If you enjoy running or walking races and have even the softest of spots for Disney World (and soon Disneyland again!!!) then a RunDisney event may be just the race weekend you’ve been hoping for! RunDisney is an entire “season!” Since Disneyland races won’t be returning until 2024, we’re going to stick to talking about RunDisney in Walt Disney World.
The season starts in November with Wine and Dine Half Marathon Weekend and continues in January, February, and April with in-person and virtual events, as well as a Virtual Summer Series.
Let’s break it down- here’s an infographic with the historical times each race takes place during the year, as well as when we typically see registration begin.
Now let’s break down each race with some quick details for each!
First up- Wine and Dine Half-Marathon Weekend!
As you can see- Wine and Dine Half-Marathon doesn’t ONLY offer a half-marathon race, you also have the option to register for a 5K, 10K, or a combo of the races! One of my favorite parts of Wine and Dine Half-Marathon races is that they offer a Post-Race Party, after hours, in Epcot. This race weekend takes place during one of the last weeks of Food and Wine Festival in Epcot, so if you attend the Post Race Party, you get to experience Food and Wine Festival, lower wait times on ride, entertainment, and fun, and sometimes rare character meet and greets. Currently, and in years past- if you ran the Half-Marathon or did the Challenge (running both the 10K and Half) you would get a free ticket to the post race party. They offer tickets to purchase when registering for anyone not receiving one with their race or even for family and friends that may be with your party, but not racing at all!
Next up in the RunDisney season- Marathon Weekend in January!
Marathon Weekend is usually always during one of the early weeks of January. It is also the only race weekend that offers a FULL Marathon, in addition to a 5K, 10K, and Half-Marathon. This weekend is known for the big challenges it offers! By signing up for the Goofy Challenge- you’re signing up to run both the Half and Full Marathons! If you’re REALLY up for a challenge- you can sign up for the Dopey Challenge, meaning you will run ALL of the races offered that weekend- the 5K, 10K, Half Marathon, and the Full Marathon! I’ve yet to do either of those challenges, but how amazing that so many people do complete them! You also walk away with a medal for each of the races as well as the challenge medal(s) you get, by completing them! If running through Magic Kingdom and the Castle is high on your priority list- this is one of the two race weekends for you. If you run the Half-Marathon or Full-Marathon, you’ll get the chance to run through Magic Kingdom! While all races take you through some parts of the parks, not all race weekends offer races that go through Magic Kingdom.
The third race weekend of the season is Princess Half-Marathon Weekend, usually near the end of February!
Princess Half-Marathon Weekend typically happens near the end of February. In 2022, they started doing yoga one morning of the race weekend and are continuing that for the 2023 race weekend, too! Hopefully they continue to offer this in years to come! Typically you get the opportunity to register for a 5K, 10K, and Half-Marathon, or the Challenge, requiring you to run both the 10K and Half-Marathon. Like Marathon Weekend in January, this is the only other race weekend that will offer a race that will take you through Magic Kingdom. The half-marathon usually bring your around many parts of Magic Kingdom!
The last in-person race weekend of the season is Springtime Surprise!
Springtime Surprise Race Weekend typically happens in early April. It’s called Springtime Surprise because the race distances and themes can vary year to year! You will know what types of races will be offered before registration begins. The last two years they’ve offered a 5K, 10K, and a 10 miler. In years past, the 5K has sometimes even taken place at night! (That does NOT mean it will every year!)
All of the race weekends listed above are fun and special in their own ways. The races do take place early in the mornings before the parks open, so be ready to rise and shine between 2am and 3am! If you’re staying on-site, Disney offers transportation to and from the races, which is incredibly helpful! Each race weekend and race course is unique to its theme with music, character greets, and fun along the way! You’ll receive a shirt for each race you’re doing as well as any bibs you need for your races at the Race Expo! Medals are handed out as soon as you cross the finish line!
To end the RunDisney Race Season, a Virtual Summer Series begins over June, July, and August. You register online. Usually a theme is released and they offer three 5Ks, or the Challenge, requiring you to run all three 5Ks. These are all done when and where you want, and are not hosted in-person.
If you ever have any questions about the races, please reach out! Of course, if you think you MAY want to sign up for a race, or you do sign up for a race- I’d love to help you book your stay! If you book a package with me (room + park tickets) my services are FREE!
Happy racing!
Run Disney Like A Mama 