runDisney just dropped the full calendar for the 2026-2027 race season, and there’s one glaring omission that West Coast runners are not happy about. Disneyland races are completely absent from the entire season.
This confirms what was previously announced: Disneyland runDisney events are going on hiatus due to construction at the resort. For runners who prefer California races over Florida events, this means an entire year of traveling cross-country to participate in runDisney or settling for virtual races instead.
Understanding the runDisney Calendar
Before diving into what’s included, it’s essential to understand what this calendar covers. The 2026-2027 season doesn’t include spring 2026 races, such as the Marathon Weekend in January or the Princess Half Marathon Weekend in February. Those events are part of the current 2025-2026 season, which is still ongoing.
The new season begins with the Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend in October 2026 and continues through the Springtime Surprise Weekend in April 2027. This is how runDisney seasons typically work, running from fall through the following spring.
Walt Disney World Events
All in-person runDisney races for this season take place at Walt Disney World. Here’s the complete lineup:
2026 Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend
- Dates: October 22-25, 2026
- General registration opens: February 10, 2026
- Features nighttime racing through EPCOT and surrounding areas
2027 Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend
- Dates: January 6-10, 2027
- General registration opens: March 17, 2026
- The flagship runDisney event with full marathon, half marathon, 10K, and 5K
- Draws the largest participant numbers of any runDisney weekend
2027 Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend
- Dates: February 25-March 1, 2027
- General registration opens: June 2, 2026
- Princess-themed weekend with elaborate medals and character interactions
- Attracts predominantly female participants but open to all
2027 runDisney Springtime Surprise Weekend
- Dates: April 15-18, 2027
- General registration opens: July 7, 2026
- Provides spring racing option at Walt Disney World
Virtual Racing Options
For runners who can’t make it to Florida or prefer virtual racing, runDisney is offering three virtual series:
2026 runDisney Virtual Series
- Runs: June 1-August 31, 2026
- General registration opens: April 7, 2026
- Summer virtual event when no in-person races occur
2026 runDisney Virtual Spooktacular (NEW)
- Runs: October 1-31, 2026
- General registration opens: August 11, 2026
- New Halloween-themed virtual race
- First time runDisney has offered October virtual event
2026 runDisney Virtual 12Ks of Christmas
- Runs: December 1-31, 2026
- General registration opens: October 6, 2026
- Holiday-themed virtual event
The Virtual Spooktacular represents an expansion of runDisney’s virtual offerings, acknowledging continued demand for flexible racing options that allow participants to complete challenges on their own schedules and locations.
The Disneyland runDisney Problem
The most notable aspect of this calendar is what’s missing. Zero Disneyland events. Not one California race during the entire 2026-2027 season.
Disneyland runDisney races are on hiatus due to construction happening at the resort. The specific details about what construction projects are causing the hiatus haven’t been publicly shared, but whatever infrastructure work is happening makes it unfeasible to safely stage races through and around the resort.
This creates real problems for certain groups of runners:
West Coast runners who prefer Disneyland events due to proximity now have to travel to Florida if they want in-person runDisney races. That’s significantly more expensive and time-consuming than driving or taking short flights to Anaheim.
Runners who specifically enjoy Disneyland race courses lose access to those particular routes and the unique experience of running through Disney California Adventure and Disneyland Park.
Participants who liked having options on both coasts, allowing more frequent runDisney participation without always crossing the country, now face choice between focusing exclusively on Walt Disney World or skipping a season.
What This Means for runDisney
The concentration of all in-person runDisney races at Walt Disney World could increase competition for registration spots. West Coast runners who might have split participation between both coasts now compete for the same Florida event slots as everyone else.
The hiatus also raises questions that won’t be answered for a while:
- When will Disneyland races return?
- Will the courses remain the same after construction?
- How long will the hiatus actually last?
- Will this affect the West Coast runDisney community long-term?
Looking Ahead
For runners planning to participate in runDisney events in 2026-2027, the path forward is clear: focus on Walt Disney World events or virtual races. Disneyland simply isn’t an option until construction concludes and California races return to future calendars.
Registration for these events opens at various points throughout 2026, allowing runners time to plan their travel, coordinate accommodations, and complete any necessary training. But that planning now requires accepting that Florida is the only in-person option for an entire season.
The exclusion of Disneyland from the runDisney calendar represents a significant change that particularly impacts West Coast runners who built their runDisney participation around California events. Whether this turns out to be a one-season hiatus or extends longer remains to be seen.
