There are a variety of RunDisney events offered
throughout the year. Whether you are visiting Florida or California, a runner/walker
has options. The distances offered vary depending on the events, but most offer
a several different distances. The distances are typically a combination of 5k
(3.1 miles), 10k (6.2 miles), half marathon (13.1 miles), and full marathon
(26.2 miles). If you take part in a half marathon or longer on each coast, there
is an offering called the Coast 2 Coast Challenge. This challenge gets you a
special medal. There is a pink medal one for those who finish the Princess and
Tinker Bell Half Marathons and a blue medal for any other East/West combination.
Below is a breakdown of the events offered, so inevitably, there is something
for everyone!
The events begin with expos showcasing runner
goodies from RunDisney as well as fit2run, Champion, race photos, and other
race-themed vendors. Other pre-race activities from RunDisney include runner gatherings
at various events. Star Wars Weekend offers the Wookiee Welcome party, a Star
Wars themed part in Tomorrowland with Disney characters and desserts. A Pasta in the Park party, offered at the
Marathon, Princess, and Tinkerbell Weekends, features a buffet-style pasta
dinner with character appearances. Wine & Dine offers an ‘exclusive’ after
party in EPCOT available after you cross the finish line and enter EPCOT. The
Marathon weekend features a Cool Down party which takes place at Downtown
Disney on Sunday afternoon. Don’t use all your energy for the running, you have
to party too!
A typical weekend involves attending the expo to
pick up your race packet and other goodies. There is no day of race pickup for
race bibs, which local races often offer. The events can start as early as 5:30
am, except Wine & Dine and 10 miler which start at 10 pm. Disney does offer
race day transportation at Walt Disney World events; however, at Disneyland
transportation is up to the runners. Once at the start area,
runners are typically encouraged to begin entering the corrals approximately
1-2 hours prior to the race start. Due to the capacity of the events, there are
multiple starts so each corral has their own ‘start’ and your time is based on
when you cross the starting line. After the run, the day is yours to spend in
the park, relaxing at the hotel, or heading home.
In addition to the events listed below, in 2015,
RunDisney has rolled out the Castaway Challenge. The runner must sign up and
participate in any 5k or longer during Marathon Weekend or Princess Weekend.
Then book a cruise on the Disney Dream for a 4-night Bahamian Cruise on the
following Monday. The runner must also sign up for the Castaway Cay 5k through
Active.com. Runners who complete the Marathon Weekend or Princess Weekend
events and the Castaway Cay 5k will be awarded a special Castaway Challenge
Finisher Medal.
One thing to note about the runDisney events is
they are of a different crowd and they tend to be more crowded than local races.
While these events do have runners that focus on time, I would say most are
there for the Disney experience. What other races do you have the opportunity
to stop and take a picture with characters? Or run through a castle? Get
pictures at Disney with little to no guests in them? What I am trying to say is
– please don’t go in expecting a personal record. It may happen, but don’t let
your time ruin that fact that you started and finished a race. Now, get to the
parks, show off that bling, and have the best day ever!
Race: Kids Races
Year Started: n/a
Dates: Half Marathon Events
Distances: Diaper Dash, 100m, 200m, 400m, and
mile
Challenge Offered: no
The Skinny:
RunDisney even has events for
the little ones who dream big. The Kids Races at Walt Disney World take place
at the Wide World of Sports Complex, while Disneyland offers them at the Downtown
Disney District or Simba Parking lot. The races offered are listed below and
begin with the 100m dash. These events are for youngsters; however, parents are
able to participate with them. Sorry to give some bad news to parents, only the
youngsters get medals.
o
Diaper Dash (crawlers) -12 months and
under
o
100m dash – 1-3 years old
o
200m dash – 4-6 years old
o
400m dash – 7-8 years old
o
Mickey Mile – 13 and under
Race: Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend
Year Started: 1994
Dates: Early January
Distances: EVERYTHING (i.e. Marathon, Half
Marathon, 10k, 5k and kids races)
Challenge Offered: Goofy Challenge & Dopey
Challenge
The Skinny:
The first events on the
RunDisney calendar takes place in January at Walt Disney World in Orlando, FL.
The Marathon weekend starts on Thursday with the 5k, and finishes Sunday
with the Marathon. For runners looking for an extra challenge (and extra
bling), there are two multi-race challenges. “Goofy’s Race and a Half
Challenge”, combines the half marathon full marathon for a total of 39.3
miles. If that isn’t enough mileage, the Dopey Challenge, which began in 2014
includes all 4 races … that’s 48.6 magical miles. “Dopey” runners get finishers
medals for all 4 races as well as the Goofy medal and a Dopey medal.
Race: Disneyland Star Wars Half Marathon Weekend
Year Started: 2015
Dates: Mid-January
Distances: Half Marathon, 10k and 5k
Challenge Offered: Rebel Challenge
The Skinny:
The Inaugural Star Wars Half
Marathon Weekend at Disneyland - takes place in January following the Walt
Disney World Marathon weekend. The half course weaves runners through
Disneyland Park, California Adventure, and the streets of Anaheim. The 10k and
5k courses trek through Disneyland and California Adventure. If the force is
strong with you, take on the Rebel Challenge – a combination of the 10k and
half marathon. Just make sure to Let the Wookiee Win!
Race: Walt Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend
Year Started: 2009
Dates: Late February
Distances: Half Marathon, 10k and 5k
Challenge Offered: Glass Slipper Challenge
The Skinny:
The
Princess Half Marathon weekend is the second Florida RunDisney event of the
calendar. While this run is geared towards the Princesses, there are a handful
of Princes that take it on. The Half course starts and finishes at EPCOT and
weaves through Magic Kingdom, while the 10k & 5k are in and around Epcot. I
intend to take on the challenge in 2015 – with my prince right beside me!
Race: Tinker Bell Half Marathon Weekend
Year Started: 2008
Dates: May (Mother’s Day Weekend)
Distances: Half Marathon, 10k and 5k
Challenge Offered: Pixie Dust Challenge
The Skinny:
Earn
your wings with Tinker Bell and run straight on to Neverland! at the Disneyland
Resort. For 2015, the races were moved from January to May to coincide with
Mother’s Day, and a new 10k was added to create the Pixie Dust Challenge.
Similar to other Disneyland half marathons, it is run through both parks and
the streets of Anaheim. The 10k and 5k have magical courses through the
Disneyland Resort. This is the 2nd event geared towards Princesses;
however, Princes are welcome to participate. I will be participating in the new
Pixie Dust Challenge – with that same prince from Princess Weekend right beside
me!
Race: Expedition Everest Challenge
Year Started: 2008
Dates: Early May
Distances: 5k
Challenge Offered: no
The Skinny:
Expedition
Everest Challenge takes place during the night at Animal Kingdom and is a
combination of 5k, obstacle course, and scavenger hunt. Runners are given the
opportunity to run solo or on a 2 person team. Some obstacles that have been used
in past events are jumping over hay bales, crawling under ropes, and a tire
run. The scavenger hunt is trivia
questions offered in the different lands of Animal Kingdom, but you have to
answer all 5 clues correctly to move on to the next challenge. Introduced in
2014 was the Family Edition, which requires a team of 2-6 people. It takes
place at Wide World of Sports during the day and it offers a shorter run and
scavenger hunt.
UPDATE: This event
is having its last challengers in 2015.
Race: Disneyland Half Marathon
Year Started:
Dates: September (Labor Day Weekend)
Distances: Half Marathon, 10k and 5k
Challenge Offered: Dumbo Double Dare
The Skinny:
The Happiest Place on Earth
brings runners to Disneyland at the end of the summer for the ‘Happiest Race on
Earth’. There truly is something magical about running a half through the
original park, before continuing through California Adventure, the streets of
Anaheim, and even Angel Stadium. The locals had a car show along some of the
side streets for runners to enjoy on the course. The 10k starts on the streets
of Anaheim before going through Disneyland Park, and California Adventure,
while the 5k is run through Disneyland Park.
Race: Tower of
Terror 10 Miler
Year Started: 2012
Dates: Early October
Distances: 10 mile and 5k
Challenge Offered: no
The Skinny
The
10 miler starts at Hollywood Studios, heads out towards Animal Kingdom, weaves
through the sports fields at Wide World of Sports, then back to Hollywood
Studios to finish by the Tower of Terror. The Happy Haunted 5k takes place at
Wide World of Sports at the Track & Sports Fields. The inaugural event was
in 2012 and that was my first ever long race – greater than 6 miles!
UPDATE: this event
is suspended for 2015.
Race: Wine &
Dine Half Marathon
Year Started: 2010
Dates: Early November
Distances: Half Marathon, 10k and 5k
Challenge Offered: no
The Skinny
“A
Runner’s Night Out” takes place the last weekend of the Food & Wine
Festival at Walt Disney World. The half starts at Wide World of Sports, weaves through
Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios, and ends at EPCOT. While runners earn access,
spectators are also encouraged to attend exclusive ‘after party’ at EPCOT with
a special hard ticket. The 5k takes place on Saturday morning at Animal
Kingdom. In 2012, this was my first ever half marathon and I had a blast – and
have done almost all other RunDisney half marathons. This event started out as
the “Race for the Taste” and consisted of a 10k and 3k but was amped up to a
half marathon weekend in 2010. I participated in the last 3k event in 2009.
Race: Avengers Half
Marathon
Year Started: 2014
Dates: Mid-November
Distances: Half Marathon and 5k
Challenge Offered: no
The Skinny
Hosted
by Earth’s Mightiest Heroes, RunDisney encourages ‘Avengers’ to assemble and unleash
their inner super hero! This event takes place at Disneyland and had the
inaugural weekend in November 2014. The half runs through Disneyland Park,
California Adventure, Angel Stadium, and the streets of Anaheim, while the 5k
runs through the 2 theme parks. This race is on my RunDisney bucket list – it’s
the only Disney half I haven’t run!
So now I ask again... to RunDisney or not to
RunDisney??