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Some people may not have noticed this, but one big thing is missing from this Disney Weekend. One event is no longer happening.
Marathon Weekend
Marathon Weekend consists of four individual races and two challenges. Races include a 5K, 10K, half marathon and full marathon. The challenges are the Goofy Challenge (completing the half marathon and full marathon) and the Dopey Challenge(completing the 5K, 10K, half marathon and full marathon).
Marathon Weekend runs from January 3-7 2024. With the runDisney Health & Fitness Expo started on the 3rd and the first race (the 5K) starting the 4th.
runDisney Challenges
Have you ever done a runDisney challenge? I (Heather) have only done the Two Course Challenge over Wine and Dine Half Marathon Weekend, but I can’t wait to do another race Challenge.
In order to receive these Challenge Medals you must register for the Challenge during Registration. General Registration for Marathon Weekend is next week, April 11 at 10 AM ET. Click HERE for the full list of registration dates for the 2023-2024 race season.
Did you see the themes for the 2024 Marathon Weekend? Check those out HERE. Not only is there a Challenge during each race weekend, but runDisney has reintroduced The Coast to Coast Challenge. Check out all the details HERE!
Even with all these other great Challenges runDisney is offering, one Challenge over Marathon Weekend is not returning next year.
Castaway Cay Challenge
The Castaway Cay Challenge combines a Marathon Weekend event with the Castaway Cay 5K. After Marathon Weekend, runners would then take a four night Disney Cruise that would stop at Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay.
The Castaway Cay 5K is a 5K on Disney’s private island! Completing the Castaway Cay 5K event in this manner awarded you TWO MORE medals – the Castaway Cay 5K Medal and the Castaway Cay Challenge Medal!
You need to register for this Challenge separately on the runDisney website. Also, your cruise would need to already be booked when registering for this challenge because you need to enter your cruise reservation number during registration.
Unfortunately, this year there is no option to register for the Castaway Cay 5K for Marathon Weekend. This is most likely due to runDisney staff being needed for the races returning to Disneyland which will be the following weekend.
I know this will be a disappointment for many runners as this was a great way to celebrate their amazing accomplishments! Maybe runners won’t be so disappointed with this change because of the long awaited return of the Disneyland races. We shall see.
Right now, it appears the Castaway Cay Challenge will not return to the 2024 Marathon Weekend.
What do you think of the Castaway Cay Challenge not returning for the 2024 Marathon Weekend? Were you planning on registering for this runDisney Challenge? Let us know in the comments below and be sure to share this post with your runDisney friends.
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