70º, 87% humidity
2023 - 72º, 91% humidity
2022 - 66º with light rain, 93% humidity

As you can see from 2022, it is possible to see a cool front that time of year, so the temp can drop a bit, but that almost lays also comes with rain. As others have noted, even the slowest of us won’t have much sun to contend with, though, which helps a lot.

 

[radiodome21]

Investigating for my 2 daughters. Running the 10k. This will be their first Disney race. Staying at Pop. What should they expect for their morning? What time should they go to the bus stop, what time do they need to be at Epcot? Will they start running at 5 am or a little later?

Thank you so much!

Last year was my and my wife's first runDisney race as well. We're coming again this year too and I can't wait. Assuming you're staying on the resort there will be people working at the bus stops who can give guidance when the pick up times are. We also did the Wine & Dine 5K and HF in October. My wife and I didn't care about getting to Epcot early and waiting around like we did at the SS so the CM working the bus stop at the Food & Wine told us the time of the 2nd to last bus that was departing from our hotel, which was the Poly. We're also in the coral F too, so again we weren't too concerned about where in the coral we should be. The race had already started by the time we got there, which was fine by us. They start the race at whatever time is listed but as too what time your daughters will start depends on their coral placement and where they want to be in the coral. If they want to stop for pictures in the race, I can see why this would be important especially if they're in a later coral. My wife and I are not picture people, though I do wish I stopped and got a picture with Scrooge McDuck at the HF in October. Last year we left BRV before 4 and were there by 4:30. This year we're at the Poly and I'm going to ask the CM the times again because I liked our approach much better at the Food & Wine than I did at the SS. They do sell food and coffee at Epcot too and there are plenty of portapotties and water stations as well once they get through security.