Winter & New Year
Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend
Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend is the crown jewel of the runDisney calendar, held in early January. The weekend features four race distances: a 5K (Thursday), 10K (Friday), Half Marathon (Saturday), and Full Marathon (Sunday), plus the Dopey Challenge for runners who complete all four.
The courses wind through all four Disney theme parks and the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. The full marathon takes you through Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom -- where else can you run through Cinderella Castle?
Beyond the races, the weekend includes a massive Health & Fitness Expo at ESPN Wide World of Sports, exclusive runDisney merchandise, character photo opportunities on the course, and a festive atmosphere throughout the resort.
Plan Ahead
What to Expect
5K, 10K, Half Marathon, and Full Marathon over four days
Courses through all four Disney theme parks
Character meet-and-greets along the race course
Massive Health & Fitness Expo with exclusive merchandise
Dopey Challenge (all four races, 48.6 miles total)
Early morning race starts (3:30-5:30 AM depending on distance)
Post-race celebrations and finisher medals
Insider Tips
Plan Like a Pro
Registration opens in spring and popular distances sell out in hours -- set a reminder and register immediately when it opens
Book your resort before registration opens -- you can always cancel, but rooms near the start line go fast
The Dopey Challenge is a bucket-list achievement but requires serious training -- do not underestimate four consecutive race days
Arrive at least two days early to pick up your bib at the expo and adjust to the early wake-up times
January in Florida can be chilly at 4 AM (40s-50s) -- wear throwaway layers you can shed as you warm up
Best For
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