Walt Disney World Marathon weekend is less than 2 weeks away and with Christmas behind us and my last long run in the books I’m really starting to get excited!
This will be my 4th year running at the runDisney Marathon Weekend – my first year I did the marathon (my first!), the second year I did the Goofy Race and a Half Challenge (or the “unofficial” Dopey since I did the 5k also!) and last year I did the inaugural (official) Dopey Challenge!
While I LOVED doing Dopey last year, this year I opted for Goofy – the 4 early wake up calls for Dopey were exhausting and I didn’t feel like I got to “do Disney” as much as I would have liked, so just 2 early race mornings for me this year!
As I get ready for a race I’ve done before, I always like to go back and read my race recaps from previous years and I figured this would be a great time to share a round up of all my previous Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend experiences with you!
2012
I began running in May of 2011 when I registered for the 2011 Wine & Dine Half Marathon. I was enjoying the challenge of increasing my mileage and training for a goal so much that I went ahead and registered for the 2012 Walt Disney World Marathon BEFORE I even ran Wine & Dine!
My training was tough, but I stuck with it and my first marathon experience was incredible! (The best part was that Jason was supposed to be working the day of the marathon but ended up being off so he flew down the night before and left right after the race just so he could be at my first marathon!)
2012 Walt Disney World Marathon Recap
My family (& support team!) at my first marathon!
2013
In 2013 I decided tackle my 2nd marathon as part of the Goofy Challenge – and threw in the 5k for an “unofficial” Dopey! I had some company this year, my mom ran the 5k and my sister ran the 5k and her first half!
Temperatures were pretty brutal this year so we took our time and just had fun during the full marathon and stopped for lots of pictures! This was my first experience running back to back races and I really had a great time!
2013 Disney Family Fun Run 5k Recap
2013 WDW Half Marathon Recap
2013 WDW Marathon Recap
Showing Goofy my Goofy medal!
2014
Who would have thought 4 days of early wake up calls and running 48.6 miles could be so much fun!
For the 10k we ran as a group of Newsies carrying the banner around the World (Walt Disney World that is!)…
Extra! Extra! Newsies sweat all over Epcot!
By the half marathon (day 3!), it was starting to feel a bit like groundhogs day (wake, run, repeat!), but we had fun and were even treated to a mid-race Dole Whip courtesy of Jenn’s Dad!
Day 4, the full marathon was by far my favorite! I honestly still can not believe that not only do I run 26.2 miles, but I manage to have so much fun doing it – of course I was with my two running partners in crime Daniel & Patrick!
Taking a quick “rest” mid-marathon!
2014 Disney Family Fun Run 5k Recap
2014 WDW 10k Recap
2014 WDW Half Marathon Recap
2014 WDW Marathon Recap
2015
This year I’ll be running the Goofy Race & a Half Challenge and I am SO excited to be joined by my husband Jason for his first half marathon! We’ve had a great time training the past few months and I really can not wait for us to cross the finish line together!
One of the best things about Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend is seeing friends and meeting new friends, so please let me know if you’re going to be there, I’d love to say hello!
Oh, and if you see me you BETTER say hi – none of this leaving a comment after race weekend saying, “I saw you but felt weird coming over…” (KELLIE!!!)
Live, Run, Grow 
I loved your “newsies” costumes so much. You guys all looked great. We will miss seeing you at marathon weekend, but are excited that you will be running with Jason for his first half. Can’t wait to follow along!
I loved those costumes too – honestly if I was running a distance shorter than a half I’d be tempted reuse them!
Loved the blog and still loving the Disney!
I’m so excited for Jason! What an awesome race for a first half 😀
I’m excited to see how your races go this year! The Disney races are on my bucket list!
You are never going to let me live that down are you? I say hi to you ALL THE TIME NOW! In fact, it’s impossible for you to get rid of me! See you in a little more than a week! 🙂
Nope, never.
I will be there and I better see you. I’m occupied most mornings between 3 am and 10 am, but aside from that I’m free.
Yes! We’ll have to coordinate something : )
Good luck with the races! I hope it feels nice to be able to sleep in two days that you were up running this past year.
I love reading race recaps before an event. It helps build the excitement (aka nervous energy). This will be my third WDW Marathon and my first Dopey. Hope to see you there and hope you have great races!
Thanks, hope your races go well too!
LOVE this post! It’s awesome Jason will be running the half with you! I am so excited to run Goofy this year, but I know it will be extra special because I’ll have company for the full this year. We will definitely be looking for you guys! 🙂
Yay, hope to see you!
thanks so much for posting all of these-I went through and read them all and feel ready for Dopey! I will definitely keep a lookout for you!
Glad to hear they were helpful!
I’m so glad you posted all of your Dopey recaps. I’m nervous for Dopey (ok, mostly the wake ups) so I’m looking for any tips I can get. I’ll be sure to say hi if I see you. I’m running with my husband, too!
Set lots of alarms and embrace the nap and you’ll be fine! Have fun and hope we run in to each other!