Have you ever wanted to go to Disney World at 2 AM, lace up your sneakers, and run through the parks for 26.2 miles? No? What if I told you you can meet rare characters and receive medals to commemorate the event?
There are four runDisney weekends a year that let runners race through Disney World and get their miles in before the parks even open, and once a year, there’s the Walt Disney World Marathon. Disney is starting to tease the theme for the next marathon weekend, and we couldn’t be more excited.
Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend includes a 5k, 10k, half-marathon, and is the only Disney World race to have a full marathon. It usually takes place in early January, with 2027 being from January 6th to 10th. The themes are usually dedicated to Mickey Mouse and his friends, and the video that runDisney shared looks like it will star Donald Duck since he’s #1.
The animation style in the video looked like the Mickey Mouse cartoon series on Disney+, and the whole marathon weekend logo looks like Donald Duck. Oh yeah, this is going to be FUN.
We should find out the official themes soon, but Club runDisney will be able to sign up on March 10th, and the general public can register on March 17th. While the marathon weekend theme is usually centered on Mickey and friends, there may also be an additional theme. For 2026, all the characters were paired with storybooks: Mickey and Minnie were in a fantasy book, and Pluto was in a science fiction book, for example.
Marathon weekend is also the race weekend for the Dopey Challenge, which gives you an additional medal for completing the 5k, 10k, half-marathon, and marathon all in one weekend. That’s a total of 48.6 miles!
If you’re looking to participate in one of the events, you don’t need to be an elite runner, but you do have to be fast to sign up. Registration fills up quickly due to the limited spots, and you’ll want to be ready to sign up as soon as it opens. You are more than welcome to walk these events, but keep in mind you need to stick to the indicated mile pace so all guests can finish in time before the parks open to the public.
We can’t wait to hear what the theme is going to be, so make sure you keep following Disney Food Blog for more!
4 GAME CHANGING ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR 2026 RUNDISNEY RACES
Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe!
WE KNOW DISNEY.
YOU CAN, TOO.
Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation.
Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever!
Have you ever done a runDisney race? Tell us which one in the comments.



Our handy (and portable!) ebook guides make sure you get the best deals and can plan a vacation of a lifetime.

TRENDING NOW
A Cool Kids' Summer favorite has returned this year!
Walt Disney Studios is officially open in Hollywood Studios at Disney World!
Two new snacks and two returning Star Wars snacks have hit Hollywood Studios!
We're going to need 50 of these sippers immediately.
Amazon has a new batch of Disney deals this week, and our carts are becoming...
Jessie's Roundup is officially open in Magic Kingdom for Cool KIDS' SUMMER!
Two Lightning Lane changes have hit Hollywood Studios!
If you're staying at a Disney World hotel in June, you may want to prepare...
One of our favorite Disney World hotel perks is FINALLY back for the summer!
We tried EVERYTHING at the new Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets food truck...
We're totally obsessed with these new snacks in EPCOT!
We're dropping the complete guide to rope dropping Magic Kingdom like an expert!
We just rode the brand-new Soarin' Across America!
If EPCOT is a little too much for you on your park day, this is...
Bluey has officially moved into Disney World!
Disney World's newest hotel will open in 2027, but there are a few disappointing things...
See some details about the NEW version of Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run in Disney World!
If you're a 'Star Wars' fan, you need to read THIS before you ride Millennium...
We're trying new eats at Trader Sam's Enchanted Tiki Bar.
We went to the opening of Bluey's Wild World at Animal Kingdom, and it turns...