Menu

2017 Walt Disney World Half Marathon is Officially Cancelled Due to Weather and Lightning

Walt Disney World Sign
Credit - Disney Tips

Unfortunately, Disney has officially announced that all runDisney events on Saturday, January 7th will be cancelled.  The cancellations was made due to expected inclement weather and the increased likelihood of lightning on the race course.  The news of the cancellation has been made on the runDisney website as well as the addition of signs to all of the Walt Disney World Resorts and other locations around property.  This will be extremely upsetting to those that trained and traveled to participate in the race.

[google_ad]

The full statement from Disney on their Run Disney Facebook page is as follows:

“In an abundance of caution, the Walt Disney World Resort has cancelled all running events on Saturday, Jan. 7, 2017 due to weather conditions.  This includes the Walt Disney World Half Marathon and the Disney Kids Races.  In addition, the runDisney Health & Fitness Expo will delay opening until 11 a.m. While we share our Guests’ obvious disappointment, the safety of our Guests and Cast is most important.  Weather tracker has indicated there is an elevated risk of lightning in the area of the racecourse.  In addition, there are sections of the course that do not provide access to shelter.  Both of these factors have influenced this difficult decision.”

Disney also confirmed in the post that all registered half marathon runners would receive their race medal as well as their choice of refund options.  The refund options available are:

  • A full refund of the race registration on a Disney gift card
  • 2 One-Day Park Hopper tickets
  • Defer registration to any runDisney half marathon race in the U.S. (must be used within the next 24 months and is subject to normal availability and capacity limits)
  • Ability to run the 2017 full marathon at the scheduled time on 1/8/17.  (limited availability)

For guests that had runners in the kid’s races they will receive their race medals as well as a full refund of the registration fee on a Disney gift card.

[google_ad_btf]

About Christy Caby

I am a diehard Disney fanatic! I fell in love with all things Disney from an early age and that only increased once I first visited Walt Disney World! It led me to complete a yearlong Disney College Program working at merchandise locations within Disney’s Hollywood Studios (Disney-MGM Studios at that time) and I worked for Disney Parks & Resorts Technology in Project/Program Management. Now I get to write about Disney and help others plan their magical vacations! Disney holds a special place in the hearts of my entire family as my husband proposed there, we honeymooned there, took trips while pregnant with each of my boys and have visited with them many, many times from 8 weeks old through now. One of my favorite memories from each trip is always the look on my kids’ faces the first time they see the castle. I’d love to help you plan your magical vacation! Request a free quote at http://magicalvacationplanner.com/staff/christy-caby/ or look for me on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/christy.caby. Have a magical day!