I just learned about this event (or any Disney marathon events) and I immediately decided I want to do this next year!  Yup – this is a real goal.  I saw so many people this weekend with one medal, two medals and up to five medals – all dangling in pride around their neck.  Walking through the airport even – you could hear the jingle of medals everywhere.

 

The events could be walked or run – in fact in some parts of the route it was not even possible to run because there were so many “runners”.  But the majority of the people I spoke with walked most if not all.  Some of the events are timed, while others are not.  So although I never ever considered participating in a marathon or half marathon – it is now well within my grasp and I am absolutely adding it to my bucket list.

 

So here’s what I learned after speaking with so many people:

 

Half Marathon

Each day there was an increasingly more difficult and longer event – culminating in the half marathon on Sunday 2/26/17.  The runs take place throughout the Magic Kingdom and there were Disney princesses there to cheer everyone on along the way.  If you participated in every day of the event, you received an exclusive Finisher medal.

 

The events started early in the morning.  The final event – the half marathon began at 5:30am on Sunday.  That course ran through the Magic Kingdom and Epcot.  There was plenty of Disney entertainment and characters along the way.  Every participant received:

• Champion® Women’s Short-Sleeved Tech Shirt (Unisex cut available)
• Commemorative Finisher Medal
• Official Event Guide
• Virtual Goody Bag
• Personalized bib
• On-course and post-race refreshments
• ChronoTrack B-tag timed race with live runner tracking sign up for friends and family

 

10K

The 10K event through Epcot was on Saturday at 5:30am.  This was a timed event and each participant received:

• Champion Short-Sleeved Tech Shirt in Women’s or Men’s Cut
• 10K Finisher Medal
• Official Event Guide
• Virtual Goody Bag
• Personalized bib
• On-course and post-race refreshments
• ChronoTrack B-tag timed race with live runner tracking signup for friends and family

 

Glass Slipper Challenge

• Two courses through the Walt Disney World® Resort totaling 19.3 miles
• Disney Characters and Entertainment on-course
• Family Reunion Area with live entertainment and characters
• Event Weekend Transportation for all Walt Disney World Resort Guests

 

Race participants in the Glass Slipper Challenge will receive:

• Champion Short-Sleeved Tech Shirts for the Half Marathon, 10K and Glass Slipper Challenge in Women’s or Men’s Cut
• Special Glass Slipper Challenge Finisher Medal, along with Disney Princess Half Marathon and Disney Princess Enchanted 10K Finisher Medals for completing the Half Marathon and 10K
• Official Event Guide
• Virtual Goody Bag
• Personalized bib
• On-course and post-race refreshments
• ChronoTrack B-tag timed races, with live runner tracking signup for friends and family for both events

 

5K

This event took place on 2/24 at 6am at Epcot for ages 5 and older.

Disney Princess 5K Participants Receive:

• 5K Finisher Medal
• 5K Unisex T-shirt
• Official Digital Event Guide
• Virtual Goody Bag
• Personalized bib
• On-course and post-race refreshments
• Runner’s World Trial Subscription

 

runDisney Kids

Friday, February 24 – Saturday, February 25, 2017

Kids Dashes — 9:30 a.m.

One Mile run — 10:30 a.m.

Location: ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex

This event was for children 13 and under – parents are allowed to run with their children.

runDisney Kids Dashes Age Groups

• 12 months and under – Diaper Dash for crawlers
• 1-3 years old – 100m dash
• 4-6 years old – 200m dash
• 7-8 years old – 400m dash

 

Kids Dashes Race Participants Receive

• runDisney Kids Races T-shirt*
• Finisher medallion*
• Personalized bib (Must register by November 15, 2016 for name to appear on bib)*
• Post-race refreshments

 

One Mile Run Age Group

• 13 years and under

 

One Mile Run Participants Receive

• runDisney Kids Races T-shirt*
• Finisher medallion*
• Personalized bib (Must register by November 15, 2016 for name to appear on bib)*
• Post-race refreshments
• Mile Run Finisher Certificate
• ChronoTrack B-tag timed race

 

runDisney Health and Fitness Expo

Thursday, February 23, 2017 — 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Friday, February 24, 2017 — 9:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Saturday, February 25, 2017 — 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Location: ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex

This is the headquarters for everything you need to prepare for race weekend is at the Expo. All runners must have attended the Expo for race number, shirt & gEAR bag pick up. During the Expo celebration, you’ll be able to check out the latest in Official runDisney Race Weekend Merchandise, and get a sneak peek at the latest in fitness apparel, footwear, sunglasses, high tech gadgets, and nutritional products.

 

What’s NEXT at runDisney?

Star Wars™ Half Marathon – The Dark Side

This event will be held from April 20th through April 23rd 2017 – see all the event details HERE!

 

runDisney also has training information and event information for the rest of the year.  Check it out and start practicing now.