With a New Year comes New Years resolutions to do things like loose weight, read more books, become more organized, visit a Disney park, or even run a 5k, Half-Marathon, or Full Marathon. Disney’s runDisney division does a wonderful job of creating running challenges for every runners skill set and age group, that let you work on that “visit a Disney park” resolution at the same time. For many the name runDisney brings to mind those amazing medals, people in costumes and tutus running through the parks, taking photos with Disney Characters not caring how their hair looks, and chEAR squads lining the course with magical messages of encouragement scrawled on posters, and kids in costumes cheering on their parents, and of course the runDisney Running Expos, the ONLY place to buy those awesome New Balance runDisney sneakers. Wether you are in it for the bling, the tutu, or the photo ops, there is a runDisney event for every age group! Most races have a 16 minute per mile pacing requirement meaning you can in fact walk the races if you want.
runDIsney events aren’t just for adults though. Kids Races held on Marathon and Half Marathon weekends “encourage youngsters to participate and sign up for any of the Kids’ Dashes or the Mickey Mile … There’s even a Diaper Dash for crawlers!” Parents are allowed to run with their children in the 100m, 200m, and 400m dashes for kids 13 and under, and the One Miler for kid’s 13 and over. There are also Family 5ks that let the entire family run together at select runDisney events.
For the grown ups, there are several distance options through out the year at Walt Disney World and Disneyland. runDisney’s 5k series of runs are held not only during Marathon Weekends, but also during some Half Marathon weekends, and let’s not forget the Expedition Everest nighttime adventure run which is a 5k, obstacle course, and scavenger hunt! The 10k distance option is available at most Full Marathons, and some Halfs. Now for you experienced runners the Half and Full Marathon options from runDisney are plentiful, and fun, but if you REALLY want a challenge there are always the Coast to Coast medal options, and the race challenges!
- The Dumbo Double Dare is a 19.3-mile adventure held over two days, participants will run the Disneyland® 10K on Saturday, followed by the Disneyland® Half Marathon on Sunday. If you finish both races within the pacing requirements, you will be awarded the Dumbo Double Dare medal in addition to your Half Marathon and 10K finisher medals.
- Goofy’s Race and a Half Challenge is a 39.3 miles and two-days of pure fun and Disney magic. Goofy’s Race and a Half Challenge combines Saturday’s Half Marathon – over 13.1 miles through Disney’s Magic Kingdom® Park and Epcot® – with Sunday’s full Marathon which covers 26.2 miles through all four Walt Disney World® Theme Park. Complete both races within the pacing requirements and you’ll earn the coveted Goofy Medal in addition to your Donald Duck and Mickey Mouse finisher medals.
- For those who just scoff at that 39.3 mile distance, well why not run 48.6 miles in the all-new Dopey Challenge! Participants will run the 5K, 10K, Half Marathon and Marathon, and if you complete all four races within the pacing requirements you will be awarded the Goofy Race and a Half Challenge medal and the brand new Dopey Challenge finisher medal for a total of six pieces of “bling.
If you just NEED more amazing runDisney bling, there is the Coast to Coast Challenge! In 2014, any participant who completes both the Tinker Bell Half Marathon in January at Disneyland® Resort and the Disney Princess Half Marathon in February at Walt Disney World® Resort will earn a special pink version of the runDisney Coast to Coast Race Challenge Medal.
Finally, what is a runDisney event without an after party? Each race has it’s own after party, with it’s own entry requirements, that allows the runners, their families and friends to relax and enjoy the end of the weekend, Disney style.
While some of the 2014 runDisney events are already sold out, some have yet to open yet, and each events qualifications can be found on the official runDisney site. Here is the complete list of 2014 runDisney main events, remember each weekend probably has more than one race.
- Walt Disney World® Marathon Weekend January 8-12, 2014 Walt Disney World® Resort
- Tinker Bell Half Marathon Weekend January 16-19, 2014 Disneyland® Resort
- Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend February 20-23, 2014 Walt Disney World® Resort
- Expedition Everest ® Challenge May 2-3, 2014 Walt Disney World® Resort
- Disneyland® Half Marathon Weekend August 28-31, 2014 Disneyland® Resort
- The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror 10-Miler Weekend October 3-4, 2014 Walt Disney World® Resort
- Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend November 7-8, 2014 Walt Disney World® Resort
- The not always known about runDisney Castaway Cay 5k is held on Disney’s Castaway Cay each morning a Disney Cruise Line ship pulls into port. The race is free and un-timed, comes with “finisher medal” and a runDisney number, and gives you the ability to be one of the first people on the island the morning you dock at the Cay. Look for meet up information in your cruise’s Navigator!
To discuss your runDisney training plans, goals, or experiences visit The Main Street Mouse’s forums at https://www.themainstreetmouse.com/forums/?mingleforumaction=viewforum&f=69.0 today!!
Michele also contributes theme park news for Fox 35 Orlando 11pm news and on the radio on WDBO.
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