I’ve had a lot of questions about exactly what I’m doing for this Perfect RunDisney Year goal that I have. The specifics around the goal changed a few times but I think I’ve got the vast majority of the goal nailed down.

First being “perfect” for RunDisney means one of two things. Either completing the same race since it came out. For example the Princess Half Marathon, if it was completed every year since the first one. The second way is to complete all races within the RunDisney year. Right now that year is Wine and Dine to Springtime Surprise.

My original plan was to do all of the onsite races beginning with Wine and Dine in November 2023 and end with Disneyland Paris in September 2024. But there were some things I didn’t take in consideration. And they are a big part of me being able to achieve this goal. So, the goal had to shift slightly. The first issue is that other than the 5k races, RunDisney has a 16 minute per mile pace cutoff. Right now, I am not able to maintain that pace consistently. And if the goal is to complete all the races, I don’t want my biggest challenge to be the cutoff times at every single race. The second issue is there hasn’t been a race in Disneyland Paris since before the Pandemic. If there isn’t a race, then I can’t finish my formal goal. The third issue is that getting into the races is really luck of the draw. With races in Disneyland returning and more hype about all the races, you really have to plan accordingly. And even with the best planning, there would be a significant chance that I couldn’t get into all races for all weekends. So what do I do?

I considered just “shooting for the moon” with the pace requirement. But, really, what kind of experience would that be. And this most likely may be the only time I do RunDisney events and I don’t want that to memory that I have. Which leads me to the compromise.

The 5k for all race weekends will be done onsite with the in-person race.
All other race distances will be done virtually, including the challenges but will still be done on Disney property (around the resorts) during each race weekend.

Planning to do the in-person 5ks and the remaining races virtually will allow me to still complete all the miles, but without the stress of the pace requirement. It also takes care of my third issue, not getting into all the races. By only needing to get into one race, I’m able to focus on that one and don’t have to worry other distances selling out. I do have a backup plan that if the 5k sells out for a particular weekend, then I will try the 10k….but this will truly be a last resort option. Then on virtual race day registration, I will sign up for the remaining races. I’m going to prepare for virtual race day registration like it was in-person so I can make sure I get the race distances I want.

My remaining issue is tricky. Running in Disneyland Paris. After visiting in 2022, I know I want to run there. So, this one will have to be a DIY style race weekend. And instead of making it the end of my RunDisney year, I’m going to kickoff my year with it in September 2023. This is more of a logistical change as I need to spread out my vacation days for this goal and needed to move some to 2023. I can buy Run Disneyland Paris items on Ebay. At this point, I’m thinking I may get a pin from a previous race to commemorate my run. I’m not sure if that is what I will do, but I definitely want something to commemorate these runs.

Here is the plan as of today (03/26/2023)

September 2023: Disneyland Paris DIY Race Weekend. 5k,10k, Half Marathon around the resort property
November 2023: WDW Wine and Dine Weekend 5k in-person. Two course challenge (10k and Half Marathon) completed virtually around the resort property
January 2023: WDW Marathon Weekend 5k in person. Dopey Challenge (5k, 10k, Half Marathon, Marathon) completed virtually around the property and maybe offsite depending on the routes I can find for the marathon.
January 2023: Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend 5k in person. Dumbo Double Dare Challenge (10k and Half Marathon) completed virtually around the property and in the surrounding area.
February 2024: WDW Princess Half Marathon Weekend 5k in person. Fairytale Challenge (10k and Half Marathon) completed virtually around the property
April 2024: WDW Springtime Surprise Weekend 5k in person. Springtime Surprise Challenge (10k and 10 Mile) completed virtually around property

I am going to try to add yoga, when it’s available. I tried to get it for Disneyland but it was sold out. :-( I’m signed up for Disneyland weekend and Wine and Dine. Fingers crossed that I’m able to get into the 5k for the remaining weekends!