Photo Kitera Dent / Unsplash
- Marathon
- Half
Walt Disney World
Walt Disney World Marathon
A flat loop through EPCOT, Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios.
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2027 edition
Next up
Countdown
68
days to 9 Jan 2027
- Distance
- Marathon
- Course
- Flat
- Climb
- 79 m
- Entry
- —
About
The race
The Walt Disney World Marathon offers a unique race experience through the famous Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida. The course starts at approximately 27 m elevation and finishes at around 27 m, following a mostly flat loop that connects several of the resort’s theme parks and entertainment areas. Runners pass through iconic locations including EPCOT, Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, and Hollywood Studios while enjoying entertainment, themed sections, and character appearances along the route. The course features gentle rolling sections caused mainly by highway overpasses and ramps, which act as the race’s only noticeable “hills.” With its festive atmosphere and immersive setting, the event is one of the most popular destination marathons in the United States.
Location
Orlando, FL, United States
North America · typically 14°C (57°F) on race day
Open in OpenStreetMapBefore you go
Pro tips
Racing it
- 01
Overpasses Are the Hills
The only noticeable climbs on this flat course are highway overpasses and ramps, adding up to about 79 m of total climb. Ease off there and let the flat miles carry you.
From the elevation profile
- 02
Cool Morning Start
Typical race-day temperature is 13.9 C, so the early miles will feel cool. Line up in layers you can shed as the Florida sun warms the course later.
From the temperature
- 03
Net-Zero Loop
The route starts and finishes at roughly 27 m elevation, so the climbing and descending balance out. Run even effort instead of banking time on the long flat stretches.
From the elevation profile
- 04
Park Paths Break Rhythm
The loop links EPCOT, Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios with entertainment and character stops. Narrow park paths and crowds can slow you, so keep them as scenery.
From the description
- 05
Direct Entry, No Ballot
Entry to the marathon and half is direct rather than a lottery, so you can commit and plan your travel and training as soon as you decide to run.
From the entry
In Orlando, FL
Resort Transport
Disney resort buses and the monorail are the easiest way to move between parks and the start area, and roads near the resort get congested on race morning.
Where to Watch
Seeing runners inside the theme parks requires a park ticket; the resort's open areas and the finish zone are the simpler spots for spectators to cheer.
Recovering Afterward
For a quiet shakeout away from the parks, downtown Orlando's Lake Eola Park and the streets of Winter Park are walkable and relaxed places to loosen up sore legs.
Written by AI from the course data and the race's description; city tips are general knowledge. Check race-day details with the organizer.
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