runDisney Springtime Surprise Race Weekend Takes Runners on Nostalgic Journey During Walt Disney World Resort 50th Anniversary

Newly designed 2022 race weekend inspired by beloved races from the past with several new twists; Event will change themes each year

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (Nov. 3, 2021) – The 2022 edition of the runDisney Springtime Surprise Weekend, the newly designed running event at Walt Disney World Resort that will change its theme each year, will take runners on a nostalgic journey down memory lane, with many modern-day twists designed to make this a running experience unlike any other.

The inaugural four-day race weekend, set to debut March 31-April 3, 2022 during the Walt Disney World Resort 50th anniversary celebration, will bring back fan-favorite elements of runDisney events from yesteryear – including the Expedition Everest 5K, the Race for the Taste 10K, and the Tower of Terror 10-Miler – and blend them with new features of “The World’s Most Magical Celebration’’ for a unique race weekend that pays homage to runDisney’s past and present.

The new Springtime Surprise Weekend will feature:

  • Expedition Everest 5K (April 1, 2022) – The race will once again feature a nighttime 5K combined with a scavenger hunt, but this time the hunt will be conducted during the 5K.
  • Race for the Taste 10K (April 2, 2022) – The event will mirror the 10K from the past, but now the race will celebrate the newest attraction at Walt Disney World Resort, Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure at EPCOT.
  • The Tower of Terror 10-Miler (April 3, 2022) – The race will still be a 10-miler, but will be run in the morning instead of at night.

“To mark the 50th anniversary of Walt Disney World Resort, we wanted to create a runner experience unlike any other, and this Springtime Surprise Weekend concept is certainly unique and fun,’’ said Disney Sports Vice President Faron Kelley. “This year’s version of the race weekend brings together some of the fondest memories that runners have of our past runDisney races along with new memories they are sure to create during this one-of-a-kind running experience. It’s the ideal way for runners to be part of ‘The World’s Most Magical Celebration.’”

Another new twist will be a Springtime Surprise Challenge, where runners can test their endurance by participating in all three events – 19.3 total miles – and earn a special “challenge’’ medal. There will also be a sunrise yoga event in front of Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom Park to kick off the weekend, similar to the recently announced yoga event that leads off the Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend in February 2022.

Registration for the Springtime Surprise Weekend begins Dec. 9th at www.rundisney.com. Additional details about the race weekend, including the courses for each race, will be announced in the coming weeks followed by the theme for the 2023 Springtime Surprise Weekend.

The 2022 runDisney Springtime Surprise Weekend, which will include a virtual race option, is the last in the 2021-2022 race season following the Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend (Nov. 4-7), the Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend (Jan. 5-9, 2022), and the Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend (Feb. 24-27, 2022).

For more information on runDisney, visit www.rundisney.com. For news releases, photos and video of runDisney races, visit www.disneysportsnews.com.