runDisney Races are BACK at WDW!

Great news today, everyone.  runDisney races are back at Walt Disney World.  Even more exciting?  runDisney in-park races are starting THIS YEAR!

While many runDisney fans have been speculating that an announcement from runDisney would like come soon, most of us assumed that runDisney races would be back NEXT YEAR.  Today’s announcement is exciting news for runDisney fans everywhere and indicates a more accelerated return to normalcy for runDisney races at Walt Disney World.

runDisney

runDisney Races are back in 2021

A big surprise for many runDisney fans, the first race to return to Walt Disney World is the 2021 Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend.  The Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend is November 4 – 7, 2021.

This year’s theme is Wickedly Delicious, focusing on popular Disney villains.  The weekend will feature a 5K, a 10K, and a half marathon.  In addition, the weekend will also offer a Disney Two Course Challenge for those participants that want the challenge of completing both the 10K and the half marathon.  I’m a big fan of the 10K/Half Marathon challenges, and am very excited to see this challenge as a part of the Wine & Dine weekend.

 

runDisney Wine and Dine
Photo: runDisney

The weekend will wrap up with a Post Race Party for participants and their families at EPCOT.  The party will feature exclusive after hours access to the park and the International Food and Wine Festival.

If you’re interested in planning a trip to Disney for the runDisney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend, I recommend taking action QUICKLY.  Email me at brooke@disneycastledreaming.com and I’d be happy to put together a no obligation quote for you.

Disney’s Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend

Registration opens for the general public on July 13, 2021 at 10 am EST.

Club runDisney Gold and Platinum registration opens July 6, 2021 at 10 am EST.

While we haven’t received confirmation yet, we expect that DVC members and Annual Passholders will also have access for early registration.  We will update with a specific date and time as soon as we have it.

Pricing

5K $95

10K $135

Half Marathon $215

Two Course Challenge $360

Post Race Party $89

*Note: These are early registration prices.  Prices will increase by $10 on August 10, 2021.

Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend

Many runDisney fans had high hopes that in park races would be returning to Walt Disney World for January 2022’s Marathon Weekend.  I’m so happy to report that Walt Disney World’s Marathon Weekend has been officially confirmed for January 5 – 9, 2022.

Fans can expect Marathon Weekend to focus on the 50th Anniversary of the Walt Disney World Resort.  I’m hopeful there will be lots of special entertainment and merchandise celebrating the big 50th!

Marathon Weekend will include a 5K, a 10K, a half marathon, and a full marathon.  Also back is the Goofy’s Race and a Half Challenge, for those participants that want to do the half marathon AND the full marathon (and MUST be Goofy to do so!).   And for the REALLY committed (or maybe they need to be committed?  Just kidding!) the Dopey Challenge is back.  The Dopey Challenge includes the 5K, the 10K, the half marathon AND the full marathon.

runDisney virtual races Goofy Challenge
runDisney Goofy Challenge

We are already seeing a TON of reservations for 2022–so many Disney fans have been eagerly awaiting Disney World’s return to normal.  With runDisney races back, we expect Marathon Weekend reservations to pour in.  If you’d like a no obligation quote for your runDisney Marathon Weekend, please reach out to brooke@disneycastledreaming.com.

Registration

Registration opens for the general public on July 27, 2021 at 10 am EST.

Club runDisney Gold and Platinum registration opens July 20, 2021 at 10 am EST.

While we haven’t received confirmation yet, we expect that DVC members and Annual Passholders will also have access for early registration.  We will update with a specific date and time as soon as we have it.

Pricing

5K $95

10K $135

Half Marathon $195

Marathon $195

Goofy’s Race and a Half Challenge $390

Dopey Challenge $600

Disney’s Princess Half Marathon Weekend 2022

It’s no surprise that the race weekend built for Disney princesses from all over the world will return once again to Walt Disney World now that runDisney races are BACK live in the parks.  A great entry point for beginner runDisney participants, Disney’s Princess Half Marathon Weekend is scheduled for February 24 – 27, 2021.

runDisney princess half marathon weekend

New for 2022: the first morning will feature Disney Princess Sunrise Yoga in front of Cinderella Castle, before the theme park opens.  How fun does THAT sound?

The theme for the 2022 Princess Half Marathon Weekend will be courage and kindness.  Men are welcome to participate, but the Princess Half Marathon Weekend focuses more fully on women, girls and the female experience.  The Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend will feature a 5k, a 10k, and a half marathon.  The Weekend also features the Disney Fairy Tale Challenge (my favorite!) for those participants that want to do both the 10K and the half marathon.

runDisney Princess Half Finish Line
runDisney Princess Half Marathon Finish Line

It’s a great opportunity for a girls’ weekend, a sisters weekend, a mom/daughter weekend.  If you’d like help planning your Disney Half Marathon weekend, please email brooke@disneycastledreaming.com.

Registration

Registration opens for the general public on August 24, 2021 at 10 am EST.

Club runDisney Gold and Platinum registration opens August 17, 2021 at 10 am EST.

While we haven’t received confirmation yet, we expect that DVC members and Annual Passholders will also have access for early registration.  We will update with a specific date and time as soon as we have it.

Pricing

Sunrise Yoga $95

5K $95

Enchanted 10K $135

Half Marathon $210

Disney Fairy Tale Challenge $355

Surprise!  runDisney has a NEW Race in the Family

All the big runDisney announcements from this morning included a new race in the lineup.  runDisney Springtime Surprise Weekend is scheduled for March 31 – April 3, 2022.  Disney has stated that each race season, the fourth weekend will be the Springtime Surprise Weekend.  Each year, the race themes and distances will be different.

So essentially, this weekend is replacing the Star Wars race weekend?  Perhaps they are planning to rotate several different themes through this particular race weekend, depending on what film or theme park properties they want to promote in a particular year?  I guess we will find out.

runDisney Springtime Surprise Weekend

They tell us that this weekend will be “as much about the smiles as it is about the miles” and beginner racers and veteran racers alike will be welcome.

We have no other information about this event at this time.  Hmmm.  Very mysterious.  Registration will like open in the fall, but we have no dates, distances, prices or themes yet.

Health and Safety

With runDisney races back in our lives, an obvious first question for many is, “What will the health and safety protocols be?”

The answer to this question is evolving.  Disney is saying that they will defer to the information they receive from scientists, vendors and sponsors, and will make decisions in the best interest of their guests, vendors, park guests, and cast members as each race weekend approaches.

Disney Face masks review Minnie Mouse face masks

It is possible that face coverings MAY be required or that other health and safety protocol measures may be in place at race time.

As more information becomes available for each race weekend, I will share it with you.

Virtual Races are Sticking Around

In the not-so-surprising news category, Disney has announced that Virtual Races are NOT going away.  Racers from all over the world will still be able to participate in runDisney races from wherever they are, even if they can’t come to the parks to join in the fun.

runDisney with your friends

The in-person runDisney races generate millions of dollars in revenue for Disney, and they have learned from the Covid runDisney experience that they can make even MORE money by opening the races up to a virtual audience.  I fully expect Disney to continue offering the virtual races, and to perhaps even expand their virtual offerings as time goes on.  They can operate the virtual races with much less overhead and get a lot of fan participation.  Races like these build additional fan loyalty, and of course, can lead to additional in park race participation, which adds to to resort revenues overall, in addition to runDisney dollars.

I think the virtual races are brilliant, and since runDisney is not foolish and they want ALL my money, they will continue for every runDisney in park race for the forseeable future.

If you’d like to learn more about Virtual Races (and why I love them), please read runDisney Virtual Races.

Registration Dates for Virtual Races

Disney’s Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend: July 16, 2021 at 10am EST

Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend: July 30, 2021 at 10 am EST

Disney’s Princess Half Marathon Weekend: August 27, 2021 at 10am EST

It’s True.  runDisney races are BACK at Walt Disney World.

I’m so excited I can’t hardly stand it.  runDisney races are truly exceptional experiences for runners and walkers alike.  The race course is filled with themed mile markers, race entertainment, characters and photo opps.  Logistically, no one does it better.  There are SO MANY portapotties!  (Ok, I don’t love the portapotty experience, but when ya gotta go, you are so grateful they are there).  I can’t even put into words racing through the theme parks themselves.  It’s AMAZING.  Fast runners will be in the parks at sunrise (or even before) and that’s a heart stopping, never forget it moment.  Slower runners or walkers (like me!) will enter the parks much later and find their paths lined with park goers cheering them on (also a heart stopping never forget it moment.

runDisney
runDisney WDW Marathon, January 2013 (Photo: MarathonPhoto)

The adrenaline rush that comes from lining up at the starting line with thousands of other races is amazing for any big race…but for a runDisney race, it’s magnified somehow.  The energy just crackles through the air.  There are fireworks and Mickey Mouse for goodness sakes!  And whenever your energy is flagging, there will be something or someone on the course to boost your spirits and get you going again.

runDisney Marathon Weekend Bling
runDisney It’s All About the Bling  photo: Vicki and David Arndt Photography

How about you?  Are you excited that runDisney races are back in the Walt Disney World parks?  What race or races are YOU registering for?

I may need to partner with a venture capitalist to support my runDisney addiction. {sigh}.

Hope to see you on the runDisney race course!

Happy Dreaming,

Brooke

Brooke Hudson Disney Travel Agent
Ready to Plan Your Next Disney Vacation? I’m ready to help! Email brooke@disneycastledreaming.com