The runDisney Wine and Dine half marathon weekend is definitely a favorite of mine because I love to eat, and naturally love EPCOT’s Food and Wine Festival. This is also a great time of year to visit Walt Disney World as it’s starting to slowly cool off, and Christmas decorations are starting to go up!
Since this race has switched to a daytime race, I decided to update my tips post so that it makes more sense for the current race weekend situation. Here are my best tips for running the Wine and Dine half marathon.
1.) Hydrate in advance: Don’t wait until the night before to decide to start drinking water. The race will be HUMID and you will sweat a lot. Carry a water bottle with you days in advance, at the expo, to the parks, etc. Also hydrate on the course. There are plenty of water stops. I take one cup of Powerade and one cup of water at each stop starting with the second one. (I typically run through the first one).
2.) Prepare for before and after the race: If you are checking a bag, make sure you don’t put any valuables inside as runDisney is not responsible for anything stolen. If I’m driving I put my car key in my bag as well as a phone external battery and charger and a jacket because I always get cold quickly after a race. If you are meeting someone at the finish line, make sure you have a plan as to where you are meeting because cell service may be spotty with all the people in one small area.
3.) Watch your footing: runDisney does a great job of lighting up the roads, there are still some dark spots early in the morning and I have seen people trip and fall on the reflectors in the middle of the road! Also, running through Animal Kingdom will be tight, and has some uneven pavement so pay extra attention running through that park.
4.) Watch your food intake: Do not eat any news foods the day of or before the race. I know the unique foods at the Food and Wine festival are tempting, but save it for after the race and at the after party! As far as on course calories, there will be either sport beans or gels, so make sure your stomach can handle it, or bring your own fuel.
5.) Read the official race program: Be sure you know the course, where the aid stations are, and what time to get on a bus. Be sure you get to the race in enough time to go to the bathroom and check your bag. A good reason to know the course: real bathrooms! You will be running through the parks, so I always try to take a bathroom break if needed in a “real” bathroom. There is also a map showing you the set up of the pre race area and where to go to get in your corral. If you are in corral A in particular, they close it off early and start moving them up around 5:00. I have missed my corral before and had to weave through a lot of people to get up to A because they had already moved to the starting line. Not a fun experience!
6.) Enjoy the after party! If you registered for the half marathon, you get automatic entry into the party at EPCOT on Sunday night. It starts at 10:00, and be mindful if you get there early that they shut everything down from 9-10 to clear out the park so you won’t be able to get food or ride anything during this time. Take lots of pictures, enjoy the food booths and a park with less people in it. Congrats on a great race!
To get excited about the race, be sure to check out my past two Wine and Dine race recaps from 2011 and 2012! Be sure to follow me on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
QOTD: Will you be running this weekend? Do you have any tips to add?
Looking for more info on runDisney races? be sure to check out their website for more information!
Awesome! This was very helpful. This will be my first Wine and Dine half and my first time running a race at night! The change of clothes and checked bag are a great idea…thanks!! 🙂
Karen @karenlovestorun
you are welcome!
Great tips Heather. We signed up for the Jingle Jungle 5k too and now I am not so sure that was such a great idea! We do have fun costumes for that race though!
This is my second time going down and doing the 5k in the morning. Just take a long nap in the afternoon and you’ll be fine. Enjoy!
I did it with the 5k two years ago. it’s def harder, but be sure to take a nap!
Great post! I’m so excited to be running my first Wine and Dine this Sat and these tips def help!
ah! You will love it.
This is my 3rd year running it, and I think out of ALL of the rD races, this is my favorite (and my 1st race ever was this one, so it’s also near and dear to my heart).
Great tips! I’ve never been able to rest too much the morning before a night race, but for Tower of Terror I made myself take a nap – made a world of difference!
I agree the nap helps!
Great tips! This is my first runDisney event and I can’t wait. Your blog has been so helpful to me in my running journey, so thank you!
you are so sweet thanks for reading!
I’ve never run this one either. I’m not sure how my body would do with running that late! But I’d be willing to try it! 😉 Have fun!
It’s a tough adjustment!
YAYYY! I’ll be at this race, too, but I’m doing the 5K in the morning. I’ll look for you! I’d love to see you again!!! Good luck to you!
So glad you are coming! hope to see you before the half!
I’m so, so excited for the race! Great tips — except for number 1! Maybe it wasn’t the wisest move to bring my toddler but I know we’ll have fun regardless haha.
Great advice! I can NOT wait to run this race in the future!!
This is great. It’s my first half and my first night run. I’m expecting it to be wonderful!!!
I can not wait to do this race next year! Have fun! I will be there Sunday and Monday. 🙂
I think I may take this weekend off… but that means I’ll have to log my miles on Thursday and Friday.
I have a night race coming up… you know what? I don’t think I’ve ever run longer than 13 miles at night… i might have to start thinking about this. LOL.
I will be there with you. My first half. I have had a set back this week with a bad chest cold so wish me luck! I had to skip my 10 miler. Fingers crossed. I am truly looking forward to all of it. Thanks for the great tips.
Well..!! agree with your observation and it is really helpful for runners who getting participate in half marathon race. We usually warm up our body before running. Jumping is best example of warm up.