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Post Overview
- This guest post details strategies for participating in the Dopey Challenge at runDisney, sharing insights from Jen, an experienced runner.
- The challenge involves running 48.6 miles over four days, including a 5K, 10K, Half Marathon, and Full Marathon.
- Key topics include training advice, packing lists, and insights into race day experiences.
- Discover key strategies for tackling the Dopey Challenge at Run Disney, from training to race day.
Hi, it’s Liz! The Dopey Challenge is something on my bucket list and to learn more about it, I asked my friend, Jen, to share her experience from running the Dopey Challenge in 2025. Jen and I have been friends for years (we ran London in April this year) and often get confused for each other on the Chicago Lakefront trail.
While this experience might sound intense, she’s running the Dopey Challenge again in 2026! While running 48.6 miles sounds like a lot, it looks like a lot of fun! Jen’s fiance, Tyrand, once crossed the finish line carrying a turkey leg! Check out her race moments and packing list below!
Key Topics Included in the List
Hi! I’m Jennifer, also known as Liz’s twin. Liz asked me to write about my experience with running the Dopey Challenge at Disney, answer some common questions, and provide some tips/tricks for a successful Dopey weekend.
About Jen
I picked up running like many others when Covid hit. My then boyfriend, now fiance, was an avid runner and we signed up to do the Race to Wrigley 5K together since we are avid Cubs fans. I used the Couch to 5K app and trained for and ran my first 5K in the summer of 2020 (of course the race was virtual at that time).
How I Started Running
My love for running took off quickly and I ended up joining a training group in the summer of 2021 and running my first half marathon in September 2021. Since then, I have run 9 half marathons and 6 marathons – including one Dopey Challenge in January 2025.
My Love for Travel
I am also an avid traveler and have traveled to all 7 continents and 47 countries and love to share my runs from around the world. I have a loose goal of running a race in every state and am 8 states in with 2 new states planned for this year so far.
What is the Dopey Challenge at Walt Disney World?
The Dopey Challenge is a series of races put on by runDisney where runners get to run through the Walt Disney World parks. The Dopey Challenge in particular involves running a 5K, 10K, Half Marathon, and Full Marathon in four consecutive days.
How Many Miles is the Dopey Challenge?
That’s 48.6 miles over four days! Is it intense? Yes. Why do you think it is called the Dopey Challenge! However, it is totally doable, even for slower runners.
If the Dopey Challenge sounds like a lot, you can run the Goofy, which is 39.3 miles (the Walt Disney World Half Marathon and the Walt Disney World Marathon). You get a special medal for completing the Googy Challenge.
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What Inspired Me to Run 48.6 Miles?
Delusion? This may not be far off from an accurate answer if we’re being totally honest. In 2024, I went to my first runDisney event and did the Marathon weekend half. The next month, in February 2024, I went back and did the Princess Challenge with a group of friends.
What is the runDisney Princess Challenge?
The Princess Challenge is a Disney Challenge where you run a 10K and half marathon on back to back days. When it came time to register for marathon weekend 2025, there was a group of 6 of us going, and the other 5 were all committed to doing Dopey.
At that time, I had run the Chicago Marathon 2 times, with a fastest time of just over 7 hours. I honestly did not think I could successfully finish Dopey, but I took the plunge and signed up anyway, knowing that I would give it everything I had and if I was unsuccessful in finishing the marathon, then so be it. I would still have a ton of fun running with my friends for the 5K, 10K, and half.
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My First Dopey Challenge Results
My first Dopey Challenge was in January of 2025. Two months before that, I ran the Chicago Marathon for my 3rd time and finally came in under 7 hours. This was the confidence boost I needed to start thinking that maybe I could actually finish Dopey! Honestly, my first Dopey went better than I could have imagined. It was scary, thrilling, and FUN!
What to Expect at a runDisney Race
The 5K and 10K were run together as a group. We stopped for quite a few photo stops in the 5K but kept it moving a bit more for the 10K, with only two quick stops so we could get home and get some rest. The half was my first real challenge as I was on my own. I kept a steady pace, managed to stop for a few character stops and a picture with the castle in Magic Kingdom and then finished feeling strong.
The Dopey Marathon Race
The marathon is where, pardon my french, sh*t gets real! At the start of the marathon, you are not even halfway through with your total mileage for the four days. Also, marathon day in 2025 was COLD! I dressed in my standard shorts and tank knowing the day would heat up and I was pretty frozen through the first 9 miles of the race. Once I made it to Magic Kingdom though and then through the half marathon mark, I started thinking I might actually be able to finish, and then pure determination took over.
Dopey Challenge Results
Two friends caught up to me around the 17 mile mark with a pace group and I hopped in with them for a few miles, which sped me up a bit. They very kindly decided to stay with me and we just kept putting one foot in front of another and all of a sudden we were at mile 25 and entering Epcot. We made a quick pit stop in the Rose and Crown for an adult beverage and walked the last mile, drink in hand, to the finish line to become Dopey Finishers!
What Does Dopey Challenge Training Look Like?
runDisney does have an official Dopey training plan that is put together by Jeff Galloway. The Galloway method involves run/walking as a strategy, no matter your pace. The official Galloway Dopey training plan is 29 weeks long, which means your training starts in early July.
What is One Piece of Advice I Would Give to First Time Dopeys?
Take it one day at a time, and one mile at a time. How do you eat an elephant, one bite at a time! Similarly, how do you run Dopey? ONE MILE AT A TIME! Stressing about the number of miles or where the balloon ladies are is only going to burn energy that you need for running!
Dopey Challenge Strategy I’d Recommend
I think it is important to point out that the strategy for Dopey should be running, not racing. These races are not about time or hitting pr’s, they are about having fun and moving forward to the finish line. Sure, you can race a runDisney race, and some do, but you definitely do not race all 4 races!
Related Post: Get race day strategies for your next race with these race day tips!
runDisney Dopey Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some frequently asked questions about the Dopey Challenge Weekend.
Registration for the Walt Disney World Marathon weekend occurs in the beginning of March and sells out quickly! There isn’t a lottery, so you’ll need to schedule time on your calendar to register once it opens. runDisney has already announced that 2027 Marathon weekend goes on sale on March 17th, so mark your calendars now!
My advice is to create a runDisney account prior to the registration day and log into your runDisney account before registration opens for a seamless process.
The 5K, 10K and half marathon start at 5 am and the marathon starts at 4:30 am! While this sounds really early, it allows for everyone to finish the race before the park opens and before the real heat of the day sets in.
The cost of Dopey for 2026 was just over $700. This includes registration for all 4 races, 6 medals, and 6 runDisney shirts. You can also register for the individual races if you’d prefer a different challenge.
Packet pickup for Dopey is held at ESPN Wide World of Sports complex and opens at 10 am on the Wednesday before the races begin.
The morning of the expo you will use the Disney World app to enter a virtual queue and get a time to arrive. Before arrival, make sure you sign your waiver in your runDisney account. You will be provided a QR code which you will show to get your bib. You will also need to show your ID.
The 5K does not have a strict time limit. The other races all have a requirement of a 16-minute mile pace. This is from when the last person crosses the start line though, so if you are in an earlier corral, you have a bit more time than that.
The Dopey Challenge is 48.6 miles over four days. The Dopey Challenge consists of a 5K, 10K, Half Marathon, and Full Marathon over the course of four days.
The Disney Marathon Balloon Ladies are the last people to cross the start line of each race. They are marked with balloons so you can see the “end of the race.” They will maintain a 16-minute mile pace throughout all four races. If you fall behind the balloon ladies, you will be taken off the course and will not be able to finish the race.
The only race this MAY be possible for is the marathon, as it is the only race that is still going on when parks start to open. Even then, there is no guarantee that you will be able to ride any rides. It is completely up to the cast members. The best advice I’ve heard is to be respectful and if you are told no, do not argue and return to the course and finish your race.
NO! You don’t need to buy a Disney Marathon Package to run the Dopey races.
We stay in a condo off the property with a kitchen so we can prepare some of our meals. The cost of renting a condo is significantly cheaper than staying on a Disney property, plus having a kitchen is amazing! We love to be in control of when we eat and how we get to the races. We rent a car for the week, drive to Epcot in the morning (where parking is free!) and are able to easily get back after races.
There are buses that shuttle runners from Disney properties, but this is what works for us!
Yes and Disney pacers are *special*! All Disney pacers follow the Jeff Galloway run/walk method and you can find out what run/walk interval the pacers will be doing months in advance. This is great for training so you can train the interval that will be run at the race. In all the races I’ve done, I’ve never had better pacers than at a Disney race.
Sadly, no. You do still have to purchase a ticket to the parks if you would like to go into the parks after the race.
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Dopey Challenge Packing Check List
It’s very important to get organized and have a plan when packing for Dopey. You need to make sure you take everything you need for multiple races and recovery. One of the best tips I can give is to make sure to pack everything you need for the races is in your carry-on! You don’t want to deal with your running clothes being in your checked luggage, which could potentially be lost.
Packing for runDisney Outfits
Here is a sample packing list of what to pack when traveling for a marathon. You should pack what you know works for you and what you’ve trained in. Remember nothing new on race day!
- Running Shoes: Minimum 2 pairs of running shoes, but I do 3. These should all be run-tested shoes you have done long runs in!
- Running Shorts or Running Pants: 4 bottoms (I bring 4 pairs of shorts, and 4 pairs of leggings, just in case!)
- Running Tops: Bring at least 4 tops (running tanks or running shirts)
- Running Undergarments: 4 sports bras and 4 pairs of socks
- Running Outerwear: 1 lightweight jacket that could be worn over any outfit in case it is cold
- Running Nutrition: This should be fuel you have tested during your long runs.
- Hydration System: Some sort of water vessel. This is personal preference. I use a handheld, some use waist belts, some use vests. There are water stations, but I always recommend carrying your own.
- Sunscreen: Hopefully you’ve tested this; if not, I like this for my face, and this for my lips.
- Skin Protection: Remember to pack your anti-chafe products like Vaseline, KT Tape, or other chafing repellent of choice.
- Preworkout/electrolytes: I take this in the morning to help me wake up! I like Bloom in raspberry lemonade for preworkout and Nuun electrolytes (strawberry lemonade is my favorite flavor!)
- Running Costumes and Flare: Lots of people dress up in costumes. Instead of wearing a runDisney costume, I tend to wear regular running clothes with fun accessories, think glitter, ears, hats, sunglasses, socks etc. Get a spray glitter here, and my favorite face glitter here.
- Warm Layers: Heat sheets or other throw-away layers to stay warm while standing in the starting corral.
- Throwaway Gloves: These are meant to keep your hands warm at the start and you can toss them during the race if needed. Grab some at the dollar store or order some here if you’re short on time!
- Rain Ponchos: Just in case the weather isn’t 100, this is the brand I use.
- Race Watch: I personally use the Garmin Forerunner 265s.
For a complete list of my clothing recommendations, Shop My store collection! For a complete list of my race day accessories, shop my Amazon store here.
Packing for After a runDisney Race
Remember to pack the items for recovering after the race! Since you’re planning on running 48.6 miles over four days, you need to ensure you’re recovering to run the next phase of the challenge! I pack these in my gear check bag so I can start my recovery as soon as possible.
- Recovery Shoes: sandal or other shoe to put on post race. Trust me, you are going to want out of your sweaty sneakers as soon as possible.
- Change of Clothes: Include dry clothes for after the race, including compression socks and underwear.
- Medicines: Include your personal medication (if needed) and pain reliever of choice.
- Recovery Care: Pack things like a chafing relief cream, Biofreeze, and Body wipes.
- Portable charger: This is a great thing to have in your bag so you can get your phone charging after the race!
Related Post: Need tips for packing for a marathon? Check out these tips for packing for race day!
Remember to Pack Comfortable Clothing
- Clothes for relaxing after the race, park days, and expo.
- Bras
- Undies
- Pajamas
- Charging cords for your phone, your timing device
Travel Packing List: Toiletries
- Toothbrush/Toothpaste
- Hairbrush
- Deodorant
- Makeup
- Medicine
- Vitamins
Related Post: Get the perfect packing list for your next trip or racecation with this travel hack!
Wrap Up and Thank You, Jen!
Thank you, Jen, for this incredible insight on the Dopey Challenge run Disney race! Hope you have an incredible race experience and look forward to learning more about your travel adventures coming up! Follow Jen on Instagram for more of her Dopey adventure!
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