This is a BIG year for Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend!! Not only is it the 10th Anniversary of the race, but it is also the 60th Anniversary of the Disneyland resort. The Diamond Celebration is in full swing at the resort and these races just add to that excitement!
There is a lot to know for this busy race weekend and I’ve got all the important details for you right here. Now all you have to worry about is getting one of these RAD (or not so RAD in my opinion) medals! The half marathon medal is even a diamond shape to go along with the festivities.
Health & Fitness Expo
As all runDisney race weekends do, Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend starts with the Health & Fitness Expo at the Disneyland Hotel. This Expo is notoriously crowded and long lines for merchandise are the norm. I’m sure this will remain the same this year with all of the anniversary items that will be available, so make sure to arrive early if there is something in particular that you are looking for. The hours are as follows:
- Thursday, September 3rd: 10:00 am – 8:00 pm
- Friday, September 4th: 12:00 pm – 8:00 pm
- Saturday, September 5th: 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
All race participants MUST attend the expo to turn in signed waivers (click here to print your waiver) and pick up race packets, which include your race bib with B-Tag timing devices, race shirt(s), and gEAR bag. The gEAR bag also doubles as the bag to use for bag check during the race. This is also where you will receive any commemorative items you may have purchased during registration.
When you arrive at the expo, your first stop will be the Lower Exhibit Hall for Packet Pick Up. As a reminder, you can no longer have someone pick up your race packet for you. Everyone MUST turn in a waiver, show ID and pick up their own packet.
This is also where you will pick up any commemorative items, pre-purchased merchandise and tickets for either of the parties being held over the weekend.
After picking up all of your necessary items, you will then proceed to the Upper Exhibit Hall to pick up your race shirt(s) and gEAR bag, visit with vendors, listen to the speaker series, and spend all your money on runDisney merchandise.
This is also where you will find the New Balance booth to pick up any of the exclusive runDisney designs. Have you seen the new Donald Duck inspired Boracays that will be making their debut this weekend?
Resort Transportation
If you are staying at one of the Disneyland Resorts, you will simply be able to walk to the both the Expo and the Starting Line for each race. This is SO convenient!
If you are staying at a Good Neighbor hotel, there will be complimentary Anaheim Transportation Network (ART) shuttles for the entire weekend for runners and spectators. This doesn’t just include during race time…it is COMPLIMENTARY ALL WEEKEND, September 3-6. Make sure to get a pass from one of the drivers…this is a BIG bonus! The shuttles make stops around every 20 minutes, so plan your trip accordingly. The schedule will be extended to the following times:
- Thursday, September 3rd: 8:20 am – 1:00 am
- Friday, September 4th: 3:30 am – 12:30 am
- Saturday, September 5th: 3:30 am – 11:30 pm
- Sunday, September 6th: 3:30 am – 11:30 pm
Here is a map of the Good Neighbor Hotel locations:
Driving Directions
Parking will be available in the Mickey & Friends Parking Structure located on Disneyland Drive and Ball Road for all weekend events. Standard parking rates will apply and there are no discounts for runners. Roads will be closing beginning at 5:30 am on race days and there will be numerous detours that will be set up. Make sure to leave enough time for traffic delays!
Costumes
This is one of the best parts of Disney races…the costumes!! I’m sure this anniversary weekend will bring out some really unique ones! Please note that runners are NOT allowed to wear a face mask of any kind and will be removed from the course if this is violated. So who are you dressing up as??
Bag Check
Participants MUST use the clear bag provided at the expo to check any belongings during the race and affix the label with their bib number on the outside. Bag check will be located in the Lilo Parking Lot/Family Reunion Area. All bags must be checked by 5:15 am for all races prior to heading into the start corrals. Bags must be picked up by 7:15 am for the 5K, 8:15 for the 10K and 11:00 am for the half marathon at the same location.
Start Corrals
The start corrals are located on Disneyland Drive between Mickey Way and Paradise Way. For each race, your corral will be listed on your race bib and you will only be granted access to that corral or the one behind you. You can find your corral placement by printing you waiver and finding the corresponding corral for your bib number. Corral placement for the 5K and the 10K will be available at packet pick-up.
Disneyland 5K
Disneyland 10K
Disneyland Half Marathon & Dumbo Double Dare
Starting Times
All races (with the exception of the Kids Races) will begin at 5:30 am. The wheelchair start for the half marathon will be at 5:29 am on Sunday, September 6th. Runners are encouraged to arrive to the staging area no later than one hour prior to the race start time and be in your assigned corrals no later than 30 minutes prior.
Race Bibs
Bibs must be centered on the front of your shirt. Safety pins will be provided in your race packet at the expo. Do not bend or fold your bib as the Chrono Track B-tag will be affixed to the back of the bib which will be used to track your time. If your bib is not properly centered, damaged or covered, your time may not be recorded properly, or more importantly you won’t get any photos!
If you are competing in the Dumbo Double Dare Challenge, you will have one race bib for both the 10K and the Half Marathon, so make sure to take good care of it!
Pacing Requirements
Remember that you must keep a minimum pace of 16-minutes per mile throughout the race or you will run the risk of being picked up and brought to the finish line. Keep this in mind if you are planning to stop for character photos. Those lines can get long and it’s easy to lost track of time. Pace cyclists and the dreaded balloon ladies will be on the course to let you know if you have fallen behind.
Dumbo Double Dare Participants
If you are participating in this challenge, you will need to have your photo taken with your race bib at the Health & Fitness Expo when picking up your race packet. This is located in the Lower Level of the Expo. After completing both races, you will need to check-in at the Dumbo Double Dare tent at the finish line. Once you check-in after the Half Marathon, you will receive your medal!
Coast to Coast Challenge Participants
If you are participating in this challenge, you will receive a wristband when you pick up your bib at the Health & Fitness Expo. A runDisney official will put this on for you and it can not be taken off until you complete the Disneyland Half Marathon. After completing the race, you will need to present this wristband at the Coast to Coast tent to receive your medal.
Course Maps
Disneyland 5K
Disneyland 10K
Disneyland Half Marathon
More information on other events like the Kids Races, the Pasta in the Park Party and the new 10th Anniversary Party is available on the runDisney website and in the Official Event Guide for the weekend. Also, check out some of my packing tips as you get ready to travel.
I was fortunate to participate in the Inaugural Dumbo Double Dare Challenge in 2013 and it was a great experience! The Disneyland 10K continues to be one of my top races ever…the course is just the BEST! You can check out some of my experiences from that weekend here:
- 2013 Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend, Oh the Fun We Had!
- 2013 Dumbo Double Dare Recap Part I – Disneyland 10K
- 2013 Dumbo Double Dare Recap Part II – Disneyland Half Marathon
- Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend Snack Box
- Pre-Race Meal at Tortilla Joe’s
- A Mad runDisney Meet Up Through Disneyland
Finally, if you will be out in Disneyland, I am looking for some contributors to cover the events of the weekend. Shoot me an email to sarah@runningatdisney.com if you are interested. Also, please tag me in your photos from the weekend on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram…I will share them throughout the weekend. I can’t wait to follow along!
