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The complete, course-first guide

Disney World Marathon

Sunday, January 10, 2027 · Wave schedule — see logistics
EPCOT parking lot, Walt Disney World Resort, Florida (start and finish)

Marathon26.2 miles
Register for the 2027 Disney World Marathon →on Race Roster
Aerial course portraitBay LakePublished course model · 26.2 miles
Gold marks the published course model. Public-domain aerial photography: USGS and USDA.

The race in 60 seconds

Marathon
Sunday, January 10, 2027Wave schedule — see logistics
Start line
EPCOT parking lot, Walt Disney World Resort, Florida (start and finish)Bay Lake, FL
Modeled elevation
About 377 ft of climbroughly 82 to 113 ft
Course shape
Loop coursestart and finish stay close
Race week weather
52°F to 69°F2016-2025 average, 23% of days wet

The route is a loop, keeping the start and finish in the same part of the city. The modeled line carries about 377 feet of total climb and ranges from roughly 82 to 113 feet above sea level. Look for Spaceship Earth (Epcot), Cinderella Castle (Magic Kingdom), Space Mountain (Magic Kingdom), Disney's Contemporary Resort in the flyover, with recognizable forms modeled from architectural records.

Fly the course

The whole course, built from the best available published route trace and an extruded model of Bay Lake. Scrub it, change the camera, or let it play. Nothing here is a video: it is drawing the city live.

Route statusCurrent community course trace cross-checked against the published route. Verified via curl: HTTP 200, 472 KB, no login/token needed. GPX metadata name 'Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend 2026 - 42.195 km'; 6,116 trackpoints; haversine distance computed at 42.36 km / 26.32 mi. Matches the current course (Jan 2026 running): Epcot start, Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Blizzard Beach lot, Hollywood Studios, Boardwalk, Epcot parking-lot finish. Landing page: https://www.goandrace.com/en/map/2026/walt-disney-world-marathon-weekend-2026-orlando-course-map-1.php (no 2027 page exists yet).

The route line uses the best published course trace available. Public-domain USGS and USDA aerial photography plus USGS 3DEP elevation are baked into RunRace USA, so the flyover makes no paid map API or third-party runtime requests. Buildings, roads, parks and water use OpenStreetMap, ODbL. This is photographic terrain with modeled architecture, not photogrammetry. Bridge approaches, elevations and facade details are approximations; the organizer's published route remains the reference.

The elevation profile

Marathon elevation26.2 miles · about 377 ft of climb
40 60 80 100 120 140 160 Mile 0.0 to 0.2: -0.1% Mile 0.2 to 0.4: +0.0% Mile 0.4 to 0.6: +0.1% Mile 0.6 to 0.8: -0.0% Mile 0.8 to 1.0: -0.2% Mile 1.0 to 1.2: -0.0% Mile 1.2 to 1.4: +0.0% Mile 1.4 to 1.6: +0.2% Mile 1.6 to 1.8: +0.2% Mile 1.8 to 2.0: +0.0% Mile 2.0 to 2.2: +0.2% Mile 2.2 to 2.4: +0.0% Mile 2.4 to 2.6: -0.3% Mile 2.6 to 2.8: -0.1% Mile 2.8 to 3.0: +0.6% Mile 3.0 to 3.2: -0.2% Mile 3.2 to 3.4: -0.1% Mile 3.4 to 3.6: -0.1% Mile 3.6 to 3.8: -0.4% Mile 3.8 to 4.0: -0.1% Mile 4.0 to 4.2: +0.0% Mile 4.2 to 4.4: +0.2% Mile 4.4 to 4.6: -0.5% Mile 4.6 to 4.8: -0.2% Mile 4.8 to 5.0: -0.7% Mile 5.0 to 5.2: +0.2% Mile 5.2 to 5.4: +0.1% Mile 5.4 to 5.6: +0.1% Mile 5.6 to 5.8: -0.0% Mile 5.8 to 6.0: -0.2% Mile 6.0 to 6.2: -0.2% Mile 6.2 to 6.4: +0.3% Mile 6.4 to 6.6: -0.2% Mile 6.6 to 6.8: -0.1% Mile 6.8 to 7.0: +0.1% Mile 7.0 to 7.2: -0.1% Mile 7.2 to 7.4: -0.3% Mile 7.4 to 7.6: +0.3% Mile 7.6 to 7.8: -0.0% Mile 7.8 to 8.0: -0.2% Mile 8.0 to 8.2: +0.1% Mile 8.2 to 8.4: +0.2% Mile 8.4 to 8.6: -0.0% Mile 8.6 to 8.8: +0.3% Mile 8.8 to 9.0: +0.5% Mile 9.0 to 9.2: -0.2% Mile 9.2 to 9.4: -0.1% Mile 9.4 to 9.6: +0.1% Mile 9.6 to 9.8: -0.3% Mile 9.8 to 10.0: +0.7% Mile 10.0 to 10.2: -0.9% Mile 10.2 to 10.4: +0.2% Mile 10.4 to 10.6: -1.4% Mile 10.6 to 10.8: +0.4% Mile 10.8 to 11.0: -0.3% Mile 11.0 to 11.2: +0.4% Mile 11.2 to 11.4: -0.0% Mile 11.4 to 11.6: +0.5% Mile 11.6 to 11.8: -0.4% Mile 11.8 to 12.0: -0.2% Mile 12.0 to 12.2: +0.1% Mile 12.2 to 12.4: +0.1% Mile 12.4 to 12.6: -0.1% Mile 12.6 to 12.8: -0.2% Mile 12.8 to 13.0: +0.0% Mile 13.0 to 13.2: +0.2% Mile 13.2 to 13.4: -0.2% Mile 13.4 to 13.6: +0.2% Mile 13.6 to 13.8: -0.3% Mile 13.8 to 14.0: +0.0% Mile 14.0 to 14.2: -0.3% Mile 14.2 to 14.4: -0.0% Mile 14.4 to 14.6: +0.2% Mile 14.6 to 14.8: +0.0% Mile 14.8 to 15.0: -0.0% Mile 15.0 to 15.2: +0.1% Mile 15.2 to 15.4: +0.1% Mile 15.4 to 15.6: -0.1% Mile 15.6 to 15.8: +0.1% Mile 15.8 to 16.0: -0.1% Mile 16.0 to 16.2: +0.5% Mile 16.2 to 16.4: -0.1% Mile 16.4 to 16.6: +0.2% Mile 16.6 to 16.8: -0.3% Mile 16.8 to 17.0: +0.6% Mile 17.0 to 17.2: +0.0% Mile 17.2 to 17.4: -0.2% Mile 17.4 to 17.6: +0.0% Mile 17.6 to 17.8: -0.9% Mile 17.8 to 18.0: +0.3% Mile 18.0 to 18.2: +0.6% Mile 18.2 to 18.4: -1.0% Mile 18.4 to 18.6: +0.0% Mile 18.6 to 18.8: +0.6% Mile 18.8 to 19.0: -0.6% Mile 19.0 to 19.2: +0.1% Mile 19.2 to 19.4: -0.2% Mile 19.4 to 19.6: -0.3% Mile 19.6 to 19.8: -0.1% Mile 19.8 to 20.0: -0.0% Mile 20.0 to 20.2: -0.4% Mile 20.2 to 20.4: -0.2% Mile 20.4 to 20.6: +0.1% Mile 20.6 to 20.8: +0.0% Mile 20.8 to 21.0: +0.4% Mile 21.0 to 21.2: +0.2% Mile 21.2 to 21.4: +0.1% Mile 21.4 to 21.6: -0.1% Mile 21.6 to 21.8: +0.1% Mile 21.8 to 22.0: +0.1% Mile 22.0 to 22.2: -0.2% Mile 22.2 to 22.4: -0.3% Mile 22.4 to 22.6: -0.2% Mile 22.6 to 22.8: +0.2% Mile 22.8 to 23.0: +0.6% Mile 23.0 to 23.2: -0.1% Mile 23.2 to 23.4: -0.7% Mile 23.4 to 23.6: +0.9% Mile 23.6 to 23.8: -0.5% Mile 23.8 to 24.0: -0.2% Mile 24.0 to 24.2: -0.4% Mile 24.2 to 24.4: -0.1% Mile 24.4 to 24.6: +0.4% Mile 24.6 to 24.8: +0.1% Mile 24.8 to 25.0: -0.2% Mile 25.0 to 25.2: +0.4% Mile 25.2 to 25.4: -0.2% Mile 25.4 to 25.6: +0.8% Mile 25.6 to 25.8: -0.6% Mile 25.8 to 26.0: +0.1% Mile 26.0 to 26.2: -0.0% 5 10 15 20 25 mile
steep up up flat down steep down

This Marathon profile covers 26.2 miles, ranges from roughly 82 to 113 feet, and contains about 377 feet of modeled climb.

Open the full course breakdown →

The route at a glance

1 5 10 13 15 20 25 26
Marathon route26.2 miles
course start/finish

Gold is the selected modeled course; route provenance is stated beside the flyover.

Race-week weather, measured

At the start line, January 6-14 averaged a low of 52°F and a high of 69°F across 2016-2025. The same window reached 82°F at its warmest and 37°F at its coldest. Measurable rain appeared on about 23% of sampled days. Treat the range, not just the average, as the packing list.

Pace it by effort

The profile and grade strip come from the same route currently loaded in the flyover. Use even pace as a baseline, then protect effort on the highlighted climbs and exposed sections.

FinishEven paceHalfway
3:006:52 /mi1:30
3:308:01 /mi1:45
4:009:09 /mi2:00
4:3010:18 /mi2:15
5:0011:27 /mi2:30

Build your race weekend

The course

Live 3D flyover, synchronized elevation, route map, mile-by-mile shape and local landmarks.

Where to stay

11 mapped places to stay, compared by the endpoint that matters.

Expo and logistics

Packet pickup, the published weekend schedule, transit, parking and current entry tiers.

Spectators

Route-aware viewing anchors and a plan that respects the actual course geography.

The weekend

A city guide built around the places modeled beside the course.

Official race site

The organizer's current dates, entry details and late course notices.

Common questions

Entry: is it first-come, and does it sell out?

runDisney publishes no lottery and no qualifying standard for the marathon; entry is by paid registration on rundisney.com, and the policies page states plainly that 'Dates, times and prices subject to change. All runDisney events are subject to capacity limits and may close at any time.' Bibs cannot be bought into an event 'that ha[s] reached capacity/sold-out', so a closed race is closed.

Qualifying vs. proof of time: they are not the same thing

There is no qualifying time to enter. Proof of time exists only for start-group placement: it is required 'if you claim you will finish a marathon in 5 hours (5:00) or less, or a half marathon in 2 hours and 30 minutes (2:30) or less.' Everyone slower simply skips it. Accepted marathon proof: an officially timed 10-Mile, Half Marathon or Marathon result.

Miss the proof-of-time deadline and you are in the last corral

The policies page sets a hard date: 'If proof of time is not provided by August 3, 2026, or if the data provided is incomplete or cannot be verified, you will be placed in the last start group. No start group changes will be made after such date.' Self-timed, training and virtual runs are rejected outright. Questions go to [email protected].

Corrals are enforced, and the Expo will not move you

Your start group is the letter printed on your bib, and the Runner Info page states 'No start group changes will be made at the runDisney Health & Fitness Expo.' Athletes with disabilities, including cane, crutch, walker and trekking-pole users, also 'start in their assigned start group unless otherwise pre-approved by runDisney.' Club runDisney Platinum buys upgraded placement but not relief from pacing.

The cutoff is a rolling 16-minute mile, not a finish-line clock

Every distance requires 'a minimum of 16-minutes-per-mile pace,' with a 15-minute-per-mile training pace recommended. Pace cyclists ride the course and wave a red flag at each mile marker; per the policy, 'If you reach a mile marker with a red flag waving, please note you are behind the required 16-minutes-per-mile pace and can be picked up at any time.' Pickup is discretionary and immediate.

What actually happens when you get swept

Swept runners are 'transported to the course pick up tent,' and the general FAQ adds that anyone unable to hold pace 'may be picked up and transported to the Family Reunion Area.' Balloon-pace timing runs from your corral's official start, not the gun, so a back corral does not buy extra minutes. Losing your bib on course also gets you removed for safety reasons.

Bag check is a single clear bag, issued to you

gEAR Bag Check is offered for the Marathon, Half, 10K and 5K, but 'A clear plastic bag will be issued to you at Bib Pick-Up to be used for gEAR Bag Check service. No other bag will be accepted.' Your own duffel or backpack is refused, and backpacks are prohibited on course entirely. Do not check valuables: staff accept no liability for loss, damage or theft.

Bibs do not transfer, defer, or refund, and enforcement is real

Entry fees, commemorative items and event purchases are 'non-refundable,' and bibs are 'not transferrable between individuals, between events weekends or to events that have reached capacity/sold-out.' Anyone caught selling, trading, transferring or running on someone else's bib is disqualified, removed 'without refund' and 'may be barred from registering for future runDisney events.' You must collect your own bib with government photo ID; no exceptions.

Costume rules are stricter than the Instagram photos suggest

Runners 14 and older may not wear costume masks of any kind. Costumes may not drag on the ground, contain sharp or pointed objects, be inflatable, be layered with hoop skirts or metal infrastructure, or connect participants to each other. Capes must not fall below the waist. Foam swords and all-plastic lightsabers may pass but 'may not exceed 36" in length.'

Rain or shine, but lightning can end your race

Policy: 'The runDisney event will be held rain or shine. If there is lightning in the area, the runDisney event may have a delayed start or, depending on the intensity of the weather, be cancelled.' runDisney reserves the right to alter the course or delay, suspend or cancel for any reason, and participants 'must retire at once' if ordered to by officials or medical staff. No refund follows a cancellation.

Gear and equipment bans catch people out at security

Everything is screened before staging areas. Prohibited from the course and staging areas: selfie sticks, baby joggers, strollers, baby carriers, backpacks, skates, scooters, bicycles, skateboards and animals of any kind; violators are removed and bused to the finish. Knee scooters are barred from start groups and course. Headphones are permitted but discouraged because safety audio is played along the route.

One documented contradiction on bag check availability

The event Runner Info page states flatly that 'gEAR Bag Check is available for the Marathon, Half Marathon, 10K and 5K.' The Race Policies page for the same weekend hedges: 'gEAR Bag Check may be available for runDisney events. If applicable, a clear plastic bag will be issued...' Both readings are recorded here; treat availability as expected but formally conditional.

Ready to commit? Registration is open on Race Roster. As of 2026-08-27 the marathon was $900, and the price only moves one direction.

Register for the 2027 Disney World Marathon →on Race Roster

Course geometry provenance is stated beside the player; elevation profiles always use the same route loaded there. City geometry is OpenStreetMap, ODbL. Aerial imagery is from USGS and USDA; other images carry their own source credits. Weather figures use Open-Meteo reanalysis for January 6-14 across 2016-2025 at the start line. Schedule, prices and expo hours were checked in 2026-08-27 and are the fields most likely to move: confirm them on www.rundisney.com/events/disneyworld/disneyworld-marathon-weekend/events/marathon before you book anything. Spot an error? Tell us and we'll fix it fast.