The runDisney season is officially here, and it's happening on both coasts, essentially at the same time. Marathon Weekend at Disney World kicks off January 7-11, and then Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend follows January 29-February 1, 2026. That's less than three weeks between major race events, which is intense for anyone trying to do both.
Disney just dropped the course map for the Disneyland Half Marathon and honestly it looks like a solid route that takes runners through both parks plus a bunch of Anaheim streets. Unlike Disney World where you can run through four parks and barely leave Disney property, Disneyland only has two parks so you're spending significant time on public streets.
The Disneyland runDisney Course
Here's the thing about Disneyland races. The property is way smaller than Disney World. Disney World has four theme parks, two water parks, ESPN Wide World of Sports, and tons of resort hotels. Massive property. Race courses there wind through all that Disney-owned land without needing much public street running.
Disneyland has two parks. Disney California Adventure and Disneyland Park. That's it. The footprint is compact. Therefore, races must incorporate substantial portions through Anaheim streets to meet the required distances.
The Disneyland Half Marathon course starts on Disney Way, then goes down S Harbor Blvd and turns onto W Katella Ave. From there, runners enter Disney California Adventure, passing through Cars Land, which features a detailed recreation of Radiator Springs. Then you loop over and around Pixar Pier, the waterfront area featuring the Pixar Pal-A-Round Ferris wheel.
After Pixar Pier, you go up around the left side of Grizzly Peak, then back down and around Avengers Campus, which is the Marvel-themed land. Then you hang left through Buena Vista Street, which is the park's entrance area themed to 1920s Los Angeles, before crossing over to Disneyland Park.
Inside Disneyland, you go down Main Street, U.S.A., veer right into Tomorrowland, zip through and up into Mickey's Toontown, back down through Fantasyland with the classic dark rides and Sleeping Beauty Castle, then into Frontierland, New Orleans Square, and Critter Country before exiting the park.
Then comes the Anaheim streets portion. Runners navigate Ball Rd, turn left onto Anaheim Blvd for several blocks, and wind through various Anaheim streets, experiencing the city surrounding Disneyland that most tourists never see. Eventually, you return to Anaheim Boulevard, turn left on Cerritos Avenue, turn left again on Lewis Street, then return to Anaheim Boulevard, and finish on Disney Way.
The Medals Are 70th Anniversary Special Editions
The Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend coincides with Disneyland's 70th anniversary in 2026, so all the medals prominently feature the number 70. This makes them special, limited-edition items tied to this specific milestone year.
Here's what you get for each race:
- Disneyland 5K Medal: Features Joy from Inside Out and the Pixar Pal-A-Round connecting to the route through Pixar Pier. Most accessible distance for beginners or families.
- Disneyland 10K Medal: Features Sorcerer Mickey running with magic broom bringing together iconic Fantasia imagery with the running theme. Middle-distance option.
- Disneyland Half Marathon Medal: Features children from it's a small world the classic Disneyland ride that's synonymous with the park itself.
runDisney medals are way more elaborate than typical race finisher medals. Moving parts, dimensional elements, detailed artwork. These anniversary editions will probably become collector's items.
Doing Both Coasts Is Hardcore
With Marathon Weekend at Disney World, January 7-11, and Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend, January 29-February 1, you have less than three weeks between events. That's ambitious, but dedicated runners do it.
The logistics are intense. Travel between coasts. Recovery time between races. The physical demands of racing multiple times in short succession. However, for runDisney enthusiasts who plan their entire year around these events, participating in both weekends is the ultimate commitment.
Marathon Weekend at Disney World is the biggest runDisney event of the year. Full marathon, half marathon, 10K, 5K. Participants from around the globe. Major operational undertaking for the resort with road closures affecting transportation and early morning park access for runners.
Then you have less than three weeks to recover and get to California for Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend: different coast, different course, different parks, but same runDisney magic.
Why People Do runDisney
runDisney events aren't just races. They're experiences. Running through theme parks during early morning hours before regular guests arrive. Encountering Disney characters along the route. Earning elaborate themed medals. Celebrating accomplishments in the Disney environment.
The community aspect is huge, too. Participants form training groups, make friends through shared experiences, and return year after year. These events feel like reunions as much as races.
For people who prioritize fitness goals and Disney enthusiasm equally, runDisney represents the perfect intersection. You're challenging yourself athletically while surrounded by Disney magic. That combination appeals to a specific demographic willing to pay premium prices for race entries and travel to Disney resorts specifically for these events.
Both Resorts Prepare for Chaos
Hosting thousands of runners creates operational challenges for both Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resort. Early morning park access, road closures, character appearances along routes, and transforming theme parks into race venues before returning them to normal operations for regular guests later in the day.
Cast Members at both properties are gearing up for these major weekends. Marathon Weekend and Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend represent peak runDisney season, where everything happens at once on both coasts.
The Bottom Line
runDisney season is here. Marathon Weekend at Disney World, January 7-11. Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend, January 29-February 1. Course maps released—special 70th anniversary medals at Disneyland. Thousands of runners are preparing to tackle one or both events.
If you're participating, good luck with your training and your races. If you're just a regular park guest during these weekends, expect crowds, road closures, and lots of people wearing race bibs and finisher medals. That's peak runDisney season.
