The 2024 runDisney Marathon Weekend did not go as planned for many runners due to very wet weather. Recap the 2024 runDisney Marathon Weekend with me.
The 5k started off cold and we got a light mist towards the end of the race, near the finish. On the 5k course, there were many character stops and photo ops including one with the BRAND NEW Walt statue located just behind Spaceship Earth. Seeing this section all lit up for the runners with very minimal people around was breathtaking.
Up next was the 10k on Friday. The morning started off pretty chilly, but this was perfect running weather compared to the other race mornings. We got to watch the most beautiful sunrise over Epcot (one of my favorite places to watch the sunrise). The course was full of entertainment including local bands.
Late Friday night, the news came that no runner wanted to hear. The half marathon course was shortened and the start time was moved up to attempt to beat some bad weather heading to Orlando. We all got up bright and early on Saturday and laced up our shoes ready to go. Many runners could be found circling the parking lots or corrals to get in the cut mileage and earn their medals. I was one of the lucky ones that got my miles prior to the race start so I was truly earning that medal when they handed it to me. As I rounded the last corners of World Showcase, the sky let loose, pouring rain onto Disney World. Fortunately, runDisney has the runners safety in mind and cut the course another mile short for those back of the pack runners to avoid any safety concerns.
The last event of the weekend was held on Sunday. Runners rolled out of bed to the start line. The race started off with some fun characters including Stitch dressed in his Elvis attire. As runners made their way to Magic Kingdom, the skies darkened and the winds picked up. Many of the runners started chattering about how it feels like rain, but it wasn’t in the forecast when we awoke. As we proceeded on, the skies let loose yet again raining harder and harder. Many of us Dopey runners were praying the race doesn’t get stopped from inclement weather after 2 other wet days running. We continued on and after about 30 minutes, the rain lightened and eventually stopped. We continued on to Animal Kingdom with many uneventful miles. Once through Animal Kingdom, it was off to the dreaded Blizzard Beach parking lot. Here, runners make a big loop around the outside of the parking lot to gain approximately 1 mile. Once runners round the parking lot it’s off to Hollywood Studios for a quick pass through to get to the Boardwalk Resort area. From the Boardwalk all the way through Epcot, it’s a complete party of spectators cheering runners on to get them to the finish. 
In my opinion, there is no other race that gives you the feeling of inclusion like a runDisney race. The atmosphere and support are like no other. Many runners cross the finish line with many emotions as they have beat a goal they were working for whether it’s finishing the race or attempting a personal record (PR). I’ve been lucky enough to cross many finish lines and there is no better feeling than crossing the marathon finish line to complete the Dopey Challenge. I’ll definitely be back for another year.
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