Marathon Weekend 2026

[PeppercornElvis]

@accm Thanks for posting the previous POT dates. You've given me hope that I'll be able to use my 2023 POT once more, which would be huge for me. Basically I run long distances for one of two reasons: 1) I'm at Disney Marathon Weekend, or 2) I'm trying to get a fast POT for Disney Marathon Weekend!

 

[SheHulk]

During the marathon yesterday I thought never again. After finishing I told my husband to never let me do that again.

And now I want redemption.

redemption for what? You did it, didn't you?

 

[SheHulk]

Four days ago, I told DH to remind me how stressed I've been, training in the cold; and having to fly back a few hours after crossing the finish line, because my semester starts the very next day, if I make noise about registering for next year.
On top of that, I had a stomach bug or some kind of food poisoning on Saturday, which, let's just say, left me dehydrated for the marathon the next day. I was so miserable by mile 14 of this marathon I swore I was though with the distance.
But I loved the course this year! The Electrical Water Pageant? The Star Wars stretch? Now I'm a definite maybe for the marathon again.

 

[camaker]

Well, I'd been holding off making any declarations of intent for MW 2026. I can't let the disappointment of this past weekend mark the end of my RunDisney career, though, so at this point I'm planning to be back next year for a redo of Dopey #8.

 

[Dopey 2020]

Catching up on two MW threads at the same time was hard.
Making a decision was easy.
In for Dopey #7.
Hoping for a record # at the meetups.

 

[nancipants]

redemption for what? You did it, didn't you?

Yes, but I felt pretty bad for a good portion of the race. I have a lot of thoughts about what to improve for next time, so my Type A personality has to follow through.

 

[FFigawi]

Well, I'd been holding off making any declarations of intent for MW 2026. I can't let the disappointment of this past weekend mark the end of my RunDisney career, though, so at this point I'm planning to be back next year for a redo of Dopey #8.

I’m still undecided about 2026. I can say confidentially, though, that Rogue Two will be making a return in 2027.

 

[jrsharp21]

I had no idea registration was March 11th. Sheesh. Disney give us some time to recover from MW. LOL. Registration is going to be a challenge. I will be traveling out in Tennessee to watch my son play baseball during this time. I am going to see if I can pop into one of my company's regional offices and "work" (scurry frantically for someone's low timer links they are willing to share) that day.

 

[PrincessV]

Picking up where I left off on the 2025 thread…

I finished spectating the marathon feeling equal parts happy about choosing not to put myself through that again, and jealous of everyone doing it. I really, truly, thought I was DONE with long distances - definitely done with marathons, and thought this half was probably my last 13.1.

Now? I’m actually considering Goofy. Maybe even Goofy +5K.

I’m convinced this is some kind of cult.

In all seriousness, though - all my kingdom for a pair of shoes that will work long distances!!! I pulled out an old pair to do this half, after enduring severe pain all though training because none of the new shoes I’ve tried would work longer than 10K, and the difference was night and day. But that old pair won’t make it much longer and I can’t find a replacement its equal. I’ll try the few other possibilities I haven’t tried over the coming weeks and see. Realistically, there is no way I can do another half, let alone a marathon or more, unless I can find a sound replacement. If anyone else out there thrived in the Altra Torin 5 and has found something nearly identical, let me know!

The other component is way more within my control: training. Or more critically, realizing that I need a LOT more rest and recovery than I used to. Probably lower mileage, too. More walking, less running.

 

[lookingforsunshine]

Hoping to be in for Dopey #3 in 2026!!! Considering running for charity but I wish there was a LGBTQ focused org.

 

[GuinnessRunner]

Hoping to be in for Dopey #3 in 2026!!! Considering running for charity but I wish there was a LGBTQ focused org.

It obviously doesn't help solve the registration issues, but I have chosen in the past to run for a non-Disney affiliated charity because it was a cause close to our family. Many charities still have ways you can set up fundraising pages and use. For the one I last did for the EDS Society, I had to do it through go fund me, which I didn't love, but it allowed for all donations made on my page to be automatically sent to the charity when they were made on my personal page.

 

[SheHulk]

Four days ago, I told DH to remind me how stressed I've been, training in the cold; and having to fly back a few hours after crossing the finish line, because my semester starts the very next day, if I make noise about registering for next year.
On top of that, I had a stomach bug or some kind of food poisoning on Saturday, which, let's just say, left me dehydrated for the marathon the next day. I was so miserable by mile 14 of this marathon I swore I was though with the distance.
But I loved the course this year! The Electrical Water Pageant? The Star Wars stretch? Now I'm a definite maybe for the marathon again.

Hoo boy my friend that I just pulled into his first WDW Marathon this year, just texted that he wants to go back and do a challenge next year. Gonna be hard to resist. Right now I'm at the "Well, I'll definitely go down and run something" stage but we all know that's a slippery slope.

 

[laurend]

Definitely in for next year again! Just the marathon - not ready to tackle Dopey with a small child but when he’s a bit older I’d like to!

I am likely going to run an April half for better POT. Just snuck in under 3:51 after being sick for almost a month, I’d like to guarantee that I can start in A again and try to collect all the character stops next year (managed 23 this year).

 

[Zutroy]

The other component is way more within my control: training. Or more critically, realizing that I need a LOT more rest and recovery than I used to. Probably lower mileage, too. More walking, less running.

One thing I really prioritized this training cycle was sleep. I started sleep tracking and making sure I got at least 8 hours of sleep—which was tough since I got up at 5 am for my runs. The week before MW, I was regularly getting 9 1/2 hours, and I felt great. Same time last year I was feeling burned out and exhausted. I ended up with a higher volume of training this year, but I finished with no injuries and a positive mindset.

 

[Novatrix]

Had a ton of fun at this year's races, both due to the races themselves and the wonderful community on these boards.

Hoping to sign up again for another Goofy in 2026 but in the meantime my brain is saying

 

[marty3d]

As I sit on my plane at MCO ready to go, I’m now completely confused as to what to do next year. I was really planning to skip the Marathon distance but this was by far my best MW / Dopey ever. A large part of it because of this community!

Now I’m going to spend the next 2 months deciding if I can manage Dopey or Goofy next year. Don’t suppose anyone wants to tell me why that’s a bad idea?

 

[Novatrix]

As I sit on my plane o spend the next 2 months deciding if I can manage Dopey or Goofy next year. Don’t suppose anyone wants to tell me why that’s a bad idea?

This is not the group you're looking for....

 

[laurend]

Had a ton of fun at this year's races, both due to the races themselves and the wonderful community on these boards.

Hoping to sign up again for another Goofy in 2026 but in the meantime my brain is saying

I keep feeling kind of sad that it’s a whole year away and then I remember that I’m dragging my teenager along for the Princess 5k next month - just a little fix to keep me going

 

[PrincessV]

As I sit on my plane at MCO ready to go, I’m now completely confused as to what to do next year. I was really planning to skip the Marathon distance but this was by far my best MW / Dopey ever. A large part of it because of this community!

Now I’m going to spend the next 2 months deciding if I can manage Dopey or Goofy next year. Don’t suppose anyone wants to tell me why that’s a bad idea?

I’ll keep telling you that it’s a terrible idea if you’ll tell me the same in return!

 

[marty3d]

I’ll keep telling you that it’s a terrible idea if you’ll tell me the same in return!

Well after reading you’re recap I was going to encourage you to go for it next year so maybe I’m not much help either!!