runDisney announces cancellation of 2021 Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend and Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend

Sep 22, 2020 in "Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend"

Posted: Tuesday September 22, 2020 2:27pm ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

runDisney has announced the cancellation of in-person races for both the 2021 Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend and Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

As with the 2020 Disney Wine and Dine Half Marathon Weekend, both events will be converted to virtual events. The Marathon Weekend was scheduled for January 2021 and the Princess Half was scheduled for February 2021.

Participants who registered through runDisney.com will have the option of receiving a full refund for the race. Those who are registered with a U.S. mailing address may convert their existing registration to the new virtual event that can be completed from home, a local running track or favorite running trail.

Eligible runners who participate in the virtual race will receive a medal for each distance they complete and the option of a race shirt. Registered participants will receive an email beginning September 23 with instructions on how to make their registration selection before October 7, 2020.

Learn more about the refund details at runDisney.

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Surferboy567Feb 06, 2024

Virtual marathon weekend has been completely removed off the runDisney site.

the.dreamfinderJan 26, 2024

Have you seen how dinged up the second Coast to Coast medal at the race expos got?

RteetzJan 26, 2024

Yeah the Coast to Coast one is not good quality. Even the display one at the expo was pretty beat up.

wdwjmp239Jan 24, 2024

@Surferboy567 We left the afternoon of January 8th and I remember sleeping in the car on the way home. On January 9th, I went to work thinking nothing of it. That night, I started getting sick - stomach cramps, nausea, and just overall exhaustion. January 10th and 11th - let's just say that "everything" happened. January 12th, I went back to work. January 13th - I went out and did a 3 mile easy run like nothing happened. It was very weird - as quick as it came on - it was gone. I've been fine ever since.

Surferboy567Jan 23, 2024

Ask runDisney they may send you a replacement if you ask.

MoonRakerSCMJan 23, 2024

My coast to coast medal got damaged literally before departing the family reunion area. It jingled once against my half medal around my neck.

Surferboy567Jan 23, 2024

I have to say I’m a fan of the medals from this marathon weekend and Disneyland races. I don’t think they look cheap. I also have a special connection to them since it’s my first marathon weekend, dopey, and marathon. I also liked the set of medals from the 50th anniversary as well as 2020. A medal design I really don’t like though is the Princess Half medal this year with Tiana. That thing is ugly. The challenge medal is cool though. Springtime Surprise medals have consistently been great as well.

uncle jimmyJan 23, 2024

The current medals at races look cheap and a lack of creative effort went into them. I wouldn't mind some paint, but more medal then paint. I'm worried they'll move towards graphic on stickers next.

RunningKoenJan 23, 2024

I’ve said it before but the current trend of medals is not my thing. The paint will get damaged so easily and everything that moves (in whatever way) can easily break. Bring back the more solid metal medals!

Surferboy567Jan 22, 2024

After some back and forth with runDisney they have agreed to send me a replacement medal for the half marathon. This is what happened to the original half marathon medal.

Surferboy567Jan 16, 2024

This time of year is also notorious for sickness like this to spread. So I’m sure that’s not helping either.

GreenlawlerJan 16, 2024

I have been dealing with the crud all winter. Certainly did not help this weekend, or last.

Surferboy567Jan 13, 2024

Did anyone come home sick? I am definitely not feeling great, possibly COVID.

wdwjmp239Jan 11, 2024

I have to say that 2024 Marathon Weekend was probably one of the most challenging ever. Not from an endurance standpoint, but from a mental strength standpoint and with the rain! Saturday was a shortened half marathon course due to incoming inclement weather. I think this was a good call on Disney's part, but when I picked up the medal at the end - it stayed in the wrapping until I finished the other half of the "half" marathon which I did that afternoon when the rain cleared out. Sunday was the full marathon. It started off dry and then the surprise monsoon. I was inside the Ticket & Transportation Center Parking Lot when the sky decided to open up. I could've said, "Screw this!" and yanked myself off the course because I knew my feet were going to be hating life (blisters, wet socks, wet shoes, etc.), but I kept going. I kept pressing on. When I got into the Hollywood Studios, I thought I crossed the finish line and started to bust out in tears (I was wearing sunglasses at this point) because I knew the finish line was pretty dang close. I kept moving on and eventually wound up in Epcot where my wife was standing there with the camera....I hopped off the course....gave her a hug....and that was the fuel I needed to make it to the finish line with the balloon ladies waaaaaaaay behind me (I heard a spectator inside World Showcase telling the runners going through that they were 45 mins behind us). Big shout out to the 6:15 pace group who I latched onto to get me out of Blizzard Beach. I knew that parking lot was going to be the death of me and needed to be with a group to just soften the blow of running around a parking lot. It's long and boring. Another huge shout out goes out to all of the runners - whether you started and finished or you started and never finished....you did more in the training, you showed up, you started..... if this year wasn't your year..... 2025 seems like a pretty sweet redemption year. That'll be your time! I'll see you all on the course then! Let's get this!