Welcome to planDisney, Jo! Training for any race is essential, so knowing when a runDisney race is coming down the track is invaluable!
The good news is that
runDisney has released its 2025-2026 calendar of events! I took a peek at the calendar for you and based on this year’s dates, registration generally opens approximately a year in advance of the race. This does vary, so you will want to keep an eye on the runDisney website and the
Disney Parks Blog for the exact dates. You won’t want to miss your opportunity to experience the magic, mile after mile!
Currently, registration is open for the
Half Marathon and “
Chills and Thrills Challenge” races during the
Halloween Half Marathon Weekend. Race weekend will take place from September 4-7, 2025, and each race will be hosted by a special Disney Villain. The iconic Maleficent will host the Half Marathon, which will take runners through Disneyland, Disney California Adventure, and into the streets of Anaheim. If you’re feeling ambitious, you can also test your “medal” with Pain and Panic’s Chills and Thrills Challenge, where you’ll tackle both the 10k and the Half Marathon over the course of the weekend. Both races feature unique medals you will earn upon completion!
If you would like a sneak peek of race activities, Disneyland will also be hosting the
Half Marathon Weekend in just a few weeks, from January 30th-February 2nd. While the race events themselves are sold out, you can still visit the Expo to purchase official race merchandise, view the track layout and take part in special photo opps. You can also cheer on the runDisney participants as a spectator! I did this last year and while it meant an early morning, the energy and joy as each racer zoomed by were unmatched. If you decide to spectate, don’t forget to bring a sign to cheer the racers on!
One final note, Jo: the Disneyland runDisney schedule for early 2026 hasn’t been released yet. Be sure to check the runDisney website or the Disney Parks Blog for the latest updates on race dates!
See you at the finish line!
David