Run Disney’s races are BACK at Walt Disney World!! I am so excited to have gotten to run the first race (Wine and Dine 5k) since the races had been canceled due to covid in 2020 and the beginning of 2021. While you can expect some minor changes to the events, a lot of it was still the same, and was really surprised how great the process was and for it to feel so normal.
I’m no runner (except when it’s raining and I need to get to my car) but I love a Disney race! The atmosphere, theme, costumes, race route, and medal are all special pieces of what make a Run Disney weekend so great. Thinking of running a Run Disney event in the future, or you are registered for next year? Check out the information for everything you need to know regarding your next run at Walt Disney World and how the process has changed a bit if you have run a Run Disney race in the past!
Registration
Before even beginning to prepare and train for the race, Run Disney requires you to register on a specific date usually 6-7 months before the race actually takes place. The registration can be CRAZY. Races can sell out within minutes, depending on which race you are trying to run. January is the Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend, February is the Princess Half Marathon Weekend, April is now the Spring Time Surprise Weekend (new for 2022!), and November is the Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend. These weekends now feature Sunrise Yoga, 5K, and then a 10 K/Half Marathon/or Full Marathon, depending on the weekend. Club runDisney Gold and Platinum registration begins a week prior to the general registration. The registration fee varies based on the dates of purchase. Races will sell out very quickly, so be sure to register as soon as possible to ensure you get your spot for the race!
Training
If you are one of the lucky ones to have secured a race registration, the next part of preparing for your race is to practice! Setting a running goal each week to help you prepare is huge! The couch to 5K series is a great program for the 5K runs. If you are planning to run any races longer than that, I definitely suggest a race plan that can be found on Pinterest or Run Disney’s website that works best for you. To be honest, the most I ever ran in advance of the Princess Half Marathon was 7 miles. I had a friend of mine who has been a long-time runner run the race with me, which was great because I felt like she pushed and motivated me the entire time to run the race and finish! Jeff Galloway, an American Olympian who is so popular in the Run Disney circuit and inventor of the Galloway Run Walk method, is a great source if you are looking to train with a specific plan.
Lodging & Transportation for the Race
The morning of the race, there are tons of road closures, and since you have to start your race before the theme parks are open, you will be waking up EARLY. I highly suggest staying on Disney property, so you get to your corral early and don’t end up running to your corral before your race starts (Don’t ask me how I know that….) All Disney hotels have bus transportation the morning of the race and will start early enough to get you to the race site with plenty of time to walk around, use the bathroom, stretch, and get to your corral. Staying on-site is very convenient, and you don’t have to walk far from the bus drop-off to the race site.
If you are staying off-site or live close enough to drive to the parks as I do, you will need to give yourself plenty of time to get to the race. Many other people also drive to the parks, so parking can take a bit. You will also be parking in the theme park parking lots, so depending on the start location of the race, you may be walking a bit and will need to give yourself plenty of time for that as well. To give you an idea, we left our house at 3:50 AM and arrived to Epcot by 4:10 AM. There were more cars parking than there ever had been for this race, so it took us a bit longer to park and walk from the parking lot to the race entrance. We were also in the first corral, and they started moving the corrals behind us up very quickly. Be sure to get into your corral at least 30 minutes prior to the race time to make sure you don’t miss your corral spot!
Run Disney Health & Fitness Expo
The Run Disney Health & Fitness Expo is held at ESPN Wide World of Sports. This is such a fun way to kick off the race weekend. Even though I’m not a runner by any means, I find this expo so fun! There are so many vendors and booths with cool merchandise to see and purchase. They have everything you’ll need for your race and in case you have forgotten to pack something like running shoes, apparel, running accessories, snacks, medal holders, etc.! Masks are still required (as of 11/10/21) inside any Disney location, which includes the expo at Wide of World of Sports.
The Health & Fitness Expo is where you will have to go before you can run your race. You will pick up your bib, race packet, and shirt here. It is important to fly or drive in early a day or two before your race to allow you plenty of time to get to the Expo to get everything you need for race weekend. The Expo has limited hours, so it’s important to get to the Expo in plenty of time to look around, take pictures, and get everything you need for your race. You must attend the Expo at least the day before your race to pick up your bib. It is the only place to receive it.
New to the Expo in 2021 is the digital waiver form. This is a new procedure due to covid. All weekend participants MUST complete a waiver form for each event in which they are participating prior to arrival. You can now complete your waiver digitally. It only takes a short moment to complete and is e-mailed to you and viewed in your Run Disney account.
Your Expo Check-in Pass is required to pick up your Runners Packet for each event in which you are participating. You will need to bring it with you to the Health and Fitness Expo. Remember, your family and friends are welcome to join you at the Expo too! Your Expo Check-in Pass will also be available in your Run Disney account.
What to Wear
Run Disney Races are so fun because you can really get creative and wear a themed costume to the race. Remember, you will be running in your costume, so if it’s heavy or really warm, reconsider your decision because you will be running and having to carry everything over the finish line! I have seen all types of outfits for a Run Disney race. I always like to wear a cute themed tank top, running capris, a colored tutu, and Minnie ears/tiara. Some others will wear just regular everyday running outfits, while others get really into it. It’s always fun to see what costumes or outfits people wear on the day of the race! If it’s raining like this past 5k, you’ll see a lot of rain coats and ponchos like we had on. ;)
Race Day
Yay, you made it to the race! Don’t be nervous!! I was so scared about my first race. All I kept thinking was that I did not want to be swept up from the pacer team (when I ran the half marathon!) and that I wanted to get through this race and cross that finish line. You will do the same!
When you arrive at the race whether it be by car or bus, you will enter through a security check. If you can, try not to bring a bag with you, otherwise, you will have to go to the bag check. The line can be long, so I avoid a bag. Bag Check is available for the Half Marathon, 10K, and 5K. A clear plastic bag will be issued to you at Packet Pick-Up to be used for the Bag Check service. No other bag will be accepted. At race completion, your number will be used to verify your bag when you pick it up.
I bring my runner’s case for my phone/headphones, and then my running capris have a zippered pocket so that way I can zip up my car key and keep it safe. If you are staying on property, wear your magic band so that way you have your key to the room right at your wrist. This is really all you need! I bring a bottle of water with me to hydrate before the race, and I suggest you do the same! There will also be water all along your route, so don’t worry, you won’t be thirsty!
Once you get through security and bag check, you will start to make your way towards the starting line corrals. You will pass by the porta-potties (definitely make sure to use these before the race!) There are some porta-potties throughout the course on the longer routes where a bathroom in the parks is not available or close by for use. If your race takes you through the theme parks, you can also stop and use those bathrooms in the parks too haha! On your race bib, you will have a designated corral that you will go to on race day. If you think you can move toward an earlier corral, there are cast members that will be watching to see the location of your corral on your bib and will not let you change corrals. However, if you are running with someone and their corral is further back than yours, you can move back toward their corral. You cannot move forward. The 2021 Wine and Dine 5k weekend only had 3 corrals this time. It was a numbered system (1-3) and usually is lettered. It was interesting to see it that way and was not as spaced out as I thought it would be, especially as the first race to begin again after covid.
Run Disney does suggest you get to the corrals about an hour or so in advance. I personally think this is too much time. You will spend all that time waiting and standing there, so unless you are in the first corral, you can show up much closer to the start of the race time and totally fine! If you are running late or stuck in traffic, it is ok! Later corrals can sometimes start almost an hour after the official rate time. You can also start from a later corral than your assigned corral and it won’t be an issue. You can always start later, but never earlier.
Race Etiquette
Run Disney events hold thousands of people. That means thousands of people will be running the same race that you are. Remember, to have “runners etiquette” when running the races. If you are running, run on the left. If you are walking, run on the right. If you are running on the left and need to start walking, it’s always best to look behind you before you totally slow down to make sure someone isn’t running right behind you so that way they don’t run straight into you. A lot of the time, runners will raise their hand when slowing down so that way you can carefully move to the right side and give other runners notice while you are doing it. If you are running in a big group and the course is narrow, don’t take up the entire width of the course with your group. You may think you are running at a good pace, but chances are, someone is behind you running and wanting to pass you. If you stop at a water station and take a water cup, don’t throw it on the ground. There is a trash can there for a reason. Use it! Remember to thank all of the volunteers and cast members who make each Run Disney event possible every year!
My Personal Tips
If you need to walk, that’s totally ok!! Take your time and enjoy the race. Keep up a good pace so that way you don’t have any issues with the “pace police” (for the 10k and Half) and you will be fine, even if you walk the entire race! Keep in mind, the earlier corral you are, the longer you have to run the race if you plan to slow down, take pictures, or walk.
There are character spots along the way, and while you may think you need to stop at each one, keep an eye on the clock and watch your pace for the longer runs. Characters are still available to see and get photos with, but you do have to stay physically distanced from them due to covid. You will also find PhotoPass photographers all throughout the course. Pose and smile for a photo. These pictures are fun to see on your My Disney Experience app once the race is over. Be sure to keep your bib and link your bib to your account before throwing your bib away so that way you can access your photos!
Have FUN! While I hate running, I honestly always say the most fun part is when it’s over, lol. It truly goes so fast (Which is why I only run the 5Ks these days) but it is such a great feeling of accomplishment knowing you have run a race before the sun is up! Once your race is over, get your cute medal, enjoy your post-race snack post, drink some water & electrolytes, and bask in the glory of being finished! You earned it!
Remember, races take place in rain or shine! When we woke up the morning of our race, the radar showed all of Orlando covered in rain. We still went to the rain and are glad we did because Disney races will still go on, even if it’s raining! They only stop for lightning, so keep that in mind if the weather looks bad!
Currently, Race Weekends for 2022 Include:
Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend: Jan 5-Jan 9
Princess Half Marathon Weekend: Feb 24-Feb 27
Spring Time Surprise Weekend: March 3- April 3
Did you know I can book Run Disney packages? This means that if you are wanting to run a race but are nervous about the registration process, I can help you get a bib before the registration for the race even opens to the general public! Book a room and ticket package and purchase your Run Disney bib as a full Run Disney Package! Contact me for details and lets turn your Run Disney dreams into reality!
Love and Travel Dust,
Molly
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