Want to Run Disney in 2027? Here’s What You Need to Know

Mix race-day magic with castles and fairy tales and what do you get? RunDisney, the road-running arm of Walt Disney World Resort. Runners from all over the world flock to the theme parks in Orlando, Florida—often dressed as their favorite animated character—to participate in one of the many races held every year.

RunDisney has grown significantly since the first Walt Disney World Marathon in January 1994. More than 5,000 runners competed in that inaugural race, less than half of the 13,282 runners that completed the 2024 marathon. Over the last three decades, runDisney added more races, such as 5Ks and 10Ks, to be more inclusive for runners of all ages and abilities. For ambitious runners, Disney also added challenges that encourage participation in multiple events across race weekends.

While there used to be races at Disneyland in Anaheim, California, those have been paused to do construction around the park. However, there are some races at other parks, such as Hong Kong Disneyland Resort.

Whether you’re running an upcoming runDisney race or thinking about signing up for one, Runner’s World has you covered with everything you need to know about the enchanting race series.

Here’s a full list of the upcoming races and challenges.

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Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend

• Walt Disney World 5K — January 7, 2027
• Walt Disney World 10K — January 8, 2027
• Walt Disney World Half Marathon — January 9, 2027
• Walt Disney World Marathon — January 10, 20275
• Goofy's Race and a Half Challenge — January 9 - January 10, 2027
• Dopey Challenge — January 7 - January 10, 2027

Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend

• Disney Princess 5K — February 26, 2027
• Disney Princess Enchanted 10K — February 27, 2027
• Disney Princess Half Marathon — February 28, 2027
• Disney Fairy Tale Challenge — February 26 - February 28, 2027

Disney Springtime Surprise Weekend

• Springtime Surprise 5K — April 9, 2027
• Springtime Surprise 10K —April 10, 2027
• Springtime Surprise 10-Miler — April 11, 2027
• Springtime Surprise Challenge — April 9 - April 11, 2027

While the 2027 Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend dates have not been announced, those races typically occur the last weekend of October or first weekend of November.

Aside from the park runs, there are three virtual races series, too. They include races you do on your own in summer, around Halloween, and the 12Ks of Christmas in December. The runDisney season runs from fall to summer, so when you visit the website, you will see dates for two years as a sequence.

The runDisney events are exceptionally popular—they sell out within hours of going on sale—so it helps to get runDisney emails in order to know when registration will open for races later in 2026, as well as for 2027 and 2028 races. That’s because Disney usually opens registration six to nine months before race day. For example, registration for Marathon weekend 2027 opened in March 2026.

To register for any runDisney race, you first sign up for a Disney account. If you already have one, simply sign in with your existing credentials. Prices vary depending on the race, but, the 2027 Walt Disney World Marathon and Half Marathon cost $249 and $255, respectively. Other runDisney events stick to similar price ranges, depending on race distance.

You don’t need to purchase a ticket to Disney theme parks to participate, but your race registration does not include entrance to the parks postrace. If you want to do both, you’ll have to purchase both.

You also need to sign a liability waiver, which runDisney sends out digitally a few weeks before race day. You can either sign in online, or wait until you arrive at Walt Disney World and attend the race expo.

Also, if you hoping to PR, BQ, or simply just run fast without navigating your way through run/walkers and those who stop for character photos, you’ll want to be in the first corral. To get in, you will need to demonstrate a proof of time.

Disney currently has more than 25 resort hotels available to visitors and runDisney participants. Disney offers complimentary transportation from any of their resort hotels to the race start.

If you drive yourself from an off-site hotel, there’s plenty of parking near the race start, 2022 Walt Disney World Marathon participant David Gramlich told Runner’s World.

To pick up race bibs—alongside race shirts and any pre-purchased merchandise—runDisney participants must go to the race expo, held at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. If you already signed the digital liability waiver, you only need to show a valid form of ID to pick up your bib. Expo hours vary depending on the weekend, but it generally opens the morning before the first race of the weekend and closes the day before the final race.

Gramlich says that Disney pays close attention to details, and it shows on race day: “Everything was very well marked, with lots of signage and greeters making sure you’re in the right spot.” If he had any questions, the staff members were knowledgable and helpful. Bag check was a few hundred meters from the start line and was run efficiently. As you near the start line, officials corral you based on your entrance time.

The races start early to beat the Florida heat and ensure a smooth opening of the parks afterward. But even though it’s dark at the start, Gramlich said energy was high: “They had music playing at the check-in area, lots of lights, and everybody’s super excited.”

There are plenty of water and food stops along all courses—each well-marked—and numerous first aid stations in case of emergencies. Each mile marker has a clock so you can keep track of your pace.

Regardless of distance, each course explores at least one of Disney World’s four theme parks. The marathon touches all four.

Spectating is limited to just a few areas because much of the races are run on Disney World’s access roads. But when runners do reach a spectator zone, it’s exciting. Gramlich’s family was cheering for him at Magic Kingdom at mile 10: “That was a surreal experience because you’re on a lot of Disney access roads and you’re winding through parks—and there’s not many spectators, so it’s pretty quiet. But then when you get to [spectator zones], it’s a real shot of energy.”

The courses are pretty flat, too. Besides a couple exit ramps, Gramlich said it’s “nothing near the variables you might see at other races in other parts of the country.”

Those looking to enjoy every second of racing at Disney can take part in a back-to-back challenge that encompass multiple races. Here are the upcoming challenges:

• Dopey Challenge: 5K, 10K, half marathon, and full marathon during Walt Disney Marathon Weekend
• Goofy’s Race and a Half Challenge: half and full marathon during Walt Disney Marathon Weekend
• Springtime Surprise Challenge: 5K, 10K, half marathon, and full marathon during Springtime Surprise Weekend

Each runDisney race has its own special medal, usually featuring a Disney character. For example, both the 2024 and 2025 Walt Disney World marathon medal featured Mickey and Minnie running.

The top three overall finishers in each division receive additional awards. Gramlich finished second overall, so he received a trophy as well as a set of Bluetooth headphones.

Gramlich greatly enjoyed the entire experience, and not just because he ran well as an elite in the race: “I definitely would do it again. You have to embrace the Disney experience. It’s kind of like a vacation.”

Chris Hatler

Deputy Editor

Chris Hatler is the Deputy Editor of Esquire. He previously served as the Senior Editor of Men’s Journal and Features Editor of Popular Mechanics.