5 Reasons You Should Run the Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon

The Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon was held a few short weeks ago and in my opinion, it is the BEST runDisney event! Here are the top 5 reasons on why you need to run this race next year:

1. Great Weather.
This year, the race was moved to November to accommodate for Inaugural Twilight Zone Tower of Terror 10-Miler. This couldn't have been a better decision! The weather in 2012 was a perfect 65 degrees with very little humidity. You couldn't ask for anything better to run a half marathon in. This is typical weather for this time of year in WDW, so this date change is a good thing in my book.

Tank Tops in November!
2. Osborne Lights.
Even the Grinch couldn't help but love the Osborne Spectacle of Dancing Lights! This is such a fun surprise when you round that corner in Disney's Hollywood Studios onto the Streets of America. The street is all aglow in holiday lights and Christmas music is playing in the background. Runners come through this area around Mile 10 and it is a great pick-me-up to get your through those final few miles!

Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights
3. The Bling.
Who doesn't like a little bling and it's so much better when it's Disney bling! This medal is a very simple design and I must say is one of my favorites. Spaceship Earth is the background design and there are 3 charms that hang off the bottom: wine glass, cheese and sneakers. That about sums up everything great about the race! The 5th anniversary of this race is coming up in 2014, so look for newly designed medal that year!

A Killer Finishers Medal
4. Wine & Dine After Party.
Once you're finished running 13.1, you are sure to be hungry and thirsty. What better place to refuel than at the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival. With booths representing 26 different countries and cuisines, there is a huge variety to satiate your hunger. Included with your race registration is a $10 gift certificate to use at the festival. That's just enough for a beer and maybe a taco, so make sure to bring some extra cash to enjoy the festival in it's entirety.

Wine & Dine After Party
Epcot remains open until 4:00 am after the race. There is entertainment all over World Showcase and many of the attractions are open in Future World. It's a great time to enjoy Soarin' with no lines!

What Better Reason to Run Than For the Food?
5. 3 Parks, 1 Race.
This is by far the highlight of the race. Its is the only half marathon that you get to run through 3 of the 4 theme parks in Walt Disney World: Animal Kingdom, Disney's Hollywood Studios, and Epcot. Each park is a unique experience and since this is a night race, you will get to see things that you wouldn't very often, like the Tree of Life all lit up.

One Race, Three Parks
So if you're considering running a half marathon next year, this is a great one to start with. It's so much more than just a race...it's a full on experience! Entertainment, food, wine and more! You'll find it hard to find something like this anywhere else. Click here for a full recap of this year's race. Hope to see you in 2013!