A lot of people have been wondering why runDisney has been waiting so long to announce prices and more registration information for this fall’s runDisney Wine and Dine half marathon weekend. You may have even seen over the past few days that some people found an active link that mentioned a 10k as well as the expo dates shifting over. It turns out, there is good reason for the delay, as there are some significant changes coming to this years race weekend. Read below to get the scoop:
Addition of a 10K: runDisney runners have been begging for this to happen, and it finally is! The 10k will be run on Saturday morning.
Addition of a challenge: Following along historically, runDisney has also added a challenge for those that complete the 10k as well as the half marathon. Looks like tradition remains intact as you can now earn a challenge medal for 2016. The name of the challenge will be “Lumiere’s Two Course Challenge”. Adorable!
Time change of the half marathon: This one is probably the biggest shocker of them all. The half marathon will NOT be run at night as in previous years, but instead will be held on Sunday morning. This is not the fault of runDisney, but with all of the construction going on at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, this was the only way to make it happen.
Time change for the after party: Because the half marathon is being run on Sunday morning, the after party will not be held until Sunday night (8:00 pm-1:00 am). Frankly, I am happy about this, because let’s be honest. Hobbling around EPCOT all sweaty in the freezing cold, while you are half asleep is not always a ton of fun. This way, everyone will be able to go back to their hotel, shower, nap, and then come back later to party refreshed and ready for some fun. Works for me!
Course Change: Again, due to the construction at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, the course has been altered to avoid the park all together. I am actually interested and excited to see a different course!
Don’t forget those of you with an annual pass can register a week early on March 22 at noon EST, and everyone else can register the following week (29th). Be sure to check out runDisney.com for more information.
Entry Fees
Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon
- $190
Lumiere’s Two Course Challenge
- $330
Disney Wine & Dine 10K
- $120
Mickey’s Holiday 5K
- $70
runDisney Kids’ Races presented by GoGo squeeZ® Applesauce on the Go
- $20
runDisney 1-Mile Run
- $30
Post Race Party Tickets
- $79
QOTD: What are your thoughts on these changes?
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thanks for this awesome post, easy to get all the new info in one place. I think the challenge sounds like fun and is adorable too, who doesn’t love Lumiere?! Im a run Disney newbie, just ran my first race this year and loved it. I was kinda excited the W&D had a night start time, because the early morning is killer!!! Oh well, Im sure it will still be a blast!
Oh no! I realized last week that if we changed our trip by one day, I’d be able to run in the half at the end of our trip. I just changed it over this morning to the new dates expecting it to be on that Saturday night. Maybe I can still run it if I get a later flight out that day. What time do you normally finish a race? If I flew out at 4:15, I wonder if that would be enough time to run it, change and get to the airport. Not to mention if the resort would give me a late check-out. Hopefully we can make it work because this would be my first runDisney race. Thank you!
race starts at 5:30 so it depends on what corral you are in as to when you start, there are about 5 minutes between corrals and corrals go to “P” for the half which starts an hour after the original start. Then you would have to take a bus back to your resort and get showered and ready to go. It’s doable depending on what time you usually finish races.
I usually finish the race in about 2:00-2:30 depending upon how I’m feeling that day. I set my goal for 2:15 and hope for better. Sometimes it is better, sometimes it isn’t. So even if I was towards the back of the corals, I could potentially be back to my room around 9:30-10:30. I plan on riding the bus to the race but my family will pick me up after the race (rental car) so that might make that process a little faster. I’ll call our hotel before I register for the race and see what they have to say about a possible late check-out. No one wants to sit on the airplane near me if I don’t get a shower after the race! 😉 Thanks for your help!
You should be able to get a 12:00 checkout at least!
I have wanted to do this race for quite a while and I am a little sad it is no longer a night race but do like the idea I can be clean and enjoy the party. We shall see if I make this race or not. I am sure it will still be fun.
I agree about being able to enjoy the party later!
I’m still trying to process all of these changes, but in general, I think the switch from a night race to a morning race will work out better for us since we’ll have the baby with us. Now we’ll be able to put him to bed ourselves and quietly leave him with a family member in the morning.
I’m pretty disappointed. I’m a teacher and unless it’s during school vacation or Saturday, I have to miss running these races. It’s just hard to take time off. I also think that while construction makes it difficult to make this a night race, the way they went about making changes was extremely disorganized. The website changed so many times I couldn’t keep track!
Can you run Sunday morning and fly out Sunday afternoon? I used to teach and I have done that before. Unfortunately, the decision and timing of announcement was not up to runDisney. They are trying really hard to make the best of it! 🙁
That’s good advice ? Ill have to think about it. It’s only one day to be tired at work haha.
I am at a loss as to exactly what I want to do now. I will probably do at least the half, though I am sad about it being a morning race rather than a night. I’m betting they will just add distance to the beginning by having us do some running at WWOS.
I’m surprised no one has mentioned $79 for after party. That’s for just four hours! Prorated for a twelve hour day you’d pay $237 for less things to do. Being a person that has worked midnights for 24 years this race now has nothing to make it special.
Seems like a ploy to get more hotel nights out of the runners. Have to at minimum book for Saturday & Sunday nights to do the half and the party. Heard the demise of the Everest was due to Disney only getting mostly single night bookings for that race, and nothing to do with the “race” not being successful. Oh well, glad we did W&D a few times, but will move on to something local & cheaper ?
I think RunDisney wanted the half Saturday with party Saturday night but ultimately it wasn’t their decision. I did enjoy running at night but hopefully it will get switched back at some point after the construction is over.