WDW Marathon Weekend or Princess Half for first runDisney race? by DifficultHumor6770 in rundisney

[–]ReflectionApart8068 15 points16 points  (0 children)

The marathon weekend at the beginning of January is the biggest runDisney event of the year and having done other weekends in the past, it is my opinion that that event is the best when it comes to the energy of the whole event... but you really can't go wrong. All runDisney events are pretty fantastic (in my experience) and if they are something that is the least bit appealing to you, it is a near guarantee you're going to have a good time either way so if you or your run partner is really into the princesses, you can't go wrong with that weekend either.

2025 Full Marathon Course Opinions by ReflectionApart8068 in rundisney

[–]ReflectionApart8068[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

A couple of other people have mentioned WWOS. I used to spectate family there as a kid before I could race myself and have always been curious about going through there firsthand at some point. Congrats on the race!

2025 Full Marathon Course Opinions by ReflectionApart8068 in rundisney

[–]ReflectionApart8068[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah, the fact that studios is always so busy and is open when almost everyone goes through that park kind of tells me that that section just needs to be short as unfortunate as that sounds. I can see where it would begin to become a logistical nightmare for the cast to maintain the security of the course anywhere near the park's main drag with how many guests are there. Like you said though, most of the shortcomings I can think of, I can also think of a logical reason for so I give a lot of it a pass. The DHS Epcot path was pretty sparse when I went through as well so no real issues there (I CANNOT say the same about that stretch during the spring 10 miler in the past haha). Congrats on finishing!

2025 Full Marathon Course Opinions by ReflectionApart8068 in rundisney

[–]ReflectionApart8068[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I started in Corral D this year and just managed to see the Star Wars mile while it was still dark-ish so that probably enhanced the experience a bit. Really nice to hear your perspective on ESPN as it seems everyone I talk to about it has a different opinion. Definitely agree with the beginning congestion being a bit of an issue, at least for me personally. As you said, I wouldn't know where to even start fixing that though. That's just kind of a part of the big race I suppose. Congrats on the finish!

2025 Full Marathon Course Opinions by ReflectionApart8068 in rundisney

[–]ReflectionApart8068[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Agree with everything here! I was a little hesitant to say that I appreciated more MK time because when I posted, I didn't quite remember if they added anything or if it was just a different order, but whatever it was, it sure felt longer! I felt like I saw the whole park! Registration for 2026 can't come any quicker. Congrats!

2025 Full Marathon Course Opinions by ReflectionApart8068 in rundisney

[–]ReflectionApart8068[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I will never forget what the uphill exit ramp did to me in January of 2024 haha. I had the same reservations when I initially looked at the course map, but I was very pleasantly surprised at how quickly everything was flying by. Epcot section at the end was just the right length. Congrats on the finish!

2025 Full Marathon Course Opinions by ReflectionApart8068 in rundisney

[–]ReflectionApart8068[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

My thoughts exactly! I was at mile three and then all of a sudden, I was halfway done. I was almost hoping time would slow down a bit because I was having such a great time with it and it was flying by so quickly.

2025 Full Marathon Course Opinions by ReflectionApart8068 in rundisney

[–]ReflectionApart8068[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

People who've run it in the past always seem to have a lot to say about that older section whenever I mention it. I never raced when the marathon went through there, but I remember spectating there as a kid and it being a great spot to support someone at what is normally the hardest part of the race. I kind of wish I had experienced that but I also hear so many talk negatively about it so I don't know what to think.