Field of 20,000-plus runners expected to push runDisney to record year of more than 175,000 registered runners in 2013

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (March 12, 2013) – 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 the runDisney 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.

Schedule of Events

Disney’s Health and Fitness Expo

Nov. 8 – 9

ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex

 

Disney Wine & Dine Pre-Race Taste

Nov. 8, 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

 

Mickey’s Jingle Jungle 5K

Nov. 9, 7 am

Disney’s Animal Kingdom

 

runDisney Kids Races

Nov. 9

ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex

 

Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon

Nov.9, 10 pm

ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex

 

Finish Line Party

Nov. 9, 10 pm – 4 am

Epcot