Marathon Weekend 2025

[nancipants]

SAFD: I am not fast so I don't stop for a lot of characters, but I like to when I can. I think my favorites so far are Perry the Platypus and Wall-E (he was before the race, though). I would love to stop for Mushu but I think I've only seen him out a couple of times and the line is always too long for me. I also love to stop for selfies with the cast members in World Showcase and Jeff Galloway if I spot him at the finish line. Oh, and Jogging Jack Sparrow! So I guess my favorite character stops are the unofficial ones!

I got selfies with the Canada CMs during my first 10k. I hope the France CMs are out early during the marathon because I want a photo with them, Les Mis style.

 

[The Expert]

I got selfies with the Canada CMs during my first 10k. I hope the France CMs are out early during the marathon because I want a photo with them, Les Mis style.

This reminds me of something fun I started a few years ago. I learned how to say "thank you" in all the languages of the World Showcase and told all the cheering CMs "thank you" in their own languages during the race! Those from Norway and China were most impressed, but they all sincerely appreciated it and I got great reactions.

Edit to add the translations, in case anyone else wants to play along:

• Mexico: Gracias
• Norway: Takk (sounds like 'tock')
• China Xièxiè (sounds like 'shay-shay')
• Germany: Danke
• Italy: Grazie
• Japan: Arigato
• Morocco: Shukran
• Frace: Merci
• United Kingdom: Thanks, mate! or Cheers!
• Canada: Thanks, eh!

 

[mtnmjd]

SAFD: I generally don't usually stop for a character unless the line is extremely short...like 10-15 people short.
I have stopped for Pluto (he borders on the must do), Donald, Buzz and Rafiki because it was only going to be a minute or two.
There are/were a few must stops for me regardless.....
Castle pic
Dopey, if running Dopey Challenge
Grave Diggers, during marathon
Jiminey Cricket and Mickey, my favorites
and when they still did the Star Wars races, the Hoth ice cave upside down diorama

I will try get pre/post race pics with character meets in the parking lot and pics with medals and relevant characters in the parks after races.

 

[Tall Todd]

Kicking myself for not stopping to meet Robin Hood and Little Jon during Marathon '22

 

[kps7795]

SAFD: I try to stop for as many character pictures as I can. My favorite thus far was Merlin because I have never seen him other than onstage at DCL.

The one character that I have made a point of not taking a picture with was Dopey because I want my first picture with him to be during a Dopey Challenge. I really hope to see Dopey on the course this year during the marathon. The best spot that I saw him was during the 2022 marathon when he was stationed in the alcove near Mine Train.

 

[Let's Get Kronk]

SAFD: My general decision process on when to stop is 1) how much do I love that character OR how rare is it, and usually more importantly, 2) how long is the line? I don't care who the character is, if the line has more than like 10-15 people in it I'm not stopping. I just can't stand around for that long during a race; it drives me crazy. Haha.

BUT, if I have a wish list I would want to see Pete (the line for him the last two DL races was just way too long), Baloo, any of the Country Bears, and probably anything from 90s cartoons I loved (Rescue Rangers and Darkwing Duck comes to mind especially).

 

[DisneyMountainWoman]

SAFD: does the animals at AK count? Like how many people get to say they petted a snake on a marathon? Lol. Also looved meeting Scrooge and Dark wing duck. I am slow so I have to be really picky about getting in my characters. I always get one in at least. I want to get faster just so I can meet more characters, it is my fav part... well other than running in costume.

 

[kps7795]

does the animals at AK count? Like how many people get to say they petted a snake on a marathon?

I love seeing the animals right before AK. The best was when they had a llama in 2022. I believe that I might have mentioned this previously, but someone went to pet the llama and it backed away quickly. I couldn't resist and shouted, "No touchie! Nooo touchie!"

 

[nancipants]

I love seeing the animals right before AK. The best was when they had a llama in 2022. I believe that I might have mentioned this previously, but someone went to pet the llama and it backed away quickly. I couldn't resist and shouted, "No touchie! Nooo touchie!"

I really hope there was at least one runner in an Yzma costume who could say "a llama? He's supposed to be DEAD!"

 

[Herding_Cats]

This was re: possible brooks booth/shoe location being available for club members during early access in the official merch building, which we are speculating being during MW because of the "calendar year" aspect, and also because Carissa said something about January when they announced/discussed it on the 321 go pod.

I'm guessing no, also because all the rD merch is now in a totally separate building from the rest of the expo. I can see them maybe being on display? But doubtful.

OK but hear me out. In the bib pick-up building, there are 2 floors. And previously, they had done individual races on one floor and challenges on a separate floor. And then in 2024 they were all on the same floor. Is it possible they would make a SECOND vq for the brooks stuff and put it on the un-used floor in the bib pick-up building? I feel like there are enough entrances to that building for them to have a bib pick-up entrance and a brooks merch entrance.

I don't see how they're going to have space for what will surely be bonkers demand on the main expo floor, how they would manage crowd control and capacity issues, etc. There's basically nowhere to put a line coming out of bib pick-up to get into the expo building without forcing people into the full sun of the soccer fields. The alternative to that would be they put shirt pick-up in the same building as bib pic-up, but THEN they lose the traffic to the expo that is forced because you *have* to go there to get your shirts (unless you're crd platinum.)

 

[Naomeri]

This was re: possible brooks booth/shoe location being available for club members during early access in the official merch building, which we are speculating being during MW because of the "calendar year" aspect, and also because Carissa said something about January when they announced/discussed it on the 321 go pod.

OK but hear me out. In the bib pick-up building, there are 2 floors. And previously, they had done individual races on one floor and challenges on a separate floor. And then in 2024 they were all on the same floor. Is it possible they would make a SECOND vq for the brooks stuff and put it on the un-used floor in the bib pick-up building? I feel like there are enough entrances to that building for them to have a bib pick-up entrance and a brooks merch entrance.

I don't see how they're going to have space for what will surely be bonkers demand on the main expo floor, how they would manage crowd control and capacity issues, etc. There's basically nowhere to put a line coming out of bib pick-up to get into the expo building without forcing people into the full sun of the soccer fields. The alternative to that would be they put shirt pick-up in the same building as bib pic-up, but THEN they lose the traffic to the expo that is forced because you *have* to go there to get your shirts (unless you're crd platinum.)

Maybe there's some space they could open up in the baseball stadium? It's the only building not currently serving a purpose during the expo

 

[The Expert]

This was re: possible brooks booth/shoe location being available for club members during early access in the official merch building, which we are speculating being during MW because of the "calendar year" aspect, and also because Carissa said something about January when they announced/discussed it on the 321 go pod.

OK but hear me out. In the bib pick-up building, there are 2 floors. And previously, they had done individual races on one floor and challenges on a separate floor. And then in 2024 they were all on the same floor. Is it possible they would make a SECOND vq for the brooks stuff and put it on the un-used floor in the bib pick-up building? I feel like there are enough entrances to that building for them to have a bib pick-up entrance and a brooks merch entrance.

I don't see how they're going to have space for what will surely be bonkers demand on the main expo floor, how they would manage crowd control and capacity issues, etc. There's basically nowhere to put a line coming out of bib pick-up to get into the expo building without forcing people into the full sun of the soccer fields. The alternative to that would be they put shirt pick-up in the same building as bib pic-up, but THEN they lose the traffic to the expo that is forced because you *have* to go there to get your shirts (unless you're crd platinum.)

I can see this. They did Dopey pick-up there in 2020 iirc and had a separate line to get in the building. There's also a nice big room up there for display and try-on areas.

I also recall the NB booth from 2016? 2017? Would have been my first or second expo so it's fuzzy, but it was kind of where the rD booth is on the main Expo hall. If they do VQ and police how early you can show up for it, maybe it helps with space necessary for the line?

 

[emilyann704]

I'll be running the 10K (first runDisney race) - any idea when I'll be done running when you account for our corrals/starting waves?

I'm in the 11-12minute mile bracket so I know how long the running will take (and I'm padding on some extra time to stop for photos or just be lazy and enjoy) but generally how quickly after the 5am gun do you actually begin to run?

 

[Naomeri]

I'll be running the 10K (first runDisney race) - any idea when I'll be done running when you account for our corrals/starting waves?

I'm in the 11-12minute mile bracket so I know how long the running will take (and I'm padding on some extra time to stop for photos or just be lazy and enjoy) but generally how quickly after the 5am gun do you actually begin to run?

That's a hard question to answer. It takes an hour+ for all the waves to cross the start line. Assuming the balloon ladies (the last people to cross the start line and the unofficial minimum pacers) start about 6:10am, they'll take about 1:40:00 to finish, meaning just before 8am, so that's the latest you can possibly finish. Until you know your corral when you get your bib, there's no way to estimate when you'll start

 

[Jason Bryer]

SAFD: As long as the line is short, any Pixar character.

 

[emilyann704]

That's a hard question to answer. It takes an hour+ for all the waves to cross the start line. Assuming the balloon ladies (the last people to cross the start line and the unofficial minimum pacers) start about 6:10am, they'll take about 1:40:00 to finish, meaning just before 8am, so that's the latest you can possibly finish. Until you know your corral when you get your bib, there's no way to estimate when you'll start

That's super helpful, thanks! We're headed to MK later that day and just wasn't sure what time to even assume I'd be able to book my first LL. Assuming some food and shower (I'll sleep when I'm dead!) we can get over there well before noon.

 

[nancipants]

That's super helpful, thanks! We're headed to MK later that day and just wasn't sure what time to even assume I'd be able to book my first LL. Assuming some food and shower (I'll sleep when I'm dead!) we can get over there well before noon.

I had a similar 10k pace last year (12:04). I was in D, the second to last corral, and started at 5:41 am. I finished a little before 7 am.

 

[1lilspark]

I'll be running the 10K (first runDisney race) - any idea when I'll be done running when you account for our corrals/starting waves?

I'm in the 11-12minute mile bracket so I know how long the running will take (and I'm padding on some extra time to stop for photos or just be lazy and enjoy) but generally how quickly after the 5am gun do you actually begin to run?

For Wine & Dine they published estimated wave releases

 

[Tall Todd]

What're the odds RunDisney take pity and issues a refund for a newly pregnant daughter-in-law?

 

[fatmanatee]

What're the odds RunDisney take pity and issues a refund for a newly pregnant daughter-in-law?

I think that's a first here... would imagine the same deal if someone had to pull out due to injury: they won't do refunds but good chance they offer a gift card.