Hi friends!

I can’t believe it’s the end of July. The back-to-school ads are in full force, and some home decorating stores are already selling autumn/halloween decorations. Geez! We still have a solid month until Labor Day! To fellow runDisney enthusiasts out training for their upcoming runDisney races, stay cool and enjoy the last few weeks of summer.

In case you missed it, here’s the latest on runDisney news for the week of 7/23/17 through 7/29/17:

Here’s the week of July 23 – July 29, 2017:

    
Virtual Running Shorts – July is basically over! August 1st will mark the third and final month of the virtual running shorts series with Pluto’s “dog house” medal. To celebrate all three events, runners can earn their Pluto finisher’s medal showcasing all three objects with Pluto himself!

Participation still available for the August race
June 1 – August 31, 2017
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Last Monday in celebration of #MedalMonday runDisney finally announced the Disneyland Half Marathon weekend medals! To those upset about the theme change and the removal of the Dumbo Double Dare, these medals should not disappoint. Each medal represents a Pixar film and the associated characters. The medals were actually designed by Tasha Sounart, an Associate Creative Director at Disney•Pixar. Back in the day, she was an Animator for our beloved Disney Pixar films, ““A Bug’s Life,” “Finding Nemo,” “Toy Story 2,” “Monsters, Inc.” and “Cars.” This is such a special and unique opportunity to earn a piece of one-of-a-kind Disney•Pixar memorabilia.

What do you think?

Photo Credit: Disney/Pixar

Photo Credit: Disney/Pixar

Photo Credit: Disney/Pixar

Photo Credit: Disney/Pixar

Photo Credit: Disney/Pixar

Less than five weeks to go!

For corral placement, the proof of time deadline was May 30.

All events sold out!*
August 31 – September 3, 2017
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There’s still a chance to register for the Disneyland Paris – Val D’Europe – Half Marathon Weekend! runDisney France seems to open event registration in waves. The reopened 5K, 10K and Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo Challenge are still available. Kids races appear to be sold out.

For corral placement, proof of time must be submitted before August 1.

Disneyland Paris – Val d’Europe – 5K, 10K, Half Marathon and Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo Challenge still available
September 21 – 24, 2017
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runDisney continues to *run* sponsored paid ads on social media indicating there are entries still available for the Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend. The 5K is officially sold out but the Half Marathon, 10K and Two-Course Challenge are still available.

In addition, Misfit, the fitness tracker company and event sponsor, is hosting a sweepstakes for a fitness tracker and/or opportunity to participate in the event weekend.

For corral placement, proof of time must be submitted before August 1.

“Disney Two Course Challenge”, Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon, 10K, and Kids Races still available
November 2 – 5, 2017
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Marvel movies seem to be released every few months and are doing incredibly well at the box office! Between Comic-Cons and diehard Marvel fans, of all ages Disneyland’s Super Heroes Half Marathon Weekend should be a no-brainer for Marvel/running enthusiasts. And yet none of the events are sold out yet! Besides the Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend, this seems to be the only other “sure thing” Disneyland race weekend.

As a reminder, this race, and other Disneyland races, have been rescheduled to begin at 5:00AM PT. All races (minus Kids Races) are still available. Race medal designs, TBD.

For corral placement, proof of time must be submitted before August 1.

Infinity Gauntlet Challenge, Half Marathon, 10K and 5K still available
November 9 – 12, 2017
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Less than 23 weeks to go ’till the 25th Anniversary Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend! Dining reservations have been BOOKED and now we wait for runDisney emails and our 60-day FastPass+ window! Training is underway, which has been tough for those in warmer climates, but not to fear! The bulk of our training in the fall/winter will be great.

Race medal designs, TBD. For corral placement, proof of time must be submitted before October 3.

Goofy’s Race and a Half Challenge, Marathon, and Kids Races (Dashes Only) still available
January 3 – 7, 2018
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Sigh. Still no news. People are really starting to get irritated with the lack of news or transparency regarding the Disneyland Star Wars Half Marathon – The Light Side.

While there are plenty of rumors out there, the lack of communication has us all wondering what is going to happen next. runDisney has yet to comment on the matter. The runDisney website still currently says “UPDATE: Registration for the 2018 Star Wars^™ Half Marathon at Disneyland^®Resort has been temporarily postponed and will open at a later date. Updated information regarding early and general registration dates to come.”

Registration TBD
January 11 – 14, 2018?
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From    To  

2018 Princess Half Marathon Weekend training guides are already up! Program begins October 24. Princess weekend is expected to undergo a design overhaul in celebration of the 10th anniversary of the Half, and the 5th anniversary of the now-called Fairytale Challenge, formerly known as the Glass Slipper Challenge. I can’t wait to know more!

For corral placement, proof of time must be submitted before November 14.

Race medal designs, TBD. All races on the runDisney website are sold out!*

All events sold out!*
February 22  – 25, 2018
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 to   
New logo on the runDisney Events tab!

Star Wars Half Marathon – Dark Side Weekend training guides are also up really early on the runDisney website! Challenge and Half Marathon programs begin December 19 and the 10K program begins December 26. Unlike the Light Side, the Dark Side weekend seems safe from being discontinued. I believe it’s a location/Disneyland permitting issues rather than a “theme” issue.

Race medal designs, TBD. For corral placement, proof of time must be submitted before January 16.

Dark Side Challenge, Half Marathon, 5K and Kids Races still available
April 19 – 22, 2018
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Still no word on the Disneyland’s Tinkerbell Half Marathon Weekend either. Unfortunately the race weekend appears to be endangered like the Star Wars – The Light Side Half Marathon weekend. The event page on the runDisney website has not yet been refreshed for 2018. Registration for Annual Passholders/DVC members was originally scheduled to open Thursday, June 22, and General Registration June 27, but now the runDisney website reads: “Stay tuned for registration and event information for the 2018 Tinker Bell Half Marathon Weekend.”

Registration TBD
May 10 – 13, 2018?
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Final Thoughts: Every week we hopefully get closer to an answer about Tinkerbell and The Light Side. I will report out the second I see anything from runDisney.

Thanks for reading and stay tuned for next week’s recap on Monday. As always, #willrunfordisney !

*Please note: if you really want to participate in a race and it is no longer available on runDisney, check your local travel agent as runDisney provides entries to them in an effort to boost their businesses. Bibs will have to come with a ticket and lodging package.