This past weekend, I laced up my running shoes for the highly anticipated 2024 Disneyland Halloween Half Marathon, and what a race it was! The event, part of the Disneyland Halloween Half Marathon Weekend, brought together Disney fans and runners alike for a spooktacular challenge through the Disneyland Resort theme parks and the city of Anaheim. This year, I took on the course dressed as Sally from The Nightmare Before Christmas, and despite the idea that Halloween puts a chill in the air, it was the weather that turned out to be scorching!
I kinda blame the heat for my costume fail, but I’m just happy to be here (or rather, I was happy to be there… running). So, even though I talk about that a lot in my race recap, I want you to know that I’m being dramatic and silly (as I tend to do). That makes it a more fun race recap, right? (Yes)
The entire race weekend was called the “Disneyland Halloween Half Marathon Weekend” and that includes yoga, the 5K race, 10K race, Half Marathon and Kids Run. (Basically, a lot of the race weekend events have ‘half marathon’ in the name because it’s part of the title on most of the content, but there are a lot of events outside of the 13.1 mile race.)
This is the first time Disneyland has had a Halloween themed race, so it was super exciting to have a new theme and different characters highlighted over the weekend. And it’s only the second race Disneyland has hosted since it’s years long hiatus, so it still feels very special to be able to have these races back in Anaheim again.
I ran the 10K race and Half Marathon, and I’m combining some parts of the race recaps in my video about the events because there is 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 it down if needed. DISNEYLAND HALF MARATHON & 10K RACE RECAP VIDEO
The HALF MARATHON Course: A Run Through DisneyLAND and ANAHEIM
The half marathon course was nothing short of magical, taking runners on a journey through Disneyland Park, Disney California Adventure, and then the surrounding Anaheim streets. The course had six hydration stops along the way (which were absolutely essential with 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 off running outside the parks we entered Disney California Adventure before mile 1, the course wound through Cars Land, which was decked out in its Haul-O-Ween best. Running through Radiator Springs with all the neon lights and Halloween touches was definitely a highlight. Paradise Pier might be my favorite part of the course in DCA. A lot of runners stopped to take selfies with the roller coaster in the background. It’s all lit up and gorgeous at that early hour.
One of the best photo opps in DCA was a well organized stop with both Jack and Sally from the Nightmare Before Christmas. There were three cast members ready to take your phone to snap a pic and Jack & Sally walked back and forth between them so each runner was ready to pose, get their phone and get back to running again.
After running through DCA we made our way to Disneyland, straight through the main entrance and then down Main Street, USA – one of the most iconic 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 tip of Main Street (where the Christmas tree is during the holidays).
Finally made our way through Main Street, U.S.A., past iconic attractions like Sleeping Beauty Castle and Tomorrowland. The thrill of running through the parks before they opened to the public is one of the most special aspects of any runDisney event, and this year’s Halloween theme made it extra exciting with spooky decorations and costumed characters cheering us on.
The race course didn’t take us by the Haunted Mansion, but the hitchhiking ghosts were on the course for a photo opp near the Matterhorn bobsled ride.
Running as Sally from The Nightmare Before Christmas
My Sally costume from The Nightmare Before Christmas felt perfect for this race theme. The character’s patchwork skirt and stitched look fit right in with the Halloween spirit of the race. The running skirt is from Sparkle Athletic, they always hit it out of the park with the Run Disney race themes!
I actually changed up what I was going to wear last minute because the weather forecast said it was going to be so HOT. The forecast high for the day was 102 to 104 degrees. OVER 100 degrees on race day, might be the hottest I’ve experienced and I’ve run a lot of half marathons and full marathons, including races in the summer in California.
I laid out my ‘Flat Runner’ the night before and snapped a picture. But, I was having second thoughts about my Sally top because it wasn’t running gear wick wear and I knew I’d get overly hot very fast. I grabbed my box of running tank tops and picked another one that reminded me of her blue-ish skin and swapped it for the hot t-shirt. I’m so glad I did that, even though I prefer to get more into my costumes under normal conditions. Oh well, next time!
I was hoping to run through the Haunted Mansion-themed areas of Disneyland Park (since they redecorate that ride to be Nightmare Before Christmas themed during Halloween and Christmas). Luckily, Sally got a few shoutouts from fellow 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. It was HOT! Even though it was early morning (the race started at 5am), the temperature quickly rose, making the race much more challenging than expected. By the time we hit the final miles, the sun was fully out, and we were all feeling it.
Luckily, the organizers had hydration stations spread out perfectly along the course. Between the water and electrolyte drinks (it was blue Powerade) the runDisney team did an excellent job keeping us hydrated and safe. But it was definitely one of the hottest races I’ve done, and pacing was key to making sure I finished strong.
Final Thoughts: A Hot, Haunted Success
Despite the heat, the 2024 Disneyland Halloween Half Marathon was an unforgettable experience. From the stunning race course that took us through some of the most iconic Disney attractions to the spooky yet fun Halloween decorations, it was a race that truly captured the magic of Disney. And seeing all the other runners in their Halloween themed costumes made the event feel like one big party.
If you’re considering running this race next year, be sure to prepare for a suprise with the weather—but rest assured, the fun and magic will more than make up for it!
Pro Tips for Future Runners:
- Hydrate early and often. The heat caught a lot of runners off guard this year, so stay ahead of it by hydrating well before the race.
- Dress up! Part of the magic of runDisney events is the incredible costumes runners wear. If that’s your thing – go for it!
- Pace yourself. The heat can take a toll, so make sure you start slow 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-do for those who love the spooky season. Looking forward to next year’s race! Will you be there?
Watch the Disneyland Halloween Half Marathon Weekend Recap Video here