2024 Dopey Challenge Race Report Part 4: Marathon

• Race Name: WDW 2024 Marathon
• Location: Disney World
• Date: Sunday, January 7, 2024 @ 5:00am

Pre-Race Prep:

Similar to the 5K, 10K, and half, I followed the runDisney Dopey Challenge training plan leading up to the race. I feel like it definitely prepared me for going the distance. In addition to the training plan, I really focused on the idea of preserving my energy during the previous days for the marathon. The night before, I nervously laid out my flat Crystal and went to bed early. Earlier than the previous days. In fact, I think I beat the Sun to bed.

Race Day:

Being in the VERY LAST CORRAL, I knew I needed as much buffer as possible between myself and the balloon ladies. So, my plan for Sunday was to get there ERR-LEE. Like, getting there with the cast members early. (Okay, maybe not that early. But early nonetheless.) I went through the same routine as the 10K, getting there before the corrals opened and sprinting to my destination. But this time? I wasn’t just rope drop early. I wasn’t just 1st wave early. Bruh: I was THE FIRST PERSON IN THE CORRAL. Not to mention, a security guard gave me a tip on how to get the best rope drop selfie. It was pretty cool.

The Start:

My wave got started around 5:47. I ran the first 1-2 miles without stopping because again: buffer. Around mile 3 I came across the 6:15 pace and hung out with them for the majority of the race.

Nutrition and Hydration:

With this being THE race, I didn’t mess around with any chance of dehydration. Unless it would’ve caused a traffic pileup around me, I stopped for every hydration stop. As I mentioned, I’m not a fan of beans, gels, or any of that other stuff so my nutrition of choice for the marathon were peanut butter crackers and those glorious bananas they had for us at different stops.

Support and Crowd Interaction:

The support that you get at a runDisney marathon is kind of dangerous. The crowd will have you thinking that you are a superhero who could fly to the finish line if needed. Cast members stop what they’re doing to cheer you on, passerbys encourage you by name, and there are plenty of hilarious signs to entertain you. It’s epic.

Finish and Post-Race:

This time around, I had someone waiting for me in the Reunion Lot. My husband! After getting my medals, snack box, liquids, and my last banana, I just wanted to sit down. Anywhere. So he let me be and gave me time to just sit on the ground.

Highlights/Challenges:

Awhile ago, I was browsing some social media site and came across someone else’s picture of them and Perry the Platypus (aka Agent P). I thought, “Man, how cool would it be to see Perry on Marathon Weekend?” So you can imagine my delight when lo and behold, there he was around mile 10! I stopped earlier for the bathroom and was just about to catch up to my group, but Perry was worth losing them again for bit. Unfortunately, around mile 21, I lost my ability to keep up entirely with the 6:15 pacer group. My knees were not psyched about the Dopey experience. Because I knew there were other pacer groups behind me, I wasn’t too concernced about being swept. I throttled back to a brisk walk for the remainder of the race.

Results:

I finished the marathon in 6 hours and 31 minutes. Knowing that my 2023 time was 6:39, my only goal for myself timewise was “somewhere close to 6:30”. It wasn’t my intention, but I’ll take the PR!

Conclusion:

Finishing a marathon is one of greatest experiences I’ve had in my life. And there’s something about Disney that makes it all the more magical. Who needs the ability to walk normally when you’ve got long lasting memories? 10/10, would totally recommend. <3