Tips for runDisney’s Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend

Some Walt Disney World guests take burning the calories they consume at the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival a little more seriously than others. They are, after all, visiting the resort for the upcoming runDisney weekend, which includes a half marathon, a 5K and kids races. Sure, there are plenty of opportunities to sample what food Epcot’s various marketplaces have to offer, but maybe these guests will feel a little less guilty about the calories than the rest of us.

During the 2015 Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend on Nov. 6 and 7, my 11-year-old daughter will be running her first 5K, much like her older brother did earlier this year at the Expedition Everest Challenge. They both wanted to experience the Disney magic for their first races, so my husband, who also enjoys running, agreed to take them. The three will run together in the Jingle Jungle 5K on Saturday. (As athletes interested in participating in runDisney events know, the races sell out months in advance, some even within hours of the registration opening. I felt like I had run a marathon after racing the clock just to register them!)

Planning for my daughter’s first race has been a little different than getting ready for my 13-year-old son’s first 5K. For him, it was all about his time, possibly seeing some characters on the course and then celebrating at the after-party. For my daughter, the main focus has been planning her costume, which *must* include a tutu!

Many participants in past Jingle Jungle 5K races have worn Christmas- and winter-themed outfits, but there also are runners dressed as Disney characters. My daughter opted to purchase a Minnie Mouse tutu on Etsy, and she owns a Minnie Mouse Santa hat to go with it, but we are still trying to decide on her top. Of course, the most important part of her outfit is not about fashion but function — her running shoes — and those are broken in and ready to carry her over the finish line. She will be the most stylish of my family’s three runners because I’m pretty sure that my husband and son’s idea of holiday outfits is to simply wear red shirts with their favorite running shorts!

So, for other families with first-time runners in the 5K, here are a few tips to make it an enjoyable weekend:

** Give yourself time to look around the runDisney Expo at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex during packet pickup on Friday. It’s a showcase for the latest products, including race-themed merchandise. Be aware that official runDisney merchandise specifically designed for the weekend typically sells out quickly. The Expo is open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. Admission and parking are free.

** If you are running the 5K or half marathon, the HP Field House at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex is where you’ll need to go to pick up your race packet, and the Jostens Center next door is where you pick up your race shirt and gEAR bag. (Race packets must be picked up by the actual person who is registered, with the exception of minors whose parents can claim their packets. Each runner will need to show identification and turn in a waiver at that time.)

** The Jingle Jungle 5K takes place at Animal Kingdom before the park opens. The first corral starts at 7 a.m., and all runners must be in their corrals at least 30 minutes before the start. However, I would suggest arriving earlier than that if you want to take advantage of the themed photo ops. At the Expedition Everest Challenge in May, lines consistently had 30-minute wait times. At that race, there were no PhotoPass photographers or professional race photographers manning the sets, so be sure to have a smartphone or someone with a camera. I appreciated that my husband and son took photos before their first race because they ended up not stopping to pose with characters along the course.

** runDisney provides a clear gEAR bag to each participant that may be used for checking personal items at the race. Runners are encouraged to avoid this if at all possible. My husband did end up using the bag-check service at his first runDisney race, though, and he said lines were short and efficient.

** If you won’t have anyone meeting you at the finish line, know that it still will be a celebratory experience with voluntEARS cheering you on and professional photographers capturing the moment.

** Afterward, head over to Epcot — wearing your medal, of course — to indulge in some well-deserved noshing at the food and wine festival. Epcot opens at 9 a.m. and this year, a handful of marketplaces in Future World open then, as well. World Showcase, where most of the festival food is located, opens at 11 a.m.

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