Running News Daily

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.”

Most Olympic marathoners spend their youth focused on running. They join track clubs, compete in national championships, and pursue the sport from an early age.

Julia Mayer’s journey was very different.

Today, Mayer is Austria’s marathon record holder, a multiple national record holder on the roads, and an Olympian. Yet for much of her athletic life, running was not her primary sport.

For 16 years, she played soccer.

Then she discovered something that would change her life.

“I noticed that I was really fast in the fun runs and that it was really, really fun,” Mayer said when reflecting on her transition from soccer to distance running.

What began as curiosity quickly became a passion. She eventually made the bold decision to leave soccer behind and focus entirely on running. It was a move that surprised many people around her, but Mayer believed she had found her true athletic calling.

The decision proved to be the right one.

Within a few years, Mayer developed into one of Europe’s top marathon runners. Her steady improvement carried her from local races to the international stage, where she began rewriting Austria’s record books.

She now holds Austrian records in the marathon, half marathon, and road 10K. Her marathon best of 2:26:08 established her as the fastest female marathoner in Austrian history. Her performances in the half marathon and 10K have further cemented her place among the country’s all-time great distance runners.

Her rise culminated with qualification for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.

Competing in the Olympic marathon represented the realization of a dream. On one of the most challenging marathon courses ever used for the Olympics, Mayer ran courageously against the strongest field in the world and finished 55th in her Olympic debut.

Behind the scenes, success has come through extraordinary dedication. During marathon preparation, Mayer trains twice a day and covers approximately 200 kilometers, or 124 miles, each week. The workload demands discipline, patience, and a deep commitment to continuous improvement. 

What makes her story especially inspiring is not simply the records or the Olympic appearance.

It is the fact that she found her greatest talent later than many elite runners.

In a sport where athletes are often identified at a young age, Mayer’s journey serves as a reminder that potential does not always reveal itself early. Sometimes it takes years of experience, a willingness to try something new, and the courage to follow a different path. 

The former soccer player who once chased a ball across a field is now chasing history on the roads of Europe.

And according to those closest to her, her best performances may still be ahead.

For runners of every age and ability, Julia Mayer’s story delivers a powerful lesson: it is never too late to discover what you are capable of.

From soccer player to Olympian, her journey proves that remarkable achievements can begin when least expected.

Megan Keith produced the performance of her career in Oslo on Thursday night, shattering one of Scotland’s longest-standing distance running records and cementing her place among Britain’s greatest female 3000m runners.

The 24-year-old clocked a sensational 8:28.35 over 3000m, breaking the Scottish outdoor record that had stood for nearly four decades. In doing so, Keith eclipsed the previous mark of 8:29.02, set by Scottish legend Yvonne Murray back in 1988, ending a record reign that had lasted 38 years.

Keith’s breakthrough run was more than just a national record. The performance also propelled her to third on the UK outdoor all-time list, placing her behind only two of Britain’s most celebrated distance runners — Paula Radcliffe, who leads the rankings with 8:22.20, and Laura Weightman, whose 8:26.07 remains the second-fastest outdoor mark by a British woman.

The significance of Keith’s achievement is amplified by the calibre of athletes she now joins in the record books. For decades, Murray’s mark stood as one of Scottish athletics’ most untouchable records, surviving generations of elite competitors. Keith has now succeeded where many outstanding runners have fallen short, announcing herself as one of the leading distance talents in British athletics.

Her time also compares favourably with the best performances produced indoors. Olympic medallist Laura Muir ran 8:26.41 indoors in Karlsruhe in 2017, underlining just how exceptional Keith’s outdoor effort in Oslo truly was.

The run continues a remarkable rise for the Scottish star, whose progression over recent seasons has transformed her from a promising prospect into a genuine force on the international stage. Running with confidence and composure against elite competition, Keith demonstrated both the speed and endurance required to challenge the very best in Europe and beyond.

With the World Championship season gathering momentum, Keith’s record-breaking display sends a powerful message. Not only has she etched her name into Scottish athletics history, but she has also established herself as a serious contender in one of the sport’s most competitive events.

In Oslo, Megan Keith did far more than break a record. She ended a 38-year wait, climbed into the upper echelon of British distance running, and delivered a performance that may prove to be a defining moment in her career.

British middle-distance talent Phoebe Gill took another significant step forward in her return to top form, producing a determined victory over 800 metres at the Meeting de Marseille in France on Wednesday.

Competing in challenging, wind-affected conditions, the 19-year-old demonstrated both resilience and composure as she held off a late charge from Switzerland's Veronica Vancardo to secure the win in 2:00.81. Vancardo finished just three hundredths of a second behind in 2:00.84, underlining the fiercely contested nature of the race.

While the margin of victory was narrow, the result represented another encouraging milestone for Gill as she continues to rebuild momentum following her injury setback. The young Briton showed impressive race awareness and strength in the closing stages, maintaining her advantage despite the difficult conditions that made fast running a challenge throughout the evening.

The Marseille triumph adds to a growing body of evidence that Gill is steadily progressing toward her best form. Earlier in her comeback campaign, she clocked 2:01.50 for 800m in Bydgoszcz before demonstrating her versatility with a strong 4:05.53 performance over 1500 metres at the BMC Grand Prix meeting in Trafford.

Those performances have highlighted not only her improving fitness but also her ability to compete across multiple distances as she carefully builds her season. The Marseille victory now provides further confirmation that the European junior star is moving in the right direction.

Gill emerged as one of Britain's most exciting middle-distance prospects through a series of breakthrough performances as a teenager, earning widespread recognition for her fearless racing style and remarkable maturity. Injury temporarily interrupted that upward trajectory, but her recent results suggest she is steadily rediscovering the form that made her one of the sport's brightest young talents.

With each race, the signs of progress become increasingly evident. Winning in difficult conditions and under pressure from a quality field is often a stronger indicator than a fast time alone, and Gill's latest success demonstrated exactly those qualities.

As the summer season gathers pace, the Marseille victory offers another confidence boost for the British teenager, whose return continues to gain momentum. If her recent progression is any indication, Gill could soon find herself back among the leading names on the European middle-distance circuit. 

The NCAA Track and Field Championships delivered a moment few could have predicted as Ja’Kobe Tharp produced one of the most astonishing performances in the history of sprint hurdling, rewriting the record books in spectacular fashion.

Competing in the opening round of the men’s 110-meter hurdles, the Auburn star stunned the athletics world by clocking an incredible 12.75 seconds, becoming the first athlete ever to break the 12.80-second barrier. In doing so, he eclipsed the long-standing world record of 12.80 set by Aries Merritt in 2012, a mark that had stood as one of the sport’s most revered achievements for more than a decade.

What makes Tharp’s breakthrough even more remarkable is the scale of his improvement. Entering the championships, the defending NCAA and U.S. champion had recorded a season-best of 13.05 seconds. Yet under the brightest spotlight, he unleashed a performance that exceeded every expectation, slicing an extraordinary 0.26 seconds from his personal best in a race that instantly became one of the greatest ever run.

The achievement sent shockwaves throughout the track and field community. While Tharp arrived in Eugene as one of the leading contenders for the NCAA title, few envisioned a performance capable of redefining the limits of the event. Instead, the American hurdler delivered a race for the ages, combining flawless technique, explosive speed, and impeccable rhythm from the first hurdle to the finish line.

The historic run not only secured his place in athletics history but also transformed the outlook of the championship. With the world record now in his possession, Tharp advances to the final as the overwhelming favorite, carrying momentum that could make an already unforgettable weekend even more extraordinary.

For years, the 12.80 barrier appeared untouchable. On a stunning day at the NCAA Championships, Ja’Kobe Tharp proved otherwise, producing the kind of performance that reminds fans why sport remains so unpredictable. In a matter of seconds, he turned a routine qualifying round into a landmark moment that will be remembered for generations.

The world record no one saw coming is now a reality—and Ja’Kobe Tharp is the man who changed history.

A new chapter in middle-distance running may have begun in Oslo after American teenager Cooper Lutkenhaus produced one of the most remarkable performances of the season, narrowly defeating reigning Olympic champion Emmanuel Wanyonyi in a thrilling men's 800m contest at the Diamond League meeting.

The 17-year-old sensation shocked a world-class field by crossing the finish line first in a race that came down to the smallest of margins. After an intense battle over the final metres, Lutkenhaus held off Wanyonyi by just one hundredth of a second, producing a dramatic finish that left the packed stadium in disbelief.

From the opening lap, the pace was relentless as the leading contenders positioned themselves for a fierce showdown. As the athletes entered the home straight, Wanyonyi appeared poised to unleash his trademark finishing kick. However, Lutkenhaus refused to be intimidated, matching the Olympic champion stride for stride before producing a perfectly timed lean at the line to secure a historic victory.

The result marks a breakthrough moment for the young American, who continues to establish himself as one of the brightest talents in global athletics. Defeating an Olympic champion at a Diamond League event is a feat many athletes spend entire careers pursuing, yet Lutkenhaus achieved it before reaching adulthood.

For Wanyonyi, the narrow defeat does little to diminish his status as one of the world's premier 800m runners. The Kenyan once again demonstrated his exceptional class and competitiveness, pushing the race to a world-class standard and forcing his young rival to deliver the performance of a lifetime.

Beyond the result itself, the race offered a glimpse into what could become one of the sport's most exciting rivalries in the years ahead. With established stars and emerging talents now pushing each other to new heights, the men's 800m continues to evolve into one of athletics' most captivating events.

On a memorable night in Oslo, the spotlight belonged to Cooper Lutkenhaus. At just 17 years old, he stood toe-to-toe with an Olympic champion and emerged victorious, announcing himself to the athletics world in spectacular fashion.