It's Gonna Be a Runner's Night Out at This Year's #runDisney Wine and Dine Half Weekend

Registration is now open for RunDisney's Wine and Dine Half Marathon weekend which is slated to take place November 8-9, 2013 at the Walt Disney World Resort. This year promises to be the ULTIMATE Runner's Night Out with several special events taking place both before and after the main event.

As you may have noticed, I have definitely caught the RunDisney bug (Tinkerbell Half Marathon Recap...anxiously awaiting the Dumbo Double Dare at Disneyland and my second Tower of Terror 10 miler at Walt Disney World this Fall) and this race weekend, which features a nighttime Half Marathon passing through three theme parks followed by a finish line party at Epcot where racers and their guests can sample food and wine from around the world while enjoying select attractions, sound like the perfect mix to me... Food, Wine, Running, and Disney... can't beat that can you?

Photo Courtesy of Disney Sports News

Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Highlights:

• 13.1-mile course through Walt Disney World® Theme Parks
• Disney Characters and Entertainment on-course
• Event Weekend Transportation for Walt Disney World® Guests staying at Event Host Resorts
• Family Reunion Area with entertainment and characters
• Exclusive after hours Finish Line Party at the Epcot® International Food & Wine Festival for participants

Not quite ready for a 13.1 mile Half Marathon?  Hakuna Matata! Mickey's Jungle Jingle 5K is the perfect  speed for runners and walkers alike who wish to join in the runDisney fun at a more fun and relaxing pace!

Mickey's Jingle Jungle 5K Highlights:

• 5K course through Disney's Animal Kingdom® Theme Park
• Disney Characters and entertainment on-course
• Event Weekend Transportation from the Event Host Resorts

And don't forget about the little runners in your group!  There's even the perfect race for the smallest Mousekerunners with the runDisney Kid's Races of Wine and Dine weekend:

runDisney Kids Dashes Age Groups

• 12 months and under - Diaper Dash for crawlers
• 1-3 years old - 100m dash
• 4-6 years old - 200m dash
• 7-8 years old - 400m dash
• One Mile Run - Open to all children 13 years old & under

Disney Parks Moms Panelist Lori L.
(Photo Courtesy of Disney World News)

Planning to attend runDisney's Wine and Dine weekend, or any other runDisney event, but not sure where to begin planning?  Be sure to visit my friend (fellow panelist) and runDisney specialist on the Disney Parks Moms Panel, Lori!  She's always there to provide the best insider info around and can help you tailor a magical runDisney weekend.

It seems like there's a runDisney race for everyone!  Which is your favorite!?

Official Press Release via Disney Sports News:

Runners can now register for this year’s Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend at Walt Disney World Resort, Nov. 8 -9, by going to www.rundisney.com.

More than 20,500 runners are expected to register for weekend races, including 14,000 for the nighttime half marathon, increasing the number of registered runners for runDisney races in 2013 to more than 175,000 – a single-year record for runDisney, which has seven event weekends. Last year more than 125,000 runners competed in runDisney’s seven event weekends at Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort.

The 13.1-mile Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon course takes runners through Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Epcot. After crossing the finish line runners can join family and friends for a special ticketed post-race party inside Epcot until 4 am (friends and family must purchase party ticket for entry). The Finish Line Party features more than 25 kiosks offering fine cuisine and wine from the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, plus Disney characters, music and the opportunity to ride various attractions such as the newly reimagined Test Track Presented by Chevrolet and Soarin’. New this year is the Disney Wine & Dine Pre-Race Taste on Friday, Nov. 8, at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. This special ticketed event offers runners and fans a private reception on the set of Lights, Motor, Action! Extreme Stunt Show, featuring food and beverages from the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, music and Disney characters.

In addition, Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend features therunDisney Kids Races, Mickey’s Jingle Jungle 5K and the half marathon which starts at 10 pm at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.

There’s also Disney’s Health and Fitness Expo on Friday and Saturday, Nov. 8 – 9, at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. The expo offers the latest in running apparel, technology and a speaker series featuring running experts such as runDisney official training consultant Jeff Galloway and runDisney nutritionist Tara Gidus. Disney’s Health and Fitness Expo is free and open to the public.

To register for Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend races and to purchase tickets for the Disney Wine & Dine Pre-Race Taste and Finish Line Party at Epcot,visit www.runDisney.com.