Credit: D23Yesterday, runDisney teased a big announcement was coming — And now we finally know what that announcement was — In-person events are officially returning to Walt Disney World.
Related: Man Who Ran From Disneyland to Disney World Gets Royal Greeting
Due to the ongoing pandemic, runDisney had to make several changes to their events, including having to move a handful of events to virtual. Now, as we continue to move forward amidst the pandemic, runDisney has announced that in-person events will return to Walt Disney World!
Disney Parks Blog shared the news in a recent article, writing:
I don’t know about you, but I have never been more eager to run an in-person race. That’s why I’m so excited to share that runDisney races will return to Walt Disney World Resort this fall, kicking off the runDisney 2021-2022 race season! The season will include four events:
- Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend powered by AfterShokz: November 4-7, 2021
- Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend: January 5-9, 2022
- Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend: February 24-27, 2022
- runDisney Springtime Surprise Weekend presented by Otterbox: March 31-April 3, 2022
Disney Parks Blog also shared some important information regarding in-person events, stating:
As COVID-19 guidelines may change before our return to on-site running, race weekends may not include every element from previous years. runDisney will continue to provide the latest updates to participants leading up to our race weekends, so keep an eye on www.rundisney.com for all race details!
With the return of runDisney races to Walt Disney World, we’re excited to introduce some amazing new opportunities for our runners.
- runDisney Springtime Surprise Weekend: Each race season, the fourth weekend will be the runDisney Springtime Surprise Weekend that will include different race themes and distances each year.
- Disney Princess Sunrise Yoga: On the first morning of the Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend, runDisney will host Disney Princess Sunrise Yoga in front of Cinderella Castle, before the theme park opens. The professionally led yoga session will be the most magical way to prepare your mind and body for a race!
- Virtual Races: All runDisney races will have a virtual race option, allowing runDisney fans across the country to participate in your favorite races, even if you can’t make it to Walt Disney World to run in person. Runners will be encouraged to run on the same morning of the on-site events, and will receive the same finisher medals!
- Just for Kids: The runDisney Kids Races during each event weekend will become runDisney Kids Adventures, focused on health, fitness, and fun for kids!
2021 Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend
This step towards normalcy will begin with the 2021 Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend powered by AfterShokz, which will take place from November 4-7, 2021.
The Wine & Dine 5K will take place on November 5, 2021, followed by the Wine & Dine 10K on November 6, 2021. Other events will occur during this weekend as well including:
- Disney Wine & Dine 5K powered by AfterShokz — November 5, 2021
- Disney Wine & Dine 10K powered by AfterShokz — November 6, 2021
- Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon powered by AfterShokz — November 7, 2021
- Disney Two Course Challenge powered by AfterShokz — November 6 and November 7, 2021
- Post-Race Party — November 7, 2021
- Virtual – Disney Wine & Dine 5K — November 5, 2021
- Virtual – Disney Wine & Dine 10K — November 6, 2021
- Virtual – Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon — November 7, 2021
- Virtual – Disney Wine & Dine Two Course Challenge — November 6 and November 7, 2021
The official description of the Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend reads:
Tasty Events for Every Runner!
The 2021 Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend powered by AfterShokz is back at Walt Disney World Resort with deviously delicious themes and wickedly wonderful Disney villains setting the stage for this incredible weekend – topped off with an after-hours party to keep the celebration going! This year’s event will surely satisfy the appetite of every participant.
Disney Parks Blog also shared:
The 2021 Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend will kick off all the fun. The theme, Wickedly Delicious, celebrates our favorite Disney villains, and the weekend will include a 5K, 10K, half marathon, and Disney Two Course Challenge (both the 10K and the half marathon). The Post-Race Party will cap off the weekend so runners can celebrate their accomplishments with family and friends at EPCOT with exclusive, after-hours access to the park and the International Food & Wine Festival.
Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend
Also returning next year is the ever-popular Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend event, which will take place from January 5-9, 2022. Events within this weekend include:
- Walt Disney World 5K — January 6, 2022
- Walt Disney World 10K — January 7, 2022
- Walt Disney World Half Marathon — January 8, 2022
- Walt Disney World Marathon — January 9, 2022
- Goofy’s Race and a Half Challenge — January 8 – 9, 2022
- Dopey Challenge — January 6 – 9, 2022
- Virtual – Walt Disney World 5k — January 6, 2022
- Virtual – Walt Disney World 10k — January 7, 2022
- Virtual – Walt Disney World Half Marathon — January 8, 2022
- Virtual – Walt Disney World Marathon — January 9, 2022
- Virtual – Goofy’s Race and a Half Challenge — January 8 – 9, 2022
- Virtual – Dopey Challenge — January 6 – 9, 2022
The official description of the Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend reads:
Enjoy the Most Magical Running Weekend Ever!
Celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Walt Disney World Resort in style with Mickey and friends! Delight in an extraordinary race weekend—put your endurance through the paces, enjoy amazing entertainment and earn commemorative medals. Dare to test your limits? Try a multi-race challenge for the chance to earn even more medals. No matter your skill level, you’ll be a part of a community of fun-spirited runners—uniquely Disney!
Disney Parks Blog also shared:
Looking ahead, the 2022 Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend will celebrate the Most Magical Celebration on Earth for the 50th anniversary of Walt Disney World, and the Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend theme will celebrate courage and kindness inspired by some favorite Disney Princesses.
Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend
From February 24-27, fans of the Disney Princesses can join in for the return of the Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend. Events within this weekend include:
- Disney Princess Sunrise Yoga — February 24, 2022
- Disney Princess 5K — February 25, 2022
- Disney Princess Enchanted 10K — February 26, 2022
- Disney Princess Half Marathon — February 27, 2022
- Disney Fairy Tale Challenge — February 26 – 27, 2022
- Virtual – Disney Princess 5K — February 25, 2022
- Virtual – Disney Princess Enchanted 10K — February 26, 2022
- Virtual – Disney Princess Half Marathon
- Virtual – Disney Two Course Challenge
The official description of this weekend event reads:
This year racing is even more incredible for princesses and princes everywhere. Taking place during the magic of the Walt Disney World Resort 50th Anniversary celebration, the Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend features events for all skill levels, coveted regal medals and Disney entertainment. Be inspired by some of your favorite Disney heroes to new heights of courage and kindness that propel you triumphantly to the finish line that ends with happily ever after!
runDisney Springtime Surprise Weekend
And from March 31 through April 3, runDisney is hosting a Springtime Surprise Weekend!
The official description of this weekend event reads:
If you’ve been looking for a new and exciting running event, the runDisney Springtime Surprise Weekend at Walt Disney World Resort is for you—because it’s a completely different experience every year! You never know what to expect, except that it’s going to be fun and distinctively runDisney. Best of all, it doesn’t matter if you just laced up your first pair of running shoes or you’re a runDisney veteran who’s been around the block—literally—a few hundred times. The runDisney Springtime Surprise Weekend is as much about the smiles as it is about the miles. But one thing’s for sure, you won’t want to miss this year’s event, because—surprise!—it’s going to be a whole new theme next year.
More information about the 2022 runDisney Springtime Surprise Weekend event is coming soon, so please check back often.
For a full list of events and for registration information, visit runDisney’s official website here.
Are you excited to see in-person events return to Walt Disney World? Let us know in the comments below.