The month of January brings the Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend to Orlando, and this year it comes with an extra dose of fanfare. Twenty years have passed since the first “Mickey Marathon”, and it’s time to celebrate! This year, runDisney expects its largest overall field to date; over 26,000 runners will traverse the 26.2 miles through all four parks, and for the first time includes Walt Disney World Speedway and ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex (with a promised “20 Mile Spectacular” in Champion Stadium). Whether you are one of the lucky participants (67,000 runners are registered for the weekend’s races), training for a future runDisney event, or simply curious about all things Disney, I thought I might share with you a glimpse of how this epic weekend will unfold.
Disney’s Health & Fitness Expo
Thursday, January 10- Saturday, January 12; ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex
Pasta in the Park Party
The evenings of January 10, 11, and 12; World Showcase Pavilion
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| Includes a reserved viewing area of Illuminations: Reflections of Earth. |
runDisney Kids Races
January 10-12; ESPN Wide World of Sports Track & Field Complex
Disney Family Fun Run 5K
Friday, January 11; Epcot
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| How’s this for bling? (Collecting runDisney medals has usurped our pin collecting jones…) |
Wow, that looks like so much fun! Very exciting! Would love to be there to chEAR you all on. Thanks for sharing and for joining in the WW Blog Hop!!
You are always a great chEARleader Deb! (And I won't be running this one, so I wish I could be there with pom poms too :D)
I really do wish we lived near Disney to participate in the events like this. I think it would be so much fun to get the entire family involved. Happy New Year 🙂
Yes Beth- there's nothing like running/walking with your kids!! (And it is yet another Disney "layer" for them to experience. :D)
I can't wait to finally participate in a Run Disney event this year. I'll be there in spirit cheering you on this month. 🙂
I can't wait for your first either! I won't be in the parks next weekend- I'm saving the "juice" for the Princess. Will you be at WDW then??
Great pics, I love this event looks so exciting , Can't wait to be in one but I will be cheering everyone on.
Sometimes I think that is just as much fun Diane!!
Someday I would love to do this with my family.
Yes Melanie- there's something for every age and ability- even mine!! 😉
I can't believe it's Marathon time again already…and I'm still not running. Maybe I should resolve to find a doctor and try to get running again before the end of 2013. 🙂
Not to worry Lucinda- this past year you beat us all in the moving/packing/unpacking marathon!!
Inspiring! I always love your glimpses into runDisney that you share. 🙂
I can't help myself! 😉
How cool!!!!!!!!!!!! One of my best friends is on her way next weekend to run the half marathon in memory of her father. I couldn't be more proud of her. Thanks for the pics!!!!!!!!!!
How wonderful! I bet she'll have some classic shots when she returns. 😀
I don't know if I'd ever be able to run a marathon, but if I did Disney would be the place to do it!! I am aiming for the Princess half in 2014 though. Disney is a great motivator for working out!
You are so right Becky. I started with a 5K during Marathon Weekend, and I got swept away; bet the same would happen to you!
What a great line-up of events! I have always wanted to do some sort of run at a Disney park. We live an hour from Disneyland so it's doable. Now, if we can only get started with coordinating schedules and start running but what a great way to see the sites while running. Happy New Year!
Hi Mary- a big part of a runDisney race is ACCESS; I can't wait to run through an empty Cars Land. See you there. 😉