The new year is upon us, and we bet that a lot of you — like us! — have made fitness and health-related resolutions for 2019. What better way to motivate yourself and keep your promises to diet and exercise than with the goal of completing a runDisney race?!
The runDisney races are different from other races you might enter in that their courses actually go THROUGH the Disney Parks. Other highlights of runDisney races include characters and other entertainment along your route, and gorgeous finisher medals, AKA “bling.” In addition, runners are encouraged to dress up for the runDisney events.
runDisney hosts race weekends throughout the year, each with a special theme. While the exact dates, courses, and offerings may change from year to year, we wanted to give you a snapshot of the race weekends currently available. For the most up-to-date information on prices, sign-ups, and weekend details, make sure to check out the Official runDisney website. You will also find training guides, running tips, and more!
Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend
Time of Year: Mid-January
2019 Dates: January 9 – 13, 2019
Races Offered: Kids’ Races, 5K, 10K, Half Marathon, Full Marathon
Challenges:
Goofy’s Race and a Half Challenge: Completing both the Half Marathon and the Full Marathon will earn you Goofy’s special medal!
Dopey Challenge: Completing the 5K, 10K, Half Marathon AND Full marathon! You’ll rack up a total of 6 medals if you complete the Dopey challenge, as you also earn the Goofy Challenge medal.
Race Weekend Highlights: The full marathon is the only course all year that runs through all four Disney parks!
Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend
Time of Year: Mid- to late February
2019 Dates: February 21 – 24, 2019
Races Offered: Kids’ Races, 5K, 10K, Half Marathon
Challenge:
Disney Fairy Tale Challenge: Finish both the 10K and the Half Marathon and receive an exclusive royal medal!
Race Weekend Highlights: Historically, this is the only Half Marathon where you run through Cinderella Castle!
Preview the 2019 Princess Half Marathon Weekend medals here.
Star Wars Rival Run Weekend
Time of Year: Early-mid April
2019 Dates: April 4 – 7, 2019
Races Offered: Kids’ Races, 5K, 10K, Half Marathon, Virtual Half Marathon
The virtual half marathon is completed on your own, between January 3 – March 31, 2019. You can run the 13.1 miles at once or break it up over multiple days. Whether you run inside on a treadmill or outside, the choice is yours!
Challenges:
Rival Run Challenge: Complete the 10K and the Half Marathon for a trilogy of galactic medals.
Kessel Run Challenge: Complete both the Virtual Half Marathon at home AND the Half Marathon (or Rival Run Challenge) at Walt Disney World and you qualify for an extra-awesome additional medal!
Race Weekend Highlights: Star Wars characters from the Light and Dark Sides join you along the course.
Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend
Time of Year: Early November
2019 Dates: October 31 – November 3, 2019
Races Offered: Kids’ Races, 5K, 10K, Half Marathon
Challenges:
Two-Course Challenge: Complete the 10K and the Half Marathon to qualify for an exclusive third medal.
Race Weekend Highlights: An exclusive Post-Race Party at Epcot International Food & Wine Festival!
runDisney Virtual Running Shorts
If you can’t make it to the Most Magical Place on Earth this year for a race, you can still participate! During the summer, you can sign up for a runDisney virtual 5K. These races can be completed at home, at your pace, and you will receive a medal in the mail! Complete all three races in the Shorts Series (one each in June, July, and August), and you’ll receive an extra bonus medal! Disney also sends you downloadable bibs so you can make your run official. This is a great way to get the whole family moving.
The runDisney races are very popular, and often sell out quickly.
To learn more about runDisney events, visit the website. You can read about running in a variety of Disney marathons in blogger Laura Gilbreath’s Running with Mickey blog entries.
Have you completed a runDisney event? Or are you signed up for one in 2019? Let us know in the comments below!
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