It’s six in the morning, Disney World hasn’t opened yet, but here you are dressed as Tinkerbell, sprinting past familiar amusement park rides. You’re caught in a small clan of tutu-and-mickey-ear-wearing ladies and wait… is that a Pluto? A winding line ahead concludes at the Donald and Daisy meet-and-greet. Should you stop for it? You wonder if sweat has disturbed your sparkly face makeup. You feel excited about being here, you are surrounded by fellow costumed runners, you are running a race at Disney World!
Having completed the runDisney Springtime Surprise 10k in 2022, I’m eager to run more Disney races. RunDisney offers a variety of race distances, from marathons to shorter runs. To see all race offerings, visit the runDisney website.
Here is what it’s like running a race at Disney World: what’s offered, the atmosphere, and the magical moments that make it a truly unforgettable experience:
How to Sign Up
Stalk their website, sign up for email notifications and set phone reminders! Disney releases limited tickets at specific times each year. Check their schedule to find out when tickets for your desired race will be available. They sell out quickly, sometimes on the same day they are released. Therefore, be prepared to lay down the cash as soon as your race opens up.
Disney races are definitely expensive, but that’s to be expected! Generally, Disney races cost two to three times more than standard races. Despite the cost, my ‘complementary’ race t-shirt and medal from the runDisney Springtime Surprise race are among my favorites due to their high quality. You’ll often see people in Disney parks, later in the day, proudly wearing their race medals after their race. Finally, a socially acceptable way to let everyone know that you’re a runner.
The Courses at Disney
Marathon
The flagship event of the Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend, this 26.2-mile race takes participants on a journey through all four Disney parks – Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
Half Marathon
This 13.1-mile race follows a similar course as the full marathon. Though for distances shorter than the marathon, courses will vary and may include just a few parks or even some resort areas.
10-Miler
The 10 mile race distance is available during the Springtime Surprise weekend in Disney World.
10K
A shorter distance race covering 6.2 miles. When I ran the runDisney Springtime Surprise Weekend 10k we ran though a resort area and Epcot.
5K
The shortest race of the marathon weekend, the 5K covers 3.1 miles and is suitable for runners of all abilities, including beginners and families.
*Disneyland California also offers limited race events twice a year at the beginning of the year and in the fall. Check the runDisney website for more information.
The Themes
Each race features a unique Disney theme reflected in the merchandise, displays, and completion medal. For the Springtime Surprise weekend 2022, which I participated in, the theme was “Race for the Taste,” inspired by Ratatouille. With this theme in mind, I dressed as a chef, and my friend dressed as a Mickey waffle.
The runDisney Health and Fitness Expo
Like most running events, Disney races feature an expo held a few days before each race. At the expo, participants can collect their race packets, shop for exclusive Disney merchandise, and explore vendors selling running gear. The expo also features interactive displays and Disney character photo opportunities, adding to the Disney magic.
What are the Goofy and Dopey Challenges?
The Goofy Challenge involves completing both the half marathon and the marathon on consecutive days.
The Dopey Challenge requires running all four races, covering a total of 48.6 miles over four days.
Before running the Race
Watch for the runDisney email containing updated race information and a waiver that you need to sign digitally before the race.
A few days before the race, visit the runDisney Health and Fitness Expo at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex to pick up your race packet. Your packet will include a race bib with a tracking number, safety pins, and information about your starting group. Disney resorts provide transportation to the Expo for participants.
Friends and family who want to watch can find details on free spectator areas on the runDisney website or in the race emails.
Many runners use the run-walk method popularized by Olympian and coach Jeff Galloway. Find more training information and free downloadable plans from Jeff Galloway on the runDisney website.
On Race Day
Be prepared to rise early in the morning. Races start at 5am, so arrive 90 minutes before your start time to find your assigned corral.
Shuttle buses from Disney resorts to the starting line usually begin around 3am. There’s a bag check for items you won’t need during the race.
Starting groups are based on your estimated finishing time given during registration. Each group will enjoy music, hosts, and a countdown, with a small display of sendoff fireworks.
Medical tents, bathrooms, and refreshment stations are located throughout the course. After finishing the race, you can visit various displays and photo spots to commemorate your achievement. Shuttles are also available post-race to return to the resorts.
During our race, we stayed at Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort, the most budget-friendly option. We found it amusing that the shuttles to and from the expo and race were always farther from entry points at cheaper resorts, while more expensive resorts were closer. A reminder of the cost of saving a few bucks!
My Experience Running a Race at Disney
Because I underestimated my finishing time, I ended up in a slow wave and had to weave through relaxed runners for most of the race.
Being in a later starting wave, I faced long lines for meet-and-greets by the time i arrived. To avoid this, I recommend entering your fastest race time during registration.
The post-race snacks seemed unusual. The organizers missed an opportunity by not offering Mickey-themed snacks, like Mickey pretzels. Instead, I received tortilla chips with room-temperature queso, which I skipped since I don’t eat cold queso in the morning, and Powerade, which I drank despite preferring Gatorade.
After the race, we showered, changed, and spent a few hours in Epcot. In the afternoon, we returned to our resort due to heavy rain and spent the rest of the night watching movies, as we were exhausted from the early wake-up.
If I were to Do Another runDisney Event
I would spend more time planning my costume. My favorite part of running a race at Disney was planning my costume and seeing everyone else’s costumes.
I wouldn’t worry about my race time. Instead, I’d take more photos or get in line for meet-and-greets.
I wouldn’t visit a Disney park after running unless I did a shorter distance like the 5k. Since the parks are expensive, I’d prefer to fully enjoy them from open to close without the exhaustion of a long run earlier in the day. Instead, I’d rest at my resort after the race and visit Disney Springs in the afternoon or attend a post-race party in the evening. Tickets for the party are available on the runDisney website.
I highly recommend a runDisney race for someone’s first marathon or half marathon. This low-stakes race allows runners to stop and take pictures with Disney characters or run the entire distance. It’s a perfect, laid-back way to try longer races. The runDisney website also offers many helpful, free training guides and tips for new runners.
Conclusion
Running a race at Disney World combines the thrill of competition with the magic of Disney. Enjoy the energy and explore Disney parks in a way you never imagined. Whether it’s stopping for a selfie with Mickey Mouse or running while wearing your own Disney costume, this is one of the most fun races you could ever run.
For more running, Disney and travel tips check out my other posts: