Dale with Runners; Fable Runner; RunDisney
  • On May 12, 2024
    Alison from QLD Asked Please note that experiences, policies, pricing and other offerings are subject to change and may have changed since the date of this answer.

    Hello, I am really hoping to do the Dopey Challenge in January 2026 (I am aware 2025 is sold out). I am Australian, are there any tips to gain entry? It seems I am unable to sign up to updates due to not being in the US/Canada.

    Hiya, Alison!

    Welcome to planDisney! In my opinion, there's nothing quite like a runDisney race weekend. The energy. The camaraderie. The costumes. It's all so unique to the group of people who choose to go the distance in The Most Magical Place on Earth.

    I have experienced almost every runDisney race weekend, and the Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend is the one I return to time and again. I just love the classic theming, and the weather is often ideal for logging those miles. In years past, I've also noticed that some of the holiday decor remains up during the race weekend, so it's such a fun way to immerse yourself in the holiday spirit a bit longer. 

    Although I've earned the Dumbo Double Dare Challenge medal, I've yet to work up the determination to tackle the Dopey Challenge, so I applaud your spunk (and stamina). If you are interested in participating in the 2026 Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend to earn the coveted bling, you'll need to keep an eye on the Disney Parks Blog and the runDisney Blog for the announcement of the 2025-2026 runDisney calendar of events. I also suggest following Walt Disney World Resort and runDisney on social media for updates. 

    Once the dates for the 2026 Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend are announced, you'll want to not only mark those dates on your calendar but the registration date as well. For the 2025 Marathon Weekend, registration opened at 10 AM ET on April 9, so it is usually well in advance of the races. Because runDisney race weekends are so popular, I highly recommend creating a runDisney account prior to registration day. This will help you save precious seconds once registration opens as some of the basic information will be pre-filled for you. If you're looking for additional registration tips you're in luck, Alison! planDisney released a podcast and blog post highlighting all sorts of helpful tips for runDisney race weekends in January that I encourage you to check out.

    I hope this was helpful, and that your registration process is the fairest of them all. If you have any additional questions as you plan, feel free to stop back by. I'm always happy to help!

    Thinking Happy Thoughts,
    Lizzie
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Meet the Panelist: Lizzie, Georgia

Oh, hi! Lizzie here - a wife, dog mom, and 'Disney adult' perpetually planning my family's next magical vacation. My happy thoughts include Walt Disney World snacks, character hugs, photo ops, and balloons on Main Street, U.S.A. Whether you're planning to visit with friends or with family, for a week or a weekend, to splurge or to save, I'm here to help you embrace your inner hakuna matata as you stroll through The Most Magical Place on Earth with your favorite Mickey-shaped snack in hand!
Learn More About Lizzie

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