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Walt Disney World Marathon presented by State Farm

January 10, 2027 · 4:30 AMOrlando, FL, United States

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Race snapshot

Race Day

57°F

46–68°F · Feels mild

Total elevation gain

266ft

Relatively flat course · Net elevation change +4 ft

Participants

25K

Major marathon

Crowd Rating

7/ 10

Excellent spectator turnout

The Lowdown

The Walt Disney World Marathon presented by State Farm is the crown jewel of runDisney's race weekends, first held in 1994 and now a beloved New Year racing tradition that draws runners from around the world. Steeped in family-friendly pageantry and entertainment, the event celebrates both competitive running and the joyful spectacle of Disney. Over the years it has grown into a marquee destination marathon that attracts elite athletes, charity teams, costume-clad amateurs, and families aiming to combine a vacation with a major springboard for their racing year. The course weaves through all four Walt Disney World theme parks and the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, taking runners through iconic settings including Magic Kingdom's parklands and Main Street, U.S.A., the pavilions of Epcot, and the themed avenues of the other parks, with mile-after-mile of character photo opportunities, live bands, DJs, and theatrical entertainment. With a pre-dawn start and large, well-managed corrals, pacing groups, and ample support on course, the race delivers a uniquely immersive experience where scenery and spectacle help distract from the miles. Runners praise the upbeat, celebratory atmosphere, extensive spectator zones, plentiful aid stations, and the distinctive finisher medal and post-race festivities. The Walt Disney World Marathon course is officially certified for distance and is a Boston Marathon qualifying course (USATF-certified). Whether you're chasing a BQ, attempting a first marathon, or doing the runDisney challenge series, the event blends serious race logistics with the whimsical, supportive environment that has defined Disney races for decades.

Jun 23, 2026: 2027 edition rolled forward; 2026 edition completed Jan 11, 2026
The 2026 Walt Disney World Marathon (held January 11, 2026) is complete. The 2027 edition is confirmed for January 10, 2027 (weekend January 6–10). State Farm remains the presenting sponsor. General registration opened March 17, 2026; Club runDisney members had access from March 10, 2026. 2027 prices not yet published on accessible official pages as of 2026-06-23.

2026 · Marathon

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Course Highlights: 01Epcot – Start and finish area with iconic Spaceship Earth and the World Celebration promenade
02Magic Kingdom – Runners pass down Main Street, U.S.A. and by Cinderella Castle inside the park
03Disney's Grand Floridian & Polynesian Village Resorts – Scenic resort corridor along the monorail loop with cheering spectators
04Disney's BoardWalk – Waterfront mile with entertainment, dining facades and ocean-themed scenery
05Disney's Hollywood Studios – Course skirts the park entrance area with views of show-styled architecture
06ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex – Mid-race entertainment zone and major aid station area
Also on this race weekend: 5K · 10K · Half marathon
Time Limit: 7 hours
Boston Qualifier: This race is a certified Boston Marathon qualifying event. Achieve your qualifying standard here on a verified course.

Minimum Age: 18 years
Entry Methods: Online Registration
Charity Entry (runDisney Charity Program)
Official Walt Disney World Vacation Package / Tour Operator
Invited Elite/Pro Entry
Virtual Runner (when offered)
Eligibility: Must be at least 18 years old on race day
Online registration required and spot must be secured prior to race
Valid photo ID required for packet pickup
Signed race waiver and release required
No bib transfers; bibs are non-transferable and non-refundable
Participants must complete the course within the published time limit (typically 7 hours)
Strollers and baby joggers are not permitted in the marathon field
Costumes allowed but must comply with Disney costume guidelines and safety rules
Wheelchair and handcycle entries must register in the appropriate division and meet classification/approval requirements
Medical clearance recommended for participants with pre-existing conditions; medical personnel on course
Required Documents: Government-issued Photo ID (driver's license or passport)
Signed RunDisney Participant Waiver (completed electronically during registration)
Proof of Age (birth certificate or government-issued ID for age-group verification, if requested)
Proof of Time for corral placement (official race result or time trial proof if claiming a qualifying time)
Cancellation & Refund Policy: Registration is non-transferable and non-refundable
Bib transfers or selling your bib to another runner are strictly prohibited
Deferrals are not permitted except at the sole discretion of the event organizer in extraordinary circumstances
If the event is canceled or materially modified by the organizer, options (refund, credit, or deferral) may be offered at the organizer's discretion

Book Stay

01: The Walt Disney World Marathon course runs through all four theme parks (Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom) plus Disney property roads, offering castle and character photo opportunities and abundant on-course entertainment.
02: Finishers receive a custom finisher medal and a technical long-sleeve shirt, plus onsite recovery snacks and drinks at the finish area; aid stations with water and sports drink are located roughly every 2 miles.
03: The event is the headline race of RunDisney Marathon Weekend, which includes the Health & Fitness Expo, the Pasta in the Park Party on Saturday evening, a 5K, 10K, half marathon, and the Dopey Challenge multi-race option.
04: The race is family-friendly and very popular, so expect heavy congestion at character stops and park transitions—plan to start near your anticipated pace corral and arrive on Disney transportation early for the 4:30 AM start.
05: The Walt Disney World Marathon is widely recognized as one of the largest and most festive destination marathons in the U.S., attracting thousands of participants and offering on-course entertainment, medical and gear-check services, and VIP/priority packages.
06: 2027 marks the 30th anniversary of the Walt Disney World Half Marathon; the weekend theme features Donald Duck across all races.

Prepare for This Race

Pace CalculatorPlan splits for marathon Race PredictorPredict your marathon time BQ CalculatorBQ-eligible course Fuel PlannerPlan nutrition for marathon, moderate weather Difficulty Analyzer266ft gain, 57°F avg, marathon Training PacesTraining zones for marathon

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