I rarely write about myself. Making an exception because this is runDisney.
runDisney just dropped the first look at the 2026 Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend medals. I am running two of these races, the 5K and the 10K, and I have been waiting on this since the themes were announced.
They are the cutest ones. I said what I said.
If you have never done a Disney race, that probably sounds like a lot. But nobody is out there at 4:30 a.m. chasing a personal record. You are there for the course, the characters, and the piece of metal at the finish line.
The medal is the point.
5K: The Aristocats
Marie, Toulouse, and Berlioz inside a golden border. The Eiffel Tower at the top of the France pavilion.
This is my favorite, and I am not being subtle about it. All three kittens together work perfectly for a 5K, and the gold frame makes it look more expensive than a typical short-race medal.
Race day: Friday, October 23. The first group starts at 4:30 a.m., half an hour earlier than in past years. Start times run from 4:30 a.m. to 7:30 a.m., depending on your group.
runDisney is pairing it with the Crème de la Crème à la Edgar beverage and Pastry Crackers in France.
10K: The Three Caballeros
Flower-shaped medal. Donald, Panchito, and José are in front of the Mexico pavilion temple.
The shape is the selling point. Most runDisney medals are circles, so this one stands out on a rack. Getting The Three Caballeros instead of just Donald matters too, especially if you already own a few Donald medals.
Race day: Saturday, October 24, at 5:00 a.m. Tamales in Mexico are part of the theme.
Half Marathon: Mary Poppins
This one spins.
Penguins on one side, a silhouette of Mary flying over London on the reverse. The frame is shaped like her umbrella.
Spinners are always a hit, and the umbrella frame seals it.
Race day: Sunday, October 25, at 5:00 a.m. The medal theme is the United Kingdom pavilion.
Two-Course Challenge: Grumpy
Grumpy on the front, set in a German-style clock with a pretzel and a bratwurst.
And it opens. Inside, there is Snow White artwork on one side and Grumpy with “Finisher 19.3 Miles” on the other.
runDisney does not often offer opening medals all the time. Pairing Grumpy with Germany is a good joke to hand someone at mile 19.3.
Race days: October 24 and 25, covering the 10K and Half-Marathon. Finish both on pace, and you get three medals total.
Why This Reveal Matters
Non-runners miss this part.
You cannot plan a race outfit until you have seen the medal.
Sounds absurd. Completely true. The medal sets your color palette. Marie, Toulouse, and Berlioz in a gold frame tell you exactly what your finish-line photo looks like, and you dress to match instead of clash.
I have that information for both my races now. I am using it.
The Weekend
October 22 through 25 at Walt Disney World.
Everything ties back to World Showcase. France for the 5K, Mexico for the 10K, the United Kingdom for the half, and Germany for the Challenge.
All four races are sold out. 5K, 10K, half marathon, Challenge.
The Post-Race Party at EPCOT on October 25 is still available at $125.00. Half-marathon and Challenge runners already have entry included. Friends and family can buy in separately.
Two Months Out
Medals revealed. Races full. The countdown has started.
If you got in, you know the feeling. If you did not, the Post-Race Party is still open, and EPCOT after hours during Food & Wine is a decent runner-up.
I will be at the 5K and the 10K, planning outfits until October, and probably crying at both finish lines.
