RunDisney revealed races will go on indefinite hiatus following the 2026 Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend. This shares particulars of the announcement, how lengthy the races will possible be on maintain, whether or not they’ll ever return to the California parks, and why this appears like déjà vu yet again.
The announcement from Disney signifies that runDisney occasions will likely be positioned on hiatus in 2026 attributable to development impacts at Disneyland Resort. If this sounds acquainted, it’s as a result of that is the second time in lower than a decade that runDisney has paused races at Disneyland below the guise of development impacts.
On October 18, 2017, runDisney introduced that “after cautious consideration and weighing all prospects, we’ve got made the very troublesome choice to put all runDisney race weekends at Disneyland Resort on hiatus starting in 2018. This consists of the related Coast to Coast Race Challenges.” As we’ll focus on beneath, the circumstances have been totally different then, however regardless, runDisney didn’t return to Disneyland till final yr–the 2026 Disneyland Half Marathon will mark the third flagship race again after a 6-year hole.
Quick-forward to April 22, 2025, and right here’s the announcement from runDisney:
- Replace: runDisney on the Disneyland Resort
- Because of upcoming development impacts, runDisney races on the Disneyland Resort will likely be positioned on hiatus in 2026 after the conclusion of the 2026 Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend introduced by HONDA.
- We’ll proceed to supply races at Walt Disney World Resort, in addition to digital choices.
Again when the races have been abruptly paused in late 2017, efficient just a few months later, there was extra to the story than the influence of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge development. Though that was the official rationalization, and a face-saving excuse that the majority followers accepted, it was one in every of a number of elements.
One other issue was Disney’s tense relationship with the Metropolis of Anaheim. It was a tough few years, involving a sequence of standoffs that resulted within the cancellation of Disneyland’s Japanese Gateway and deliberate luxurious resort on the sting of Downtown Disney. Shortly after the runDisney occasions have been cancelled, 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 political spending to get its most popular candidates elected.
Disneyland has had zero points with the Metropolis of Anaheim since then. Even past extra pro-Disney politicians, Anaheim and its residents realized how dependent it was upon Disney in 2020-2021. The native vibe has modified so much in the previous few years. That’s one of many the explanation why DisneylandForward was pushed by way of when it was. Not as a result of Disney wants that zoning undertaking within the near-term, however as a result of the corporate was opportunistic and accurately sensed that sentiment was favorable for gaining approval.
One more variable was that runDisney occasions in Anaheim had waned in reputation on the time. There have been most likely a number of causes for this alone, from oversaturation to uninspired occasions, however regardless of the underlying causes, races weren’t promoting out. That on high of development and tensions with the Metropolis of Anaheim all mixed to make it a comparatively straightforward choice–even when they referred to as it a troublesome one.
Admittedly, I don’t have my finger on the heart beat of runDisney dynamics in 2025. From what I’ve heard, navigating logistics with the Metropolis of Anaheim continues to be difficult. Not essentially attributable to any underlying political tensions, however just because it’s a herculean job to close down so many metropolis streets for the races. Working with outdoors companions complicates every part, and never everyone seems to be totally on board with internet hosting the runDisney occasion throughout Anaheim.
Much less credibly, I’ve additionally heard that there are challenges inside runDisney. The group has managed to place extra of a buffer between the flagship Walt Disney World Marathon and Disneyland Half Marathon, however they’re nonetheless lower than a month aside. The previous will get extra consideration as a result of it’s the longstanding, marquee occasion…amongst different causes.
Lastly, there’s the matter of development. This time, that appears like much less of a face-saving excuse and extra of a legitimate rationalization. However, I don’t assume that development alone could be outcome-determinative. Which is to say that if all else have been going swimmingly with the Anaheim occasions, runDisney would’ve discovered a technique to navigate the Avengers Campus development and no matter different initiatives may break floor inside the subsequent 18 months.
The largest obstacle to runDisney persevering with in California may not be the in-park enlargement initiatives, however somewhat, the revived Japanese Gateway undertaking. One of many cornerstones for DisneylandForward is a brand new parking construction between Harbor Blvd and Disney Means. That is at present the Pumbaa lot for Forged Member parking and a few empty parcels, and can also be utilized because the staging location and end line for runDisney races.
The Japanese Gateway is broadly believed to be a vital prerequisite to lots of the opposite improvement plans at Disneyland Resort. Whereas the brand new immersive theme park and Disney Springs-esque space on the map above are (most likely?) nonsense, it’s true that Pandora: World of Avatar and different initiatives (most likely?) can not start development till the present Esplanade is adjusted–and that may’t occur with out Japanese Gateway.
For all of those causes, it wouldn’t be in the least stunning if runDisney is on hiatus at Disneyland Resort for no less than 5 years. It would truly be nearer to a full decade when you account for the Japanese Gateway development, then the bus loop demolition, adopted by the Pandora (or no matter else) development.
Actually, I wouldn’t be shocked if runDisney by no means returns to Disneyland given all the above. It’s a problem to juggle each Walt Disney World and Disneyland occasions, a problem to coordinate with the Metropolis of Anaheim, and there’s not a lot incentive to work round development. On the identical time, I additionally wouldn’t truly count on runDisney to be gone from Disneyland ceaselessly. Sufficient time will cross, worker turnover will occur, institutional reminiscence will fade about all the above, and Disneyland occasions will as soon as once more be seen as a possible progress engine.
Within the meantime, we’d advocate getting your last “repair” on runDisney in California with the 2026 Disneyland Half Marathon. Simply be warned, as registration is probably going going to get way more aggressive for this race now that runDisney has introduced every part past this one is occurring hiatus!
Listed here are full particulars about that upcoming occasion:
Should you’re trying to “Have fun Pleasure” prepare, get set …to smile! runDisney goes to “Have fun Blissful” throughout the Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend introduced by Honda, January 29–February 1, 2026. For much more joyful information, it’s occurring throughout the seventieth anniversary of the Disneyland Resort! This race weekend will likely be themed to alternative ways to have fun what delights us most, think about the Happiest Race on Earth on the Happiest Place on Earth.
Right here’s a primary take a look at the joyful occasion themes for the 2026 race weekend:
Disneyland 5K introduced by Honda
On January 30, be part of Pleasure from Disney and Pixar’s Inside Out movies to “Have fun Pleasure” throughout your 3.1 miles!
Disneyland 10K introduced by Honda
On January 31, prepare for six.2 magical miles with Sorcerer’s Apprentice Mickey as you “Have fun Creativeness!”
Disneyland Half Marathon introduced by Honda
On February 1, “Have fun Togetherness” throughout 13.1 miles of “it’s a small world” wonders — make sure to convey a buddy!
Dumbo Double Dare introduced by Honda
You can even “Have fun Achievement” with Dumbo and earn an additional medal by ending each the 10K and the half marathon for a complete of 19.3 miles!
Youngsters 9 and below can “Have fun Laughter” on January 31 as they soar into thrilling runs that includes Sew, a.ok.a., Experiment 626.
Disneyland Yoga introduced by Honda
Get able to stretch and “Have fun Smiles” on January 29 throughout a morning yoga session with the magnificent Miss Piggy in entrance of Sleeping Magnificence Citadel.
Runners eager to take part within the 2026 Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend occasions ought to mark their calendars for April 29, 2025 at 7:00 AM PT | 10:00 AM ET, when normal registration will start.
Planning a Southern California trip? For park admission offers, learn Ideas for Saving Cash on Disneyland Tickets. Find out about on-site and off-site inns in our Anaheim Lodge Critiques & Rankings. For the place to eat, try our Disneyland Restaurant Critiques. 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 Seashore, and plenty of different SoCal cities!
YOUR THOUGHTS
Ideas on runDisney as soon as once more suspending races in California? Suppose that is merely a matter of development, or are logistics for the races in Anaheim too large of a hurdle to beat? Excited in regards to the 2026 Disneyland Half Marathon? Which race(s) will you run? Do you agree or disagree with our commentary? Any questions we can assist you reply? Listening to your suggestions–even while you disagree with us–is each attention-grabbing to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas beneath within the feedback!
