With the new year underway and training calendars beginning to take shape, runDisney’s 2026–2027 race calendar remains one of the most useful planning tools available for runners looking ahead to the next two seasons. While the schedule was released earlier this year, its long-range impact is just beginning to register as runners set goals, map out travel, and structure training cycles well into 2027.
For those who know runDisney events, these races are more than themed weekends. They are destination races where training intersects with travel, where medals carry character and meaning, and where running through iconic theme parks at first light creates an experience that keeps runners coming back year after year. With registration windows and race dates now confirmed, this calendar serves as a practical reminder — and a planning opportunity — for runners who may be finalizing their race schedules.
🗓 2026–2027 runDisney Calendar Overview (Walt Disney World Resort)
2026 Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend
October 22–25, 2026
- Club runDisney early registration opens: February 3, 2026
- General registration opens: February 10, 2026
The Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend once again kicks off the runDisney season at Walt Disney World Resort. The weekend includes a 5K, 10K, half marathon, and the popular Wine & Dine Challenge.
For 2026, runDisney has expanded registration availability for the 5K, marking a notable shift for one of the most in-demand race distances. To accommodate the larger field, the 5K will feature an earlier start time than in previous years, allowing more runners to participate while maintaining race flow and safety.
2027 Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend
January 6–10, 2027
- Club runDisney early registration opens: March 10, 2026
- General registration opens: March 17, 2026
The Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend remains the centerpiece of the runDisney calendar. Offering race distances from the 5K through the full marathon, the weekend also includes iconic multi-day challenges such as Goofy’s Race and a Half Challenge and the Dopey Challenge.
With its early January placement, Marathon Weekend continues to serve as a popular early-season goal race for marathoners, drawing runners from around the world to begin the year with a major fitness milestone.
2027 Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend
February 25–March 1, 2027
- Club runDisney early registration opens: May 26, 2026
- General registration opens: June 2, 2026
Known for its festive atmosphere and strong community focus, the Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend remains a highlight of the runDisney season. The weekend features a variety of race distances and continues to attract runners of all experience levels, from first-time racers to seasoned competitors.
Princess Weekend has long been celebrated for its distinctive medals, themed courses, and energetic race environment, maintaining its place as one of the most popular events on the calendar.
2027 runDisney Springtime Surprise Weekend
April 15–18, 2027
- Club runDisney early registration opens: June 30, 2026
- General registration opens: July 7, 2026
Springtime Surprise Weekend closes out the in-person runDisney season at Walt Disney World. Unlike other weekends with fixed race formats, Springtime Surprise features distances and themes that may vary from year to year, offering a unique finale before summer training cycles begin.
🌍 Virtual Races: Run Anywhere, Earn Medals
For runners unable to travel to Florida — or those looking to supplement their in-person racing — runDisney will once again offer a full slate of virtual events in 2026:
- runDisney Virtual Series: June 1–August 31, 2026
- General registration opens April 7, 2026
- runDisney Virtual Spooktacular: October 1–31, 2026
- Registration opens August 11, 2026
- runDisney Virtual 12Ks of Christmas: December 1–31, 2026
- Registration opens October 6, 2026
These virtual races allow participants to complete distances on their own schedules while still earning official runDisney medals, making them a flexible option for runners during base-building phases or busy travel periods.
🧠 What’s Changed — and What’s Stayed the Same
Expanded 5K Registration
Beginning with the 2026 Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend, runDisney has increased registration availability for 5K races at Walt Disney World events. Historically, 5Ks have sold out extremely quickly, often within minutes. The expanded capacity provides greater access for first-time participants and runners seeking shorter race options.
Season Structure Remains Intact
The runDisney season continues to span from fall through spring, offering runners a nearly year-long window to train, race, and plan travel. While registration windows have been adjusted, the overall structure of the season and its marquee weekends remains familiar.
Disneyland Events Remain on Hiatus
The 2026–2027 calendar focuses exclusively on Walt Disney World Resort. runDisney events previously held at Disneyland Resort in California remain paused due to ongoing construction projects, making Florida the primary destination for in-person runDisney races for the upcoming seasons.
🏁 Looking Ahead
With the calendar now established, runners still have ample time to plan ahead. Marking registration dates, evaluating training timelines, and considering both in-person and virtual options can help runners make informed decisions as the upcoming seasons approach.
As training plans evolve and race schedules fill in, the 2026–2027 runDisney calendar serves as a useful reminder that some of the most popular race weekends of the year require early planning. Continued coverage and race-specific insights will be available at MarathonJournal.com as registration windows approach.
