Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend 2025

[fatmanatee]

Think the maps are back online, just in case i took screen caps.

 

[kirstie101]

I haven’t done any of the Disneyland runs since they’ve returned but I don’t remember the 10ks going through the castle back then. Maybe I’m wrong. But I wasn’t disappointed at all when I saw this 10k course map!

 

[StarGirl11]

I haven’t done any of the Disneyland runs since they’ve returned but I don’t remember the 10ks going through the castle back then. Maybe I’m wrong. But I wasn’t disappointed at all when I saw this 10k course map!

It went through the castle last Jan I remember because we went from Main Street into Fantasyland instead of the other way. And that incline while short is not fun for wheels. Last years for ref: https://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/5881087501

And this years for the 5k: https://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/6369758485
And 10k: https://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/6369895390/

(Like I said with the half I am doing my best to guestimate here. Its almost impossible to get 100 percent right since I'm not the one officially measuring the course. But I tried my best.)

With having routed these as best I can now. It looks like west coast RD now that they're settling more into this is getting more creative with their routes. Because while some of the areas are similar. There is a lot more variation especially compared to the Halloween routes.

Like the 5 and half both have the castle while the 10 doesn't. The 5 and the 10 have Toontown but the half doesn't. The 10k is the only one that goes through Tomorrowland. The 10k brings back the old exit near Splash Mountain for the first time since the hiatus. That was one that used to be used to get us out onto the streets of Anaheim. I can still remember stopping for photos there.

Its strategically a good move. Since while not every one will be doing all the races. This will definitely give some enticement to do all three because you know you're going to get some variation from route to route. So at the very least it will up the appeal for the challenge arguably.

 

[jwblane]

Wondering if since the 10k doesn't have a route thru the castle, they will have photogs or a character photo op in front of the castle...

 

[fatmanatee]

Wondering if since the 10k doesn't have a route thru the castle, they will have photogs or a character photo op in front of the castle...

Not sure what they could do, maybe a run-by, similar to what they do coming out of the castle but from a different angle? I don't know if it's possible to get a standing photo op out there, might cause a logjam, which you absolutely don't want at that point in the race.

BTW I checked some older course maps and they've done this before but more often than not the 10k has gone through the castle. It's kinda neat though, because there are so many paths in DL and DCA they have some flexibility with how the courses run through, as opposed to some of the WDW courses. There's only so much you can do with the courses that go around Epcot.

 

[mmackeymouse]

It went through the castle last Jan I remember because we went from Main Street into Fantasyland instead of the other way. And that incline while short is not fun for wheels. Last years for ref: https://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/5881087501

And this years for the 5k: https://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/6369758485
And 10k: https://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/6369895390/

(Like I said with the half I am doing my best to guestimate here. Its almost impossible to get 100 percent right since I'm not the one officially measuring the course. But I tried my best.)

With having routed these as best I can now. It looks like west coast RD now that they're settling more into this is getting more creative with their routes. Because while some of the areas are similar. There is a lot more variation especially compared to the Halloween routes.

Like the 5 and half both have the castle while the 10 doesn't. The 5 and the 10 have Toontown but the half doesn't. The 10k is the only one that goes through Tomorrowland. The 10k brings back the old exit near Splash Mountain for the first time since the hiatus. That was one that used to be used to get us out onto the streets of Anaheim. I can still remember stopping for photos there.

Its strategically a good move. Since while not every one will be doing all the races. This will definitely give some enticement to do all three because you know you're going to get some variation from route to route. So at the very least it will up the appeal for the challenge arguably.

5K does not have Toon town.....I know this because it was kind of a big thing for me, and I am super disappointed about it.

 

[2tinkerbell]

I noticed there is a “pass” for bib pickup. I have not needed one before, this is new to me. When is the pass emailed? Can someone explain the particulars? I am not running this time, but my DD is and she could be considered on the “spectrum” (non definitive diagnosis but some characteristics). It would be helpful to us to have some info ahead of time.

 

[ShoeCello]

I noticed there is a “pass” for bib pickup. I have not needed one before, this is new to me. When is the pass emailed? Can someone explain the particulars? I am not running this time, but my DD is and she could be considered on the “spectrum” (non definitive diagnosis but some characteristics). It would be helpful to us to have some info ahead of time.

From what I remember for the last race, it was emailed to runners a couple days ahead of time - we had to show the email to pick up the bibs.

 

[StarGirl11]

Merch preview is out:

Disneyland Half Merch Preview

Normally don’t get the MK stuff but really liking that shirt

 

[The Expert]

OK that Indy Mickey stuff is super cute! Almost makes me sad I'm not going. Almost.

 

[Sleepless Knight]

Wondering if since the 10k doesn't have a route thru the castle, they will have photogs or a character photo op in front of the castle...

The 2012 Disneyland Half had Princess Aurora and Prince Phillip in front of the castle, but I cannot remember if that race went through the castle. For whatever it's worth that was the last Disneyland Half that I can recall with characters in front of the castle. Since then I ran all 3 Star Wars challenges, the 2017 Avengers Half, and all of last year's Disneyland races.

While this is purely a guess on my part, I will not be surprised if all the character stops for the 10K are Star Wars characters, which could minimize the chances of a Star Wars character by the castle itself.

 

[mmackeymouse]

I don't mean for this to come across insensitive.

But, is anyone getting a little bit worried about whether this race weekend is going to happen?

I know that currently, proximity-wise, Disneyland is pretty far from the wildfires. But, as I have been following the news, I am seeing a lot of factors that could become an issue: availability of first responder personnel. Air quality/safety- I have seen photos from Long Beach that show murky air and soot on surfaces. A number of events have been postponed, and they just moved an NFL game to Arizona. Then, there are the optics. I have already read a number of articles that talk about Universal being closed, while Disneyland remains open. I've seen some people questioning that it is "right" that Disneyland continues to operate. I am sure that sentiment will continue to grow.

 

[Sleepless Knight]

But, is anyone getting a little bit worried about whether this race weekend is going to happen?

It's an interesting question. I think given the circumstances, it's early enough that things will hopefully be closer to normal when race weekend comes around in 3 weeks. I remember back in 2018 when we were dealing with severe wildfires that forced the closure of schools throughout the area, including multiple indoor sporting events being moved to the other venues further away from the fires because even indoors the air quality was that bad. However, in that instance, quite a bit had returned to normal within a few days including sports.

Now, I recognize that for some people, there are very serious life altering issues they're wrestling with right now and I would hope that runDisney will waive the usual no refunds policy for those directly impacted by the wildfires.

Parks being open right now is an issue I don't want to get in the middle of. It's complicated and there are reasons why Disneyland should be open if it can safely operate right now. I also understand other arguments.

My best guess is that race weekend will take place as scheduled unless there is minimal improvement to the current situation between now and then.

 

[Tall Todd]

I'm concerned as well. The deciding factor is likely first responder availability. Hopefully a decision is made with enough notice that people can change plans if need be. I'm going to hold off buying park tickets until that week. Money spent on flights and hotel might be lost...

 

[Naomeri]

I remember how bad the air quality got in MN a couple years ago from fires out west, I can’t imagine trying to run when the fire is just in the next city

 

[The Expert]

Yeah this is no bueno. https://www.accuweather.com/en/us/anaheim/92805/air-quality-index/327150

 

[brightlined]

I might be in the minority here, but I think the overall weekend will happen unless the air quality is genuinely terrible that week - which it generally hasn't been in Anaheim thus far. If Anaheim ends up getting hit directly, I think they might change the plan. But I don't think the fires have had any real impact on Anaheim's first responders, outside of Anaheim Fire, who wouldn't necessarily be involved in this race.

The 5k and 10k only really need comparatively minimal first-responder involvement. The Half is really the one that needs a lot of additional staffing due to distance through Anaheim. I feel like it'd be more likely for them to knock it back to a 10k (with the option of dropping out of the race) over cancelling it outright.

Even if the Half itself doesn't end up happening - they'll still need to distribute the runner apparel, which is going to be easier to do there. And they'll have a lot of merch to sell that people will almost certainly still want to buy, even if the races are impacted. Apart from something genuinely terrible happening, I think the weekend will happen one way or another.

 

[brightlined]

Yeah this is no bueno. https://www.accuweather.com/en/us/anaheim/92805/air-quality-index/327150

View attachment 929365

61 is in the normal range for Anaheim.

150 is typically when they start cancelling races, though I could see Disney going lower (maybe 100-125). (Plume's use of Poor there isn't the standard - it's usually "Unhealthy for sensitive groups.")

 

[mmackeymouse]

Yeah this is no bueno. https://www.accuweather.com/en/us/anaheim/92805/air-quality-index/327150

View attachment 929365

Wow, this is actually genuinely surprising, as most of the other air quality sites I have been following have Anaheim with reasonably fair air quality, if not in the "good" category.

 

[EDS19]

I'm starting to get excited about the upcoming Disneyland Half weekend! Just got back from the WDW Marathon Weekend. I was very impressed with the on course characters, entertainment, and photopass photographers/spots. I've run multiple races at Disneyland and last year and I was able to do the 10K. I was a little underwhelmed with the race last year and hoping they take them up a bit this year. (Maybe they already did for the previous Halloween race, I wasn't able to get in for that one.) Here is hoping for some more character, entertainment, and fun!