January 8-12, 2025
Whatever your running ability, you won’t want to miss the runDisney Walt Disney World Marathon weekend. The marathon weekend’s events are as magical as they are memorable, from Disney’s Health & Fitness Expo to running through all four Theme Parks in the Marathon. Complete with medals of Mickey Mouse and his friends, you’d be, well, goofy to miss it!
Walt Disney World Marathon Race Events Registration and Discounts Race Information Spectator Information Transportation
2025 Walt Disney World Marathon Race Events
Weekend events will include:
- Walt Disney World 5K
- Walt Disney World 10K
- Walt Disney World Half Marathon
- Walt Disney World Marathon
- Goofy’s Race and a Half Challenge
- Dopey Challenge
- Health & Fitness Expo
Disney’s Health and Fitness Expo
- Wednesday, January 8, 2025 | 10:00 A.M. – 8:00 P.M.
- Thursday, January 9, 2025 | 12:00 P.M. – 7:00 P.M.
- Friday, January 10, 2025 | 12:00 P.M. – 7:00 P.M.
- Saturday, January 11, 2025 | 11:00 A.M. – 3:00 P.M.
Disney’s Health and Fitness Expo, which is is a four-day celebration focused on health and fitness, will begin the weekend. The event involves celebrity runner appearances, seminars on training, racing, and nutrition featuring speakers and panelists from the world of running. You’ll also have the opportunity to experience the latest in running and fitness equipment. Make sure you stop by the Official Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend Merchandise shop at the Expo to purchase your race apparel and other commemorative items. The expo takes place at HP Field House and Jostens Center at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.
Virtual Queue
Guests will be able to purchase merchandise on the first day of the runDisney Health & Fitness Expo through a virtual queues. You will be able to spend more time enjoying the Expo experience and visiting with Expo vendors, all while waiting in line for merchandise, virtually. Guests can join the virtual queue from the comfort of their hotel room or home, within approximately 45 miles away from Walt Disney World property. Each Guest enrolled will receive a QR code to present for entry. Guests should arrive onsite when they have approximately 60 minutes remaining on their estimated wait time. The virtual queue is required for the runDisney Merchandise Shop only for the first day of the runDisney Health & Fitness Expo.
Walt Disney World 5K
5:00 a.m. on Thursday, January 9, 2025
Location: Walt Disney World Resort, Florida
Get ready and get set for a 3.1-mile adventure at The Most Magical Place on Earth! It’s an exhilarating way to kick-start a weekend brimming with Disney fun. Adults, teens and tweens can experience a 5K course that winds through a Disney Theme Park with an unforgettable finish! Look for Disney entertainment on-course. All ages are welcome to compete. All athletes entering the race must maintain a 16-minute per mile pace or faster throughout the entire race.
Walt Disney World 10K
5:00 a.m. on January 10, 2025
Location: Walt Disney World Resort, Florida
Enjoy maximum fun on a magical 10K run! This 6.2-mile race has an abundance of dazzle and entertainment along the way—and is an ideal choice for runners seeking a good test of their endurance. This 6.2 mile course is the perfect distance for runners of all skill levels. All athletes entering the 10K must maintain a 16-minute per mile pace or faster throughout the entire race.
Walt Disney World Half Marathon
5:00 a.m. on January 11, 2025
Location: Walt Disney World Resort, Florida
Join Donald Duck and Daisy as your fine feathered hosts for a 13.1-mile adventure through the Disney theme parks! Be surprised along the way by delightful Character sightings and entertaining moments as you join inspired runners from around the world. Taking runners to the Magic Kingdom and then to an exhilarating finish in EPCOT, this race is perfect if you are a first timer or a veteran. Look for Disney entertainment on-course. To compete you must be 14 years of age or older. All athletes entering the Half Marathon must maintain a 16-minute per mile pace or faster throughout the entire race.
Walt Disney World Marathon
5:00 a.m. on Sunday, January 12, 2025
Location: Walt Disney World Resort, Florida
Join Mickey, Minnie and friends for an extraordinary 26.2-mile race and encounter delightful surprises as you run the course. It’s our longest distance event, a grand achievement—and you’ll earn boasting rights as a Walt Disney World Marathon finisher! The Walt Disney World Marathon is the final race of the weekend. The course takes you through all four Walt Disney World Theme Parks, and ESPN Wide World of Sports. Look for some fun entertainment along the way with live entertainment and characters. Finishers will be awarded a commemorative Mickey Mouse Finisher medal. To compete you must be 18 years of age or older. All athletes entering the Marathon must maintain a 16-minute per mile pace or faster throughout the entire race.
Goofy’s ‘Race and a Half’ Challenge
Saturday, January 11, 2025 – Sunday, January 12, 2025
2 Races / 2 Days / 39.3 Miles / 4 parks / 3 Medals
Location: Walt Disney World Resort, Florida
Show your Goofy side over 2 days of running and 39.3 miles! Get started with the Half Marathon on Saturday, followed by the Marathon on Sunday. Complete both races on pace to earn your Half Marathon and Marathon finisher medals—plus get the coveted Goofy medal for a tally of 3! To compete you must be 18 years of age or older. All athletes entering the Goofy’s Race and a Half Challenge must maintain a 16-minute per mile pace or faster throughout each race. Registration for Goofy’s Race and a Half Challenge is required to receive the Goofy medal upon completion of both races within the pacing requirements.
Dopey Challenge
Thursday, January 9, 2025 – Sunday, January 12, 2025
4 Races / 4 Days / 48.6 Miles / 6 Medals
Location: Walt Disney World Resort, Florida
Are you ready for the ultimate endurance challenge on marathon weekend? Then take part in four days of fun for a total of 48.6 miles in the Dopey Challenge! Participants will run the 5K, 10K, Half Marathon and Marathon, and if you complete all four races within the pacing requirements you will be awarded the Goofy Race and a Half Challenge medal and the Dopey Challenge finisher medal for a total of six pieces of “bling.” To compete you must be 18 years of age or older. All athletes entering the Marathon must maintain a 16-minute per mile pace or faster throughout the entire race. Registration for the Dopey Challenge is required to receive the Goofy Challenge and Dopey Challenge medals upon completion of all four races within the pacing requirements.
Marathon Weekend Registration and Discounts
Registration is available on the RunDisney website.
Race Information
Entry Fees and Deadlines
Dopey Challenge
- April 9, 2024 – October 7, 2024: $688.00
- Beginning October 8, 2024: $698.00
Goofy’s Race and a Half Challenge
- April 9, 2024 – October 7, 2024: $442.00
- Beginning October 8, 2024: $452.00
Walt Disney World Marathon
- April 9, 2024 – October 7, 2024: $226.00
Beginning October 8, 2024: $236.00
Walt Disney World Half Marathon
- April 9, 2024 – October 7, 2024: $224.00
Beginning October 8, 2024: $234.00
Walt Disney World 10K
- April 9, 2024 – October 7, 2024: $155.00
- Beginning October 8, 2024: $164.00
Walt Disney World 5K
- April 9, 2024 – October 7, 2024: $112.00
- Beginning October 8, 2024: $122.00
Eligibility
- Participants for Walt Disney World Marathon, Goofy’s Race and a Half Challenge and Dopey Challenge must be 18 years of age or older.
- Participants for Walt Disney World Half Marathon must be 14 years of age or older.
- Participants for Walt Disney World 10K must be 10 years of age or older.
- All ages are welcome to compete in the Walt Disney World 5K.
Proof of Time
If you believe you will finish the Half Marathon in 2 hours and 30 minutes (2:30) or less, or the Marathon in 5 hours (5:00) or less, proof of time is required for start group placement. Otherwise, proof of time is not required. Start group placement is based on your anticipated finish time and start group capacities. Goofy’s Race and a Half Challenge and Dopey Challenge participants should adhere to Full Marathon proof of time requirements. Proof of time is not required for the 5K and 10K races.
Pacing Requirements
All athletes entering the Walt Disney World Marathon, Half Marathon, 10K and 5K must maintain a 16-minute per mile pace throughout the race. Anyone not able to maintain the respective paces may be picked up and transported to the finish. You may be picked up at any point along the course and transported for not maintaining pace. It is suggested that you train at a 15-minute per mile pace.
Cancellation & Deferrals Policy
Entry for Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend events are non-refundable. If you register for the Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend you may not defer your registration.
Safety
For everyone’s safety, baby joggers, strollers, baby carriers, baby backpacks, inline skates, motorized scooters, bicycles, skateboards, canes, crutches, walkers, walking sticks and animals of any kind are prohibited from the course. Violators will be removed from the course and transported to the finish line area. Also, event operations will shut down when lightning is 10 miles out from the event areas and not resume until the lightning is 10 miles out moving away from the event areas.
Costumes
Guests may dress as their favorite character during the races, but must follow these guidelines:
- Costumes must be family-friendly and may not be obstructive, offensive, objectionable or violent.
- Guests who dress like characters may not pose for pictures or sign autographs for other Guests.
- Costumes may not contain any weapons that resemble or could easily be mistaken for an actual weapon.
- Costumes may not contain sharp objects, pointed objects or materials that may accidentally strike another Guest.
- For runDisney participants ages 13 and under:
- Costumes and some masks may be worn, as long the mask does not cover the entire face and eyes are visible.
- For runDisney participants ages 14 and older:
- Layered costumes, that could conceal prohibited items, are not permitted (e.g. Jedi robes).
- Costume props, including those that surround the entire body (e.g. Death Star, UP House) are not permitted.
- Costumes may not reach or drag on the ground. (e.g. full-length Princess dresses)
- Capes may be worn if the length does not go below the waist.
- Themed T-shirts, blouses, sweatshirts, and hats are acceptable.
- Acceptable accessories include: transparent wings, plastic light sabers, toy swords, and tutus. Headwear may be worn as long as it does not cover the face.
- Guests may not wear masks of any kind.
Guests who do not adhere to these guidelines may be refused entry into, and/or removed from, a race or any race related event/activity unless his or her costume can be modified to meet the above standards.
Please note that while costumed attire may be worn during runDisney events, Guests 14 and older are not permitted to wear costumed attire in the theme parks. As a result, Guests may need to change their attire prior to visiting the parks after participating in a runDisney race.
TheMouseForLess Tips:
- For those staying at Disney resorts, most will have a quick service dining location open with special modified hours, as well as special marathon dining offerings, including Pasta Specials and Runner’s Breakfast Boxes.
Spectator Information
Spectators are an important part of the race process. They help runners by motivating them during their training and cheering them on during their runs. As a spectator, you play a huge part in the success of your runner.
Discounted Resort Rates
The Magic for Less Travel has exclusive discounts for spectators wanting to ChEAR on the runners for Marathon weekend. Contact The Magic for Less Travel for a free no-obligation quote.
Runner Tracking
Family and friends will be able to track participants with live online runner tracking for the half marathon and marathon. Participants will have the opportunity to send split times via email and text messaging by registering for this service on runDisney’s website. You can also sign up for runner tracking at Disney’s Health & Fitness Expo during marathon weekend.
Viewing Your Runner
You can view your runner in a number of different areas along the Marathon and Half Marathon course including the Walt Disney World Theme Parks and the Finish Line area. Spectators will be able to see their runner run through the Magic Kingdom Park near Cinderella Castle (Mile 5.3 for the Half Marathon and Marathon). This location will be open at 5:30 a.m. You do not need a ticket to enter the Magic Kingdom Park. To watch your runner in another Walt Disney World Theme Park, you will need to purchase a Theme Park ticket once that park is open for the day. There will be a limited number of complimentary viewing seats along the Finish Line available on a first-come, first-serve basis. The Finish Line is located in the Imagine Lot of Epcot.
Transportation for Marathon Weekend
Walt Disney World 5K
Bus Transportation will be available from 4:00 a.m. – 5:30 a.m. and 7:00 – 9:00 a.m.
Participants must board transportation no later than 4:30 a.m. in order to make it to their corrals on time.
Walt Disney World 10K
Bus Transportation will be available from 3:30 a.m. – 5:00 a.m. and 7:00 – 10:00 a.m.
Participants must board transportation no later than 4:00 a.m. in order to make it to their corrals on time
Walt Disney World Half Marathon
Bus Transportation will be available from 3:00 a.m. – 5:00 a.m. and 7:00 – 11:00 a.m.
Monorail Transportation will be available starting at 3:00 a.m.
Participants must board transportation no later than 4:00 a.m. in order to make it to their corrals on time.
Walt Disney World Marathon
Bus Transportation will be available from 3:00 a.m. – 5:00 a.m. and 7:00 – 2:00 p.m.
Monorail Transportation will be available starting at 3:00 a.m.
Participants must board transportation no later than 4:00 a.m. in order to make it to their corrals on time.
Driving Directions
Guests who do not stay at a host resort will need to provide their own transportation to weekend events.
Directions to ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex (Expo and Kids Races)
Take 1-4 to exit 65 (Osceola Parkway West). Take
a left onto Victory Way and park in the main lot.
Proceed on foot to the main entrance.
Directions to Epcot (5K, 10K, Half Marathon)
Take I-4 to exit 64 (192 West) and follow the signs
to Epcot.
Directions to Epcot (Marathon)
Take I-4 to exit 65 (Osceola Parkway West) and follow the signs to Epcot. Guests coming from 192 are strongly encouraged to follow signs to Disney World via the World Drive Exit because there will be SIGNIFICANT DELAYS starting at 3:30 a.m. due to road closures.
For Guests driving to Epcot on Saturday and Sunday, EXPECT SIGNIFICANT DELAYS! Roads begin to close as early as 11:00 p.m. on the evenings before the Half Marathon and Marathon.
Keep in mind that GPS devices will be inaccurate due to road closures. Guests should use the provided directions. Corral walk out will begin at 4:30 a.m. To ensure you make it to your corral and optimal starting point, please plan to be in your corral at 5:00 a.m. Please note, it takes 20 minutes to walk from the Family Reunion area (Epcot Wonder Lot) to the start line. Arriving late may affect your ability to start.
Marathon Weekend Runners will be prohibited from accessing the start corrals from Bonnet Creek Parkway or Buena Vista Drive. You must access the start corrals through the Explore Lot at Epcot. Runners who try to access the start corrals from any area other than the Explore Lot at Epcot are subject to disqualification. Runner drop off is available in the Taxi Lot at Epcot.
Parking
Both Runners and Spectators should plan on arriving at Epcot by 4:00 a.m. on Half Marathon or Marathon race morning. Parking at Epcot is free before 7:00 a.m., however if you arrive afterward, you will be charged the daily parking fee. The main entrance of Epcot from World Drive will be closed to all traffic from 5:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m. on the mornings of the Half Marathon and Marathon. All traffic will be directed to the Magic Kingdom Park Parking Lot where they will be transported to Epcot via monorail. Traffic will not be affected for the Disney Family Fun Run 5K.