RunDisney shortens half-marathon course by six miles due to weather
RunDisney made the decision to shorten the course due to the weather but did not close the parks
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RunDisney
More than 9,000 eager runners anticipating a magical experience at the “Happiest Place on Earth” (Walt Disney World) found their expectations dashed on Saturday as runDisney was forced to modify the course for the 2024 Walt Disney World Half Marathon due to an incoming storm. The announcement came just hours before the start, leaving participants disappointed and questioning the decision.
The race was scheduled to kick off at 5 a.m. but was bumped 15 minutes earlier in response to the forecast predicting severe weather conditions around 9 a.m. (four hours into the half-marathon.) RunDisney’s primary concern was to ensure the safety of all participants, which prompted them to adjust the course to seven miles (11.26 km) to have everyone safely off the course by 8 a.m.
Late Friday, RunDisney sent a notification outlining the alterations to the race. The adjustment involved a reduction in the race’s distance and a change to the route. The route was now an out-and-back loop to and from Epcot, not running through the Magic Kingdom. Additionally, the start time was shifted to 4:45 a.m. Despite understanding the necessity of the decision for safety reasons, many runners expressed disappointment, with some questioning why Walt Disney World did not close all parks given the storm conditions.
A participant voiced concerns, pointing out that all parks remained open despite the incoming storm. “So it’s not safe for the half marathon, but super safe for park activity—money matters, clearly,” one frustrated runner wrote.
The Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend consists of four races, starting with a 5K on Thursday, followed by a 10K on Friday, the half-marathon on Saturday, and concluding with the marathon on Sunday. Thousands of runners flock to Walt Disney World each year to participate in this magical event that takes them through the four iconic parks: Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom.
Some runners also questioned the meaning of a half-marathon through Walt Disney World if it doesn’t traverse the parks and isn’t truly the half-marathon distance. RunDisney acknowledged their announcement brought frustration but remained silent on whether there would be refunds or compensation.
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