Did you know you can actually run through Cinderella Castle? How about running around the world at EPCOT? Such motivation! "Every mile is magic" with runDisney 2024 as you race through Walt Disney World Resort. From 5Ks to marathons, there's something for all ages and skill levels. Enjoy character stops, live entertainment, spectacular morning views and the coveted Disney medal. Here's everything to know about runDisney 2024 events and beyond. Plus, general registration for the 2025 Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend opened April 9!
Overview of runDisney Events
The first runDisney race was the Walt Disney World Marathon in 1994. Since then, millions of Disney fans have run through Disney Parks. runDisney hosts races on both coasts at Disneyland Resort (hop over here for more details) and Walt Disney World Resort, and internationally at Disneyland Paris. Virtual races on your own time are also an option.
Most weekends consist of three early mornings of a 5K, 10K and half marathon, with select events offering the full marathon. Note that the races have age requirements:
- 5K: 5 years or older
- 10K: 10 years or older
- Half Marathon: 14 years or older
- Marathon: 18 years or older
Those up for the task can compete in challenges in which they participate in multiple races in one weekend. You may hear someone say they are "perfect" for a certain race. That means they have completed that runDisney race for every year the race has existed. Major props! Many people get dressed up in themed outfits that showcase a lot of creativity. Grab your ears, tutus and accessories to fully immerse yourself in this unique and magical experience.
If you're interested in hoppin' in for a runDisney weekend, you'll want to plan ahead as race registration opens over seven months in advance, and many races can sell out in just a few hours. The registration dates for the runDisney 2024-25 races have been announced, so mark your calendar!
Hop along with us as we go over all the details for runDisney 2024 events, including a walkthrough of a race weekend and tips and tricks.
runDisney Events at Walt Disney World Resort
Four runDisney weekends occur throughout the year at Disney World.
Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend — Jan. 8-12, 2025
The biggest runDisney event each year is the Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend. The only event with a full marathon, this event has also been running the longest (pun intended). This flagship event is usually themed to Mickey and friends. General registration for the 2025 event opens April 9, 2024.
This weekend is also more notoriously known for crowd and road impacts, especially with the full marathon. There may be road impacts or closures late each night and in the mornings, though it's typically all back to normal by around 9 a.m. Even if you're not participating in the race, you will want to plan accordingly and add some extra travel time in the mornings (especially if you're trying to rope drop).
Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend — Feb. 20-24, 2025
Grab your tutus and tiaras because this royally fun event shouldn't be missed. The Princess Half Marathon Weekend celebrates the iconic Disney princesses. The 2024 themes were Ariel for the 5K, Rapunzel for the 10K, Tiana for the Half Marathon and Anna and Elsa for the Fairytale Challenge. General registration for the 2025 event opens July 30, 2024.
runDisney Springtime Surprise Weekend — April 18-21, 2024; April 3-6, 2025
The inaugural Springtime Surprise Weekend debuted in 2022 and rotates themes every year. The 2022 addition brought back fan-favorite races, including Expedition Everest 5K, Race for the Taste 10K and the Tower of Terror 10-Miler. Springtime has replaced the Star Wars Rival Run Weekend, though we hope to have this theme return again in future iterations.
In 2024, the races will have themes of adventure and togetherness, including Neverland 5K, Adventure Is Out There 10K ("Up"-themed), Hakuna Matata 10-Miler and Stitch's 'Ohana Challenge (5K, 10K and 10-Miler). The 2024 event's general registration opened Aug. 22, 2023 (currently sold out), and registration for the 2025 event opens Aug. 27, 2024.
Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend — Oct. 31 - Nov. 3, 2024
Burn off some calories from the many food booths at the EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival with this fun race weekend. The 2024 race themes are Swedish Chef from The Muppets for the 5K, Tiana from "The Princess and the Frog" for 10K, Remy from "Ratatouille" for the Half Marathon and Mickey for the Challenge. This particular race also usually has an after-party for runners at the Food and Wine Festival. The party is included with the race registration fee for runners, but friends and family can purchase tickets to attend with them. General registration opened March 12, 2024.
Virtual runDisney Events
While many of the regular runDisney events have virtual counterparts, there will be a virtual-only event later this year!
runDisney Virtual 12Ks of Christmas
For the 2023 holiday season, this new virtual event featured three 4K running events and a challenge. Mickey and friends virtually hosted in their festive garb, plus it's always a treat to unwrap a medal for all your hard work. The 2024 event runs from Dec. 1-31, 2024, and registration opens July 9, 2024.
Planning for a runDisney Event
With race registrations opening months in advance of the actual event weekends, you need to set reminders for these dates because the races can sell out quickly. You may even want to do some pre-planning ahead of the registration dates to figure out your hotel stay. Once runners have registered, booking the hotel is usually the next step. There will be high demand, as Walt Disney World Resort hotels can and do sell out during a race weekend.
Hop tip: You may want to book your hotel stay before the race registration. (Of course, make sure it's refundable in case anything happens!) You'll want to be ahead of the game so you can snag the best price and selection. Walt Disney World Resort hotel reservations are fully refundable when canceled at least 5 days prior to check-in (or at least 8 days, if booking a 2025 stay).
You also need to figure out if you want to add on any park days while you're at the Most Magical Place on Earth. Be sure to save some green by purchasing Disney World tickets through Undercover Tourist!
What to Expect at a runDisney Race in 2024
So, you've registered, trained for months (well, attempted to, at least) and now your race is upon you. Here's a detailed report of our experience running the 5K at Disney World so you can get an idea for future events.
Before race day, you'll need to stop by the runDisney Expo at ESPN Wide World of Sports. Here, you will pick up your bib, shirt and clear gear bag. There is a whole indoor stadium of vendors to shop through, along with official runDisney merchandise for sale. Expect long lines on the first day for the race-specific collections; there will be limited sizes and inventory if attending on the remaining days. There are also multiple photo opportunities available.
With the race typically starting at 5 a.m., try your best to go to bed a little bit earlier for the week leading up to the race. Minimally, cut off screentime earlier to help get your brain in sleep mode. Don't stress too much about your lack of sleep (that'll just cause you to get less sleep thinking about it). Adrenaline will keep you going through the race morning and then you can look forward to the glorious post-race afternoon nap.
On race day, it's recommended to get to the starting park (usually EPCOT) by 4 a.m. (don't froget to take a photo of the row or use the car locator in the My Disney Experience app. You’ll post-race self will thank you). You'll head through security and over to the pre-race area with a DJ and photo-ops. Prior to the race, you'll head to your assigned "corral" or starting group. For the 5K, you submit your anticipated pace-per-mile and then will be placed in one of three corrals. For the longer races, you’ll need to submit an official race time to get into the earlier corrals.
And they're off! runDisney does small section starts so you can have your own fireworks start moment. It's a little bit more crowded at the beginning of the race but crowds will spread out more as you go, especially with people stopping for characters. A big benefit of runDisney 2024 races is getting photos with characters themed to the event. We've seen rare characters such as Mushu, Tarzan, Genie, Moana, Lilo and Stitch and more! Be prepared for long lines, so you may have to pick and choose which characters you want to wait for. For the 2024 races, you can once again greet characters up close.
Character photos are very fast, often just one photo from the PhotoPass photographer since there are so many people to get through. Attendants typically will take them on your phone as well. Photos can be downloaded later by using your bib number (more information is on the back of the bib on how to link to your account). So, no worries about tapping a MagicBand or getting a photo card.
Speaking of photos, there are tons of PhotoPass photographers along the course to get you the ultimate action shot. If I saw them in time, I either tried to look very determined (and less like I just hopped all the way around the world) or gave them a smile with arms stretched out. There are also the ones where I was clearly focused on putting one foot in front of the other (you know, the running photos that definitely won't be shared on social media). The photos are some of the best parts because you can show everyone and say, "Yes, I did that!" I recommend purchasing Memory Maker to get unlimited photos from runDisney and the rest of your Disney World trip.
For the 5K, there is one water station about halfway through, with more available in the longer races. Pace-wise, you'll ideally want to be able to do at least a mix of a walk and a jog. With the races longer than a 5K, there are typically runners at the back with balloons attached to them (often referred to as the balloon ladies) that represent the 16-minute-per-mile pace. You'll want to be sure you can keep ahead of that pace or you could be "swept" and unable to complete the race. If you are close to the end of the race, there is typically a point where you may finish no matter what. If you do get swept, don't stress! A Disney bus will return you to the finish area and you should still receive a medal for your participation, though you may not qualify for the Challenge medal if competing in all races.
Depending on your corral position and your pace, you should still be able to stop for at least one or two characters. You can't go back if you regret not stopping for a character, so my advice is to wait for those characters if you are up for it. Unless you really want to get a certain time or just aren't up for stopping and starting up again, I say get those character photos or photos in front of the castle. They make great memories to look back on. But if you don't want to wait in line for that long, consider taking a character photo from afar.
After crossing the finish line, it's time to get your coveted bling! You are handed a medal, bottled water and/or Powerade, and then a banana and snack pack. After that, stretch and make sure your legs are OK, get some last pics (the classic medal photo) and make your way back to your car (you remember where you parked, right?). Head back to your hotel and prepare for a well-earned nap!
Spectator's Guide to a runDisney Event
For those committed enough to be at the parks before sunrise, but not as keen enough to be running (looking at you Leap ... ), support your favorite hoppin' frog as a spectator! It's great motivation to know that someone you care about is cheering you on. For some races, there's even live runner tracking available so you can be notified of where your runner is!
Course maps are available ahead of time so you can plan out where you will watch. There will be set stops that people can watch from. Depending on the length of the race, there will be multiple spectator locations. For the half and full marathons, spectators can take the monorail between EPCOT and Magic Kingdom to see runners multiple times. Seeing all of the runners head down Main Street toward the castle is a magical experience in itself. Many people will create signs or even dress up to help cheer participants on.
Tips and Tricks for a runDisney 2024 Event
Here are some additional tips for a frogtastic runDisney 2024 experience:
- Allow for plenty of time to arrive well ahead of race time, especially if staying on-site and using Disney transportation. It's better to arrive early and wait around than be concerned about missing the start time.
- During the race, stay to the right if you are walking and keep your group condensed. Everyone is running at different speeds and you don't want to spread out too much and block those trying to pass. If you do need to pass and have no room, stay on the far left side and politely say, "On your left." Yes, you can have an amazing Captain America moment.
- Dress up! Half the fun is coming up with unique outfits for your magical trek through the parks.
- Remember that there can be a difference between a runDisney PR (personal record) versus a regular PR. You can certainly have your best runDisney times and perhaps even your best overall time, but I would not necessarily go into it thinking you're going to break records. It’s also about taking it all in and enjoying the ambiance, energy and characters. It's up to you to decide what your priorities are and what you want to get out of the experience.
- Have fun! runDisney races are a truly unique experience and a great accomplishment, so enjoy every magical minute.
Have you ever participated in a runDisney race? Let us know in the comments below!
Related: The Full ~Frogtastic~ Schedule of Events at Disney World
Hoppy planning!
