NEWS: What runDisney Athletes Need To Know For This Upcoming Event
runDisney is making changes to one upcoming event. Find out what athletes need to know before the start!
More runDisney 5K Availability
runDisney has become so popular that events sell out in hours. Long gone are the days where you could register at your convenience or even just a month or two before the event. runDisney has listened to athletes and has made some changes!
Earlier this year, runDisney shared that they would be adding more availability to their 5K events. This new increase in availability would begin at the 2026 runDisney Wine and Dine Half Marathon Weekend.
runDisney shared that athletes would receive start times for their race that would range from 4:30 am to 7:30 am, which would be based on their assigned start group. You can read more about this HERE.
What Athletes Need To Know
runDisney has let the 5K participants know what they can expect for race day as several things have changed. First, athletes have already been emailed their Start Groups for the race. Previously, athletes would not know what Start Group they were in until they picked up their bib.
The new 5K bib has a tear off for your race shirt. However, there is another tear off tag at the bottom. Leave the bottom tear tag in place. When it is time you will tear off this piece and it will act as your ticket for entry to your Start Group. You can see the Start Groups below:
runDisney has instructed athletes to not remove your timing chip that is on your bib. 5K bibs will now have a time, which has not been traditionally done except for Dopey athletes during Marathon Weekend.
It is important to note that runDisney is encouraging athletes to maintain a 16 minute per mile pace during the event. The Event Guide states "All races have a pace of 16-minutes-per-mile. Those that fall behind pace, may experience course modifications."
If you look at the Start Groups, it appears there are three separate starts. Offering up one hour between these groups. Groups A, B, and C will go start, then D and E one hour. Followed by F and G an hour after D and E have started. It is possible that runDisney will enforce the 16 minute per mile pace requirement, however it has not been confirmed.
Athletes should plan to arrive at least one hour before their start time opening. There is a decent walk from the EPCOT bus drop to the start line, so plan accordingly. If you arrive after your Start Group, you can move back to another Start Group. You can't move up a Start Group.
Good news for those in the earlier Start Groups, as event transportation no longer has to wait for the start line to clear. Continuous race transportation will be available throughout the event!
What Does This Mean For You?
runDisney 5K athletes will want to be sure to read all the information that runDisney has provided regarding their race. Many things have changed, and you want to be sure to have the best race experience.
The Wine and Dine 5K will be the first 5K to offer more participants. There will be multiple Start Groups. Athletes should be sure to read all information regarding race procedures before the day of the race.
This will be a new experience for athletes, but very exciting that more athletes will be able to participate.
Are you participating in the Wine and Dine 5K? What do you think of the new Start Group format? Let us know in the comments below, and be sure to share this post with your runDisney friends!
