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Did you know that you can run a 5K on Disney’s private island? If your Disney cruise itinerary includes a stop at Castaway Cay, you’ve probably already started planning all the fun things you want to do — snorkeling, bike riding, Port Adventures or just soaking up the sun on the beach. But here’s something a lot of folks don’t realize until they’re on the island: there’s also a Castaway Cay 5K, a casual run (or walk) that takes you around the island and ends with a finisher's medal. This island run has become almost a rite of passage for Disney cruisers. And if you’re a first-timer, you’ll definitely want to know how it works before you lace up your shoes. Today we're talking about everything you should expect — from who can participate, to the course itself, plus a few tips that you'll want to know before you go.
What is the Castaway Cay 5K?
The Castaway Cay 5K is a 3.1-mile run (or walk) on Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay, in the Bahamas. It’s casual, family-friendly and everyone can participate. The Castaway Cay 5K is available every day that ships are docked at the island.
This event is not a competitive race, per se, but more of a "fun run" activity. You’ll be running along the Castaway Cay airstrip, through tropical scenery and you can even stop to climb up to the Observation Tower for one of the best vantage points on the island. From there, you can see the entire island, the ocean and even your Disney cruise ship!
And after you finish, you'll earn a finisher's medal and bragging rights that you ran a race on Disney's private island. Wahoo!
What Disney ships visit Disney Castaway Cay?
Most Disney Cruise Line itineraries sailing out of Port Canaveral or Fort Lauderdale include a stop at Disney Castaway Cay, which means you’ll have the chance to run the island’s 5K.
Right now, every ship except the Disney Wonder visits Castaway Cay at some point, but it’s always a good idea to double-check your specific cruise itinerary. Ports of call can vary depending on the sailing, and if the Castaway Cay 5K is on your bucket list, you’ll definitely want to confirm that your cruise includes this stop.
Who Can Participate in the Disney Castaway Cay 5K?
The Castaway Cay 5K is open to all ages. You don't have to be a serious runner to join, you can walk, jog or run the path, it's toadally up to you. We've completed Castaway Cay 5K with our whole frog family, but on other visits, we've also split up to do different things. Tad and I will run the course, while Mommy Frog and Lily head to the Family Beach for snorkeling.
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On our last visit, we saw lots of families participating together, even couples and friend groups. If you have younger tadpoles who aren't old enough to walk or run, the "it's a small world" nursery (ages 6 months to 3 years) is open on the cruise ship and Scuttle's Cove, the kids club on the island (ages 3 to 10 years), will also be open. If you plan to push the tadpoles in a running stroller, the entire race course is paved and accessible to strollers and wheelchairs.
How to sign up for the Castaway Cay 5K
You don't! Unlike the RunDisney races in the theme parks, the Castaway Cay 5K doesn't require you to sign up — the Castaway Cay 5K is completely self-paced from start to finish. In the past, you used to have to register, wear a race bib and it was structured more like a traditional race, but now it is all self-paced.
If you'd like to participate, simply head over to the bike rental station, find the signs and get running!
Disney Castaway Cay 5K Course
Where does the Castaway Cay 5K start?
The starting line is right near the bike rental station on Castaway Cay. To get there from the ship, you can walk or take the trams that run the length of the island.
At the bike stand, you'll find crew members there to answer any questions, explain the course and point out the water stops. Once you're done running or walking the course, you'll return to the bike stand to pick up your finisher's medal!
What is the Castaway Cay 5K course?
The Castaway Cay 5K course is clearly marked with signage the entire way. The course starts at the bike rental station, then you’ll head down the airstrip, which is a long, flat stretch. Be sure to keep to the right here — the island trams heading to and from Serenity Bay (the adults-only area) also run along the airstrip.
From there, you’ll loop through the Observation Tower path. This section is shaded with tropical foliage, which makes it a little cooler compared to running on the airstrip. At the back end of the loop is the Observation Tower.
After the Observation Tower loop, you make a right and head down to Serenity Bay, then circle around to head back up the airstrip. Before heading back, you'll make a left to make one more pass along the Observation Tower loop and then back to the bike rental station. Yes, to make it a true 5K, you'll run the Observation Tower loop twice.
Is the Castaway Cay 5K a timed event?
Nope. This isn’t like a traditional 5K race that's timed. There’s no official clock, no pacing requirements and no pressure. We love that for us! ;)
Some people run it fast to get their workout in or beat their personal record. Others stroll with family or friends, take photos and enjoy the island views. It’s really up to you.
How is the Castaway Cay 5K different from a RunDisney race?
If you’ve ever participated in a RunDisney event at Walt Disney World or Disneyland, you’ll notice some big differences when it comes to the Castaway Cay 5K. For starters, there’s no registration, so you don’t need to be online months ahead of time trying to register.
Unlike the theme park races, there also aren’t characters stationed along the course for photo ops with Mickey and friends. The race itself is on a much smaller scale, with a handful of participants instead of thousands, which makes it feel toadally low-key.
You can still take a photo with Mickey on the island; he's just not out on the 5K course. You can find the character meet and greet times in the Disney Cruise Line Navigator app. We suggest completing the race early, then heading over to the beach to take a photo with Mickey Mouse while holding up your race medal!
And perhaps the biggest difference is the setup: there’s no official start time, race timing or official rules. The Castaway Cay 5K is more about enjoying the experience than racing to the finish.
Castaway Cay 5K Medal
Once you cross the finish line, you’ll want to head back to the bike rental station. That’s where crew members hand out the Castaway Cay 5K medals. All you need to do is let them know you’ve completed the course, and they’ll give you yours.
The medal is lightweight and made of a flexible, rubbery material with Mickey Mouse dressed in his running gear on the front. It’s not the heavy, metal-style medal you might know from RunDisney events, but since the Castaway Cay 5K is free, it’s a fun extra to take home.
We wore ours around our necks for most of the day — loud and proud of our running accomplishment, that's for sure!
This is also a great time to snap those photos. Lots of people grab a quick shot at the finish line, with the ship in the background or even on the beach while still wearing their medal.
You’ll also find Castaway Cay 5K merchandise at the island shops. If you want a T-shirt, hat, pin or mug to go with your medal, that’s where to look. Just keep in mind that popular sizes can sell out quickly, so it’s worth stopping by earlier in the day if you’re set on picking something up.
Things to Know Before You Run the Castaway Cay 5K
Here are a few more tips you'll want to know before you head off to run the Castaway Cay 5K.
- Start early to beat the heat. Even in the morning, the Bahamian sun is no joke. The earlier you run, the more comfortable you’ll be.
- Use the water stops. Castaway Cay provides ice-cold water in paper cups at stations along the way.
- Wear moisture-wicking clothes. Cotton gets heavy fast in the humidity. Light, breathable fabrics make all the difference.
- Bring good running shoes. Enough said!
- Don’t forget sunscreen. Even with some shaded parts, most of the course is sunny.
- Pack a change of clothes. After running, you’ll be sweaty. Having your swimsuit, towel and flip-flops ready means you can jump right into the ocean or head to the snorkeling lagoon.
- Remember to bring your Key to the World card with you. You'll need it to get on and off the ship. Also, consider bringing a lanyard or small fanny pack to wear during your run to hold your phone and Key to the World card.
- Use the storage bin (but skip valuables). There is a large bin at the bike rental station where you can stash your things, such as your beach bag and a change of clothes. The bin is not locked, so leave anything valuable on the ship or carry it with you.
- Take your time (if you want). This isn’t a race to the finish. Stop for photos, enjoy the view from the Observation Tower and make it part of your Castaway Cay fun.
And there ya have it — everything you need to know about the Castaway Cay 5K! Do you plan on running the Castaway Cay 5K? Let us know in the comments below!
Related: Our Tropical Guide to Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point
Keep hopping!
