2nd Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon: America’s Largest Nighttime Half Marathon

[Mouse Skywalker]

New Disney Entertainment Awaits Runners at America’s Largest Nighttime Half Marathon​

Epcot attractions to be open for first time along with expanded food and wine offerings and extra Disney characters at post-race Finish Line Party
Sold-out field of 12,000-plus expected​

From runDisney's Press Release:

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (Sept. 22, 2011) – A capacity field of runners will experience new food and wine options as well as have exclusive access to signature Disney attractions for the first time at the Disney Wine and Dine Half Marathon Weekend, Sept. 29–Oct. 2, at Walt Disney World Resort, further enhancing an event affectionately known as the “ultimate runners night out.’’

At the post-race Finish Line Party at Epcot that lasts until 3 a.m., several Epcot attractions will be operating, including Soarin’, Test Track and Mission: Space. Also, there will more than 20 new food and beverage kiosks, bringing the total number to nearly 90, as well as live video feeds of the race on giant monitors.

The new food and entertainment enhancements are designed to further heighten the runner experience and build on the race’s instant popularity. This year, more than 12,500 runners – nearly 2,000 more than last year’s inaugural race – are expected to take part in the unique experience of running through Walt Disney World theme parks at night. The 13.1-mile trek starts at 10 p.m. at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex and takes runners through Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Disney’s Hollywood Studios before finishing at Epcot during the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival. The event features a relay option which gives runners the opportunity to team up with a partner and each run the course in 4.8-mile and 8.3-mile intervals. Everyone who completes the race receives a finishers’ medal.

Defending champions Anton Van Zyl from Ft. Lauderdale, FL., and Melissa Wisner from Washington, D.C., return, leading a field of runners from all 50 states and 21 countries.

“We are excited how quickly the popularity has grown for this race with runners across the country and around-the-world,” said runDisney Manager Kathleen Duran. “We continue to provide unique opportunities and add new signature entertainment elements to give runners and guests of all ages the ultimate destination running experience.”

Fans can purchase tickets to the post-race party at Epcot at www.runDisney.com or at the event’s Health and Fitness Expo at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.

In addition to the race and Finish Line Party, the weekend features the Disney Halloween 5K at Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Kids’ Races at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, both on Saturday. The Health and Fitness Expo takes place Sept. 30–Oct. 1 inside the Jostens Center at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. The expo features the latest in running equipment, products and apparel as well as seminars from running experts – including runDisney training consultant Jeff Galloway.

About runDisney
runDisney is a series of half marathon and marathon events that provide runners unique opportunities to run through Disney theme parks. Race participants earn Disney-themed medals, experience legendary Disney entertainment and guest service and ultimately celebrate their accomplishments with a Disney vacation. The original event in the series, the Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend presented by CIGNA, takes place in January followed by the Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend in February and the Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend in September. Disneyland hosts the Tinker Bell Half Marathon Weekend in January and the Disneyland Half Marathon in September during Labor Day Weekend. More than 100,000 running enthusiasts participate in runDisney events each year. For more information, visit runDisney.com and follow us on Facebook (runDisney) and Twitter @DisneySports.

 

[butiflfeet]

We'll be there! Hopefully the kinks from last year's after party will be worked out though.

 

[FireDancer]

We'll be there! Hopefully the kinks from last year's after party will be worked out though.

It sounds like a lot of the changes will help with some of the issues. This event has already become my favorite Disney Endurance event. I won't be there this year and maybe not even next but I have a feeling the next time I do a RunDisney event it will be a Wine & Dine (baring a new event that actually welcomes men but that is pretty unlikely).

 

[APrunner]

It sounds like a lot of the changes will help with some of the issues. This event has already become my favorite Disney Endurance event. I won't be there this year and maybe not even next but I have a feeling the next time I do a RunDisney event it will be a Wine & Dine (baring a new event that actually welcomes men but that is pretty unlikely).

Why aren't you doing Wine and Dine this year?

 

[FireDancer]

Why aren't you doing Wine and Dine this year?

I have some other races I'm doing this year. The announcement of the Tinkerbell half really turned me off of Disney's running events and combined with the high cost I decided that I'll be doing some other races for the next year or so.

One of my best friends is moving back to Tampa. We both lived in the area together for two years and every year we would hit the Food & Wine festival. My next Disney race will probably be the first one after he moves back down because we'll hit the event and I'll do the run.