On your mark! Get set! Lulu, are you ready to go? I am thrilled you might be lacing up your sneakers for the
2025 Walt Disney World Marathon. This past January was my first marathon. I loved it so much that I am running
Goofy's Race-and-a-Half Challenge. These last few weeks of training, though... Training is the work;
runDisney weekends are the reward. That's my mantra to help me log those miles.
The marathon course was announced early this year, along with an earlier start time. The first fireworks will start the race at 4:30 a.m. at
EPCOT.
Is this your first runDisney event, Lulu? I'll share a lot of information just in case it is.
Usually, about two weeks before the weekend, runDisney emails athletes the digital guide. This guide contains everything you need to know about bib pickup, the race course, transportation and spectator support.
I stay at a
Disney Resorts Collection hotel and rely on runDisney transportation to get to bib pickup at the
ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex and to the Start Line the morning of the races. For the runs, I usually try to get on a bus by 3:15 for a 5:00 a.m. start. For the marathon, I will be waiting for a bus by 2:45 a.m.
The buses drop runners off at EPCOT at the usual location where they drop Guests off for a day at the theme park. The runner's area is in a parking lot on the other side. It's a bit of a walk, but you can follow the crowd and stop for an iconic selfie with
Spaceship Earth in the background. In the runner's area, there will be characters and photo opportunities to celebrate what you are about to do. Food is also usually available for purchase. I always stop for a banana, granola bar and cup of coffee. This area is open to runners and supporters who are willing to be up and out early in the morning. There is an entry point for runners only that leads to the corrals and stands for spectators to cheer runners at the Start Line. It is so early, but the energy of the crowd is electric.
The digital guide will have all the details for spectators, including the time buses from Disney resorts will run to EPCOT for them. With the longer marathon route, there are many places to catch a glimpse of and provide that needed encouragement for runners. Some of the most popular are the Transportation and Ticket Center (TTC) and Main Street, U.S.A. inside
Magic Kingdom Park. In the past, parking for EPCOT and these locations have been open for spectators. Guests staying at
Disney BoardWalk area resorts have also been able to head downstairs and cheer on runners as they pass. According to the course map, the marathon will go in front of the
Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, and Guests at this resort will be outside with their signs and awesome support, too.
If you have any other questions, especially as Marathon Weekend gets closer, please set your course for
planDisney. We're here to help and to cheer for our favorite athletes and their fans.
Every Mile is Magic!
Jana