Why Disney Fans Should Consider a runDisney Event

At the end of 2021 we saw the return of the runDisney events at Walt Disney World and with it brought all the emotions.  It was so exciting to have runners back at the Disney Parks, in the Disney Resorts, and celebrating their amazing accomplishments throughout Walt Disney World.

Even if you aren’t a runner currently, but you are a fan of Walt Disney World, we think you might want to consider a runDisney event in the future.

What Races Are There?

Currently, Walt Disney World hosts four runDisney events throughout the year.  The beginning of the year is the biggest runDisney event with the Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend.  In 2023, this race will be held from January 4th to 8th.

Next comes Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend which will be from February 23rd to 26th, 2023.  The next race we know about will be Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend.  This is typical during the first part of November.

The final race is one that has been changed lately,  In 2022, we experienced the first runDisney Springtime Surprise Weekend.  This was during the last week of March and ran to April 3rd, 2022.  This new race saw a nighttime race return as well as a ten-miler.

runDisney hasn’t announced anything yet regarding when these last two races will take place, but we can hope they will be around the same time we saw in 2022.

What Are the Distances?

Each of the runDisney races offers different distances giving all levels of runners the opportunity to experience the magic of runDisney.

Disney’s Marathon Weekend features four races: a 5K, 10K, half marathon, and the full marathon. Disney’s Princess Half Marathon Weekend offers a 5k, 10K, and Half Marathon option.

This new Springtime Surprise race featured the Expedition Everest 5K, the Race for the Taste 10K, and The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror 10-miler.  We will have to wait and see what runDisney comes up with for 2023 distances.

Finally, the Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend features a 5K, 10K as well as a half marathon.

Those are the basic facts about the runDisney weekends.  Let’s now get into why we think Disney fans should try out a runDisney race at some point.

Health

We will start with the most obvious reason, and that is health. You might want to consider a runDisney event as your reward for getting back into shape, or for pushing your running distance.

Participating in a runDisney race is a great way to get yourself back on track, and you’ll have a fun end reward for all your hard work.

runDisney partners with Jeff Galloway, and you find a lot of tips and tricks on their website as well as training guides. This is a great way to get your new year started off right.

See Disney In a New Light

A runDisney event allows you to see parts of Walt Disney World in a whole new way, and we don’t just mean super early in the morning.

By participating in these runs, you are able to run through a Disney Park and see backstage areas. It is an interesting experience to see exactly how big Walt Disney World truly is. You will feel like you are sneaking in the back doors when running through the Disney Parks.

For some of the races, like the Princess Half Marathon, runners even run through Cinderella Castle near sunrise. If you are looking for a magical experience, that is truly one that only runDisney participants get to experience.

From running through all four Parks during the Disney Marathon to watching the Disney Parks come alive with the sun, runDisney events really are a whole new way to experience Walt Disney World.

Characters

If you are a fan of characters, runDisney events bring some of the most beloved and rare characters out during the races.  Throughout the course, runners are cheered on by characters to help them to stay motivated and add even more Disney magic.

What makes it so special is that it isn’t always the main characters you normally see in the Parks, a lot of the races bring out the fun and unique characters that might only appear during the races.

runDisney events are a fantastic way to experience a lot of characters as you run by!

All the Food

It is a joke that most Disney runners run to eat, and what better place to do that than in Walt Disney World?

There are so many fantastic dining options throughout the four Disney Parks, the Disney Resorts, and Disney Springs that it is a great place for runners to fuel and celebrate.

Celebrating in the Parks

After you finish running your race, there is nothing like celebrating while wearing those medals in a Theme Park.

Once you have accomplished your goal, heading into the Parks for pictures and rides is just a little more magical.

Cast Members and Guests both do an amazing job at congratulating runners on their impressive accomplishments.

Proudly wear your finishers medal and take pictures in front of the icons, and then stop by and see Mickey Mouse.

Even though races at home are a huge accomplishment, there is no celebration like being able to visit a Walt Disney World Theme Park after running.

Friendships

The runDisney running community is like nothing you have ever experienced before. Participating in an event is a wonderful way to meet other Disney fans and have a great experience together.

There are many running groups out there that focus on runDisney events, so you can meet new people and work towards your goals together through social media.

Disney runners are overall a very warm and welcoming group of people, making it a wonderful experience.

We know that not everyone can or wants to run; however, if you are able we would suggest looking into experiencing a runDisney event at some point.  These events are full of Disney magic and wonderful people working together and celebrating one another.