Want to Race at the Most Magical Place on Earth? Read This First
Want to run at the most magical place on earth? runDisney makes that happen multiple times a year.
Combine marathon magic with the Magic Kingdom and what do you get? runDisney, the road-running arm of Walt Disney World Resort. Runners from all over the world flock to the theme park in Orlando, Florida—often dressed as their favorite fictional character—to participate in one of the dozen-plus races held every year.
“A runDisney race is anything but ordinary,” says the organization’s website. “Become part of adventures that could take you under the sea, through classic enchantment and into a springtime of surprises.”
runDisney has grown significantly since the first Walt Disney World Marathon in January 1994. Over 5,000 runners competed in that inaugural race, less than half of the 11,335 runners that completed the 2022 marathon. Over the last three decades, runDisney added more races, such as 5Ks and 10Ks, to be more inclusive for runners of all ages and abilities. For ambitious runners, Disney added challenges that encourage participation in multiple events across race weekends.
Whether you’re running an upcoming runDisney race or thinking about signing up for one, Runner’s World has you covered with everything you need to know about the enchanting race series.
Upcoming runDisney races
Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend
Disney Wine & Fine 5K — November 4, 2022
Disney Wine & Dine 10K — November 5, 2022
Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon — November 6, 2022
Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend
Walt Disney World 5K — January 5, 2023
Walt Disney World 10K — January 6, 2023
Walt Disney World Half Marathon — January 7, 2023
Walt Disney World Marathon — January 8, 2023
Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend
Disney Princess 5K — February 23, 2023
Disney Princess Enchanted 10K — February 24, 2023
Disney Princess Half Marathon — February 25, 2023
Disney Fairy Tale Challenge — February 26, 2023
runDisney Springtime Surprise Weekend
Expedition Everest 5K — April 14, 2023
Race for the Taste 10K — April 15, 2023
The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror 10-Miler — April 16, 2023
runDisney registration and costs
The runDisney events are exceptionally popular—as of this article’s publication date, every runDisney race until April 2023 is sold out—so those looking to sign up should do so as soon as possible.
While runDisney registration periods vary year to year, the organization usually advertises sign up dates six to eight months before race day. For the next available race weekend—the Springtime Surprise from April 13 to 16, 2023—early registration opens August 16 this year, and general registration opens August 23. Early registration is only available for Club runDisney Gold and Platinum members, who pay a yearly membership fee for added perks (more on that below).
To register, you first sign up for a Disney account. If you already have one, simply sign in with your existing credentials. Prices vary depending on the race, but, for example, the 2023 Walt Disney World Marathon and Half Marathon cost $218.53 and $213.20, respectively. The shorter races that same weekend cost less, coming in at $103.40 for 5K and $146.04 for 10K. Other runDisney events stick to similar price ranges, depending on race distance.
You don’t need to purchase a ticket to Disney theme parks to participate, but you’re race registration does not include entrance to the parks post-race. If you want to do both, you’ll have to purchase both.
You also need to sign a liability waiver, which runDisney sends out digitally a few weeks before race day. You can either sign in online, or wait until you arrive at Walt Disney World and attend the race expo.
Lodging and transportation
Disney currently has more than 25 resort hotels available to visitors and runDisney participants. Disney offers complimentary transportation from any of their resort hotels to the race start. If you drive yourself from an off-site hotel, there’s plenty of parking near the race start, 2022 Walt Disney World Marathon participant David Gramlich told Runner’s World.
Bib pickup and expo
To pick up race bibs—alongside race shirts and any pre-purchased merchandise—runDisney participants must go to the race expo, held at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. If you already signed the digital liability waiver, you only need to show a valid form of ID to pick up your bib. Expo hours vary depending on the weekend, but it generally opens the morning before the first race of the weekend and closes the day before the final race.
Race day logistics
Gramlich says that Disney pays close attention to details, and it shows on race day: “Everything was very well marked, with lots of signage and greeters making sure you’re in the right spot.” If he had any questions, the staff members were knowledgable and helpful. Bag check was a few hundred meters from the start line and was run efficiently. As you near the start line, officials corral you based on your entrance time.
The races start early to beat the Florida heat and ensure a smooth opening of the parks afterwards. But even though it’s dark at the start, Gramlich said energy was high: “They had music playing at the check-in area, lots of lights, and everybody’s super excited.”
runDisney race courses
There are plenty of water and food stops along all courses—each well-marked—and numerous first aid stations in case of emergencies. Each mile marker has a clock so you can keep track of your pace.
Regardless of distance, each course explores at least one of Disney World’s four theme parks. The marathon touches all four.
Spectating is limited to just a few areas because much of the races are run on Disney World’s access roads. But when runners do reach a spectator zone, it’s exciting. Gramlich’s family was cheering for him at Magic Kingdom at mile 10: “That was a surreal experience because you’re on a lot of Disney access roads and you’re winding through parks—and there’s not many spectators, so it’s pretty quiet. But then when you get to [spectator zones], it’s a real shot of energy.”
The courses are pretty flat too. Besides a couple exit ramps, Gramlich said it’s “nothing near the variables you might see at other races in other parts of the country.”
runDisney challenges
Those looking to enjoy every second of racing at Disney World can take part in one of the weekend-long challenges that encompass multiple races. Here are the upcoming challenges:
Goofy’s Race and a Half Challenge
Half and full marathon during Walt Disney Marathon Weekend
Dopey Challenge
5K, 10K, half marathon, and full marathon during Walt Disney Marathon Weekend
Disney Two Course Challenge
10K and half marathon during Wine & Dine Half Marathon weekend
Half and full marathon during Walt Disney Marathon Weekend
5K, 10K, half marathon, and full marathon during Walt Disney Marathon Weekend
10K and half marathon during Wine & Dine Half Marathon weekend
runDisney Medals and Awards
Each runDisney race has its own special medal, usually featuring a Disney character. For example, for the upcoming Wine & Dine Half Marathon weekend, the half marathon finisher’s medals features Joe, the jazz pianist from Soul.
The top three overall in each division receive additional awards. Gramlich finished second overall, so he received a trophy as well as a set of Bluetooth headphones.
Gramlich greatly enjoyed the entire experience, and not just because he ran well as an elite in the race: “I definitely would do it again. You have to embrace the Disney experience... If you’re a hardcore Boston Marathon runner that’s used to that experience... you’ve just got to understand that it’s kind of like a vacation.”
posted Saturday July 30th
by Runner’s World