Let us help you gear up for the Wine and Dine Half Marathon weekend being held September 30 – October 1, 2011! Whether you are racing in the 5K or the half marathon, or cheering on a participant, this weekend will also offer time to dine on international foods at the 2011 Epcot Food and Wine Festival. Be sure to check out our Wine and Dine Half Marathon Weekend pages for all the info you need!
Calendar of Events
Friday, September 30
Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Expo
Jostens Center at ESPN Wide World of Sports 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
The Expo is a two-day event filled with fun, fitness and food! This is where runners will register for the weekend events, pick up numbers and goody bags, and attend any seminars or events having to do with the races.
Pre-Race: Race waiver forms are ready to be downloaded and printed. Fill out the waiver and bring it with you to the Expo so you can receive your race number. Go ahead and take care of it out now! Pack the waiver with your other race essentials. Download here.
Now is a good time to review your Half Marathon, Half Marathon Relay, Family 5K, and Disney Kids’ Final Race Instructions. Unable to attend Packet Pick-Up? See Absentee instructions.
Will you wear a costume? Costumes are permitted in the Half Marathon. No face masks and costumes must not “be questionable or offensive” to others.
Transportation: Buses from Host Resorts will leave every 20 minutes. Look for runDisney logo in the front window of bus. Buses will run from one half hour prior to Expo opening until one half hour after Expo closing.
Step 1: Pick up your race packet at the HP Field House, then proceed to the Jostens Center for your t-shirt and goody bag.
Note: Your race packet should contain Half Marathon Bib Number with B-tag attached, Bag Check Sticker, Finish Line Party Guide, Finish Line Party Wristband, $10 Disney Gift Card, Pre-purchased commemorative pin if applicable.
Step 2: Pick up pre-purchased items. You will need to show your ID to pick up your items including commemorative Ears.
Step 3: Purchase any tickets needed for the Finish Line Party and Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. Tickets are subject to availability.
Trick or Treat!
Browse the latest running accessories including athletic shoes, apparel and gadgets. Seminars will highlight training tips by Jeff Galloway (runDisney training consultant) and cooking demonstrations by Epcot Food and Wine chefs! Look for Food & Wine Festival booths at locations 201, 203, 205, 300, 302 & 304!
Food Seminars
Culinary Demonstration 2:00 p.m.
Chef Gary E. Jones, Walt Disney World Culinary Dietary Specialist
Join Chef Gary E. Jones for a unique culinary demonstration!
Nutrition for Runners 4:00 p.m.
Tara Gidus, RD, CSSD
Improve your sports performance with good nutrition! Tara (a nationally recognized expert in sports nutrition and the Team Dietitian for the NBA’s Orlando Magic) will offer the latest tips on what to eat before, during and after training runs and races!
Saturday, October 1
Disney Halloween 5K (scroll down to see Course)
Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Park 7:00 a.m. Start
Begin your adventure in the Animal Kingdom as you race through The Oasis and towards the Discovery Island Trails. You’ll feel a sense of wonder and perhaps a burst of energy as you run past The Tree of Life on your way to Africa. Next, you’ll run to Asia where you’ll pass Flights of Wonder and Expedition Everest. Keep your pace as you go by Finding Nemo – The Musical on your way to DinoLand, U.S.A. You’ll be on your way to an unforgettable finish as you run past Dinosaur. You’ll be rewarded with a “trick or treat” bag of refreshments!
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Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Expo
Jostens Center at ESPN Wide World of Sports 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Disney Kids’ Races
Track & Field Complex at ESPN Wide World of Sports 10:00 a.m. Start
Pre-registered children ages 8 and under can be a part of the Kids’ Races so they can earn a medal just like Mom and/or Dad. The races include the infant Diaper Dash, 100m, 200m, and 400m. On your mark, get set, run!
Packet Pick-Up will take place Friday in the HP Field House during Expo hours and Saturday at 9:00 a.m. at the Track & Field Complex.
Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon and Half Marathon Relay (Scroll down to see course)
Start – ESPN Wide World of Sports; Exchange – Disney’s Animal Kingdom; Park Finish – Epcot 10:00 p.m. Start
Corral Start Map
Runners will begin at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex where they’ll race down Victory Way before heading west on Osceola Parkway. Upon entering the Animal Kingdom park, you’ll race past the Tree of Life, Expedition Everest and Dinosaur, before heading back to Osceola Parkway. Relay runners will transition in Animal Kingdom.
Your next destination is Disney’s Hollywood Studios. In the shadow of The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, pace yourself as you run down Sunset Boulevard and through Pixar Place where you’ll go past Toy Story Mania!. Next, journey through the Costuming Tunnel in the Backlot. You’ll make your big debut at Lights Motor Action! before continuing through the Streets of America, past Star Tours and Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular and on your way to Epcot!
The course will take you past the beautiful Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club Resorts and lead you through the International Gateway entrance to Epcot. You’re almost there as you continue backstage at World Showcase to the finish at Epcot’s Taxi lot at the front entrance to the park.
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click image for larger version - theme park routes
Half Marathon Relay Instructions
Step 1: See Transportation options below.
Step 2: Relay teams must arrive the Sports Complex by 9:00 p.m.
Step 3: Runner #1 gives gear bag with bag check sticker to Relay Runner #2 prior to race start. Keep runner #1’s bag with you and then check Runner #2’s gear bag with bag check sticker into Bag Check at Sports Complex. Runner #2 takes shuttle to the Relay Exchange.
Step 4: By 9:30 p.m., Relay Runner #1 must be in corral.
Step 5: Take shuttle to Relay Exchange. By 10:00 p.m., check gear bag for Relay Runner #1 at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park.
Relay Exchange Zone
Step 6: By 10:30 p.m., Relay Runner #2 must be in exchange corral at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park.
Half Marathon (One Runner) Instructions
Start – ESPN Wide World of Sports; Finish – Epcot 10:00 p.m. Start
Step 1: Transportation Host resorts will provide bus transportation to ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex beginning at 7:00 p.m. Participants must board bus by 8:00 p.m. Runners with a private vehicle must park at Epcot (parking fee waived for runners and spectators after 6:00 p.m.) to board shuttle to Sports Complex. Shuttles will begin at 7:00 p.m. and participants must board by 8:00 p.m. Look for RunDisney logo in front window!
Tip: Stay at a Host Resort (All Star Movies, All Star Music, All Star Sports, Beach Club, Boardwalk Inn, Old Key West Resort, Port Orleans French Quarter, Port Orleans Riverside)
Step 2: Bag Check Bags must be checked by 9:00 p.m. at the Sports Complex and claimed at the finish line by 2:15 a.m.
Step 3: Corral Signs, announcements and race personnel will help direct you to your assigned corral.
Step 4: The Finish Proceed through finish chute where you’ll be presented with your medallion.
Proceed to Refreshment Area and Baggage Claim before heading to the Finish Line Party where you can reunite with family and/or friends. Note: Tickets must be purchased for guests attending the party.
Tip: Select a pre-arranged meeting place within Epcot!
Finish Line Party
Epcot 10:30 p.m. – 3:00 a.m.
After you run around the parks, dine around World Showcase at the after-hours finish line party in Epcot!
The Craziness That Was Last Year's After-Party -- we hope it'll be better this year
We’ll see you there! For more info about this opening weekend of the Festival, check out our 2011 Epcot Food and Wine Festival page!
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I did this race last year and I LOVED having a race at night…however I was so overwhelmed by the crush of people around for the afterparty that I just gave my food and drink coupons to some stranger and left.
I can’t make it to the nighttime race this year, but I am doing the 5K in the morning. I am really looking forward to “running” (HA!) through AK.
Hope the afterparty is better for people this year.
Thanks Elizabeth! According to Disney, the afterparty will be better this year. They’re moving the end of the race to the parking lot so there will be more room for runners to cool down and get their bags, plus they say they’re reducing the number of tickets sold (though I heard they’re pushing sales as well, so who knows!). They’re also opening more of the booths this year!
Good luck to everyone running! I haven’t done this Disney World 5K but have done others. It was one of the best-organized events that I have been to. 🙂
I had a similar after party experience as Elizabeth. However, I am running the race again this year because Disney sent out many surveys after the 2010 inaugural run and made changes accordingly. We can look forward to having more space, more attractions available, and more FOOD! Hope to see you there AJ! (If you have a butterfinger cupcake waiting for me and the finish line, I will run faster.)
Yay! So excited to see you again, Nancy!!
This will be my first half (half)-marathon. I’m doing the relay. Anyone have any advice if my friend running the first leg is super out of shape?
Christopher — Ha ha! That sounds like Todd P. and me! I hope I can keep up with him! See you at the race; good luck with your fist leg runner!
Hi AJ- stopping by from TWINS RUN. This is an absolutely PERFECT overview; boy, I wish I had seen this that weekend! I’ll know to stay tuned to your site this November. 😀