Entire family can participate at Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend and runDisney events

As most runDisney fans know, registration opened this week for the 2014 Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend, the group’s flagship event that will be held Jan. 8 to 12. Because the weekend has become so popular, runDisney announced it has added races and made changes to better accommodate the growing number of runners who routinely make this a sell-out event.

Marathon Weekend, and many of the other race weekends, aren’t just for serious runners, though. They are designed to make running (and walking!) fun for all ages and abilities. Of course, trained athletes travel to Orlando from all over the world to run 26.2 miles through the four famous theme parks that make up Walt Disney World. And many do so with the purpose of fundraising for a charity, just like our own Team AllEars, which raises money for breast-cancer research. Deb Wills presents the team’s amazing contributions in May at the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer in Washington, D.C., in May.

But children and families with little competitive experience also are welcome to challenge themselves in a fun way, too. Disney Kids Races are held at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Track & Field Complex on Thursday, Friday and Saturday during Marathon Weekend. Specifically, the races are at 11 a.m. on Jan 9, 10 and 11, and they are planned for specific age groups. Babies 12 months and younger can crawl in the Diaper Dash. Toddlers ages 1 to 3 will race for 100 meters; kids ages 4 to 6 run for 200 meters; and children 7 to 8 years participate in the 400-meter dash. Any child 13 years and younger can participate in the Mickey Mile at 12:30 p.m. on those three days. Parents are invited to run with their children, if they would like.

That last little detail caught my eye as my family considers entering some runDisney races for the first time. My husband enjoys running, and recently, my 10-year-old son has expressed an interest in training with him. This is in no small part motivated by his love of all things Disney, though my son also is interested in running because, well, he’s a 10-year-old boy. I’m certain that having his dad alongside him during his first race would give him a boost of confidence and be a great experience for both of them.

If that’s not reward enough, Mickey Mile Race participants receive a Disney Kids Race T-shirt, a finisher medallion (who can resist that bling?!), Mickey Mile finisher certificate, a personalized bib if registered by Nov, 1, 2013, post-race refreshments, and a ChronoTrack B-tag timed race. Registration, which must be completed in advance, is $30 for the Mickey Mile and $15 for each of the dashes.

Families also can stick together for the Disney Family Fun Run 5K, which takes place at 6:15 a.m. Jan. 9 at Epcot. There is no minimum age for this race, but strollers, baby carriers and other assistive devices are not permitted. During this race, participants get a taste of the Disney entertainment experienced during the longer races with characters appearing throughout the course and at the family reunion area. The $60 registration fee per participant includes a T-shirt, finisher medallion, race program, iGiftBag, personalized bib, and on-course and post-race refreshments. (This race is so popular that it was 65 percent full at the time of this writing and has since sold out.)

Even if everyone in the family isn’t into running, the entire family still can participate in some way. After all, spectators can join several different levels of the ChEAR Squad, in which they can cheer on their family members as they compete in various races. Each level has its own unique package of souvenirs, too.

Plus, runners and their families also are offered opportunities to enjoy a Pasta in the Park Party with runner-friendly foods and special viewing area for Illuminations; post-race breakfasts; and a Cool Down Party at Downtown Disney at additional costs throughout the weekend.

If ever there was a magical motivation to put down the TV remote, get off the sofa and lace up those running shoes to practice this summer, the 2014 Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend has to be it. So, get set, go!