The 2026 Wine & Dine Half-Marathon Weekend medals are here. I am running two of these Disney races, and I have thoughts.
Some context.
Look, I do not usually put myself in my own articles. Today I am, because runDisney finally revealed the first look at the 2026 Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend medals, and I signed up for the 5K and the 10K back in February.
I have been waiting on this since the themes came out in January.
Verdict? Cutest set they have done.
And if that sounds dramatic to you, you have never run one of these. Nobody is out there at 4:30 in the morning chasing a personal best. You are out there for the course, the characters, the people in matching costumes, and the hunk of metal waiting at the finish.
The 5K Medal
The Aristocats.
Marie, Toulouse, and Berlioz are sitting inside a golden border, the Eiffel Tower up top for the France pavilion.
Favorite of the bunch. Not close.
All three kittens together is the right call for a 5K, and that gold frame makes it look pricier than the short-race medal usually does.
Friday, October 23. The first group goes at 4:30 a.m., a full half hour earlier than in previous years, with start times spread from 4:30 a.m. to 7:30 a.m. by group.
Paired with the Crème de la Crème à la Edgar beverage and Pastry Crackers in France.
The 10K Medal
The Three Caballeros.
Flower-shaped. Donald, Panchito, and José are in front of the Mexico pavilion temple.
The shape is what does it. runDisney sticks to circles most of the time, so this thing is going to jump off a medal rack. And you get all three Caballeros instead of another Donald, which genuinely matters once you have a few Donald medals hanging up.
Saturday, October 24, 5:00 a.m. Tamales in Mexico.
The Half Marathon Medal
Mary Poppins, and it spins.
Penguins on the front. Silhouette of Mary flying over London on the back. The frame is her umbrella.
Spinners always land, but the umbrella frame is the detail that pushes it over.
Sunday, October 25, 5:00 a.m. United Kingdom pavilion theme.
The Challenge Medal
Grumpy. Set inside a German-style clock with a pretzel and a bratwurst.
And here is the good part. It opens.
Snow White artwork on one side. Grumpy with “Finisher 19.3 Miles” on the other.
runDisney doesn't often offer an opening medal. Putting Grumpy in Germany is exactly the joke you want handed to you at mile 19.
Two days, October 24 and 25, covering the 10K and the half. Finish both on pace, and three medals go home with you.
Why the Reveal Actually Matters
Here is what non-runners never get.
You cannot plan a race outfit until the medal drops.
Ridiculous on paper. Completely accurate in practice. The medal sets your palette. If your 5K medal is three kittens in a gold frame, that decides your finish line photo, and you dress to complement it instead of fighting it.
I have that intel for both races now. It is getting used.
The Weekend Itself
October 22 through 25 at Walt Disney World.
Every medal ties to a World Showcase pavilion. France, Mexico, the United Kingdom, and Germany.
Now the bad news. All four races are sold out. 5K, 10K, half marathon, Two-Course Challenge. Gone.
The Post-Race Party at EPCOT on October 25 is still available for $125.00. Half and Challenge runners already have entry built in. Everyone else can buy a ticket.
Two Months and Counting
Medals revealed, races full, clock running.
If you are in, you know exactly what this feels like. If you are not, the Post-Race Party is still there, and EPCOT after hours during Food & Wine is not a bad landing spot.
I will be at the 5K and the 10K, planning outfits until October, crying at both finish lines.
