Marathon Weekend 2027

[jenljeffers1989]

2 marathons in 10 weeks? Come run Blackbeard's Revenge with me next March and we'll have you more than ready to roll for Dopey.

Just catching up on this thread- I did Blackbeard's Revenge as well, but the 100 mile relay. How did you do, did you have a good time?

 

[jenljeffers1989]

I did Dopey this year and really, really enjoyed it, but the 4 early wakeups really killed me more than anything else. Anyone have insight into Goofy being much more manageable? I'm thinking for 2027 I'll just do Goofy or the marathon, thinking I can just push through with lack of sleep 2 days instead of 4. I'll also feel more confident about doing park days without worrying about burning myself out.

 

[camaker]

Just catching up on this thread- I did Blackbeard's Revenge as well, but the 100 mile relay. How did you do, did you have a good time?

Congratulations! It's my favorite non-Disney race. I've run it 3 times so far, completing the 100k twice and taking a DNF on the 100 miler at 76 miles in the other. I wasn't able to run it this year due to my hamstring injury, unfortunately, but plan to be back for the 100k next year.

 

[KCO5988]

Congratulations! It's my favorite non-Disney race. I've run it 3 times so far, completing the 100k twice and taking a DNF on the 100 miler at 76 miles in the other. I wasn't able to run it this year due to my hamstring injury, unfortunately, but plan to be back for the 100k next year.

I just looked this race up and it looks awesome! As if I need more races to add to my calendar

 

[Zutroy]

I did Dopey this year and really, really enjoyed it, but the 4 early wakeups really killed me more than anything else. Anyone have insight into Goofy being much more manageable? I'm thinking for 2027 I'll just do Goofy or the marathon, thinking I can just push through with lack of sleep 2 days instead of 4. I'll also feel more confident about doing park days without worrying about burning myself out.

I did 5 Dopeys and last year I did Goofy for the first time. I enjoyed Goofy so much more. I found that by the time of the marathon during Dopey I was completely over it. Over the wake-ups. Over listening to Carissa’s inane nattering. I just wasn’t enjoying the experience. The Goofy was just right and I found myself feeling excited for the marathon. I don’t think I’ll do Dopey again unless it’s a really special occasion.

 

[jenljeffers1989]

Congratulations! It's my favorite non-Disney race. I've run it 3 times so far, completing the 100k twice and taking a DNF on the 100 miler at 76 miles in the other. I wasn't able to run it this year due to my hamstring injury, unfortunately, but plan to be back for the 100k next year.

I'm sorry about your DNF and injury! Good luck next year

 

[jenljeffers1989]

I did 5 Dopeys and last year I did Goofy for the first time. I enjoyed Goofy so much more. I found that by the time of the marathon during Dopey I was completely over it. Over the wake-ups. Over listening to Carissa’s inane nattering. I just wasn’t enjoying the experience. The Goofy was just right and I found myself feeling excited for the marathon. I don’t think I’ll do Dopey again unless it’s a really special occasion.

Yeah this is kind of where I'm at. I was also really over being completely zoned out from fatigue the whole vacation. I think I will do Goofy, make it a point to do every character stop during the half so I'm taking it easy, and then run the full.

 

[mmm_texas]

I did 5 Dopeys and last year I did Goofy for the first time. I enjoyed Goofy so much more. I found that by the time of the marathon during Dopey I was completely over it. Over the wake-ups. Over listening to Carissa’s inane nattering. I just wasn’t enjoying the experience. The Goofy was just right and I found myself feeling excited for the marathon. I don’t think I’ll do Dopey again unless it’s a really special occasion.

Obviously everybody's different, and it's too bad your Dopey experience wasn't more positive. It's great that Goofy works for you though!

I've only done 2 Dopeys so far, but for those the wake-ups haven't bothered me at all. I do try to get to bed pretty early, which does preclude some evening activities. I'm coming from Central Time, which is only an hour behind; I'd imagine it's more difficult for those coming from Pacific Time.

Based on my (quick mental counting) 17 WDW event mornings (+ 3 DL events with Carissa and a different partner), I think John and Carissa do a great job. It can't be as easy as they make it seem to talk for hours on end.

Overall, I'm looking forward to Dopey #3 next January!

 

[sandam1]

I'll also feel more confident about doing park days without worrying about burning myself out.

I was also really over being completely zoned out from fatigue the whole vacation.

My best friend put it best - there are trips that are vacations with a side of running and then there's running with a side of vacation. Dopey definitely fits in the later.

I loved both of my Dopey weekends, but when I sat down afterwards, I was sad by how little park time I was able to fit in. Thankfully, I have an annual pass and make multiple trips a year, which makes it slightly better.

 

[Baloo in MI]

I have only done one Goofy compared to a lot more Dopeys. So maybe I am being unfair in the comparison, but I prefer Dopey. And yes the four early mornings are rough, having to leave the parks by late afternoon/early evening each day is a bummer and having to watch what I am eating and drinking over the course of the four days cuts into vacation fun. But weirdly that is exactly why I like Dopey so much; it is a real challenge and I love being pushed. I enjoy the physical and strategic obstacles Dopey puts in front of me and forces me to resolve to succeed.

I was very proud of my Goofy finish it was my first ever half and full marathons. But at heart I am a glutton for punishment and that is what Dopey provides; and I love the color purple!

 

[fatmanatee]

My second Dopey went a lot better than the first. I scaled back my parkgoing a bit but I think the first time I was just extremely nervous about the early wakeups and sleeping through the alarm that it impacted my sleep. Since then I've been way more at ease about the whole thing, going on three weekends since. It'll still be tough but first time is probably always going to be the worst.

 

[LatebloomerultraF3]

Congratulations! It's my favorite non-Disney race. I've run it 3 times so far, completing the 100k twice and taking a DNF on the 100 miler at 76 miles in the other. I wasn't able to run it this year due to my hamstring injury, unfortunately, but plan to be back for the 100k next year.

I just dnfd my first 100 mile attempt on a trail race in GA last weekend (made it to 66). Itching to try again. Blackbeard’s looks like an interesting one….not too far of a drive for me….what makes it a favorite next to rD?

Like the OP I am also on the dopey for my 50th train in 2027. I learned last time (2024) not to under-eat during the week. Hit the wall hard in the middle of the marathon just after MK (2024 was my first official marathon ever following a midlife crisis that lead to discovery of running ). I am after redemption.

 

[camaker]

I just dnfd my first 100 mile attempt on a trail race in GA last weekend (made it to 66). Itching to try again. Blackbeard’s looks like an interesting one….not too far of a drive for me….what makes it a favorite next to rD?

Like the OP I am also on the dopey for my 50th train in 2027. I learned last time (2024) not to under-eat during the week. Hit the wall hard in the middle of the marathon just after MK (2024 was my first official marathon ever following a midlife crisis that lead to discovery of running ). I am after redemption.

I'm not a fan of trails, so this being a road race is a major plus for me. It's also very flat, with the only real hills on the course being bridges between islands. The organization is top notch with a very well-supported course consisting of manned aid stations (water/Tailwind + food, often hot food) every ~10 miles with unmanned aid stations (water/Tailwind) in between. I also love the outer banks, making them a special place to run. As night falls, the race staff patrols the course and will periodically stop and run a bit with each runner to gauge their fatigue level and state of mind for safety purposes.

The big challenge of the race is the weather. Temps on the outer banks that time of year could be anywhere from the 20s to 80s. It tends to be very windy, as well, without any guaranteed wind direction. One of the more challenging ones I ran had a sustained 15-20 mph headwinds with gusts up to 35+ mph. It was exhausting fighting the wind all race long.

One thing to be very aware of, too, is that this is open road running. There are very limited stretches of sidewalks. Most of the course you'll be running on the shoulder of the main roadway in the outer banks with traffic flying by at 50-70 mph just a few feet away. You need to be comfortable with that type of running.

 

[Dopey 2020]

‘26 will be the third time Blackbeards 100k goes on my calendar/wish list and it looks like probably the third strike as well. Looking at the dates for my daughters college, her break is moving to the same week so nothing will matter until we know what she wants as far as coming home, us heading south, or anything in between. It is a race I will run at some point.

 

[Zutroy]

Based on my (quick mental counting) 17 WDW event mornings (+ 3 DL events with Carissa and a different partner), I think John and Carissa do a great job. It can't be as easy as they make it seem to talk for hours on end.

By the time I did the marathon part of Dopey, I had already done the Wine and Dine 5k and challenge in November. That meant it was my seventh morning in two months of listening to Carissa babble about how “I’m a registered dietician. When you run, you should hydrate, hydrate, hydrate! Most people don’t know that, but I’m a registered dietician. Now let’s hear from Riley who will interview someone in the crowd who is too far away from the microphone for anyone to hear what they say. Wow! What an inspiration! You guys truly are the most elite athletes in world! Now let’s watch a depressing video from our charity partner about people with terminal diseases. And what better person to introduce it than Goofy!”

 

[The Expert]

By the time I did the marathon part of Dopey, I had already done the Wine and Dine 5k and challenge in November. That meant it was my seventh morning in two months of listening to Carissa babble about how “I’m a registered dietician. When you run, you should hydrate, hydrate, hydrate! Most people don’t know that, but I’m a registered dietician. Now let’s hear from Riley who will interview someone in the crowd who is too far away from the microphone for anyone to hear what they say. Wow! What an inspiration! You guys truly are the most elite athletes in world! Now let’s watch a depressing video from our charity partner about people with terminal diseases. And what better person to introduce it than Goofy!”

Nailed it!

I do actually like the announcers, but the schtick gets old and repetitive real fast.

 

[mmm_texas]

By the time I did the marathon part of Dopey, I had already done the Wine and Dine 5k and challenge in November. That meant it was my seventh morning in two months of listening to Carissa babble about how “I’m a registered dietician. When you run, you should hydrate, hydrate, hydrate! Most people don’t know that, but I’m a registered dietician. Now let’s hear from Riley who will interview someone in the crowd who is too far away from the microphone for anyone to hear what they say. Wow! What an inspiration! You guys truly are the most elite athletes in world! Now let’s watch a depressing video from our charity partner about people with terminal diseases. And what better person to introduce it than Goofy!”

Okay, I can't argue with that!

I do think it's a challenging job, though. And they have to take into account that many people are only listening to them part of the time, so to some extent repetition is going to be inevitable if they're going to get some information out.

 

[DisneyParrothead]

By the time I did the marathon part of Dopey, I had already done the Wine and Dine 5k and challenge in November. That meant it was my seventh morning in two months of listening to Carissa babble about how “I’m a registered dietician. When you run, you should hydrate, hydrate, hydrate! Most people don’t know that, but I’m a registered dietician. Now let’s hear from Riley who will interview someone in the crowd who is too far away from the microphone for anyone to hear what they say. Wow! What an inspiration! You guys truly are the most elite athletes in world! Now let’s watch a depressing video from our charity partner about people with terminal diseases. And what better person to introduce it than Goofy!”

Add in the recent races showing clips of the live action movies being released, and leaving an awkward silence afterwards since so many of us are getting sick of them.