Marathon Weekend 2025

[WillRunForPizza]

SAFD tip: Pack a jacket in your gear check bag. I didn't do that for the Princess half, figuring they'd give us Mylar blankets. They didn't. I was freezing.

New thing: After the last two years running at MW, this year I am...not I'm still planning to come to HH and spectate the end of the marathon, though!

 

[nancipants]

SAFD: I’m still a relative newbie to races, so I haven’t amassed many tips. But I know to stay to the left (well, now right) coming out of the castle and find a hole for a good photo.

I have never done the Astro Orbiter, and I never will.

 

[princesspirateandrunner]

SAFD: Keep the sponge!

I’ve never been on Tron, Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster, or GotG. I can’t think of anything else that I’ve missed. I’m less interested in coasters than I was when I was younger, and when I had less back trouble. I will probably do RnRC once it’s a Muppets theme, because well, Muppets. (On a side note, I went to college with Peter Linz, who is one of the Muppeteers. He was also on “Bear in the Big Blue House).

 

[DisneyParrothead]

SAFD: my one tip is no new to you food until after the race. Go with what you know works.

While I haven’t done everything in the parks, my never again is FOP. I never get motion sick and that ride almost got me

 

[BigEeyore]

SAFD:
1) Don't forget throw-away sweatshirts/blankets/robes to keep warm in the corral. This is NOT your local half that you park your car, head to the race start, and go a few minutes later!
2) Astro orbiter! And the spinny side of Mission Space.

 

[matt and beth]

SAFD:

Best tip for success… do the training! If you did the training do NOT try a new fuel during the run. Numerous bad experiences with that one.

Ride I would never do again… Carousel of Progress. Super boring

 

[marty3d]

SAFD:

Tip pack for ANY possible weather. Learned that in 2017 and will never make that mistake again. Layers, Layers, Layers ( related tip- not an extra one! - I buy some of my throw away layers at Costco and keep the tags on until I'm 100% sure I'm taking them race morning - that way if it's "warm" and I don't need them I can return them)

Ride: Never done FOP - maybe this year.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

I need to run 2:45 today but it was 28 when my alarm went off, which for some is nothing but for me that's cold and I'm weak and rolled over and went back to bed. I don't mind shorter runs at that temp but the long ones get old with the gear and clothing for that long. Now I have to do it this afternoon after a family BBQ gathering and currently sitting here mad I didn't get up. Blah.

A follow up - of course the runs you’re most dreading… an unexpected #2 all time half distance time. Maybe I should load up on BBQ before a run more often.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

SAFD:

Tip: Often repeated, but nothing new on race day. I normally run in the mornings and don’t usually eat anything beforehand. If it’s a longer distance I’ll have a Huma gel and water or maybe an uncrustable. I went for a few years thinking we were sitting around for so long I ‘needed’ coffee and would eat other stuff I don’t normally eat before a run, and could never seem to avoid an unwanted restroom visit during the race. The last few runD events I’ve changed and stick to what I do at home - no coffee and nothing I haven’t been doing at home, and it’s made for a more pleasant run.

Attractions I haven’t Done: Mission Space, The American Adventure, Awesome Planet, Canada Far and Wide, Impressions de France, Turtle Talk with Crush, Mickey’s Philharmagic, Reflections of China.

 

[Mr_Incr3dible]

View attachment 923116

It's 3 feet tall - so hopefully visible on OUR light pole


Every mile is Tiring...is literally my motto now. lol

FYI - Those 6 little medals on the side of the banner (and the castle design, etc) are an Easter Egg. Hopefully you'll understand it at our first meetup.

This is awesome! Love it.
Back to everyone having issues with final training runs due to health, weather, watching football, etc.:
I was listening to the latest (or one of the latest) Rise & Runs and they were addressing just this topic, and had a similar message to what others here have said.
To wit: the hay is already in the barn, and not completing the full Goofy/Dopey/whatever simulation run is not going to significantly affect your race, if at all. Especially if you aren't trying to set some PR during MW, which IMHO isn't the place for a PR unless you are starting way up front and don't want any photos.
To that I'll add: if you are running the Dopey and can't do the whole simulation, even a 5 or 6 mile run four days in a row is good training.
I'm not dismissing or contradicting Galloway, Hanson, or anyone else, just noting that at this point effectively starting your taper a few days early isn't going to kill your race, especially if the greater benefit is from resting and recuperating from a cold or a physical ailment.
Also, there are a number of us who never do the full race length(s) during training and finish just fine. Helping you will be the rest breaks from stopping for photos, and the crowd energy is also good for additional miles.
YMMV

 

[kleph]

SAFD: if you are on this forum you have put in the research, the training and the preparation. trust it. you are ready for the challenge and able to handle the curveballs so don't stress, stay focused on the goal.

 

[Herding_Cats]

Ride I would never do again… Carousel of Progress. Super boring

I’m considering making sure DH knows I want the song from that played at my funeral, far in the future.

 

[MissLiss279]

SAFD: I would probably say, if you are going to trim your toenails do it a few days before the race! Ha!

I have not ridden The Magic Carpets of Aladdin or the new Tiana’s retheme of Splash. Remy’s is probably one that I don’t have to do again - it makes me sick, but I kind of like it, and I just have to close my eyes to not get sick.

 

[3princesandaprincess]

SAFD:
Tip: This is my first full marathon, so we will see after! Seriously though, I’m a try it first kinda girl - nothing new on race day -food, clothing, or otherwise.


Attractions I haven’t done: TOT, RNR, EE, Tron. Not a coaster lover, or at least not ones with big drops. I do enjoy BTMRR, and 7D. Never again? Probably Space Mtn.

 

[DisneyMountainWoman]

SAFD: My tip, think about bring bringing a small charger for the marathon... I use my cell phone while chilling and waiting in the line... then I use my cell phone through out the whole marathon between music and taking pictures, etc... and even more important when you are slow.

I still have not gotten to ride the new Tina ride.

 

[smileyanna]

SAFD: Keep moving forward! Lots of thoughts/doubts can creep up during long races. There are ups and downs. Keep moving forward. Keep moving forward.

I’ve never done any version of Mission Space.

And to all who had tough, or triumphant, or discouraging or boring or cut-short or cold or indoor or etc long runs this weekend: TAPER, TAKE US HOME!

 

[GADisneyDad14]

the hay is already in the barn

Wait wait wait, I still have a big week of runs and one more long run next weekend, I’m not quite ready for that hay in the barn stuff just yet!

 

[Stitch&Co.]

SAFD: Have a plan for a mental distraction. I have a good playlist that I listen to, but if I find that it isn’t working I switch to an audio book to try and break things up. Then later I switch back to my music and really lean into it. This helps with some of the long open road sections.

I plan on going to MK on Friday after the 10K and hopefully I’ll get on SDMT.

 

[Stitch&Co.]

Wait wait wait, I still have a big week of runs and one more long run next weekend, I’m not quite ready for that hay in the barn stuff just yet!

Me too. One more long one next Sunday and the last speed workout on the 1st. Then taper!!!!!!

 

[Stitch&Co.]

SAFD: Keep moving forward! Lots of thoughts/doubts can creep up during long races. There are ups and downs. Keep moving forward. Keep moving forward.

^^^THIS!^^^

It’s literally what I was telling myself today in the last few miles.