Last, but certainly not least, it was full marathon day! I’m sure there are not many people that would wake up around 2-3AM to run 26.2 miles, but over 20,000 of us will do it for Disney. Today’s character choice was none other than Dopey.
We took that same long walk to the corrals to gear up for the starting line. More fireworks and we were on our way to run through all 4 parks!
The first 8ish miles of the full are identical to the half marathon. Starting outside Epcot, then running the roads leading to the Magic Kingdom. As always, plenty of entertainment along the way.
Entering Magic Kingdom, running down Main Street, and going through that castle will never get old. The races are truly magical.
Once you exit Magic Kingdom and go along Floridian Way behind Grand Floridian and Polynesian like the half, instead of getting back onto World Drive, you continue on a service road that leads down to the back side of Animal Kingdom. It’s always very cool to get to go on roads and see areas of the parks and the property that you otherwise would not be allowed to see.
Each year, some of the cast members at Animal Kingdom bring some smaller animals out along the course for you to pet and get pictures with.
By the time you enter Animal Kingdom for most people, the park is open. This means that rides are running for guests. If you want to, you are able to get onto any ride that you wish. The first time I did the marathon in 2015, I took a ride on Expedition Everest in the middle of the race. I chose to opt out this time, but plenty of runners were hopping off the course for a quick ride.
You exit Animal Kingdom through a backstage area in Dinoland, then run through the parking lot and back onto the road. From here, you take Osceola Parkway all the way down to the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. On this section of the course, you run right past a McDonalds, some people will jump off the course and run down the hill to grab a quick snack or drink. Some people don’t usually like the ESPN portion of the race, but I’ve always enjoyed it. Running around the track and through the stadium is fun and unique.
After ESPN, you get back on the road, then turn and head for Hollywood Studios. Here you enter through another backstage entrance near Tower of Terror. The portion in Hollywood Studios is fairly short, as you run up Sunset Blvd, then turn left onto Hollywood Blvd and head out the park.
Next up is the pathway between Hollywood Studios and the Boarwalk area. This is a really fun area of the course, as it is usually lined with lots of spectators that are staying at the area hotels. You then make the circle around the Boardwalk and enter Epcot through the International Gateway.
The last mile is like a victory lap around Epcot. This was the 25th Anniversary of the WDW Marathon, so they had a special sign at the 25 mile marker.
My one goal for this race (other than to finish) was to get some kind of drink. Again, the park is open, so the drink carts are also open. I decided to stop at the Mexico pavilion for a strawberry margarita. Best. Decision. Ever
I spent the last mile or so of the race, walking, enjoying the sights, getting character pictures, and sipping on my margarita.
I have to say, crossing the finish line with my margarita in hand has made for my all time favorite race picture.
Along with all of my medal, a total of 6 for the weekend, for the anniversary year they gave all marathon finishers a cool Mickey hat. Definitely a fun surprise after finishing the race.
It's a Magical Life 