Hi, Janis!
Welcome back to planDisney! I love that you are already looking ahead to next year's
Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend! I'm right there with you. I'm planning to sign up for my first full marathon when registration opens. I'm so nervous and excited!
From what I’ve seen, the
runDisney Castaway Cay Challenge hasn’t been offered in the past few years, and there haven’t been any announcements about its return. I know that’s disappointing because combining a Disney Cruise with a race on
Disney Castaway Cay is such a perfect way to wrap up an incredible race weekend! It’s worth keeping an eye on the Disney Cruise Line, Walt Disney World, and
runDisney social media channels, since that’s where any future race updates would usually appear first.
Even without an official challenge, Guests can still enjoy the
Castaway Cay 5K whenever their ship docks there. There’s no formal start time anymore, but I love heading out for the run as soon as I step off the ship. It’s a great way to kick off a relaxing island day, and then I can jump right into the ocean with my family afterward. My crew usually grabs lounge chairs while I run, and we all meet up once I’m done. Everyone wins this way!
You can stop by the bike rental stand to check out the course map and start your run, and when you finish, swing back by to pick up your well‑earned medal. It’s a fun, low‑pressure way to keep the race‑weekend spirit going, and afterward you can celebrate with a bike ride, a float in the lagoon, or a frozen treat from Cookies Too!
Janis, I hope you decide to book a Disney Cruise after completing the races at Marathon Weekend! Please stop by planDisney again if you have other questions.
Happy sailing!
Jen