Marathon Weekend 2026

[Dopey 2020]

SAFD signed up for my chosen event, Dopey (#7 already - how did that happen?)
Goals are always have fun for the first three then race the full but hopefully that changes this year. I’ve got an ‘A’ race marathon in October and if I hit my goal MW could be all about the fun. Maybe do the math to pace for first Everest train?! It’s a someday goal for sure

 

[accm]

I really wanted to preorder the Dopey or Goofy sweatshirts, but I don't trust runDisney sizing at all. My first Dopey, they had a really cute hoodie, and even though the body fit really well, the sleeves were incredibly tight. Even trying to size up, the sleeves wouldn't fit. I'd rather not get something than be stuck with a very expensive, ill fitting, sweatshirt.

I did go ahead and preorder the jumbo pin and the weekend bundle. And pro tip (from experience) if you preorder stuff - double check what you preordered before checking out at the expo. I almost ended up with two AP spirit jerseys at Wine and Dine last year.

 

[rick1zoo2]

For the actual race shirts, I think someone mentioned the new shirts ran small. Did they have the new shirts at SS? If so, did they really run smaller than the shirts we have received in the past?

I flip-flopped on the sizes: I usually take XL for regular cotton t-shirts, and Large for shirts made from non-shrinking materials. Originally got the Men's Large, and tried them on (over a t-shirt) and thought they were too tight, so swapped them for XL. Then back at the hotel, tried them on again and realized that they were too big. So, we went back to the expo the next day and traded back to Large and maybe a touch snug, I think they fit pretty well. So I would recommend sticking with the size you had before and then trying them on, with-out a t-shirt underneath.

 

[rick1zoo2]

SAFD: I wanted and got signed up for the Dopey. My hope/plan is just to finish the whole thing.

Ditto for me. I don't have a choice...

 

[MinnesotaDisneyFan]

SAFD: I wanted the marathon and was able to sign up for it. It will be my seventh WDW Marathon. Running with a friend I met and ran it with in 2019 (and again in 2023). Our goal is to meet some characters and keep it sub 4:00:00.

 

[garneska]

@Fischstick are you going to join us at Lake Hartwell for the Dam run? It is May 3. I still need to sign up but will do it this week. I am doing the 10k. I am waiting to sign up DH, he is having some ankle issues at the moment. He might be babysitting whisky while i run. I told him let's see how it goes but right now walking the dog is bothering him so i think he is going to lay off running for a few days.

 

[The Expert]

So I would recommend sticking with the size you had before and then trying them on, with-out a t-shirt underneath.

Pro tip for the ladies: wear a sports bra as part of (or under) your expo outfit! It makes it so much easier to try things on out on the floor without fear of flashing everyone. I see someone at every weekend doing this and kick myself for forgetting EVERY time.

 

[KCO5988]

Pro tip for the ladies: wear a sports bra as or under your expo outfit! It makes it so much easier to try things on out on the floor without fear of flashing everyone. I see someone at every weekend doing this and kick myself for forgetting EVERY time.

Similar option, I wore a thin cami tank under my shirt to Princess expo and it worked well for trying things on.

 

[rick1zoo2]

Pro tip for the ladies: wear a sports bra as or under your expo outfit! It makes it so much easier to try things on out on the floor without fear of flashing everyone. I see someone at every weekend doing this and kick myself for forgetting EVERY time.

I just figured out that I could have gone into the bathroom there to try them on. duh.

 

[The Expert]

I just figured out that I could have gone into the bathroom there to try them on. duh.

That works for race shirts, sure. But if you're trying on merch on the floor, there's no bathroom they'd let you take it to before purchasing.

 

[rick1zoo2]

That works for race shirts, sure. But if you're trying on merch on the floor, there's no bathroom they'd let you take it to before purchasing.

ah, you are right. But I am still not going with the sports bra option...

we did learn that you can return (not exchange) at any disney shop at WDW.

 

[The Expert]

we did learn that you can return (not exchange) at any disney shop at WDW.

Yep! This is also why I always pop in and peek at the resort shops during a race weekend. They'll often put things out for sale rather than schlep them all the way back to the expo. Random items and sizes, but sometimes you can find sold out items this way.

 

[jrsharp21]

Sharing in case someone want the Brooks collection… telegram alerts with inventory available… how creative!

https://www.facebook.com/100064908120885/posts/pfbid024V9ETatFizKS1keDpWbTLoykhvncZMMh5VDSWjjgbe6EAxoSLuET5e4HmPTGMnpal

Used this and was able to snag a pair of the Mickey Ghost 2. They are a half size smaller than my normal size, but hoping they may run big.

 

[sandam1]

SAFD - My final answer for registration wound up being the 10K and half marathon for me and the 10K for my friend. When it came down to it, $120 was just too dang much for a 5K. I was able to get both of us registered fairly easily. I got one queue spot that moved at a decent pace while the rest stayed stubbornly at more than 1 hour.

And now onto my goals! Wow, this turned out to be a lot harder question than I expected.

Goal #1 - Upon reflection, I realized that my friend has never run a Disney race completely prepared. Either she has been undertrained (or untrained) or dealing with an injury. I'd really love to see her be able to get to the start line well-trained and healthy this year.

Goal #2 - Have a good time being a cheerleader and supply sherpa for my friends running the marathon. I am sooooo excited about spectating for this race!

Goal #3 - For the half-marathon, I have a two-part goal.
3A. Coordinate with a DLS person and play "catch me if you can," seeing if I can get to the Magic Kingdom before they do. Obviously my success will depend a lot on my corral placement and the speed of the person that I pair up with, but it sounds like a fun "game" to try.

3B. After the 10K mark (which should be just around the time we leave MK if the course is similar to this year's), the goal is to see how many people I can pass in the second half of the race. I would like to do this as a charity fundraiser. I'm still working out whether it is possible to extract this number from the Disney data, but I'm hopeful.

This will give me the opportunity to take all the photos and soak up all of the atmosphere in the Magic Kingdom itself.

Goal #4 - Have an absolutely magnificent trip! MW is my favorite runDisney weekend and I love hanging out with my virtual friends. I'm hoping that I can enjoy it even more without the four early wake-ups and 48.6 miles of running. This will also be my friend's first trip to Epic Universe (and my second) and I can't wait to spend as much time as possible exploring the new park.

Thank you for asking this question! It really forced me to think things through, but I came up with goals that I'm really excited about working towards.

 

[smileyanna]

While Google's AI will tell you that 79,576 people finished the 2024 MCM, truth is it's not quite that big. It's big enough, though, that the vibes are incredible all the way along the course. It's one of the best marathons in the world. No doubt you'll have a fantastic experience. The drummers encouraging you to Beat the Bridge are amazing.

I’m hoping it will also emulate the “big” vibes of the Disney marathon. The MCM just makes sense since it’s where I do all my training anyways. Have you done the MCM before?? I’m looking forward to it, hopefully they have something big planned for the 50th!

I've done MCM a few times (I'm local too), but it's been a few years. There are parts I like more than the Disney Marathon - more spectator opportunities and less highway running. The MCM bridge will be great practice for the Blizzard Beach parking lot - late in the race, exposed to the elements, potentially demoralizing.

BUT the magic of runDisney is right here - there's a whole universe of people, podcasts, updates etc to wrap yourself in during training! That might exist for other races, but I haven't found it yet!

 

[Fischstick]

@Fischstick are you going to join us at Lake Hartwell for the Dam run? It is May 3. I still need to sign up but will do it this week. I am doing the 10k. I am waiting to sign up DH, he is having some ankle issues at the moment. He might be babysitting whisky while i run. I told him let's see how it goes but right now walking the dog is bothering him so i think he is going to lay off running for a few days.

Yes! Need to sign up!

Who else is coming?

 

[accm]

3B. After the 10K mark (which should be just around the time we leave MK if the course is similar to this year's), the goal is to see how many people I can pass in the second half of the race. I would like to do this as a charity fundraiser. I'm still working out whether it is possible to extract this number from the Disney data, but I'm hopeful.

I love this idea! It should be pretty easy to figure this out with the results runDisney posts. Delete anyone with a clock time lower than yours, then subtract the net time from the clock time and add the 10k split time. Anyone left with a time lower than your is someone you passed.

If I decide to run the half on my own for time, I might do this as well!

 

[The Expert]

I love this idea! It should be pretty easy to figure this out with the results runDisney posts. Delete anyone with a clock time lower than yours, then subtract the net time from the clock time and add the 10k split time. Anyone left with a time lower than your is someone you passed.

If I decide to run the half on my own for time, I might do this as well!

There's a whole DLS (dead last start) contingent in the rD Facebook group. I've never paid close enough attention to know how they calculate it, but might be worth a search over there to find out if you're thinking of doing it.

 

[FFigawi]

Goal #3 - For the half-marathon, I have a two-part goal.
3A. Coordinate with a DLS person and play "catch me if you can," seeing if I can get to the Magic Kingdom before they do. Obviously my success will depend a lot on my corral placement and the speed of the person that I pair up with, but it sounds like a fun "game" to try.

Why not coordinate with the entire DLS crew? Many of them love the opportunity to chase specific people down. I’m sure they’d welcome having you as a target.

 

[Naomeri]

There's a whole DLS (dead last start) contingent in the rD Facebook group. I've never paid close enough attention to know how they calculate it, but might be worth a search over there to find out if you're thinking of doing it.

I saw one of the Dead Last Sharks when he passed me in Epcot at the Springtime 10 Miler. I think if I hadn't stopped for Stitch, he wouldn't have caught me