Hello, Shawne! Several yEARs ago, participating in runDisney events became a pastime of mine to help rid myself of all those extra calories I love to consume during my trips to Walt Disney World. I can't think of a better reason to lace up my sneakers, than being able to weave a race into a trip during the
Epcot International Food & Wine Festival!
The
Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon will take place this yEAR on November 3. The race course maps aren't posted yet, but in past yEARs, the 13.1-mile run began at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex where runners headed out on a course that took them through Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park and Disney's Hollywood Studios and past a number of attractions. The race finish line usually lies just after runners round the bend in front of Spaceship Earth at Epcot. Disney does not publish a list of characters, as these are subject to change, but last yEAR there were some rarely seen characters such as Oswald the Lucky Rabbit, the Penguins from Mary Poppins, and Edna Mode. Chef Mickey and Minnie and Lumiere are fan favorites and are typically waiting to celebrate and pose with runners after the finish line. I'd suggest you purchase
Memory Maker for your trip. The PhotoPass Photographers will be stationed throughout the course, and the pictures are sent automatically to your My Disney Experience account if you are wearing a MagicBand- no more fumbling to find your phone!
Shawne, keep checking the runDisney website for more information including registration. I hope your race is deliciously fun, and don't forget to bring your appetite!
Eean