For the primary time in 7 years, the runDisney is returning to California! This information to the 2024 Disneyland Half Marathon covers every little thing it is advisable to know concerning the working occasions in Anaheim: dates, costs, particulars, medals, lodge suggestions, and our previous experiences with the races via Disneyland and DCA.
For those who’re unfamiliar with runDisney, it’s a well-liked collection of working occasions for Disney followers of all health ranges. The spotlight is working via the theme parks earlier than they’re open, going backstage, and programs stuffed with leisure–together with uncommon characters, parade floats, performers, and extra. Diehard runDisney followers are additionally large on the medals and merchandise, which have distinctive themes every year and (like all issues Disney) have passionate collectors.
There’s a purpose why runDisney occasions have a hardcore fan-base amongst critical runners and Disney followers–as a result of it’s superior. I’ve accomplished a number of previous Disneyland Half Marathons across the Diamond Celebration, and am already registered for the 2024 Disneyland Half Marathon. So clearly I’m a fan of working via Disneyland, Disney California Journey, Angel Stadium, and (to a a lot lesser extent) the streets of Anaheim.
With background out of the way in which, let’s flip to fundamentals concerning the upcoming occasions. RunDisney returns to California with the fan-favorite Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend from January 11-14, 2024. The Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend will provide quite a lot of occasions, together with yoga, youngsters races, digital races, and in-person race distances together with a 5K, 10K, Half Marathon, and Dumbo Double Dare Problem in 2024.
Sadly, all the 2024 Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend occasions are actually offered out. Each single occasion offered out inside hours of opening to most people in mid-February. I waited in a multi-hour digital queue to register, and after I was capable of buy, one of many shorter races and yoga choices was already offered out. About 30-45 minutes after I registered for the 2024 Disneyland Half Marathon, all the races have been crammed to capability. There have been lots of people within the digital queue who obtained completely shut out.
That is doubtless a matter of pent-up demand, as a part of the (publicly unspoken) purpose why the runDisney occasions have been discontinued at Disneyland beforehand was as a result of a scarcity of curiosity (and arguably oversaturation). Beforehand, it was by no means troublesome to register for the Disneyland Half Marathon. Though it’s been a number of years, I’m nearly optimistic I by no means registered on opening day for the races in 2015-2017. A type of years, I do know that I made a reasonably last-minute choice to run.
In any case, when you’re already wanting ahead to the 2025 Disneyland Half Marathon, we’d strongly advise paying shut consideration to when registration opens. Though pent-up demand is beginning to exhaust itself for different issues pertaining to Disneyland, it’s unlikely that the identical shall be true for runDisney occasions. There’s been an elevated curiosity in these races at Walt Disney World post-resumption, and except a number of extra race weekends are added at Disneyland all year long (unlikely), there are nonetheless going to be a ton of runners competing for slots.
Now let’s flip to the finisher medals for the 2024 Disneyland Half Marathon, as runDisney shared a sneak peek of those on September 18, 2023. I’m a giant fan of all these, and love how they have fun traditional, midcentury Disneyland nostalgia. Anyway, right here’s a primary have a look at the race weekend’s line-up of incredible bling that shall be awaiting individuals on the end line:
Disneyland 5K
It’s a terrific begin to the race weekend as Pluto joins individuals in an un’fur’gettable time for the Disneyland5K. Members will put one ‘paw’ in entrance of the opposite on a fetching 3.1-mile course that’s excellent for all the household, incomes this sliding finisher medal.
Listed below are different key particulars concerning the 2024 Disneyland 5K:
- Value: $109
- Date: January 12, 2024
- Begin Time: TBD Pacific Time
- 3.1-mile course via Disneyland Resort
- Beloved Disney Character sightings and leisure all through the race
- 5K finisher medal
- On-course and post-race refreshments
- Participant shirt
- Race bib
- Digital Expo & Occasion Information
- Downloadable finisher certificates
Disneyland 10K
Birds of a feather … run 6.2 miles collectively! Members becoming a member of our superb feathered buddies, Donald Duck and Daisy Duck, will fly to the end line to earn this ‘quack’tastic finisher medal.
Listed below are different key particulars concerning the 2024 Disneyland 10K:
- Value: $149
- Date: January 13, 2024
- Begin Time: TBD Pacific Time
- 6.2 mile course via Disneyland Resort
- Beloved Disney Character sightings and leisure all through the race
- 10K finisher medal
- On-course and post-race refreshments
- Participant shirt
- Race bib
- Digital Expo & Occasion Information
- Downloadable finisher certificates
Disneyland Half Marathon
OH BOY! Ending out the magical race weekend are hosts Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse, becoming a member of individuals for the Disneyland Half Marathon. Take pleasure in a 13.1-mile journey via the Disneyland Resort and across the surrounding Anaheim Resort District earlier than making your approach to the end line to earn this finisher medal.
Listed below are different key particulars concerning the 2024 Disneyland Half Marathon:
- Value: $235 (SOLD OUT)
- Date: January 14, 2024
- Begin Time: TBD Pacific Time
- 13.1-mile course via Disneyland Resort and Anaheim
- Beloved Disney Character sightings and leisure all through the race
- Half Marathon finisher medal
- On-course and post-race refreshments
- Participant shirt
- Race Bib
- Digital Expo & Occasion Information
- Downloadable finisher certificates
Dumbo Double Dare
Don’t simply fly to the end line, SOAR! Members going the additional mile can sit up for incomes much more bling throughout the Dumbo Double Dare. Members who end each the 2024 Disneyland 10K and Disneyland Half Marathon on tempo will pick-up this further particular finisher medal.
Listed below are different key particulars concerning the 2024 Dumbo Double Dare:
- Value: $389 (SOLD OUT)
- Dates: January 13 – January 14, 2024
- Begin Time: TBD Pacific Time
- 6.2-mile and 13.1-mile course via Disneyland Resort and the encircling space
- Disney character sightings and leisure all through the race
- 2 Finisher Medals and 1 Problem Medal
- On-Course and Put up-Race Refreshments
- 3 Participant Shirts
- Race Bib
- Downloadable finisher certificates
- Digital Expo & Occasion Information
Lodge suggestions are difficult for the 2024 Disneyland Half Marathon as a result of we don’t but have the course map and it’s unknown what entry will seem like to the corrals. Prior to now, we at all times stayed behind the Mickey & Associates Parking Construction–these lodges are farther from the parks, however have been an extremely brief stroll to the beginning line.
After all, it’s been 7 years for the reason that final Disneyland Half Marathon, so so much might change. You’ll nearly definitely wish to e-book a lodge earlier than the race map is launched, as runDisney weekends at all times trigger the costs to extend for lodges in Anaheim. It’s very uncommon for there to be final minute offers on lodges inside strolling distance. Prior to now, costs have spiked nearer to race weekend–and the identical factor nonetheless occurs with massive occasions on the Anaheim Conference Middle.
Past that, our robust suggestion is to e-book one thing inside strolling distance of Disneyland. Talking from expertise, driving to Disneyland on race mornings is a ache and unnecessarily tense, whereas staying close by is a reasonably clean and easy.
For those who’re doing a number of days within the parks along with the 2024 Disneyland Half Marathon, the query of the place to remain is easy: wherever you view as ‘finest’ for doing the parks, too. See our Rankings & Critiques of the Finest & Worst Lodges Close to Disneyland. This put up ranks ~60 lodges close to Disneyland at which now we have stayed, together with room photographs, professionals & cons, and different helpful info. That additionally particulars learn how to rating a very good deal on a lodge that’s near Disneyland.
In case your major focus is the runDisney occasions, think about someplace close to the intersection of Katella Avenue and Harbor Boulevard. This fashion, you’ll be able to doubtlessly get to the beginning space via Downtown Disney by way of Disneyland Drive or the Esplanade by way of Harbor Boulevard. Despite the fact that we’re locals, that is the world the place we’re booked!
For those who’re on the lookout for coaching assets for the 2024 Disneyland Half Marathon…you’ve come to the fallacious place! The picture above kind of encapsulates my preparedness philosophy, which is specified by The Fool’s Information to runDisney. I feel that title and the picture just about say every little thing it is advisable to know.
On the plus aspect, that ought to underscore the notion that runDisney occasions are welcoming to people of all health ranges! (Disclaimer: whereas I do eat an inordinate quantity of In-N-Out and usually hate working, I additionally eat an extremely nutritious diet at dwelling and stroll a ton. So it’s by no means correct to suggest that my health stage is low. I simply don’t prepare for these races.)
One other subject that always comes up with regard to the Disneyland Half Marathon versus the Walt Disney World runDisney occasions is immersion. The Florida races, regardless of how lengthy, are totally throughout the gateways of Walt Disney World. Certain, there are lengthy stretches of roadway and the part to and thru the ESPN Broad World of Sports activities will be brutal, but it surely’s all within the bubble.
That isn’t true with the Disneyland Half Marathon. Because the resort space is way more compact, there’s no real looking approach to do 13.1 miles inside Disneyland Resort. In consequence, you enterprise out into the ‘actual world’ of Anaheim, which generally is a bit rougher and duller. You’ll go previous boring workplace parks and industrial complexes, and see decidedly ‘unDisney’ issues.
Whether or not this makes runDisney occasions at Disneyland Resort much less pleasing or magical or no matter is a matter of non-public opinion. I’ve accomplished over a dozen totally different races at Walt Disney World, Disneyland, and Disneyland Paris and I’ve discovered all of them to be particular in their very own methods. I’ll say that I feel the programs in Florida are superior to these in California. I feel that’s fairly plain, and is the overall consensus amongst runDisney followers.
Nevertheless, there are sections of the Disneyland Half Marathon which can be cool. I really like working via Angel Stadium, for instance, and going across the Honda Middle is likewise a neat expertise. Past that, I’ll take the predictably nice climate of Southern California over the wildcard of Walt Disney World, the place it may be sizzling and humid any day of the 12 months. So on steadiness, if I had to decide on a Walt Disney World or Disneyland runDisney occasion, I’m leaning in direction of WDW, but it surely’s nonetheless a detailed name. They’re each a ton of enjoyable.
Lastly, one factor that I feel is curious concerning the 2024 runDisney race calendar is the timing of the Walt Disney World Marathon and the Disneyland Half Marathon, that are just one week aside. Whereas the previous is happening as regular, the latter is shifting to the alternative aspect of the calendar, having beforehand been held within the early fall low season.
That is most likely disappointing for some runDisney diehards, lots of whom beforehand deliberate on working each races. That’ll now be troublesome to perform with solely per week separating the occasions, aside from these with essentially the most relaxed winter breaks.
There are a selection of different potential explanations for why each the Walt Disney World Marathon and Disneyland Half Marathon are scheduled for the primary half of January 2024. The very best rationalization is that custom dictates the timing of the WDW occasion, and attendance projections decided the scheduling of the 2024 Disneyland Half Marathon.
Walt Disney World’s Marathon has lengthy been scheduled for the primary two weeks of January in an effort to attract crowds to what was as soon as the sleepy low season. Crowds used to plummet in early January, as vacationers headed dwelling from vacation journeys. It was a pointy distinction to the times between Christmas and New 12 months’s Eve, with attendance and wait occasions greater than reduce in half within the span of some days.
That’s previous tense not simply due to the Walt Disney World Marathon, which has been buoying attendance for years, but in addition due to Annual Go blockouts plus Osceola and Orange County winter breaks. Actually, I’ve been stunned that Disney hasn’t moved the Walt Disney World Marathon to later in January due to that.
It’s potential that’s exactly the situation that led to Disney shifting the 2024 Disneyland Half Marathon from early September to mid-January. For one factor, the early fall low season will not be as pronounced because it as soon as was. Halloween Time has exploded in reputation, and Oogie Boogie Bash is a giant draw. In contrast, mid-January remains to be comparatively uncrowded at Disneyland Resort.
On high of that, we now have dates for the 2024 D23 Expo shall be held in August Sep 11, 2024. That’s its personal enormous draw, and it’s potential/possible that Disneyland needs to house out these occasions, as diehard nonlocal followers would take separate journeys out for the 2024 Disneyland Half Marathon and 2024 D23 Expo in the event that they’re in January and August…however not in the event that they’re lower than a month aside in August and September.
My guess can be that scheduling the race weekends throughout the least busy time of 12 months and never coinciding with different main occasions is why the 2024 Walt Disney World Marathon and Disneyland Half Marathon are basically occurring back-to-back. Prior to now, runDisney may’ve hesitated to do that, particularly because the Disneyland races have been waning in reputation.
Nevertheless, their calculation for the 2024 Disneyland Half Marathon was doubtless that there’s greater than sufficient pent-up demand to simply fill this race even with out the runDisney diehards who can not or is not going to do each. And given how rapidly each single occasion offered out for the 2024 Disneyland Half Marathon–inside hours of occurring sale and with a still-full digital queue–they have been right.
One other rationalization that’s believable is that the Metropolis of Anaheim solely gave them a handful of choices, and this one was essentially the most viable. This shall be a lovely rationalization for individuals who are sympathetic to Disney, and is one which passes the odor check as a result of standoffs with the Anaheim Metropolis Council have been one large purpose why runDisney occasions stopped being held at Disneyland. (Building of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge was merely a face-saving excuse.)
The distinction now could be that the Metropolis of Anaheim is way more sympathetic to Disney’s pursuits than the one in place again then. After a collection of standoffs, Disney and the Metropolis of Anaheim reconciled in 2018 and have had a significantly better relationship since. And by reconciled, I imply that Disney invested closely in getting its most popular candidates elected.
Disneyland has had zero points with the Metropolis of Anaheim since then, and it’s very troublesome to consider they’d with race scheduling. Even past extra pro-Disney politicians, Anaheim and its residents realized how dependent it was upon Disney in 2020-2021. The native vibe has modified so much in the previous couple of years. So, whereas potential, I’m extremely skeptical of this (potential) rationale.
In the end, we’re actually wanting ahead to the 2024 Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend. Actually, I used to be beginning to lose curiosity in runDisney in direction of the top of its run in Anaheim, because the occasions had began to stagnate. I most likely would’ve taken a break from the Disneyland Half Marathon had that call not been made for me by runDisney. Judging by falling registration numbers again then, I wasn’t alone.
It looks as if the hiatus–each the deliberate one at Disneyland Resort and the involuntary one induced by the pandemic–has breathed new life into runDisney races. RunDisney has been crushing it with these these days, and if they will proceed that run, it’s doubtless that the 2024 Disneyland Half Marathon shall be a ton of enjoyable. As a really informal “runner” who dislikes the act of working however very a lot enjoys “themed issues,” I’m hoping for one thing that compels me to maintain lacing up my sneakers at Walt Disney World and Disneyland as soon as once more!
Planning a Southern California trip? For park admission offers, learn Ideas for Saving Cash on Disneyland Tickets. Find out about on-site and off-site lodges in our Anaheim Lodge Critiques & Rankings. For the place to eat, try our Disneyland Restaurant Critiques. For distinctive concepts of issues that’ll enhance your journey, try What to Pack for Disney. For complete recommendation, seek the advice of our Disneyland Trip Planning Information. Lastly, for guides past Disney, try our Southern California Itineraries for day journeys to Los Angeles, Laguna Seashore, and lots of different SoCal cities!
YOUR THOUGHTS
Excited concerning the 2024 Disneyland Half Marathon schedule of races? Ideas on the mid-century impressed finisher medals for the varied occasions? Already wanting forward and planning on doing the 2025 Disneyland Half Marathon? Dissatisfied that the 2 flagship occasions at Walt Disney World and Disneyland are just one week aside in 2024? Which race(s) will you run? Do you agree or disagree with our commentary or suggestions? Any questions we will help you reply? Listening to your suggestions–even whenever you disagree with us–is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas under within the feedback!