Marathon Weekend 2025

[DopeyBadger]

I haven't been following along, but have they only released the new 2025 marathon course map? I'm not finding anything official on the 5k, 10k, HM yet. I'm assuming few if any changes, but just checking.

 

[GuinnessRunner]

I haven't been following along, but have they only released the new 2025 marathon course map? I'm not finding anything official on the 5k, 10k, HM yet. I'm assuming few if any changes, but just checking.

Correct. Only map for the full was released at this point. Would expect no changes to 5-K and 10-K but curious if they make changes to MK portion of the HM to match what they are doing with the full.

 

[PrincessV]

I'm hoping for chilly weather, but if it's like the past few days (low 40s and high 30s) I'm gonna be in trouble because I have NO warm running clothes.

I’m just saying… that was me in 2017. I FROZE. Literally woke up the morning after the marathon and ordered cold weather running stuff. Zero regrets! In fact, I just yesterday ordered new thermal tights. Not a fan of being cold lol!

 

[nancipants]

I’m just saying… that was me in 2017. I FROZE. Literally woke up the morning after the marathon and ordered cold weather running stuff. Zero regrets! In fact, I just yesterday ordered new thermal tights. Not a fan of being cold lol!

I hate being cold, but I'm much more tolerant of it when I run. I did the 10k last year in shorts and a t-shirt. I started with arm warmers, gloves, and a hat, and ditched all of those by the second mile. But if it dips into the 30s I'm not sure what I'll do, LOL. I did ask for new running tights for Christmas, but there's no way I'd be able to wear pants the entire marathon. At least I have arm warmers that are easily removable!

 

[GollyGadget]

I haven't been following along, but have they only released the new 2025 marathon course map? I'm not finding anything official on the 5k, 10k, HM yet. I'm assuming few if any changes, but just checking.

Not officially. There is speculation that the 5 & 10K will follow these 2024-2025 season courses.

Links for fellow course nerds:

https://www.certifiedroadraces.com/certificate/?type=r&id=6290

https://www.certifiedroadraces.com/certificate/?type=r&id=6322

 

[runwithperseverence7]

It's never a good time for an injury, but as we can all related, getting injured close to MW sucks. A week or so ago I tweaked something in my leg (upper outside thigh area) during baseball practice. I thought no big deal, it will be fine in a few days. It did feel better after a few days. Went out and ran a half marathon this past Saturday. My leg is now throbbing. It hurts to sit, and sleeping on that side sucks. Funny thing is, it doesn't hurt when I jog around. I am not for certain which muscle it is, but also signs are point to the vastus lateralis. I go see my doctor on Thursday. He is a sports doctor, so hoping he can figure out what's going on and how I can get to pain free in five weeks.

Sorry you’re dealing with this. Let us know what the Dr says! I always avoid going because I don’t want to hear the dreaded “you need to take a break from running” I will when MW is over. I’ve had a similar pain that I’ve been babying since October. I’ve been re working my schedule so I can get several days of rest every few weeks plus weekend obligations have made me had to change up my long run days. Those few days off and pushing advil has helped the inflammation go down.

 

[DopeyBadger]

Given the change in the 2025 M Course, there's some new routines spectators can take to see their runners multiple times prior to Mile 11.6 (TTC). Based on my calculations, all spectators could see runners at the start, on Main Street, and at the TTC. As long as you're slower than a 7:00 min/mile, then you could do Start, exit of EPCOT at Mile 3.1, Main Street, and TTC. And depending on where they let you stand on Main Street, you could potentially double dip on Main Street (Mile 9) and then when they exit the castle (Mile 9.6). That one has been hit or miss over the years as to how close to the middle/side area in the center circle they let you get.











And then some info for the HM and the possible use of Poly and to the finish in time.

 

[lukemorenus]

...and so it begins:

 

[kps7795]

I started with arm warmers, gloves, and a hat, and ditched all of those by the second mile.

When you say that you ditched them, did you just throw them away? I'm not sure that I could do that unless they were really cheap.

 

[nancipants]

When you say that you ditched them, did you just throw them away? I'm not sure that I could do that unless they were really cheap.

Oh yeah, they were super cheap throwaways. The hat/gloves were cheap knit ones, the arm warmers were socks I cut off the feet. My current arm warmers are small enough to get stuffed in my pocket.

 

[kps7795]

Oh yeah, they were super cheap throwaways. The hat/gloves were cheap knit ones, the arm warmers were socks I cut off the feet. My current arm warmers are small enough to get stuffed in my pocket.

That's a GREAT idea to use socks as arm warmers. I was looking at arm warmers at Amazon for $10-$20 and couldn't stomach the thought of just throwing them away. I LOVE your idea of using socks. Thank you!

 

[SheHulk]

the arm warmers were socks I cut off the feet.

This is the way

 

[GollyGadget]

Might be helpful to include that Main Street doesn't open until 5am in the dis guide. My mom rode the monorail loop for over an hour last year waiting . She likes to get there early but apparently 4am was too early.

 

[runwithperseverence7]

I hate being cold, but I'm much more tolerant of it when I run. I did the 10k last year in shorts and a t-shirt. I started with arm warmers, gloves, and a hat, and ditched all of those by the second mile. But if it dips into the 30s I'm not sure what I'll do, LOL. I did ask for new running tights for Christmas, but there's no way I'd be able to wear pants the entire marathon. At least I have arm warmers that are easily removable!

I’m the opposite. I hate being hot. I prefer colder air. Today I wore my thermal running shirt and tights and still got warm and it went from 28 to 34 by the time I finished. And the marathons I’ve done have been in March in VA so it could be cold or warm. But I’ve only ran a marathon in tights. I’m afraid if I wore shorts I would get chaffing. But if it’s 50 + I’ll probably need to wear shorts or I’ll get too warm.

 

[Mr_Incr3dible]

For those new to the Half or Full, I will note that the run down Main Street USA is both one of the coolest things you'll ever do and possibly one of the more intimidating if you aren't good with crowds. As wide as Main St is, with spectators it gets down to about half a lane with the crush of people. For me, seeing and hearing all those people cheering us, plus seeing the castle at the end of the street, was just spectacular. And when you do get down there to the end of the street in front of the castle, just stop for a minute to take it all in. Stop to look at the castle, and the lights, and all of it, and take a selfie or two before resuming your run. Unless you are going for a PR, you'll thank me later.
This is been a public service announcement from your local Super.

 

[fatmanatee]

For those new to the Half or Full, I will note that the run down Main Street USA is both one of the coolest things you'll ever do and possibly one of the more intimidating if you aren't good with crowds. As wide as Main St is, with spectators it gets down to about half a lane with the crush of people. For me, seeing and hearing all those people cheering us, plus seeing the castle at the end of the street, was just spectacular. And when you do get down there to the end of the street in front of the castle, just stop for a minute to take it all in. Stop to look at the castle, and the lights, and all of it, and take a selfie or two before resuming your run. Unless you are going for a PR, you'll thank me later.
This is been a public service announcement from your local Super.

I've tried to convince my folks to spectate there, no success yet.

 

[nancipants]

That's a GREAT idea to use socks as arm warmers. I was looking at arm warmers at Amazon for $10-$20 and couldn't stomach the thought of just throwing them away. I LOVE your idea of using socks. Thank you!

I would love to take credit for that, but it’s a trick I learned from this board!

 

[smrt1]

Interesting question - I've done plenty of Marathons but is there anything I should be packing for Dopey I wouldnt usually pack for a marathon (apart from extra shoes, t-shirts and a costume)?

Not sure if you mean you’ve done plenty of “other” marathons or plenty of “Disney” marathons. I’m going to assume the prior. To me it seems as if the waiting at Run Disney events is painfully long. As others have mentioned, the weather is a total crap shoot. I’ve been there when it was unbearably cold for the 5K and very warm for the other half/full. Bring running attire for EVERY condition imaginable. As others have mentioned, throw away clothes or blankets, gloves, hat, running sleeves. A cheap Walmart sweatshirt is always a safe bet. I absolutely hate being cold. As far as something specific for Dopey? Can’t think of anything other than multiple pairs of running shoes so you’re not wearing the same pair everyday. Stay well hydrated, especially after the half. The half is the make-it-or-break-it point of the weekend. Go out too fast and it can make Sunday a lot more difficult. I mentioned in another running thread here that I am injured so I will most likely be walking all four races this January. I’m not really sure yet how I’m going to dress if it is on the colder side. It’s a total bummer. I’ll be in ‘A’ coral, and I just walked Philly Marathon in about 5:50:xx so I should have no issues with the balloon ladies. Regardless, it’s still upsetting to not be able to run. I absolutely love Marathon Weekend. As expensive as it is, it’s the one thing at WDW that I think is actually worth the cost. I’m feeling deflated. I have an MRI scheduled in three days, but I don’t think it’ll help much with MW. Good luck, see you there.

 

[matt and beth]

For those new to the Half or Full, I will note that the run down Main Street USA is both one of the coolest things you'll ever do and possibly one of the more intimidating if you aren't good with crowds. As wide as Main St is, with spectators it gets down to about half a lane with the crush of people. For me, seeing and hearing all those people cheering us, plus seeing the castle at the end of the street, was just spectacular. And when you do get down there to the end of the street in front of the castle, just stop for a minute to take it all in. Stop to look at the castle, and the lights, and all of it, and take a selfie or two before resuming your run. Unless you are going for a PR, you'll thank me later.
This is been a public service announcement from your local Super.

For us it’s amazing! and one of the best photos of my daughter and I running

 

[sandam1]

Interesting question - I've done plenty of Marathons but is there anything I should be packing for Dopey I wouldnt usually pack for a marathon (apart from extra shoes, t-shirts and a costume)?

Plan on having four of everything for every temperature and/or know where you can do laundry if necessary. Honestly, we already plan on doing laundry on Saturday (it's already a hotel day so might as well multi-task) so that is my Plan B if temps change drastically between the time I leave for Florida and race morning.

Focus on recovery tools! I bring my heating pad, Back on Track compression socks and tights, massage gun, etc. Anything that might treat the inevitable aches that pop up over the weekend.

Snacks for the hotel room (ideally something that could be a meal in a pinch) for that point in the weekend where you don't want to leave your room to find something to eat.

I'm hoping for chilly weather, but if it's like the past few days (low 40s and high 30s) I'm gonna be in trouble because I have NO warm running clothes.

One word - LAYERS!

I was looking at arm warmers at Amazon for $10-$20 and couldn't stomach the thought of just throwing them away.

I bought these arm sleeves before the January DL race weekend in January. $8.59 for 6 pairs.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09ZK9R4Q5?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title

I didn't throw them away (I just tied them to my hydration belt), but arm sleeves don't need to be expensive.