Hi everyone! The biggest news to come out of runDisney this past week was the release of the 2018 WDW Marathon Event Guide, which means we’re one month away! Runners are training hard to get ready for this first race weekend of the 2018 season (myself included!) and after Christmas and New Years we will be READY! We’re still waiting for the release of the 2018 Princess Half medals, but I have a feeling they will be coming out soon…Here’s what you need to know:

The Latest runDisney News:

Less than four weeks away from the Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend presented by Cigna! All grownup races are officially sold out but Kids Dashes and ChEAR packages are still available.

The Official Digital Event Guide is now up on the runDisney website. Check it out here! This includes course maps, virtual goodie bag for participants, and spectator information.

WDW MARATHON WEEKEND EVENT COURSE MAPS

5K Course Map: wdw_18_5k_course_map_final.9ebbdb00bc2d
The Pluto 5K course begins in the Epcot parking lot, through a staff entrance to World Showcase, out the International Gateway and back into Future World for the finish. Plenty of park time!

10K Course Map: wdw_18_10k_course_map_final.cb01530686b7 2
The Minnie 10K course begins in the Epcot parking lot with a couple miles down and back on highways (filled with entertainment, don’t worry!), through a staff entrance to World Showcase, out the International Gateway and around Crescent Lake to the Boardwalk, Yacht & Beach Clubs, and back to World Showcase and Future World for the finish. This is essentially the Princess 10K course Tommy and I did in February. It is fast and fun!

Half Marathon Course Map: wdw_18_half_marathon_course_map_final.caffe5f3b6ff
Last year’s half marathon was canceled so let’s hope for good weather this time around! The Donald Duck Half Marathon course is the same course as the Princess Half Marathon. It is the only other half marathon course on Walt Disney World Resort property to go through the castle! It is an out and back course, taking you from the Epcot Parking lot, up to the Magic Kingdom to Main Street, veering right into Tomorrowland and into Fantasyland, through Cinderella Castle (!) and right out to Liberty Square, Frontierland, and a service entrance back around to hit the highway past the Magnolia Golf Course, Magic Kingdom Resorts, and back to Epcot’s Future World for the finish. As far as half marathon courses go, you can’t beat it!

Marathon Course Map: wdw_18_full_marathon_course_map_final.248dad449001
I plan on studying Mickey’s 25th Anniversary Marathon Course map for the next several weeks! Starting in the Epcot Parking lot, we race up to the Magic Kingdom (similar to the half marathon course), only instead of Epcot, we next head to Disney’s Animal Kingdom. If it’s open, Cast Members will allow runners to get a quick ride of Expedition: Everest in before heading out! Miles 14-22 seem to be the most difficult, with not a lot to see (unless they put entertainment around!), and Disney’s Wide World of Sports arena. After the Wide World of Sports, runner head into Disney’s Hollywood Studios, out past the main gates to the waterway, past Yacht & Beach Club, and into World Showcase. After a majority of World Showcase (some runners stop for a margarita in Mexico for the finish!), runners head straight through Future World to the parking lot for the finish. I have a feeling I am going to be a crying mess when I get to Epcot! I can’t wait! LOL

For those who aren’t familiar, Goofy’s Race and a Half Challenge participants will be running the half marathon and full marathon for their challenge. And Dopey challengers will run all four events! That’s a lot of medals and race shirts!

Stay tuned for corral assignments and race waivers in two weeks.

Kids Races (Dashes Only) and CheEAR packages still available
January 3 – 7, 2018
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We’re less than 2 1/2 months away from the 10th anniversary Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend! While we don’t know the theme yet, we’ll be seeing the medals soon! Last year they announced the race medals right around NOW!

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!* ChEAR packages available
February 22  – 25, 2018
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We’re also awaiting a medal reveal for Star Wars Half Marathon – The Dark Side. The First Order Challenge, Half Marathon, 5K, and Kids Races are still available.

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

First Order Challenge, Half Marathon, 5K and Kids Races still available
April 19 – 22, 2018
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Stay tuned for next year’s runDisney Virtual Running Shorts Series and theme!

June 1 – August 31, 2018

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The Disneyland Paris Half Marathon Weekend race packages are available now! Check the runDisney France website to begin planning your dream Parisian race weekend.

Disneyland Paris – Val d’Europe 5K, 10K, Half Marathon, Bibbidi-Bobbidi Boo Challenge

September 21 – 23, 2018
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Registration for the 2018 Disney’s Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend Presented by MISFIT opens on March 13.

2018 Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend
November 1-4, 2018
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As a reminder, all Disneyland races have been postponed indefinitely due to major construction projects. Let’s hope they come back once everything has settled.

Not signed up for a 2018 race but are eyeing something for 2019? Here is the 2019 runDisney race calendar and the important registration dates you need to familiarize yourself with!

Credit: runDisney

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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. You may also consider running the race on behalf of a charity. All charity runners are expected to fundraise. Check the charity listing on each race for more information.