The Running Thread - 2026

[FFigawi]

Welcome to the 2026 edition of the Running Thread!

This is the place to talk about all things running, and run/walking too of course, as well as other random topics and a bit of Disney added in too.

No matter if you run, walk, jog, or wheel, you're welcome to share, read, chat, and participate in the discussion. This is a supportive community with people ranging from new runners to Boston qualifiers to ultra-marathoners to Ironman triathletes and everyone in between. All are welcome!

In addition to a regular-ish Question of the Day (QOTD), we encourage you to share race reports, ask questions about training, discuss the latest and greatest shoes, and whatever else is on your mind.

Here we go!

 

[FFigawi]

Shamelessly stealing from @jmasgat and last year's thread, let's kick off this year with a picture QOTD. Post a photo from 2025 that is a highlight, lowlight, or favorite memory of running/walking/wheeling during 2025.

Here's mine which is from Marathon Weekend last year with a beer in hand. My friends were kind enough to provide one in a sippy cup to avoid spillage and wastage during the last mile or so before the finish.

 

[col1]

Picture from Regents Park 10k, first organised race in about 2 1/2 years (not including a DNF at a half Marathon)

I followed the training plan fairly well and decided to go for a sensible goal and above all else just go with how I felt on the day.

Did a little bit better than expected but way of where I had been in years past but felt perfectly happy having set reasonable goals and achieved them.

 

[Dopey 2020]

Finish line of my first 50K, almost had to stop in the heat but managed to push through and enjoy a celebratory beer (or three) at the finish.

 

[DianaMB333]

I got a jumping photo at the end of W&D … and friends from the office finishing the 5K at DL ..

 

[The Expert]

I did my third Dopey last January and had SO much fun! The umbrella was a cheap kid-sized one, meant to be a prop for my HM costume, but I ended up needing it.



@Herding_Cats and I coordinated for the marathon and we got SO MANY comments on our Chiefs and Lions mashup costumes! I guess we won't have to worry about following our teams during MW this year.




The even bigger highlight was adding @Naomeri and @nancipants along the way to finish all together!

 

[Erika10021]

Princess HM PR. My best race day ever!

ETA: I hope everyone decides to post photos! These are the best!

 

[garneska]

My 2025 was the first year I did not do a half or full. I only did the 10k at MW 2025. It was a good decision since I did the half at W&D 2024 and had zero business doing that. I did spectate for the full.

My favorite running pic from 2025 as a spectator.

 

[rick1zoo2]

We had several highlights in 2025, hard to narrow it down to one:

Erika and I during the marathon on our first attempt at a marathon and Dopey:


A decent finish photo from Wine and Dine 5k:



My son and I after the Wine and Dine Half:

 

[nancipants]

Love this idea!

I had a lot of great running moments in 2025 (and some not so great ones), but it feels wrong to pick anything other than this one, during my first marathon.

 

[FFigawi]

My 2025 was the first year I did not do a half or full. I only did the 10k at MW 2025. It was a good decision since I did the half at W&D 2024 and had zero business doing that. I did spectate for the full.

My favorite running pic from 2025 as a spectator.

View attachment 1034806

I ran a mile or so with him. Hands down the best costume of the weekend.

 

[Herding_Cats]

ATTQOTD: 50k trail run medal, and on-course attitude. The lady behind me in the 2nd pic was doing Galloway intervals and will be doing her first Dopey next week!



Also, from MW with @The Expert and the best costumes ever that I piggy-backed off from! And finishing the marathon with friends!

 

[WillRunForPizza]

Had basically the race of my life at Princess. It was all downhill from there. (Or uphill? Uphill really seems more appropriate in this context.)

 

[Disney at Heart]

Marathon 2025 with our best cheer squad on the Boardwalk. @garneska will even give you a hug if you are sweaty. Also she and her DH cheered at Peachtree and ALT half marathon! They are the best.

Just before Peachtree Road Race began.

After ATL 10 miler and a shower. Won third in my “old people’s” age group. Medal was two-sided.

 

[jmasgat]

Well, I don’t race much and don’t buy photos when I do. So here’s a photo from W&D weekend taken at the GM lounge with several WISH friends. (The precursor to the current runDisney forum). Pretty much the only reason I have gone to a Disney race in the last couple years is because of the people.
(I’m the old lady in the middle)

 

[garneska]

@jmasgat of which are you going to MW 2026?

 

[FFigawi]

Well, I don’t race much and don’t buy photos when I do. So here’s a photo from W&D weekend taken at the GM lounge with several WISH friends. (The precursor to the current runDisney forum). Pretty much the only reason I have gone to a Disney race in the last couple years is because of the people. View attachment 1034828
(I’m the old lady in the middle)

I can’t wait to see you and all of them next week!

 

[jmasgat]

@garneska I am not going next week. I’m doing DL at the end of the month and just got back from a Christmas trip to Dublin and Belgium, so staying put.

 

[pluto377]

Photo from NYC Half which was quite an experience. Hope to do it again someday.

 

[MissLiss279]

Little Rock Marathon was my fastest marathon in a few years and my fastest since switching to run/walk the year before. It was a hilly race, and I still felt pretty good. Several of us from our running group went, so it was a fun weekend all around.