Last weekend, I put on my running shoes for the long-awaited Disneyland Halloween Half Marathon 2024And what a race it was! The event, part of Disneyland’s Halloween Half Marathon weekend, brought together Disney fans and runners for a spooky challenge through the Disneyland Resort theme parks and the city of Anaheim. This year, I took the course dressed as Sally from The Nightmare Before Christmas and despite the idea that Halloween puts chills in the air, it was the weather that was scorching!
I kinda blame the heat for my costume failure, but I’m just happy to be here (or rather, I was happy to be there…running). So while I talk about that a lot in my race recap, I want you to know that I’m being dramatic and silly (as I often do). That makes for a more fun race summary, right? (Yeah)
The entire race weekend was called “Disneyland Halloween Half Marathon Weekend” and that included yoga, the 5K, the 10K, the half marathon, and the kids race. (Basically, a lot of the weekend’s running events have “half marathon” in the name because it’s part of the title in most of the content, but there are plenty of events outside of the 13.1-mile race.)
This is the first time Disneyland has had a Halloween themed run, so it was very exciting to have a new theme and different characters featured throughout the weekend. And it’s only the second race Disneyland has hosted since its years-long hiatus, so it still feels pretty special to be able to have these races back in Anaheim.
I ran the 10K and the half marathon, and I’m combining some parts of the race recaps into my video about the events because there’s a lot of overlap with the race courses and logistics. If you have a lot of questions about a specific distance, let me know and I can break them down for you if needed. VIDEO SUMMARY OF THE DISNEYLAND HALF MARATHON AND 10K RACE
The HALF MARATHON course: A race through DisneyLAND and ANAHEIM
He half marathon course was nothing short of magical, taking the runners on a journey through Disneyland Park, Disney California Adventureand then the surrounding streets of Anaheim. The tour featured six hydration stops along the way (which were absolutely essential in the heat). All the hydration stops I saw were well stocked with water, Powerade, and plenty of volunteers ready to hand you water or electrolytes.
Starting to run out of the parks we entered. Disney California Adventure before mile 1the course passed Cars Earthwho was dressed in his Haul-O-Ween better. running through radiator springs with all the neon lights and Halloween touches it was definitely a highlight. Paradise Pier might be my favorite part of the course at DCA. Many riders stopped to take selfies with the roller coaster in the background. It’s all lit up and beautiful at that early hour.
One of the best photos at DCA was a well-organized stop with Jack and Sally from The Nightmare Before Christmas. There were three cast members ready to grab your phone to take a photo and Jack and Sally walked back and forth between them so that each runner was ready to pose, grab their phone and run again.
After passing through DCA we headed to Disneyland, directly through the main entrance and then along Main Street, USA, one of the most emblematic streets in the world. One of the first things you see when you enter Disneyland is the huge orange Mickey Mouse Jack-o-lantern at the top of Main Street (where the Christmas tree is during the holidays).
We finally made our way Main Street, United Statespassing iconic attractions like Sleeping Beauty Castle and The world of tomorrow. The thrill of running through the parks before they open to the public is one of the most special aspects of any runDisney event, and this year’s Halloween theme made it even more exciting with spooky decorations and costumed characters cheering us on.
The race course didn’t take us through the Haunted Mansion, but the hitchhiking ghosts were on the course for a photo opportunity near the Matterhorn sleigh ride.
Running like Sally from The Nightmare Before Christmas
My sally costume of The nightmare before Christmas I felt perfect for this career topic. The character’s patchwork skirt and stitched look fit perfectly with the Halloween spirit of the race. The running skirt is athletic shineThey always leave the park with flying colors with Run Disney racing themes!
I actually changed what I was going to wear at the last minute because the weather forecast said it was going to be very HOT. The expected high for the day was 102 to 104 degrees. OVER 100 degrees on race day, it might be the hottest heat I’ve ever experienced and I’ve run many half and full marathons, including summer races in California.
The night before I exposed my ‘Flat Runner’ and took a photo. But I was having second thoughts about my Sally t-shirt because it wasn’t running clothing and I knew I would get too hot too quickly. I grabbed my box of running tank tops and picked out another one that reminded me of her bluish skin and swapped it for the sexy tank top. I’m very glad I did it, although normally I prefer to get more into my costumes. Oh well, next time!
I was hoping to run through the Haunted Mansion themed areas at Disneyland Park (since they redecorate that attraction to be Nightmare Before Christmas themed during Halloween and Christmas). Luckily, Sally received a few shout-outs from other runners and Disney cast members along the way, which added to the fun.
The weather: hotter than Halloween should be
One thing that definitely stood out about this year’s half marathon was the heat. Was HOT! Although it was early in the morning (the race started at 5am), the temperature rose quickly, making the race much more challenging than expected. By the time we got to the last few miles, the sun was fully up and we were all feeling it.
Luckily, the organizers had hydration stations perfectly distributed along the route. Between the water and electrolyte drinks (it was blue Powerade), the runDisney team did a great job keeping us hydrated and safe. But it was definitely one of the hottest races I’ve ever done and pace was key to making sure I finished strong.
Final Thoughts: A Hot, Haunted Hit
Despite the heat, the Disneyland Halloween Half Marathon 2024 It was an unforgettable experience. From the impressive race course that took us through some of Disney’s most iconic attractions to the spooky but fun Halloween decorations, it was a race that truly captured the magic of Disney. And seeing all the other runners in their Halloween costumes made the event seem like one big party.
If you’re considering running this race next year, be sure to prepare for a surprise with the weather, but rest assured that the fun and magic will more than make up for it.
Pro Tips for Future Runners:
- Hydrate early and often. The heat caught many runners by surprise this year, so stay ahead by hydrating well before the race.
- Dress up! Part of the magic of runDisney events is the amazing costumes the runners wear. If that’s your thing, go for it!
- Pace yourself. The heat can take its toll, so be sure to start slowly and save energy for the last few miles.
Running through Disneyland is a dream come true for Disney fans, and the Halloween Half Marathon is a must-see for those who love this spooky season. We look forward to next year’s race! Will you be there?
Watch the Disneyland Halloween Half Marathon Weekend Recap Video here
