Walt Disney World Marathon guide

Sun, Jan 10, 2027 · Orlando, FL, USA · Start 4:30 AM

What to know when planning this race

Start, finish & getting there
Start and finish are both at EPCOT; the course runs through all four parks and ESPN Wide World of Sports.
Convenient areas to stay
Disney resort hotels with free buses to the start. The expo is at ESPN Wide World of Sports.
Confirmed vs. carried over
The race date and start time come from the official site but haven't been re-checked for this edition. The expo venue and hours follow prior years. Aid station mile markers are approximate.
Plan around before race morning
  • Resort buses run from about 2:30–3:00 AM; the start is 4:30 AM, and later corrals start 30–60 minutes after that.
  • Allow time for security screening and a long walk to the corrals.
  • Complete the online waiver and bring your Check-in Pass to the expo.

Sources for Walt Disney World Marathon:

Race overview

Organizer
runDisney
Date
Sun, Jan 10, 2027
Distance
Marathon
Start time
4:30 AM
Start location
EPCOT start area (World Drive / EPCOT parking lot), Walt Disney World Resort
Finish location
EPCOT, Walt Disney World Resort
Official race website

Verification date unavailable. Source

Course

Cumulative elevation, mile by mile. Amber bars are the significant climbs.

Significant climbs

  • Mile 22–23 · +23 ft
  • Mile 4–5 · +20 ft
  • Mile 23–24 · +19 ft

Significant descents

  • Mile 3–4 · −25 ft
  • Mile 10–11 · −25 ft
  • Mile 23–24 · −25 ft
Mile-by-mile course notes
  • Mile 0–1 +4 / −4 ft · Start near EPCOT on World Drive. Course is very flat (elevation 90–120 ft), with short rises from highway overpasses and ramps. Totals: 260 ft gain / 258 ft loss (FindMyMarathon course profile, updated Dec 2025).
  • Mile 1–2 +5 / −0 ft
  • Mile 2–3 +7 / −2 ft · Overpass climb on World Drive heading north.
  • Mile 3–4 +15 / −25 ft
  • Mile 4–5 +20 / −22 ft · Ticket and Transportation Center area approaching Magic Kingdom.
  • Mile 5–6 +6 / −6 ft · Magic Kingdom — Main Street U.S.A. and through Cinderella Castle; crowded, watch footing.
  • Mile 6–7 +5 / −2 ft
  • Mile 7–8 +5 / −3 ft · Exit Magic Kingdom past the Grand Floridian / Polynesian area.
  • Mile 8–9 +16 / −3 ft
  • Mile 9–10 +13 / −14 ft
  • Mile 10–11 +10 / −25 ft · Long resort-road stretch; overpass ramps here.
  • Mile 11–12 +13 / −11 ft
  • Mile 12–13 +2 / −3 ft · Lonely highway miles toward Animal Kingdom — pacing matters.
  • Mile 13–14 +0 / −0 ft
  • Mile 14–15 +5 / −10 ft
  • Mile 15–16 +12 / −7 ft · Animal Kingdom — Expedition Everest area and backstage roads.
  • Mile 16–17 +13 / −3 ft
  • Mile 17–18 +15 / −22 ft
  • Mile 18–19 +9 / −6 ft · ESPN Wide World of Sports complex — loops on the fields and track.
  • Mile 19–20 +5 / −10 ft
  • Mile 20–21 +11 / −15 ft
  • Mile 21–22 +8 / −7 ft · Osceola Parkway overpass area — the biggest late rise comes in miles 22–23.
  • Mile 22–23 +23 / −9 ft · Hollywood Studios — Tower of Terror area and backlot.
  • Mile 23–24 +19 / −25 ft
  • Mile 24–25 +9 / −11 ft · BoardWalk and Beach Club waterfront path.
  • Mile 25–26 +10 / −10 ft · EPCOT World Showcase — around the lagoon toward the finish.
  • Mile 26–26.2 +0 / −3 ft · Finish at EPCOT. Congratulations!
Official course map

Aid stations

  • Mile 1.1

    First water stop, on World Drive just past Mile 1 — usually crowded, use the far tables.

  • Mile 2.9

    Leaving EPCOT World Showcase, just before Mile 3.

  • Mile 5.4

    World Drive heading north after the Mile 5 turnaround.

  • Mile 6.6

    GEL

    Food stop and water near the Ticket and Transportation Center area.

  • Mile 8.4

    Past the Grand Floridian / Polynesian side of Seven Seas Lagoon.

  • Mile 9.1

    Magic Kingdom entrance, just after Mile 9.

  • Mile 11.6

    After exiting Magic Kingdom, near the Contemporary.

  • Mile 13.6

    GEL

    Food stop and water just before Mile 14.

  • Mile 14.9

    Just before Mile 15 on the long road toward Animal Kingdom.

  • Mile 16.4

    Just after Mile 16 heading into the Animal Kingdom area.

  • Mile 16.9

    Just before Mile 17, entering Animal Kingdom.

  • Mile 17.9

    GEL

    Food stop and water near Expedition Everest, just before Mile 18.

  • Mile 19.3

    After Mile 19, leaving Animal Kingdom.

  • Mile 20.6

    Between Miles 20 and 21 on the road toward Blizzard Beach.

  • Mile 21.9

    GEL

    Food stop and water in the Blizzard Beach lot, just before Mile 22.

  • Mile 23.6

    GEL

    Food stop and water at Hollywood Studios, between Miles 23 and 24.

  • Mile 24.3

    Leaving Hollywood Studios toward the BoardWalk.

  • Mile 25.4

    Last water stop — entering EPCOT World Showcase after Mile 25.

Rules & important information

Race rules
Digital waiver and Expo Check-in Pass required. Bib must be worn centered on the front of your outermost garment; runners without a visible bib are removed from the course. Bibs must be picked up at the expo at least one day before your first event — no race-day pickup. Clear bag policy for gear check. No strollers, pets, bandits or bib transfers. Costumes allowed if they do not cover the bib or drag on the ground; no masks covering the face.
Cutoff times
Runners must maintain a 16:00 min/mile pace measured from when the last runner crosses the start. Runners who fall behind at sweep points (including before park entrances) are swept and bused to the finish.
Transportation
Roads close very early. Complimentary Disney resort buses run to the EPCOT start area beginning around 2:30–3:00 AM. Guests driving park in the EPCOT lot (opens around 2:30 AM). Rideshare drop-off is at the EPCOT area. Allow time for security screening and a long walk to the corrals.
Other notes
runDisney lists the start at 4:30 AM ET, with corrals released in waves afterward — later corrals may start 30–60+ minutes after the first wave. The course runs through all four Walt Disney World theme parks (Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Animal Kingdom, Hollywood Studios) plus ESPN Wide World of Sports. Course segment, aid station and hotel details are compiled from published race information and prior years and are not yet officially verified — confirm with the organizer before race weekend. Aid station mile markers are approximate.

Verification date unavailable. Source

Race week & expo

  • runDisney Health & Fitness Expo — ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex

    700 S Victory Way, Kissimmee, FL 34747

    Wed, Jan 6, 202710:00 AM – 8:00 PM
    Thu, Jan 7, 202712:00 PM – 7:00 PM
    Fri, Jan 8, 202712:00 PM – 7:00 PM
    Sat, Jan 9, 202711:00 AM – 3:00 PM
    Packet pickup
    Bib, participant shirt and pre-purchased merchandise are collected at the expo at least one day before your first event. No race-day pickup. Day 1 merchandise shop uses a virtual queue.
    ID requirements
    Bring your Expo Check-in Pass (in your MyDisney account) and government-issued photo ID; the digital waiver must be completed beforehand.
    Parking
    Free parking at ESPN Wide World of Sports.
    Transit
    Complimentary Disney resort buses serve the expo from Disney resort hotels on expo days; rideshare drop-off available.

    Verification date unavailable. Source

Ready 2 Race recommendation: visit the expo on the first day it opens if your travel allows — final-afternoon queues are the longest. This is guidance, not an official requirement.

Athlete tracking & results

Open tracking & results

Tracking and results come from the race organizer.

Hotels near the start, Airbnb and travel planning are available when you create your account.

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