runDisney Anniversary Dates Updated 2021
Walt Disney World resort loves to celebrate. They celebrated the Magic Kingdom’s 25th birthday by decorating Cinderella’s castle as a birthday cake. They’re in the middle of celebrating Disney World’s 50th anniversary. runDisney is no different. Each race’s anniversary date is celebrated with a special medal and memento race shirt. If you are dreaming of one day running one of these races, then take a look at the anniversary dates and choose to run one of these races during that year. You can expect a medal your running partners will envy and you’ll want to showcase in your home.
Disney World runDisney Events
Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend
Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend is the oldest running runDisney event. This event started off as only a marathon but as it grew in popularity there were many events added to the weekend to appeal to more runners. There are now 4 races spanning over 4 days. Runners can also choose to participate in one of two challenges: the Goofy Challenge or the Dopey Challenge. The Dopey Challenge requires runners to participate in all four events: 5k, 10k, 1/2 and full. The Goofy requires runners to participate in the 1/2 and the full. Here are the origin dates of each race and when they will each be celebrating their anniversary.
Walt Disney World Marathon.
Inaugural Year: 1994
Anniversary Year: 2023. 30 Year Anniversary.
Walt Disney World Half Marathon.
Inaugural Year: 1998
Anniversary Year: 2022. 25 Year Anniversary.
Walt Disney World 10k.
Inaugural Year: 2014
Anniversary Year: 2023. 10 Year Anniversary.
Goofy Challenge.
Inaugural Year: 2006
Anniversary Year: 2025. 20 Year Anniversary.
Dopey Challenge.
Inaugural Year: 2014
Anniversary Year: 2023. 10 Year Anniversary.
Princess Half Marathon Weekend
This race weekend typically falls around the end of February or beginning of March. This event has many princesses lining the course and many racers dressed to the nines. The weekend features a 5k, 10k and 1/2 marathon. All spanning over the course of the weekend. Don’t be mistaken, these races have both men and women participants. Here’s a look at when the events will be celebrating their anniversaries.
Disney Princess Enchanted 10k.
Inaugural Year: 2014
Anniversary Year: 2023. 10 Year Anniversary
Disney Princess Half Marathon
Inaugural Year: 2009
Anniversary Year: 2023. 15 Year Anniversary.
Disney Fairy Tale Challenge
Inaugural Year: 2014.
Anniversary Year: 2023. 10 Year Anniversary.
runDisney Springtime Surprise Weekend
This spring event is new this coming year, 2022. But it’s seeing the return of a couple old favourites. There are 4 events making up the weekend, a 5k, 10k, and 10-miler. Even though we’re seeing the return of a couple of older events, I think they’ll start fresh with keeping track of the celebratory years.
Expedition 5k
Inaugural Year: 2022
Anniversary Year: 2026. 5 Year Anniversary.
Race for the Taste 10k
Inaugural Year: 2022
Anniversary Year: 2026. 5 Year Anniversary.
The Twilight Tower of Terror 10-Miler
Inaugural Year: 2022
Anniversary Year: 2026. 5 Year Anniversary.
Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon
This fantastic race weekend always falls during the International Food & Wine Festival at Epcot, which runs throughout the fall. Although the events once took place at nighttime, they now take place in the morning like every other runDisney event. The weekend hosts three different events and a challenge.
Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon
Inaugural Year: 2010
Anniversary Year: 2024 15 Year Anniversary.
Disney Wine & Dine 10k
Inaugural Year: 2016
Anniversary Year: 2025 10 Year Anniversary.
Disneyland Paris runDisney Events
Disneyland Paris Run Weekend
The only event happening outside of Walt Disney World resort in Florida is the Disneyland Paris Run Weekend. This event typically takes place in the fall. It has been cancelled the last couple of years and didn’t have a virtual component, so I would assume that they will celebrate the 5 year anniversary next year. But we’ll soon see.
1/2 Marathon
Inaugural Year: 2016.
Anniversary Year: 2020 (cancelled 2 years in a row due to COVID so possibly celebrate in 2022)
10k
Inaugural Year: 2017.
Anniversary Year: 2021 (cancelled 2 years in a row due to COVID so possibly celebrate in 2023)
Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo Challenge (run both the 1/2 and the 10k)
Inaugural Year: 2017.
Anniversary Year: 2021 (cancelled 2 years in a row due to COVID so possibly celebrate in 2023)
Virtual runDisney Events
As of right now, all the Walt Disney World runDisney events can also be run as virtual races. Participants of these events will receive whatever medal is being put out at the live events. There has been a virtual runDisney summer series for years before the pandemic. The virtual series began in 2016 and should have seen an anniversary year in 2020. But we didn’t see such a thing so I think they’ll be forgoing anniversary medals for the virtual series.
We are so excited to be returning to Disney in February of 2022 to participate in the Princess Half Marathon weekend. I’ll be participating and so will my mom and my sister. Just like we did the very first year the event was put on. Running a runDisney event is like no other race I’ve participated in. It’s so entertaining, well organized and most importantly fun. For more tips and information on runDisney events check out these previous posts:
How I got into Corral A of a runDisney race
When to register for a runDisney race
A Detailed Review of the Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend
