Tag: RunDisney

Run Disney Returns This Fall

On Your Mark, Get Set, Go! In-Person runDisney Racing Returns to Walt Disney World Resort This Fall!

RunDisney Returns, kicking off the 2021-2022 season with four events!

We’re so excited to share that runDisney races will return to Walt Disney World Resort this fall, kicking off the runDisney 2021-2022 race season! The season will include four events:

  • Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend powered by AfterShokz: November 4-7, 2021
  • Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend: January 5-9, 2022
  • Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend: February 24-27, 2022
  • runDisney Springtime Surprise Weekend presented by Otterbox: March 31-April 3, 2022

    The 2021 Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend will kick off all the fun. The theme, “Wickedly Delicious”, celebrates favorite Disney villains, and the weekend will include a 5K, 10K, half marathon, and Disney Two Course Challenge (both the 10K and the half marathon). The Post-Race Party will cap off the weekend so runners can celebrate their accomplishments with family and friends at EPCOT with exclusive, after-hours access to the park and the International Food & Wine Festival.

Guests looking forward to running an upcoming runDisney race will be glad to know that many of the things that make Disney races so magical will return – from running through Walt Disney World theme parks and special entertainment to fun race weekend themes and Disney-themed finisher medals.

With the return of runDisney races to Walt Disney World, we’re also excited to hear about some new opportunities:

  • runDisney Springtime Surprise Weekend: Each race season, the fourth weekend will be the runDisney Springtime Surprise Weekend that will include different race themes and distances each year.
  • Disney Princess Sunrise Yoga: On the first morning of the Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend, runDisney will host Disney Princess Sunrise Yoga in front of Cinderella Castle, before the theme park opens. The professionally led yoga session will be the most magical way to prepare your mind and body for a race!
  • Virtual Races: All runDisney races will have a virtual race option, allowing runDisney fans across the country to participate in your favorite races, even if you can’t make it to Walt Disney World to run in person. Runners will be encouraged to run on the same morning of the on-site events, and will receive the same finisher medals!
  • Just for Kids: The runDisney Kids Races during each event weekend will become runDisney Kids Adventures, focused on health, fitness, and fun for kids!

Looking ahead, the 2022 Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend will celebrate the Most Magical Celebration on Earth for the 50th anniversary of Walt Disney World, and the Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend theme will celebrate courage and kindness inspired by some favorite Disney Princesses.

Stay tuned for more details about runDisney race weekends and on-sale information as information will be forthcoming! As COVID-19 guidelines may change before the return to on-site running, race weekends may not include every element from previous years. runDisney will continue to provide the latest updates to participants leading up to our race weekends, so keep an eye on www.rundisney.com for all race details!

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2021 Walt Disney World Marathons Transition to Virtual Events

2021 Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend and Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend Transition to Virtual Events

Courtesy of Disney Travel News

We are sad to report this news but wanted to bring you up to speed as quickly as possible. Here is the official announcement from Disney:

“During this unusual time, race organizers around the world continue to pause on hosting in-person race events that draw large crowds. As we look at the 2021 Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend and 2021 Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend, we will convert both of these races to virtual events, similar to our offering for the 2020 Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend.

While we share our Guests’ disappointment that we will not be running together in person, we have based this decision on the unique circumstances of hosting a road race experience on this scale under the current environment.

Participants who registered through runDisney.com will have the option of receiving a full refund for the race. Those who are registered with a U.S. mailing address may convert their existing registration to the new virtual event that can be completed from home, a local running track or favorite running trail.

Eligible runners who participate in the virtual race will receive a medal for each distance they complete and the option of a race shirt, in addition to the satisfaction of completing the race they’ve trained for. Registered participants will receive an email beginning September 23 with instructions on how to make their registration selection before October 7, 2020.

For those who would still like to register for the 2021 Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend and 2021 Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend virtual events, we will open additional registration opportunities on a limited basis on Thursday, September 24 at 10 a.m. These race events may be completed from home, a local running track or favorite running trail.

Participants who’ve booked through a charity or tour operator should reach out directly to that organization.

2021 Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend and Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend Refund Option

Runners registered for the 2021 Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend and Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend at Walt Disney World Resort who select the refund option will receive a refund back to their original form of payment for the following. If a Guest no longer has their original form of payment used when registering, they may contact runDisney by October 7, 2021 to receive a refund via check or a Digital Disney Gift Card for the following:

  • Race registrations (Marathon, Half Marathon, 10K, 5K, Challenges and Kids Races)
  • Commemorative merchandise (automatic refund – no virtual option)
  • Processing fee

Additionally, any registered participant with a shipping address outside of the U.S. will automatically receive a refund back to their original form of payment. At this time, only participants with a valid U.S. shipping address are eligible for the virtual option.

Refund timing:
Refunds from runDisney can be expected to be processed by mid-November 2020. If your clients haven’t received a refund by then, please visit the “contact us” section on runDisney.com.

2021 Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend and Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend Virtual Race Options

All registered participants with a valid U.S. shipping address for the 2021 Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend or Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend at Walt Disney World Resort who purchased their registrations on runDisney.com will have the option to participate in a virtual race. Please note PO Boxes and APO Boxes are not considered valid shipping addresses for this purpose. Participants who select this option will receive the following based on their registration(s):

  • Race distance medal(s)
  • Option of event tech shirt(s)
  • Digital Bib and finisher certificate
  • Digital Toolkit including start/finish line and mile markers
  • Digital Goody Bag
  • Virtual playlist
  • A Digital Disney Gift Card for select races

Guests with a U.S. mailing address who already have received a refund for their registration may still register to participate in the virtual race option by registering at runDisney.com beginning September 24, 2020.

Digital Disney Gift Cards for select races:
Eligible athletes registered for select events during the 2021 Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend or Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend at Walt Disney World Resort will receive a Digital Disney Gift Card:

  • Marathon, Half Marathon, 10K, 5K, Challenge

Digital Disney Gift Card timing:
Digital Disney Gift Cards from runDisney can be expected to be processed by mid-November 2020. If you haven’t received your Digital Disney Gift Card by then, please visit the “contact us” section on runDisney.com.

Charitable donations

Donations made to Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals will not be refunded and will be delivered to those organizations as originally planned.

Castaway Cay Challenge

The 2021 Castaway Cay Challenge will transition to a virtual event. However, the January 11, 2021 Disney Dream cruise is currently still scheduled to sail.

Future Races:

We’re looking at every aspect of the runDisney experience and making decisions with the safety and well-being of our athletes, volunteers, Cast Members and Guests at the forefront of our planning. At this time, we have no updates regarding future runDisney events. We thank you for your continued patience and understanding.”

Please reach out to your Travel Professional for more information!

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