I'm watching and I'm so lost
I feel like this is the complete opposite of the marathon route I ran in 2018. He went through Epcot at mile 4 near Mexico and I feel like that was like mile 24 for me before. Granted I was practically delusional last time trying to just finish the race so it's completely likely that I'm not remembering this at all correctly. Thank you for sharing!
Somewhat related - be sure to check your t-shirts before walking away, especially if doing Dopey. Dopey challengers get a bad with all 6 shirts in it and people have had bags where some of the shirts are the wrong size or a bag that's supposed to be all Unisex cuts but some are Women's cut. Don't think it happens a lot but there's a high enough chance that you want to check before leaving.
Yep, there’s always at least one volunteer with a big bottle, ready to pour into your own vessel. But sometimes they have a line of people waiting, and there is no attempt at preventing germ cross contamination, so I do this:
I’ve done 5Ks at WDW with a wind chill in the teens… it’s COLD. Best to be prepared for anything between 20 and 80.
Yep, they have a table designated for shirt swapping.
I'm watching and I'm so lost
That'll totally just depend on what the temps are and their personal preferences.
I think that’s a really individual thing - I know people who toss all but a tee and shorts just before starting in any weather. As a cold-blooded Floridian who completely relates to being cold below 70, I still wind up tossing layers in even the coldest temps, just because the waiting for hours in the cold is so much colder than moving! Even that time it was in the 20s, I took my down jacket off and carried it halfway through the 5K (but was really glad I still had it when I finished!) So my best advice is to have multiple layering options - things that can be tossed, things that can be carried or tied around a waist, things that’ll stay on, no matter what.
Totally agree. Feeling a little bummed that I'm not doing Dopey. Ah well, I'll just have to soak in MK as much as possible and hope the feeling propels me to EPCOT!
As always, your level of detail is AMAZING! Thank you for these comparisons! I'm getting there watching them and also now have a much better idea of where I can station my family for a change of clothes mid-course
Since there are no longer any age group awards, you wouldn't have to worry about that.
Along with what if the ride breaks down when I'm on it, that's my biggest hesitation about attempting to get on a ride during the marathon.
Bonus inator points for using Dr. Doofenshmirtz!
I credit seeing the spires of Galaxy's Edge with helping distract my mind from how over everything I was during my first marathon. I entertained myself with thoughts of how excited I was to see Galaxy's Edge in a few months.
I was in a very warm Star Wars Half Marathon one April where the first water station was completely out when I got there. The rest were fine, but it can happen. I sometimes need just a sip to wet a very dry throat early in the morning so I always carry water and/or powerade. That way I'm always covered no matter what happens.
It's the new Springtime Surprise. Now in January!
I always like to stop at Walmart and get a nice inexpensive fleece jacket to toss. They're donated to charity so a barely used jacket helps me for an hour or two and someone else for a lot longer.
I have to admit that the 2018 marathon course looks so much better than what we are going to do next month. But, I've never run the WDW Marathon so I guess I can't definitively say this will be true after I run it. It just seems to me that running through the WWOS would be so much more entertaining than looping through a parking lot, and the whole "being right back at the starting line after 4 miles" thing is going to mess with my head. I also love how the 2023 map doesn't zoom in on the BB portion because showing a loop through a parking lot probably doesn't give the wow factor that most people are looking for.
Agreed! This years course just loops back on itself so many times I think it’s going to be really discouraging to be running one way and watching those ahead be on the other side of the road. WWOS had its own downsides, but at least it felt like Disney property could fit a marathon. This year we’re running zig zags and circles to fit the miles in…I have to admit that the 2018 marathon course looks so much better than what we are going to do next month. But, I've never run the WDW Marathon so I guess I can't definitively say this will be true after I run it. It just seems to me that running through the WWOS would be so much more entertaining than looping through a parking lot, and the whole "being right back at the starting line after 4 miles" thing is going to mess with my head. I also love how the 2023 map doesn't zoom in on the BB portion because showing a loop through a parking lot probably doesn't give the wow factor that most people are looking for.
If they have some available, they might accommodate. We had to change one shirt in the past… I recommend that you try them all as they can be inconsistent with size.
As always, your level of detail is AMAZING! Thank you for these comparisons! I'm getting there watching them and also now have a much better idea of where I can station my family for a change of clothes mid-course
I honestly wouldn't worry too much about the early 4 mile loop through Epcot. It's 1) so dark so it's not really like "man I was just right here" and 2) as much as I enjoy WWoS - it's REALLY REALLY REALLY nice to be almost halfway through the race by the time you exit the Magic Kingdom. The 2018 course didn't hit half way until Animal Kingdom but now you hit 13.1, and you still have DAK, Studios, & Epcot to go. That was a huge mental relief for me this past year.I have to admit that the 2018 marathon course looks so much better than what we are going to do next month. But, I've never run the WDW Marathon so I guess I can't definitively say this will be true after I run it. It just seems to me that running through the WWOS would be so much more entertaining than looping through a parking lot, and the whole "being right back at the starting line after 4 miles" thing is going to mess with my head. I also love how the 2023 map doesn't zoom in on the BB portion because showing a loop through a parking lot probably doesn't give the wow factor that most people are looking for.
