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NEWS: runDisney Announces 2023-2024 Race Season with Disneyland Races Returning

Calling all walkers and runners! runDisney has announced the 2023-2024 race season, and we’ve got race dates and registration dates. Catch all the details below.





 

Here are all the details from Disney Cast Member Sarah Harris:

Mark your calendars as today we are excited to share event and registration dates for the 2023-2024 runDisney race season, including information on the much-anticipated return of the Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend in January 2024! From exciting races through Disney parks to virtual events you can run almost anywhere, a runDisney race is anything but ordinary. As we look towards the new year, runners can gear up for even more miles and magic to come during next race season – take a look below at the dates and download the calendar here.

Credit: Disney

We’re so excited to bring runDisney races back to the west coast in 2024 and are even more excited for the return of the fan-favorite Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend. Taking place January 11-14, 2024, the weekend will include three endurance events, a challenge and more that are sure to be filled with memorable moments and magical miles running at the Happiest Place on Earth. Stay tuned for more details about the race course, medals and more in the coming months!

Credit: Disney

We’re also thrilled that with the return of the Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend, runDisney will also be reintroducing the runDisney Coast to Coast Race Challenge in 2024! More information about the Challenge and how to qualify will be available on runDisney.com later this month.

Credit: Disney

With entertainment, beloved characters, and Disney magic at every mile, runDisney races are memorable experiences for runners of all ages and skill levels. They’re also the only opportunity for runners and Disney fans alike to run unique courses through Disney parks.

runDisney virtual events are also a great way to have fun! Whether you’re looking for some motivation to train for your next runDisney race or get a taste of the magic wherever you run, our virtual race events are perfect for you!

Start marking your calendar and be sure to check back to runDisney.com for all news and updates! Which race weekend are you most excited about? Share with us in social using #runDisney and be sure to follow us:

Events, including activities and routes, are subject to restrictions, and change or cancellation without notice.

RELATED ARTICLE: 12 Things to Know Before Your runDisney Race Vacation!

by Matt and Kim

Let’s preface this by saying we aren’t super, in-shape runners. Mike exercises by running regularly, but Jamie really only runs when something is chasing her. With that being said – there is one form of running we can both agree is well worth getting in shape for… and that’s runDisney! Leave it to Disney to make even running a magical experience. Before you sign up for one of the runDisney events for a race vacation, you’ll want to keep these points in mind.





 

1 – Find the Race Best for You

There are typically four runDisney Race weekends at Walt Disney World. These include Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend (January), Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend (February), runDisney Springtime Surprise Weekend (April), and Disney Wine and Dine Half Marathon Weekend (Oct.- Nov.). Within these four weekends, several race opportunities include Kids Races, 5K, 10k, Half-Marathon, Marathon, and even Challenge Runs, which includes doing all races. We recommend checking out the length of the races on different weekends before signing up. You’ll also want to check out the theming and see which one appeals to you!

2 – Stay On-Site (and Book Early!)

If possible, we highly recommend staying on-site when planning a runDisney Race Vacation. Disney provides transportation to and from the race location, making it super easy to get on and off the bus right at your resort. This will take the worry of having to drive and navigate your way to the race location. Plus – your car won’t smell like a gym locker after the run! Go ahead and book as early as possible as Disney Resorts do sell out. You can get package deals from travel agents that include race admission and a resort room.

3 – Timing and Transportation

The runDisney races always start early in the morning to push as many runners through before the parks open. This means you should expect to wake up bright and early so you can arrive at your corral well before the run begins. As mentioned above, timing isn’t such an issue if staying on-site because the resort will tell you when the buses depart. If driving in, however, from off-site, you’ll really need to watch your time and plan a little extra to get in through the race traffic. Arriving early and waiting is better than pulling in at the last minute in a panic.

4 – Yes, You Do Need to Train

One thing we love about runDisney events is that you’ll see all sorts of people out there enjoying the race. Some people will walk the entire race, others sprint like Maleficent is after them, and some try for the walk/run method. However you plan to do your race, we highly recommend that you train. There are multiple training guides available online to follow along with that can help. The worse thing you could do is go out there and get hurt because you’re doing something your body has never done before. Plus, if you see some ladies with balloons, RUN! If the “Balloon Ladies” pass you, that means you are “swept” and will be picked up by a Disney bus without completing the race. You’ll still get your medal because you paid for it, but to finish strong, training is necessary.

5 – Don’t Forget the Costume!

Just about any other race you go to back home, everyone shows up with their bib and regular running gear. At Disney, costumes are all the rage! So, go ahead and have a little fun planning your costume in advance to match the theme of your race. Disney? Maybe you want to sport a Mickey Mouse look. Princess? How about a tutu and tiara? However, if you decide to dress up, take it for a test run first because you wouldn’t want it obstructing your running/walking ability.

6 – Plan a Half Day at the Expo

runDisney will send you instructions on when and where to pick up your race packet, which includes your bib and t-shirt. Something that is often forgotten is that there is a LOT to do at the Race Expo if you are interested in exploring the ESPN Wide World of Sports complex. Some rush in, grab their race packet and go – but don’t miss out on dining at the complex, the endless runDisney merchandise, vendors, training seminars, yoga, and even great photo opportunities. It’s easy to spend a half-day enjoying the Expo!





 

7 – Check out the Course Map in Advance

Some people prefer to go into a run blindly without checking out a course map in advance. It’s not that you’ll get lost on the course if you don’t look in advance, but it’s still nice to have an idea of where you’ll be running during which mile. Some of the runDisney races take you through certain parks, down main roads, behind the park scenes, and right by beautiful Disney Resorts. You’ll want to have your phone or easy to run with a camera ready to snap a few great pictures.

8 – Enjoy the Parks but Rest Up

What’s a runDisney Race Vacation without enjoying the parks a little? Take advantage of your time at Disney and pick a favorite park or two to visit. With that being said… be smart! The parks take a LOT of walking – particularly at Epcot and Animal Kingdom. It might be a good idea to take the night off before the big day and rest up in your resort room. The worse thing you can do is exhaust yourself before the big race because you’ve been walking around the full day before.

9 – Fueling Yourself Matters

What you put in your body will make all the difference on race day! Go ahead and splurge on that Mickey Ice Cream Bar or Turkey Leg but be aware that you don’t want to bog yourself down with too much of that otherwise tasty junk food. Some restaurants will do a special runner’s meal with a great dose of protein and carbohydrates. One more note – watch the alcohol intake. The best thing you can do for your body is to stay hydrated. When drinking alcohol before or right after a race, be aware that flushing it with a lot of water is critical. We’d recommend you stick with water on runDisney Race Vacations.

Disney World Marathon Weekend Medals

10 – Bring the Right Shoes

What shoes are you bringing? This is super important! Pack the running shoes you’ve been wearing during training for the big race day. It’s not easy to try to break in a new pair of shoes (no matter how good they look!) on race day. If you are doing one of the Challenger races, which includes more than one race, a couple of good, broken-in running shoes would be wise to pack, so you have a backup pair if needed.

11 – Get Ready to See Lots of Characters!

We LOVE that runDisney has Disney characters spread out throughout the run. If you are worried about your time or finishing the race before the “balloon ladies” come, then you might just wave and smile as you run by the character. Otherwise, there are usually long lines to see the characters. Some of the lines are worth the wait as runDisney has unique/rare characters you might not see anywhere else. Try to figure out who you’ll see along the run in advance and plan which characters are worth stopping off for a photo with.

12 – Get Used to Porta Potties

Well, it is what it is. There is a very large amount of people all doing the same race, and one of the most popular spots before, during, and after the run are the porta-potties/johns readily available for runners. Don’t wait until the last minute you decide you have to go because you will be waiting in line to go. A little tip – if you run through a Disney park, the restrooms are typically open. Stop off and use one of these often-overlooked restrooms along the running path.

There you have it! So, grab that sweatband, slide on those shoes, and get ready for a runDisney Race Vacation to remember!

For a no obligation, FREE Quote on a Disney vacation package, please contact our travel partner Magical Vacation Planner at 407-442-0227 (407-442-0215 for Spanish). You can also request a FREE quote online by Clicking HERE.



 

 

Chad & Cindy Nykamp

After years of multiple Walt Disney World vacations, Cindy and Chad's dream of living in Orlando came true in 2010. After friends and family made them their go-to-people for Walt Disney World advice, Cindy and Chad launched DisneyLists.com in August 2015 to share their knowledge and love of Disney. Chad and Cindy have been Disney World Annual Passholders for years, DVC members, together have raced more than 70 runDisney races, and particularly love cruising on the Disney Cruise Line. Chad and Cindy also regularly represent DisneyLists.com at Walt Disney World media events. While attending these events, they get an insiders view of all the new things that have come to Walt Disney World. These experiences have helped them gain knowledge and expertise they happily pass on to their followers. They still can't believe how lucky they are to have such an amazing opportunity and will continue to share Disney with anyone who will listen!
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