Marathon course questions

[prncssjas]

TGIF RunDisney friends!

So this question is for all of you that have run the full during marathon weekend--DH and I will be running the full in 2026 for the first time and I have seen the course maps from prior years. Since we have only run the half distance during January and Princess week, MK is really the only theme park we have experience running through (well, EPCOT but I am not counting that since we have also done the 5k and 10k races). I would love to hear about your expriences running through HS and AK.

For example, at the MK we always stop for a photo in front of the castle. Is there a similar photo stop at Animal Kingdom (like in front of the tree of life) and at Hollywood Studios? I know there will be the little green tents along the course but I didn't know if there was a similar set up to the MK where there are several photographers lined up and stop if you wish to.

Does the course get narrow and/or very crowded in any parts of HS or AK? I'd love to hear all the good/bad/ugly about the full course. Thank you!

 

[RuntheMouse]

If you’re in Animal Kingdom after park open, I have a pic from a regular photo pass photographer in the blue circled area. It’s right before you bear left to go toward Everest, it has a good shot of the mountain in the background.

 

[prncssjas]

If you’re in Animal Kingdom after park open, I have a pic from a regular photo pass photographer in the blue circled area. It’s right before you bear left to go toward Everest, it has a good shot of the mountain in the background.

Thank you--this is super helpful. I just need to figure approximate times I arrive in each theme park. I can only estimate this for the half course, lol! My castle pics in the MK are always around 6am -- maybe by studying the course map, I can guess my times.

 

[Fenway1970]

Unless they change the course you're only within the park boundary of HS for a hot minute, but I'm pretty sure they had a photo spot set up with Tower of Terror in the background for this year's marathon.

 

[marty3d]

Thank you--this is super helpful. I just need to figure approximate times I arrive in each theme park. I can only estimate this for the half course, lol! My castle pics in the MK are always around 6am -- maybe by studying the course map, I can guess my times.

You should be able to use the MW DISlist to estimate your time for the marathon - the link to this year's version (courtesy of @Herding_Cats @The Expert @Kerry1957 @DopeyBadger )

https://www.disboards.com/threads/marathon-weekend-2025.3936804/post-65912539

 

[RuntheMouse]

Unless they change the course you're only within the park boundary of HS for a hot minute, but I'm pretty sure they had a photo spot set up with Tower of Terror in the background for this year's marathon.

Make sure you wait to eat your Dove chocolate they give you backstage until after the photographer……don’t ask why I know this.

 

[nancipants]

For AK, they don't have a Tree of Life photo op, but it's very easy to pull off to the side and get a selfie or get a photo from another runner. I noticed someone taking a selfie at the same time as me and offered to take her pic if she took mine. For staged photos, I got a pic in front of Everest and I believe it was just designated for runners.





They also have photo pass people taking staged pics with Tower, as well as Spaceship Earth.

 

[prncssjas]

Make sure you wait to eat your Dove chocolate they give you backstage until after the photographer……don’t ask why I know this.

LOL ok...I clearly don't know this inside joke but I trust you!

 

[prncssjas]

. I noticed someone taking a selfie at the same time as me and offered to take her pic if she took mine.

OMG @nancipants I love your pics! You look splendid! And so happy! Unfortunately, I will likely look like death in my marathon pics (based on prior marathons so this is science based) but if I can look a fraction of this cuteness, I will be happy!

 

[prncssjas]

You should be able to use the MW DISlist to estimate your time for the marathon - the link to this year's version

WOW, this is so comprehensive and helpful! I just need to make sure I remember to stay close to these boards as marathon weekend approaches--sounds like it was so much fun for everyone to be involved! Thanks again.

 

[RuntheMouse]

Brown teeth…….enough said.

LOL ok...I clearly don't know this inside joke but I trust you!

 

[FlyingDonut]

Can we use this for our course speculation thread given the construction in AK? Did this year's course go anywhere that there have since been construction walls?

 

[nancipants]

It ran through Dinoland, but not THROUGH the walled off portion. TBD whether they will eventually extend the construction through that pathway and cast exist past the bathrooms. I believe there are alternative exits near Nemo, Restaurantosaurus, and closer to the front of the park.

 

[fatmanatee]

I'm not sure it's even been confirmed that the changes to the half and full course from this year were due to construction over there.

FWIW they have done a different exit out of AK when the course went to ESPN but the route didn't seem to deviate too much from this year's.