The complete history of Disneyland Paris Run Weekend, race events, medals and why they stopped
RunDisney Events at Disneyland Paris Tracker. We update this page with the latest information about past, current and future RunDisney events at Disneyland Paris. We update this page when new information is announced about the possible return of RunDisney events to the resort.
Next Event: No RunDisney events are currently scheduled at Disneyland Paris
Latest update: 5 August 2026
No. Disneyland Paris does not currently host official RunDisney events, and there are no announced plans for the Disneyland Paris Run Weekend to return.
While official runDisney races have not returned to Disneyland Paris, a private Decathlon fun run will take place inside Disney Adventure World on 27 September 2026.
The resort previously hosted several Disney-themed running weekends between 2016 and 2019, with races ranging from the 5K and Kids Races to the 10K and Half Marathon. The final planned Disneyland Paris Run Weekend was due to take place in September 2020, but it was cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The event was never rescheduled, and the Disneyland Paris run events have not returned to the resort’s calendar.
We had planned to take part in the 2020 Disneyland Paris Run Weekend, so we understand why many Disney fans and runners still ask whether the events will return. Unfortunately, the answer is currently no. Disneyland Paris continues to host seasonal celebrations and special experiences, but RunDisney races are not part of its current events programme.
In this guide, we look back at what happened to the RunDisney events at Disneyland Paris, how the race weekends developed, and why they came to an end. We’ll also explore the different races, challenges and themes that made these events popular with Disney fans and runners.
Whether you are remembering a past race weekend, researching the history of RunDisney at Disneyland Paris or hoping to find a Disney running event elsewhere, this guide explains what we know.
Before exploring the history of RunDisney at Disneyland Paris, here are the key facts about the events, their cancellation and their current status.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| First RunDisney event | Disneyland Paris Half Marathon Weekend (2016) |
| Final RunDisney event | Disneyland Paris Run Weekend (2019) |
| What happened to the 2020 event? | The Disneyland Paris Run Weekend was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. |
| Current status | No RunDisney events are currently scheduled at Disneyland Paris. |
| Race distances available | 5K, 10K, Half Marathon and Kids Races |
| Additional challenges | Castle to Chateau Challenge, Bibbidi Bobbidi Boo Challenge, 31K Challenge and 36K Challenge |
| Largest attendance | Around 27,000 runners during the 2019 Disneyland Paris Run Weekend |
RunDisney events at Disneyland Paris ended after the planned 2020 Disneyland Paris Run Weekend was cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The event was never rescheduled, and RunDisney races have not returned to the Disneyland Paris calendar.
The first Disneyland Paris RunDisney event launched in 2016 as the Disneyland Paris Half Marathon Weekend. Over four years, the event grew to include the Half Marathon, 10K, 5K, Kids Races and several challenges, with participation increasing from around 15,000 runners in 2016 to approximately 27,000 in 2019.
Despite this growth, Disneyland Paris later confirmed that RunDisney was not currently a priority for the resort. During a press event in April 2025, Disneyland Paris President Natacha Rafalski explained that while the races created memorable experiences for guests, they did not provide enough overall benefit for the resort to bring them back.
For now, RunDisney at Disneyland Paris remains a historic event rather than an active part of the resort’s calendar. There are currently no announced plans for its return.
RunDisney at Disneyland Paris was a series of Disney-themed running events that combined road racing with the atmosphere, storytelling and characters of the Disney Parks. Between 2016 and 2019, runners had the opportunity to take part in race weekends that brought them through the resort, including courses that featured iconic locations such as Main Street, U.S.A. and the area around Sleeping Beauty Castle.
The first event, originally called the Disneyland Paris Half Marathon Weekend, took place in September 2016. The weekend introduced the Half Marathon, 5K and RunDisney Kids Races, along with the Castle to Chateau Challenge for runners completing multiple distances. Over the following years, the event expanded with the addition of a 10K, themed race weekends and further challenges.
The Disneyland Paris RunDisney weekends offered a range of race distances, from family-friendly events for younger runners to the 13.1-mile Half Marathon. Participants could collect exclusive Disney medals, meet Disney characters along the route and experience a race atmosphere that combined traditional running with Disney entertainment.
The final Disneyland Paris Run Weekend was scheduled for September 2020, but the event was cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Unlike other RunDisney events around the world, the Disneyland Paris races did not return after the cancellation.
While these events are no longer part of the Disneyland Paris calendar, they remain a memorable part of the resort’s history, giving thousands of runners the chance to experience Disney magic in a completely different way.
At the moment, there are no announced plans for RunDisney events to return to Disneyland Paris.
For runners who followed the event or hoped to take part in a future Disneyland Paris race weekend, this has been disappointing news. We had planned to participate in the 2020 Disneyland Paris Run Weekend ourselves, so the cancellation meant we never experienced the event first-hand.
It is easy to understand why these races remain memorable for Disney fans. Running through Disneyland Park, seeing Sleeping Beauty Castle during the course and meeting Disney Characters along the route created an experience that combined the challenge of a race with the atmosphere of the parks.
While RunDisney continues at other Disney destinations, including Walt Disney World Resort in Florida and Disneyland Resort in California, Disneyland Paris has not announced a return of its own race weekend. For now, the Disneyland Paris RunDisney events remain an important part of the resort’s history rather than an active event.
Disneyland Paris will host a special private running event organised by French sporting retailer Decathlon on Sunday 27 September 2026. The exclusive fun run will take place inside Disney Adventure World and is separate from the official runDisney Disneyland Paris race weekend.
The event is designed as a family-friendly running experience, featuring:
Places are extremely limited, with only 300 guests able to participate. The event is currently only open to French residents, meaning it is not available as a public international Disneyland Paris running event.
For visitors hoping to experience a Disney-themed run, this is a rare opportunity to race inside Disney Adventure World ahead of the larger public running events that take place at Disneyland Paris.
Please note that this Decathlon event is a private invitation/registration event and should not be confused with the official runDisney Disneyland Paris races, which are separately organised.
RunDisney at Disneyland Paris ended after the planned 2020 Disneyland Paris Run Weekend was cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Although the event had been expected to return, the race weekend was never added back to the resort’s calendar.
During a press event in April 2025, Disneyland Paris President Natacha Rafalski confirmed that RunDisney was not currently a priority for the resort’s future plans. While the races created memorable experiences for guests, Disneyland Paris determined that they did not provide enough overall benefit compared with other events and experiences.
The decision came despite the event growing steadily during its years at the resort. The inaugural Disneyland Paris Half Marathon Weekend welcomed around 15,000 runners in 2016, with participation increasing to approximately 27,000 runners at the final completed Disneyland Paris Run Weekend in 2019.
For many runners, the popularity of the event came from the combination of Disney storytelling and traditional racing. The chance to run through the parks, experience Disney entertainment along the route and collect exclusive medals made the Disneyland Paris Run Weekend different from a standard running event.
RunDisney at Disneyland Paris had a short but memorable history, running from 2016 until the final planned event was cancelled in 2020. During those years, the race weekend expanded with new distances, themed experiences and challenges before coming to an end.
The first RunDisney event at Disneyland Paris took place in September 2016. The inaugural weekend welcomed around 15,000 runners and introduced the Half Marathon, 5K and Kids Races, along with the Castle to Chateau Challenge.
The 2017 event expanded with the introduction of the 10K race. The weekend also introduced the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boo Challenge for runners completing both the 10K and Half Marathon, while participation grew to around 20,000 runners.
The event continued to grow in 2018, reaching around 26,000 participants. The weekend adopted a Villains theme and introduced the 36K Challenge for runners completing the 5K, 10K and Half Marathon.
In 2019, the event was renamed the Disneyland Paris Run Weekend and attracted around 27,000 participants. This became the final completed RunDisney event at Disneyland Paris.
The planned 2020 Disneyland Paris Run Weekend was cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The event was never rescheduled, bringing the Disneyland Paris RunDisney era to an end.
The Disneyland Paris Half Marathon was the headline event of the RunDisney weekend, covering 13.1 miles through Disneyland Paris, the surrounding area and nearby French countryside. As the longest race of the weekend, it attracted runners looking to combine the challenge of a half marathon with the unique atmosphere of a Disney Parks event.
The route took participants through both Disney Parks, including memorable sections along Main Street, U.S.A. and past Sleeping Beauty Castle. With Disney Characters appearing along the course and Cast Members supporting runners throughout the race, the event offered an experience that went beyond a traditional road race.
Runners needed to be at least 18 years old to take part and were required to maintain a 16-minute-per-mile pace. Participants who fell behind the required pace risked being removed from the course by the race sweepers to allow the event schedule and road closures to continue.
The Half Marathon remained one of the most memorable parts of the Disneyland Paris Run Weekend, giving runners the rare opportunity to experience the parks from a completely different perspective.
The Disneyland Paris 10K was a popular mid-distance race that offered runners the chance to experience the magic of a RunDisney event without taking on the full Half Marathon distance. Covering 6.2 miles, the course combined Disney Park locations, character moments and themed areas to create a memorable race experience for both newer runners and experienced participants.
The route took runners through Walt Disney Studios Park and Disneyland Park, including sections such as Toy Story Playland and views of Sleeping Beauty Castle. Like the other RunDisney events at Disneyland Paris, the race combined traditional running with Disney entertainment, creating an atmosphere that felt very different from a standard 10K.
Runners needed to be at least 14 years old to participate and were required to maintain the same 16-minute-per-mile pace as the Half Marathon. This made the 10K a more accessible option while still offering many of the Disney touches that made the race weekends unique.
The Disneyland Paris 5K was a popular choice for families, younger runners and those taking part in their first RunDisney event. Covering 3.1 miles, this shorter race offered a more relaxed way to experience the atmosphere of the Disneyland Paris Run Weekend.
Held in the evening, the 5K gave runners the chance to explore Walt Disney Studios Park after dark, with the route passing themed areas including Moteurs…Action! Stunt Show Spectacular and Toy Story Playland. The nighttime setting added a different atmosphere to the event, with the park lights, Disney theming and character appearances creating a memorable experience for participants.
Runners aged 5 and above could take part, making the 5K one of the most accessible races during the weekend. While it was shorter than the 10K and Half Marathon, it still captured the combination of running, Disney entertainment and family-friendly fun that made the RunDisney events at Disneyland Paris unique.
The Disneyland Paris Kids Races gave younger Disney fans the chance to experience the excitement of a RunDisney event with races designed specifically for children. Split into different age groups and distances, these events allowed the smallest runners to take part in their own Disney race experience.
The Kids Races included:
Parents could run alongside children aged 1 to 5, making the races a fun family experience where everyone could take part. Each young runner received encouragement from the crowds before crossing the finish line and collecting their own Disney race medal.
Although much shorter than the main weekend events, the Kids Races captured the same spirit as the 5K, 10K and Half Marathon, giving younger guests the chance to feel part of the Disneyland Paris running community.
For runners looking to take on more than one event during the Disneyland Paris Run Weekend, the resort offered a selection of race challenges that combined multiple distances into a larger achievement.
These challenges rewarded participants who pushed themselves beyond a single race, with additional medals recognising the extra miles completed across the weekend. They became a popular part of the RunDisney experience, giving dedicated runners another goal to work towards while adding an extra sense of achievement to the event.
From combining shorter races with the Half Marathon to completing some of the longest distances available during the weekend, the challenges gave runners the opportunity to create a bigger Disney running experience.
The Disneyland Paris 31K Challenge combined the 10K and Half Marathon into one demanding weekend achievement. Runners who completed both races earned their individual race medals, along with an additional challenge medal to recognise completing a combined distance of 31 kilometres.
The challenge was designed for runners who wanted to experience more of the RunDisney weekend and take on a greater test of endurance. Completing two races across the same weekend required extra preparation, commitment and determination, making the additional medal a memorable reward for those who achieved it.
The Disneyland Paris 36K Challenge was the ultimate endurance challenge of the RunDisney weekend, combining the 5K, 10K and Half Marathon into one demanding achievement. Runners who completed all three events covered a total distance of 36 kilometres, or approximately 22.4 miles, across the race weekend.
Participants earned their individual race medals for each event, along with an additional 36K Challenge Medal to celebrate completing one of the most demanding combinations available at Disneyland Paris.
The challenge was designed for dedicated runners who wanted to experience as much of the RunDisney weekend as possible. Completing three races over several days required careful preparation and determination, making the final challenge medal a special reminder of the effort behind every mile.
The Castle to Chateau Challenge was one of the most unique achievements available to RunDisney participants at Disneyland Paris, combining Disney races on both sides of the Atlantic.
Runners who completed the Disneyland Paris Half Marathon and either a Half Marathon or Marathon at Walt Disney World in Florida within the same calendar year earned the exclusive Castle to Chateau Challenge Medal.
The challenge celebrated runners who took their Disney running journey beyond one resort, connecting Disneyland Paris with Walt Disney World through two major Disney race destinations. For many participants, completing both events represented a memorable milestone and a chance to experience RunDisney magic in Europe and the United States.
The inaugural Disneyland Paris Run Weekend took place from 23 to 25 September 2016, welcoming around 15,000 participants for the first ever RunDisney event at the resort.
Like many RunDisney events around the world, the medals were a major part of the experience. Each race featured its own unique design, giving runners a special keepsake to remember their achievement, whether they completed the Kids Races, 5K, Half Marathon or the Castle to Chateau Challenge.
The youngest runners received a special medal featuring Mickey Mouse, celebrating their first steps into the world of Disney running. Designed as a memorable keepsake for little participants, it captured the family-friendly spirit of the event.
The 5K medal featured Remy from Ratatouille, celebrating the Paris-inspired theme of the race. It provided runners with a fun reminder of completing their first Disneyland Paris race distance.
The Half Marathon medal was the headline design of the weekend, featuring Sleeping Beauty Castle with Mickey Mouse standing proudly in front. As the main race of the inaugural event, the medal represented the achievement of completing 13.1 miles through Disneyland Paris and the surrounding area.
Runners who completed the Disneyland Paris Half Marathon and either a Half Marathon or Marathon at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida within the same calendar year earned the exclusive Castle to Chateau Challenge Medal.
The design featured Sleeping Beauty Castle at the centre, with the French and American flags representing the connection between Disneyland Paris and Walt Disney World. It celebrated a unique RunDisney achievement that brought together two Disney race destinations across the Atlantic.
The 2017 Disneyland Paris Run Weekend took place from 21 to 24 September 2017, welcoming around 20,000 participants for the second edition of the event.
The year was especially memorable as Disneyland Paris celebrated its 25th Anniversary, and the RunDisney medals reflected the occasion. Each medal featured the special 25th Anniversary logo, making them unique souvenirs from a milestone year at the resort.
The youngest runners received a pink medal featuring Mickey Mouse, celebrating their achievement in a fun and colourful design that matched the family-friendly spirit of the Kids Races.
The 5K medal featured Lumière from Beauty and the Beast in a gold design, celebrating runners completing the shortest adult race distance of the weekend. The ribbon also included a design detail that reminded some runners of the former Tower of Terror attraction, adding a subtle touch of Disney adventure.
The 10K medal brought a fairy tale theme to life, featuring Flora, Fauna and Merryweather from Sleeping Beauty surrounding Sleeping Beauty Castle. The design reflected the Disney storytelling that made the Disneyland Paris Run Weekend different from traditional running events.
The Half Marathon medal featured Mickey Mouse alongside Sleeping Beauty Castle, celebrating the achievement of completing the weekend’s headline race. It represented the combination of Disney magic and the challenge of completing 13.1 miles.
The Bibbidi Bobbidi Boo Challenge medal was awarded to runners who completed both the 10K and Half Marathon during the weekend. Featuring the Fairy Godmother and a pumpkin carriage transformation scene, the design celebrated the extra effort required to complete both races.
The 2018 Disneyland Paris Run Weekend took place from 20 to 23 September 2018, welcoming around 26,000 participants for the third edition of the event. The weekend introduced a Villains theme, bringing a darker twist to the race experience and giving runners a collection of medals inspired by some of Disney’s most memorable characters.
While the event celebrated Disney villains, the medals still captured the fun, creativity and storytelling that made the Disneyland Paris Run Weekend unique.
The youngest runners received a medal featuring Stitch, bringing his playful personality and mischievous energy to the Kids Races. It was a fun design that reflected the family-friendly nature of the event.
The 5K medal featured Thanos and the Marvel Infinity Stones, adding a superhero element to the race weekend. The bold design celebrated runners completing the shortest adult race distance while bringing Marvel into the RunDisney medal collection.
The 10K medal featured Pain and Panic from Hercules, capturing the mischievous side of Disney villains. Their playful expressions made this medal stand out as a memorable addition to the 2018 collection.
The Half Marathon medal featured Mickey Mouse alongside Sleeping Beauty Castle in blue and gold colours. The design combined classic Disney imagery with the achievement of completing the 13.1-mile race, creating one of the most recognisable medals from the weekend.
Runners completing the weekend’s challenge events received additional medals inspired by iconic Disney villains. Designs featuring the Evil Queen from Snow White and Maleficent from Sleeping Beauty reflected the Villains theme and rewarded those who took on the extra challenge distances.
The 2019 Disneyland Paris Run Weekend took place from 19 to 22 September 2019, welcoming around 27,000 participants for the final edition of the event before the planned 2020 weekend was cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The 2019 medals reflected the weekend’s adventure theme, celebrating Disney classics, memorable characters and the achievements of runners who took part in each race distance. From the Kids Races to the 36K Challenge, each medal provided a unique reminder of completing a Disney race at Disneyland Paris.
The Kids Races medal featured Peter Pan and the Lost Boys, capturing the spirit of adventure and the idea of never growing up. It was a fitting design for the youngest runners taking part in their own Disney race experience.
The 5K medal celebrated The Lion King, featuring Mufasa overlooking Pride Rock with Rafiki holding Simba. The design captured the adventure and storytelling of the film while marking the achievement of completing the 5K race.
The 10K medal featured Rapunzel from Tangled, with her flowing golden hair set against a rich purple background. The colourful design reflected the creativity and Disney storytelling that were central to the RunDisney medal collections.
The Half Marathon medal featured Mickey and Minnie Mouse running hand-in-hand around Sleeping Beauty Castle. The design celebrated the magic of completing the headline race while highlighting the themes of friendship, teamwork and achievement.
The 36K Challenge medal rewarded runners who completed the 5K, 10K and Half Marathon during the same weekend. The medal featured Genie from Aladdin, with some versions also showing Aladdin holding the magic lamp. It provided a memorable finishing touch for runners who completed the most demanding challenge of the 2019 Disneyland Paris Run Weekend.
There are currently no official plans for RunDisney events to return to Disneyland Paris. During a Q&A session at a Disneyland Paris press event in April 2025, President Natacha Rafalski confirmed that RunDisney was not a priority for the resort’s future plans.
The Disneyland Paris Run Weekend was cancelled in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Although the event had grown in popularity between 2016 and 2019, with participation increasing each year, Disneyland Paris later confirmed that the races would not return because they did not provide enough benefit in terms of park attendance and revenue.
RunDisney events were held at Disneyland Paris from 2016 to 2019. The first event was the Disneyland Paris Half Marathon Weekend in September 2016, while the final event held at the resort was the Disneyland Paris Run Weekend in September 2019.
The Disneyland Paris Run Weekend included several race distances, including:
There were also additional challenges for runners completing multiple events during the same weekend, including the 31K Challenge, 36K Challenge and Castle to Chateau Challenge.
The race routes included sections of both Disneyland Park and Walt Disney Studios Park, as well as roads through the surrounding areas near Disneyland Paris. Runners could experience Disney locations such as Main Street, U.S.A., Sleeping Beauty Castle and themed areas within the parks.
The races were designed for runners of different ages and abilities. The minimum participation ages varied by event:
RunDisney events combined traditional running with Disney storytelling. Participants could run through the parks, see Disney Characters along the routes, receive exclusive medals and experience Disneyland Paris in a way that regular visitors do not usually see.
Participation increased throughout the years the event was held:
Yes. RunDisney events continue at other Disney destinations, including Walt Disney World Resort in Florida and Disneyland Resort in California. Disney race weekends remain popular with runners who want to combine endurance events with Disney Parks experiences.
This guide has been created by Disney fans who follow Disneyland Paris developments and planned to participate in the 2020 Disneyland Paris Run Weekend before it was cancelled. Information has been compiled from official announcements, event details and historical race information.
