Run-down of runDisney Events at Walt Disney World in 2015

January 7-11 runners from all over will gather for the largest and longest of the runDisney events at Walt Disney World for the Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend. 2015 marks the 21^st anniversary of the first running of the race, which was held on January 16, 1994. Marathon Weekend is a jam packed five days of running, eating, shopping, and celebrating fitness and Disney. Runners walk (or run) away with some serious bragging rights and some awesome medals to go along with it – not to mention, some really cool swag from the Health and Fitness Expo.

In 2015 there are three more runDisney events at Walt Disney World to look forward to. Below is a briefing of all 2015 events and their costs, along with whether or not registration is still open (as of the time this article was written. It is best to check the event’s webpage and with runDisney directly for up to date availability).

Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend

January 7-11, 2015 (see race results here after the races)

All races sold out.

• Marathon – 26.2 miles through all four parks and the Wide World of Sports complex; $170-200
• Half Marathon – 13.1 miles through Magic Kingdom and Epcot; $170-200
• Goofy Challenge – 39.3 miles by completing both the Marathon and Half Marathon; $360-400
• 10k – 6.2 miles around Epcot and the Epcot Resort area; $105-135
• Family Fun Run 5k – 3.1 miles through Epcot; $60-70
• Dopey Challenge – 48.6 miles by completing ALL four events above (5k, 10k, ½ marathon, marathon); $530-590
• Castaway Cay Challenge – 3.1 miles around Castaway Cay plus completion of one of the above races; $65 (plus a booking on the Disney Cruise 4-night Bahamian cruise)
• Runner’s World Challenge – completion of the Dopey Challenge; $999 (along with the normal runDisney bling you received quite a few bonuses that included preferred coral placement, help with training, access to a private website, entry into the Pasta in the Park and Race Retreat events)
• Kids Races – 1 mile Mickey run, 400m dash, 200m dash, 100m dash, Diaper Dash (all dependent upon age); $15-30
• Non-racing events – Health and Fitness Expo, Pasta in the Park Party, Breakfast, Race Retreat, Cool Down Party, and the ChEAR Squad; prices vary per event

Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend

February 19-22, 2015

• Half Marathon – 13.1 miles through Epcot and Magic Kingdom; $170-200; sold out
• Enchanted 10k – 6.2 miles through Epcot and the Epcot resort area; $105-135; sold out
• Glass Slipper Challenge – 19.3 miles by completing both the Half Marathon and the 10k; $295-345; sold out
• Cinderella Royal Family 5k – 3.1 miles around Epcot; $60-70; sold out
• Kids Races – 1 mile, 400m dash, 200m dash, 100m dash, Diaper Dash (all dependent upon age); $15-35; 98% full
• Non-racing Events – Princess Expo, Pasta in the Park Party, Breakfast, Race Retreat, Happily Ever After Party, & ChEAR Squad; prices vary per event; all still open

Expedition Everest Challenge

May 1-2, 2015 (this is the final running of this event)

• Expedition Everest Challenge – 3.1 mile timed run through Animal Kingdom starting at 10pm with the challenge of a scavenger hunt and obstacle course; $125-155 per person or $240-290 per two person team; sold out
• Post-Race Party – 10:30pm-2:30am; select attraction entry; price included in Challenge entry fee; 55% full

Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend

November 6-7, 2015 registration opens 3/17/15 (prices listed below were for 2014)

• Half Marathon – 13.1 miles through Wide World of Sports complex, Animal Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, and Epcot; $185-200
• Mickey’s Jingle Jungle 5k – 3.1 miles through Animal Kingdom; $55-65
• Kids Races – 1 mile, 400m dash, 200m dash, 100m dash, Diaper Dash (all dependent upon age); $15-35
• Non-racing Events – Health and Fitness Expo, Wine & Dine Pre-Race Taste, and Finish Line Party; prices vary per event

Although I am certainly not a serious runner, reading about all of these runDisney events around Walt Disney World inspires me to train for next year. Maybe your New Year’s resolution is something similar. Most events are timed, and if you fall below the pacing requirements  (a 16 minute mile) you will be disqualified, picked up, and escorted back to the finish line. Knowing this, I vow to push harder. I vow to stick with it. I vow to enter a runDisney event next year! Who is with me?

Notes: runDisney events nearly always sell out, usually within days of registration opening. Events at Disneyland have sold out within hours of registration. Plan carefully if you wish to run. For an entertaining look at the history of runDisney, listen to the Disney Dish podcast with Len Testa and Jim Hill, Episode 70. iTunes link at https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/unofficial-guides-disney-dish/id452620851?mt=2 or direct download at http://superfluffybunny.com/UnofficialGuideDisneyDish-RunDisney-Ep70.mp3. On Stitcher at http://www.stitcher.com/s?eid=36503733.