RunDisney revealed races will go on indefinite hiatus following the 2026 Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend. This shares particulars of the announcement, how lengthy the races will seemingly be on maintain, whether or not they’ll ever return to the California parks, and why this seems like déjà vu over again.
The announcement from Disney signifies that runDisney occasions might be positioned on hiatus in 2026 as a consequence of building impacts at Disneyland Resort. If this sounds acquainted, it’s as a result of that is the second time in lower than a decade that runDisney has paused races at Disneyland beneath the guise of building impacts.
On October 18, 2017, runDisney introduced that “after cautious consideration and weighing all potentialities, we’ve got made the very tough determination to position all runDisney race weekends at Disneyland Resort on hiatus starting in 2018. This contains the related Coast to Coast Race Challenges.” As we’ll talk about beneath, the circumstances have been completely different then, however regardless, runDisney didn’t return to Disneyland till final yr–the 2026 Disneyland Half Marathon will mark the third flagship race again after a 6-year hole.
Quick-forward to April 22, 2025, and right here’s the announcement from runDisney:
- Replace: runDisney on the Disneyland Resort
- Because of upcoming building impacts, runDisney races on the Disneyland Resort might be positioned on hiatus in 2026 after the conclusion of the 2026 Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend introduced by HONDA.
- We are going to proceed to supply races at Walt Disney World Resort, in addition to digital choices.
Again when the races have been abruptly paused in late 2017, efficient only some months later, there was extra to the story than the impression of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge building. Though that was the official rationalization, and a face-saving excuse that almost all followers accepted, it was one among a number of elements.
One other issue was Disney’s tense relationship with the Metropolis of Anaheim. It was a tough few years, involving a collection of standoffs that resulted within the cancellation of Disneyland’s Japanese Gateway and deliberate luxurious lodge on the sting of Downtown Disney. Shortly after the runDisney occasions have been cancelled, Disney and the Metropolis of Anaheim reconciled in 2018 and have had a significantly better relationship since. And by reconciled, I imply that Disney invested closely in political spending to get its most popular candidates elected.
Disneyland has had zero points with the Metropolis of Anaheim since then. Even past extra pro-Disney politicians, Anaheim and its residents realized how dependent it was upon Disney in 2020-2021. The native vibe has modified lots in the previous couple of years. That’s one of many the reason why DisneylandForward was pushed by way of when it was. Not as a result of Disney wants that zoning challenge within the near-term, however as a result of the corporate was opportunistic and appropriately sensed that sentiment was favorable for gaining approval.
Yet one more variable was that runDisney occasions in Anaheim had waned in reputation on the time. There have been in all probability a number of causes for this alone, from oversaturation to uninspired occasions, however regardless of the underlying causes, races weren’t promoting out. That on prime of building and tensions with the Metropolis of Anaheim all mixed to make it a comparatively straightforward determination–even when they referred to as it a tough one.
Admittedly, I don’t have my finger on the heart beat of runDisney dynamics in 2025. From what I’ve heard, navigating logistics with the Metropolis of Anaheim remains to be difficult. Not essentially as a consequence of any underlying political tensions, however just because it’s a herculean job to close down so many metropolis streets for the races. Working with exterior companions complicates all the pieces, and never everyone seems to be absolutely on board with internet hosting the runDisney occasion throughout Anaheim.
Much less credibly, I’ve additionally heard that there are challenges inside runDisney. The group has managed to place extra of a buffer between the flagship Walt Disney World Marathon and Disneyland Half Marathon, however they’re nonetheless lower than a month aside. The previous will get extra consideration as a result of it’s the longstanding, marquee occasion…amongst different causes.
Lastly, there’s the matter of building. This time, that seems like much less of a face-saving excuse and extra of a legitimate rationalization. However, I don’t assume that building alone can be outcome-determinative. Which is to say that if all else have been going swimmingly with the Anaheim occasions, runDisney would’ve discovered a solution to navigate the Avengers Campus building and no matter different tasks may break floor throughout the subsequent 18 months.
The most important obstacle to runDisney persevering with in California may not be the in-park growth tasks, however fairly, the revived Japanese Gateway challenge. One of many cornerstones for DisneylandForward is a brand new parking construction between Harbor Blvd and Disney Means. That is presently the Pumbaa lot for Forged Member parking and a few empty parcels, and can also be utilized because the staging location and end line for runDisney races.
The Japanese Gateway is extensively believed to be a essential prerequisite to plenty of the opposite improvement plans at Disneyland Resort. Whereas the brand new immersive theme park and Disney Springs-esque space on the map above are (in all probability?) nonsense, it’s true that Pandora: World of Avatar and different tasks (in all probability?) can’t start building till the present Esplanade is adjusted–and that may’t occur with out Japanese Gateway.
For all of those causes, it wouldn’t be in the least stunning if runDisney is on hiatus at Disneyland Resort for no less than 5 years. It’d really be nearer to a full decade when you account for the Japanese Gateway building, then the bus loop demolition, adopted by the Pandora (or no matter else) building.
Truthfully, I wouldn’t be stunned if runDisney by no means returns to Disneyland given the entire above. It’s a problem to juggle each Walt Disney World and Disneyland occasions, a problem to coordinate with the Metropolis of Anaheim, and there’s not a lot incentive to work round building. On the similar time, I additionally wouldn’t really anticipate runDisney to be gone from Disneyland ceaselessly. Sufficient time will go, worker turnover will occur, institutional reminiscence will fade about the entire above, and Disneyland occasions will as soon as once more be considered as a possible development engine.
Within the meantime, we’d suggest getting your last “repair” on runDisney in California with the 2026 Disneyland Half Marathon. Simply be warned, as registration is probably going going to get far more aggressive for this race now that runDisney has introduced all the pieces past this one is happening hiatus!
Listed here are full particulars about that upcoming occasion:
If you happen to’re seeking to “Have fun Pleasure” prepare, get set …to smile! runDisney goes to “Have fun Glad” throughout the Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend introduced by Honda, January 29–February 1, 2026. For much more completely happy information, it’s taking place throughout the seventieth anniversary of the Disneyland Resort! This race weekend might be themed to alternative ways to have fun what delights us most, think about the Happiest Race on Earth on the Happiest Place on Earth.
Right here’s a primary have a look at the completely happy occasion themes for the 2026 race weekend:
Disneyland 5K introduced by Honda
On January 30, be a part of Pleasure from Disney and Pixar’s Inside Out movies to “Have fun Pleasure” throughout your 3.1 miles!
Disneyland 10K introduced by Honda
On January 31, prepare for six.2 magical miles with Sorcerer’s Apprentice Mickey as you “Have fun Creativeness!”
Disneyland Half Marathon introduced by Honda
On February 1, “Have fun Togetherness” throughout 13.1 miles of “it’s a small world” wonders — make sure you convey a pal!
Dumbo Double Dare introduced by Honda
It’s also possible to “Have fun Achievement” with Dumbo and earn an additional medal by ending each the 10K and the half marathon for a complete of 19.3 miles!
Children 9 and beneath can “Have fun Laughter” on January 31 as they soar into thrilling runs that includes Sew, a.okay.a., Experiment 626.
Disneyland Yoga introduced by Honda
Get able to stretch and “Have fun Smiles” on January 29 throughout a morning yoga session with the magnificent Miss Piggy in entrance of Sleeping Magnificence Fort.
Runners eager to take part within the 2026 Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend occasions ought to mark their calendars for April 29, 2025 at 7:00 AM PT | 10:00 AM ET, when normal registration will start.
Planning a Southern California trip? For park admission offers, learn Suggestions for Saving Cash on Disneyland Tickets. Study on-site and off-site lodges in our Anaheim Lodge Evaluations & Rankings. For the place to eat, take a look at our Disneyland Restaurant Evaluations. For distinctive concepts of issues that’ll enhance your journey, take a look at What to Pack for Disney. For complete recommendation, seek the advice of our Disneyland Trip Planning Information. Lastly, for guides past Disney, take a look at our Southern California Itineraries for day journeys to Los Angeles, Laguna Seashore, and lots of different SoCal cities!
YOUR THOUGHTS
Ideas on runDisney as soon as once more suspending races in California? Suppose that is merely a matter of building, or are logistics for the races in Anaheim too large of a hurdle to beat? Excited concerning the 2026 Disneyland Half Marathon? Which race(s) will you run? Do you agree or disagree with our commentary? Any questions we can assist you reply? Listening to your suggestions–even once you disagree with us–is each attention-grabbing to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas beneath within the feedback!