This information to the 2025 Disneyland Half Marathon covers every little thing you’ll want to know concerning the working occasions in Anaheim, California: dates, costs, particulars, medals, lodge suggestions, and our previous experiences with the races by means of Disneyland and DCA. (Up to date June 26, 2024.)
In case you’re unfamiliar with runDisney, it’s a preferred collection of working occasions for Disney followers of all health ranges. The spotlight is working by means of the theme parks earlier than they’re open, going backstage, and programs full of leisure–together with uncommon characters, parade floats, performers, and extra. Diehard runDisney followers are additionally huge on the medals and merchandise, which have distinctive themes annually and (like all issues Disney) have passionate collectors.
There’s a purpose why runDisney occasions have a hardcore fan-base amongst severe runners and Disney followers–as a result of it’s superior. I’ve accomplished a number of previous Disneyland Half Marathons across the Diamond Celebration, together with the triumphant return of the race final yr. (Learn my 2024 Disneyland Half Marathon Report & Assessment: runDisney Returns After 7 Years Away!). So clearly I’m a fan of working by means of Disneyland, Disney California Journey, Angel Stadium, and (to a a lot lesser extent) the streets of Anaheim.
With background out of the best way, let’s flip to fundamentals concerning the upcoming occasions. RunDisney returns to California with the fan-favorite Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend from January 30 by means of February 2, 2025. The Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend will supply a wide range of occasions, together with yoga, children races, digital races, and in-person race distances together with a 5K, 10K, Half Marathon, and Dumbo Double Dare Problem.
Whereas registration was supposed to already be underway, it has not but began. Right here’s the most recent from runDisney: “We apologize for the technical points which impacted normal registration for the 2025 Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend offered by Honda. Registration will now start on July 2nd, 2024 at 10:00 am ET / 7:00 am PT time. Thanks to your persistence.”
For reference, all of this yr’s Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend occasions offered out inside hours of opening to most people. I waited in a multi-hour digital queue to register, and once I was in a position to buy, one of many shorter races and yoga choices was already offered out. About 30-45 minutes after I registered for the Half Marathon, the entire races have been crammed to capability. There have been lots of people within the digital queue who received completely shut out.
That is doubtless a matter of pent-up demand, as a part of the (publicly unspoken) purpose why the runDisney occasions have been discontinued at Disneyland beforehand was as a consequence of a scarcity of curiosity (and arguably oversaturation). Beforehand, it was by no means troublesome to register for the Disneyland Half Marathon. Though it’s been a number of years, I’m virtually constructive I by no means registered on opening day for the races in 2015-2017. A kind of years, I do know that I made a reasonably last-minute determination to run.
In any case, when you’re wanting ahead to the 2025 Disneyland Half Marathon, we’d strongly advise being there shiny and early on July 2, 2024 to aim registration. Though pent-up demand is beginning to exhaust itself for different issues pertaining to Disneyland, it’s unlikely that the identical might be true for runDisney occasions.
There’s been an elevated curiosity in these races at Walt Disney World post-resumption, and until a number of extra race weekends are added at Disneyland all year long (unlikely), there are nonetheless going to be a ton of runners competing for slots. Our expectation is that the 2025 Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend will as soon as once more promote out each single occasion inside hours–and loads of runners might be shut out.
With that replace out of the best way, listed here are further particulars primarily based on this yr. We’ll replace this as soon as 2025 Disneyland Half Marathon data is launched…
Above are the beginning and end line areas for the 2024 Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend–which may very well be related for the 2025 Disneyland Half Marathon. Above is the map, which exhibits a lot of the occasions starting on Disney Method. That is nice information for individuals who booked lodges on Harbor Blvd or Katella Ave, however not a lot for these staying on-site. (I’m wondering if Disney will supply shuttles.) It additionally means locals driving to the races will most likely park on the Toy Story lot.
Listed here are further particulars concerning the races…
Disneyland 5K
It’s an excellent begin to the race weekend as Pluto joins individuals in an un’fur’gettable time for the Disneyland5K. Members will put one ‘paw’ in entrance of the opposite on a fetching 3.1-mile course that’s good for your complete household, incomes this sliding finisher medal.
Listed here are different key particulars concerning the 2025 Disneyland 5K:
- Worth: $120
- Date: January 31, 2025
- Begin Time: TBD Pacific Time
- 3.1-mile course by means of Disneyland Resort
- Beloved Disney Character sightings and leisure all through the race
- 5K finisher medal
- On-course and post-race refreshments
- Participant shirt
- Race bib
- Digital Expo & Occasion Information
- Downloadable finisher certificates
Disneyland 10K
Birds of a feather … run 6.2 miles collectively! Members becoming a member of our tremendous feathered mates, Donald Duck and Daisy Duck, will fly to the end line to earn this ‘quack’tastic finisher medal.
Listed here are different key particulars concerning the 2025 Disneyland 10K:
- Worth: $175
- Date: February 1, 2025
- Begin Time: TBD Pacific Time
- 6.2 mile course by means of Disneyland Resort
- Beloved Disney Character sightings and leisure all through the race
- 10K finisher medal
- On-course and post-race refreshments
- Participant shirt
- Race bib
- Digital Expo & Occasion Information
- Downloadable finisher certificates
Disneyland Half Marathon
OH BOY! Ending out the magical race weekend are hosts Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse, becoming a member of individuals for the Disneyland Half Marathon. Get pleasure from a 13.1-mile journey by means of the Disneyland Resort and across the surrounding Anaheim Resort District earlier than making your technique to the end line to earn this finisher medal.
Listed here are different key particulars concerning the 2025 Disneyland Half Marathon:
- Worth: $260
- Date: February 2, 2025
- Begin Time: TBD Pacific Time
- 13.1-mile course by means of Disneyland Resort and Anaheim
- Beloved Disney Character sightings and leisure all through the race
- Half Marathon finisher medal
- On-course and post-race refreshments
- Participant shirt
- Race Bib
- Digital Expo & Occasion Information
- Downloadable finisher certificates
Dumbo Double Dare
Don’t simply fly to the end line, SOAR! Members going the additional mile can sit up for incomes much more bling through the Dumbo Double Dare. Members who end each the 2025 Disneyland 10K and Disneyland Half Marathon on tempo will pick-up this additional particular finisher medal.
Listed here are different key particulars concerning the 2025 Dumbo Double Dare:
- Worth: $440
- Dates: February 1-2, 2025
- Begin Time: TBD Pacific Time
- 6.2-mile and 13.1-mile course by means of Disneyland Resort and the encircling space
- Disney character sightings and leisure all through the race
- 2 Finisher Medals and 1 Problem Medal
- On-Course and Submit-Race Refreshments
- 3 Participant Shirts
- Race Bib
- Downloadable finisher certificates
- Digital Expo & Occasion Information
Resort suggestions are difficult for the 2025 Disneyland Half Marathon as a result of we don’t but have the course map and it’s unknown what entry will seem like to the corrals. Prior to now, we at all times stayed behind the Mickey & Buddies Parking Construction–these lodges are farther from the parks, however have been an extremely brief stroll to the beginning line.
After all, it’s been 7 years because the final Disneyland Half Marathon, so loads may change. You’ll virtually definitely need to ebook a lodge earlier than the race map is launched, as runDisney weekends at all times trigger the costs to extend for lodges in Anaheim. It’s very uncommon for there to be final minute offers on lodges inside strolling distance. Prior to now, costs have spiked nearer to race weekend–and the identical factor nonetheless occurs with massive occasions on the Anaheim Conference Heart.
Past that, our sturdy advice is to ebook one thing inside strolling distance of Disneyland. Talking from expertise, driving to Disneyland on race mornings is a ache and unnecessarily anxious, whereas staying close by is a fairly clean and easy.
In case you’re doing a number of days within the parks along with the 2025 Disneyland Half Marathon, the query of the place to remain is easy: wherever you view as ‘finest’ for doing the parks, too. See our Rankings & Opinions of the Finest & Worst Motels Close to Disneyland. This put up ranks ~60 lodges close to Disneyland at which we have now stayed, together with room images, professionals & cons, and different helpful data. That additionally particulars find out how to rating an excellent deal on a lodge that’s near Disneyland.
In case your main focus is the runDisney occasions, think about someplace close to the intersection of Katella Avenue and Harbor Boulevard. This fashion, you may probably get to the beginning space by means of Downtown Disney through Disneyland Drive or the Esplanade through Harbor Boulevard. Although we’re locals, that is the realm the place we’re booked!
In case you’re on the lookout for coaching assets for the 2025 Disneyland Half Marathon…you’ve come to the improper place! The picture above roughly encapsulates my preparedness philosophy, which is specified by The Fool’s Information to runDisney. I believe that title and the picture just about say every little thing you’ll want to know.
On the plus aspect, that ought to underscore the notion that runDisney occasions are welcoming to people of all health ranges! (Disclaimer: whereas I do devour an inordinate quantity of In-N-Out and customarily hate working, I additionally eat an extremely nutritious diet at residence and stroll a ton. So it’s by no means correct to suggest that my health stage is low. I simply don’t prepare for these races.)
One other matter that usually comes up with regard to the Disneyland Half Marathon versus the Walt Disney World runDisney occasions is immersion. The Florida races, regardless of how lengthy, are totally inside the gateways of Walt Disney World. Positive, there are lengthy stretches of roadway and the part to and thru the ESPN Extensive World of Sports activities may be brutal, however it’s all within the bubble.
That isn’t true with the Disneyland Half Marathon. Because the resort space is rather more compact, there’s no real looking technique to do 13.1 miles inside Disneyland Resort. Because of this, you enterprise out into the ‘actual world’ of Anaheim, which is usually a bit rougher and duller. You’ll go previous boring workplace parks and industrial complexes, and see decidedly ‘unDisney’ issues.
Whether or not this makes runDisney occasions at Disneyland Resort much less pleasant or magical or no matter is a matter of non-public opinion. I’ve accomplished over a dozen completely different races at Walt Disney World, Disneyland, and Disneyland Paris and I’ve discovered all of them to be particular in their very own methods. I’ll say that I believe the programs in Florida are superior to these in California. I believe that’s fairly plain, and is the final consensus amongst runDisney followers.
Nonetheless, there are sections of the Disneyland Half Marathon which might be cool. I really like working by means of Angel Stadium, for instance, and going across the Honda Heart is likewise a neat expertise. Past that, I’ll take the predictably nice climate of Southern California over the wildcard of Walt Disney World, the place it may be sizzling and humid any day of the yr. So on stability, if I had to decide on a Walt Disney World or Disneyland runDisney occasion, I’m leaning in direction of WDW, however it’s nonetheless an in depth name. They’re each a ton of enjoyable.
Lastly, one factor that I believe is curious concerning the runDisney race calendar is the timing of the Walt Disney World Marathon and the Disneyland Half Marathon, that are just one week aside. Whereas the previous is happening as regular, the latter is transferring to the alternative aspect of the calendar, having beforehand been held within the early fall low season.
That is most likely disappointing for some runDisney diehards, lots of whom beforehand deliberate on working each races. That’ll now be troublesome to perform with solely every week separating the occasions, apart from these with probably the most relaxed winter breaks.
There are a variety of different potential explanations for why each the Walt Disney World Marathon and Disneyland Half Marathon are scheduled for January. The perfect rationalization is that custom dictates the timing of the WDW occasion, and attendance projections decided the scheduling of the Disneyland Half Marathon.
Walt Disney World’s Marathon has lengthy been scheduled for the primary two weeks of January in an effort to attract crowds to what was as soon as the sleepy low season. Crowds used to plummet in early January, as vacationers headed residence from vacation journeys. It was a pointy distinction to the times between Christmas and New 12 months’s Eve, with attendance and wait instances greater than minimize in half within the span of some days.
That’s previous tense not simply due to the Walt Disney World Marathon, which has been buoying attendance for years, but additionally due to Annual Cross blockouts plus Osceola and Orange County winter breaks. Truthfully, I’ve been shocked that Disney hasn’t moved the Walt Disney World Marathon to later in January due to that.
My guess could be that scheduling the race weekends through the least busy time of yr and never coinciding with different main occasions is why the Walt Disney World Marathon and Disneyland Half Marathon are primarily occurring back-to-back. Prior to now, runDisney would possibly’ve hesitated to do that, particularly because the Disneyland races have been waning in reputation.
Nonetheless, their calculation for the Disneyland Half Marathon was doubtless that there’s greater than sufficient pent-up demand to simply fill this race even with out the runDisney diehards who can’t or won’t do each. And given how shortly each single occasion offered out for the 2024 Disneyland Half Marathon–inside hours of happening sale and with a still-full digital queue–they have been appropriate.
One other rationalization that’s believable is that the Metropolis of Anaheim solely gave them a handful of choices, and this one was probably the most viable. This might be a horny rationalization for individuals who are sympathetic to Disney, and is one which passes the scent take a look at as a result of standoffs with the Anaheim Metropolis Council have been one huge purpose why runDisney occasions stopped being held at Disneyland. (Building of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge was merely a face-saving excuse.)
The distinction now could be that the Metropolis of Anaheim is rather more sympathetic to Disney’s pursuits than the one in place again then. After a collection of standoffs, Disney and the Metropolis of Anaheim reconciled in 2018 and have had a a lot better relationship since. And by reconciled, I imply that Disney invested closely in getting its most popular candidates elected.
Disneyland has had zero points with the Metropolis of Anaheim since then, and it’s very troublesome to consider they might with race scheduling. Even past extra pro-Disney politicians, Anaheim and its residents discovered how dependent it was upon Disney in 2020-2021. The native vibe has modified loads in the previous few years. So, whereas doable, I’m extremely skeptical of this (potential) rationale.
In the end, we’re actually wanting ahead to the 2025 Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend. Truthfully, I used to be beginning to lose curiosity in runDisney in direction of the top of its run in Anaheim, because the occasions had began to stagnate. I most likely would’ve taken a break from the Disneyland Half Marathon had that call not been made for me by runDisney. Judging by falling registration numbers again then, I wasn’t alone.
It looks like the hiatus–each the deliberate one at Disneyland Resort and the involuntary one induced by the pandemic–has breathed new life into runDisney races. RunDisney has been crushing it with these these days, and if they will proceed that run, it’s doubtless that the 2025 Disneyland Half Marathon might be a ton of enjoyable. As a really informal “runner” who dislikes the act of working however very a lot enjoys “themed issues,” I’m hoping for one thing that compels me to maintain lacing up my footwear at Walt Disney World and Disneyland as soon as once more!
Planning a Southern California trip? For park admission offers, learn Ideas for Saving Cash on Disneyland Tickets. Study on-site and off-site lodges in our Anaheim Resort Opinions & Rankings. For the place to eat, try our Disneyland Restaurant Opinions. For distinctive concepts of issues that’ll enhance your journey, try What to Pack for Disney. For complete recommendation, seek the advice of our Disneyland Trip Planning Information. Lastly, for guides past Disney, try our Southern California Itineraries for day journeys to Los Angeles, Laguna Seaside, and lots of different SoCal cities!
YOUR THOUGHTS
Excited concerning the 2025 Disneyland Half Marathon schedule of races? Ideas on the mid-century impressed finisher medals for the varied occasions? Already wanting forward and planning on doing the 2025 Disneyland Half Marathon? Which race(s) will you run? Do you agree or disagree with our commentary or suggestions? Any questions we may help you reply? Listening to your suggestions–even if you disagree with us–is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas under within the feedback!
