runDisney, the running division of Disney Sports, opened registration for the 2012 Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend on Jan, 18 . Now entering its seventh year, the weekend of race events takes place at Disneyland Resort and the surrounding Anaheim, Calif. area.
In addition the half-marathon headline event, the Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend includes a family Fun Run 5K race (with a Stroller Division, kids’s races (for infants through age 8), a health & fitness expo, and a pasta party.
The Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend will take place Aug. 31 – Sept. 2, 2012.
In 2011, the Disneyland Half Marathon attracted nearly 15,000 registered athletes, representing runners and walkers from 49 U.S. States and 23 countries. More than 20,500 athletes participated in the weekend’s events. As with past years, the Disneyland Half Marathon sold out in 2011 and early registration is recommended.
See a photo gallery of the 2011 Disneyland Half Marathon.
Disneyland Half Marathon course
The Disneyland Half Marathon allows athletes to participate in “The Happiest Race on Earth.” Its relatively flat course moves through both Disneyland Resort theme parks – Disneyland and Disney California Adventure – and into the streets of Anaheim, including sections that pass the Anaheim Convention Center and Honda Center.
For participants, course highlights include the sights of Sleeping Beauty Castle and Matterhorn, and catching a glimpse of themselves on the jumbotron screen inside Angel Stadium. Adding to the pixie-dusted race scene are the live course entertainment and Disney characters that populate the course, cheering on athletes with hugs and photo ops. The race ends at the Disneyland Hotel.
Registered athletes need to maintain a 16 minute-per-mile average pace or better. Half marathon participants need to be 14 years or older.
2012 Disneyland Half Marathon registration fees
Once again, in 2012 the Disneyland Half Marathon registration fees vary, using a tiered-fee schedule based on registration dates. Registration fees include race entry, bib, on-course entertainment and support, tech race shirt and finisher’s medal. Registration fees are non-refundable and non-transferable.
Disneyland Half Marathon
- $150 by Feb. 28, 2012
- $165 between Feb. 29 and April 17, 2012
- $180 on or after April 18, 2012
The 2012 Disneyland Half Marathon registration fees reflect a 20% increase from the 2011 entry fees, up from $125 for the lowest fee tier.
Disneyland Family Fun Run 5K
- $50 per participant
- $55 per Stroller division participant
Disneyland Kids' Races
- $20 per child
For more information, or to register for the Disneyland Half Marathon, visit the runDisney site. Spectators can also visit runDisney’s special Spectator Resources page, which will offer runner tracking and ChEAR squad packages for purchase ($35 and up, although there is a free newsletter option).
2012 Pasta in the Park
Also available to purchase are a pre-race Pasta in the Park buffet dinner that takes place in Disneyland Park on Sept. 1, 2012. There are two options. A meal-only ticket is available, which includes Disney character appearances and live DJ. Disney also offers a Pasta in the Park Plus Theme Park Ticket option, which provides the dining experience plus a Twilight Ticket for entry into Disneyland anytime after 4 p.m. on Sept. 1, 2012.
Pasta in the Park Plus Theme Park Ticket
Adults (Age 10 and up): $109.00
Children (Ages 3 - 9): $89.00
Children under 3 - Ticket not required
Pasta in the Park WITHOUT Theme Park Ticket
Adults (Age 10 and up): $89.00
Children (Ages 3 - 9): $69.00
Children under 3 - Ticket not required
For more information, or to register, visit the Pasta in the Park link at Active.com. Or visit
2012 Disneyland Half Marathon schedule
- Disneyland Health & Fitness Expo, Friday, Aug. 31: 12 p.m. – 8 p.m.
- Disneyland Fabulous Fun Run 5K, Saturday, Sept. 1: 6:45 a.m.
- Kids’ Races (infants - 8 years old), Saturday, Sept. 1: 9:00 a.m.
- Disneyland Health & Fitness Expo, Saturday, Sept. 1: 9:00 – 5:00 p.m.
- Pasta in the Park Party, Saturday, Sept. 1: 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
- Disneyland Half Marathon, Sunday, Sept. 2: 5:45 a.m.
About runDisney’s endurance series
The Disneyland Half Marathon is one of several distance events organized by runDisney. The Tinker Bell Half Marathon Weekend will celebrate its inaugural events at the end of February 2012. Other runDisney events include January’s Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend, September’s Tower of Terror 10-Miler Weekend and November’s Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend.
For an overview of 2012 runDisney races, see Running and walking Walt Disney World and Disneyland. Included are information on race and dates, and links to previous events.
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