If you’ve followed me for awhile, you know that I am HUGE fan of runDisney races.
I was never a runner – as a child and teen I spent my time in a dance studio and as an adult I have been drawn more towards aerobics, barre and yoga type classes. I HATED running. After having my first child, however, I found it really hard to make it to a scheduled class or devote a full hour or hour and a half to my workouts.
I started doing a couch-to-5k program and found that squeezing in a 30-ish minute run whenever I had time was much easier than trying to make to a class at a specific time.
Around this time I also learned about runDisney. My partner is an avid runner and he was eager to take on the Dopey Challenge. I thought, sure and I’ll run the 5k. We started training and I found myself running farther and farther and I ended up registering for both the 5k and 10k that weekend. I still never thought I’d run any farther than that.
After experiencing that weekend, though, I was hooked. All of the courses run through at least one of the theme parks. Beyond that, there is a ton of entertainment both on the course and before and after each race – marching bands and DJs, film clips, access to backstage and behind the scenes areas, cheering cast members, fireworks to kick off each race and, of course, character interactions! All of this adds up to make those miles fly by and make you feel like you’re at a party instead of exercising!
Oh, and after each race you earn some pretty sweet bling. runDisney medals cannot be beat!
Since then I’ve run a bunch of Disney and other races including 5 half marathons (my 6th is this weekend in NYC!). I find that having a race on the calendar helps keep me more consistent with my training and when it’s a runDisney race you have that reward in front of you to help with motivation!
The 10k is still my favorite distance – far enough to be a challenge, short enough to be easy to train for without requiring too much recovery time!
runDisney races are super approachable and beginner friendly. The course cut-off times are super generous (a 16 minute mile). You will find many runners (including me) using Jeff Galloway’s run-walk-run method and especially at the 5ks, lots of families running together with their kids.
The people in the runDisney community are also some of the kindest, most encouraging and fun people you will ever meet.
Every mile truly is magic.
runDisney’s race season runs from November through April and consists of four race weekends.
The first weekend of November (November 3 – 6 for 2022) is Wine and Dine Half Marathon weekend. This race weekend includes a Friday 5k, Saturday 10k and Sunday half marathon. You can also complete the Two Course Challenge by running both the 10k and half marathon.
The highlight of this race weekend is the Post-Race Party. This is a hard-ticketed, after-hours event at EPCOT. A ticket is included with your half marathon registration. Other runners and friends and family may purchase tickets separately.
Your half marathon entry also includes a $15 gift card good for use during the race weekend!
Registration opens March 22, 2022!
The second race weekend – Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend – occurs on the first weekend after the new year (January 5 – 8 for 2023).
This is your only chance to run a full marathon at Walt Disney World.
This race weekend features four races – a 5k on Thursday, 10k on Friday, half marathon on Saturday and the full marathon on Sunday. There are two challenge opportunities – Goofy’s Race and Half Challenge – consisting of running both the half and full marathons and the Dopey Challenge – consisting of completing all four races!
Registration opens April 19, 2022!
The third race weekend – Princess Half Marathon Weekend – occurs the weekend after the President’s Day holiday (February 23 – 26 for 2023). This race weekend again includes a Friday 5k, Saturday 10k and Sunday half marathon. You can also complete the Fairy Tale Challenge by running the 10k and half marathon.
New for 2022 (and returning in 2023), was Princess Sunrise Yoga – a 50 minute yoga class in front of Cinderella’s Castle in Magic Kingdom on Thursday morning.
Registration opens June 21, 2022!
The timing of the fourth race weekend – runDisney Springtime Surprise Weekend varies based upon the Easter holiday, but will occur April 13 – 16 in 2023.
This weekend was previously reserved for a Star Wars themed race weekend, but has been updated for 2022. This year, they’ve brought back races from the past – the Expedition Everest 5k (which also features a scavenger hunt) and the Tower of Terror 10 Miler. We’ve been told that the specific races held on this weekend will vary from year-to-year, so stay tuned to my social feeds for more details!
Registration opens August 23, 2022.
Each race weekend also includes an expo at the ESPN Wide World of Sports. This is where you will pick up your race bib and shirt, but this is also where you will find all of the official race merchandise and a bunch of different vendors who cater to the running community.
