There’s been a lot of talk around runDisney, especially after all the chaos that happened during the Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend registration.

runDisney merchandise
If you’ve ever tried to sign up for a runDisney race, you know how popular they are and how registration can get pretty crazy. Of course, with a registration process with limited spots, people are bound to miss out on the chance to join the race. That being said, there is another way for you to get a spot in a runDisney race.
It’s no surprise that runDisney is sponsored by many different charities. The charities involved are given a certain number of race bibs, and they then give out those bibs to people who fundraise for them. Each charity has different rules and requirements, but there are two charities specifically that we need to look at for how you can secure a fundraising bib!

Inside Out themed medal
One charity that is a participant partner for runDisney in 2026 and 2027 is Hope Story. The mission they have is to “give support, encouragement and hope to parents whose child has received a Down syndrome diagnosis.”

©Hope Story
In order to run with Hope Story, there is a list of fundraising requirements that you have to meet. Let’s take a look:
2027 Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend
To run the 2027 Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend that takes place January 6th-10th, 2027, the fundraising deadline must be halfway complete by July 15th, 2026 and fully complete by January 1st, 2027. The following are the specific fundraising numbers based on race:
- 5K – $550 Fundraising Commitment
- 10K – $650 Fundraising Commitment
- Half Marathon– $750 Fundraising Commitment
- Full Marathon – $850 Fundraising Commitment
- Dopey Challenge – $2,500 Fundraising Commitment

©Disney
2027 Princess Half Marathon Weekend
To run the 2027 Princess Half Marathon Weekend that takes place from February 25th to March 1st, 2027, the fundraising deadline must be halfway complete by August 15, 2026, and fully complete by February 1st, 2027. The following are the specific fundraising numbers based on race:
- 5K – $550 Fundraising Commitment
- 10K – $650 Fundraising Commitment
- Half Marathon – $750 Fundraising Commitment
- Fairy Tale Challenge – 1,500 Fundraising Commitment

©Disney
2027 runDisney Springtime Surprise Weekend
To run the 2027 runDisney Springtime Surprise Weekend that takes place from April 15th-18th, 2027, the fundraising deadline must be halfway complete by September 15th, and fully complete by April 1st, 2027. The following are the specific fundraising numbers based on race:
- 5K – $550 Fundraising Commitment
- 10K – $750 Fundraising Commitment
- 10 Miler– $900 Fundraising Commitment
- Springtime Surprise Weekend Surprise Challenge – $1,500 Fundraising Commitment
For those of you who are interested in participating in any of these fundraisers to race for Hope Story in a runDisney race, check out additional information and how to apply here!

©Disney
The second charity you can participate in a runDisney race for is St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital. Their mission is “to advance cures and means of prevention for pediatric catastrophic diseases through research and treatment.” To run with St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, there is a list of fundraising requirements that you have to meet. Let’s take a look!

©St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital
2027 Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend
To run the 2027 Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend that takes place January 6th-10th, 2027. The following are the specific fundraising numbers based on race:
- 5K – $750 Fundraising Commitment
- 10K – $900 Fundraising Commitment
- Half Marathon – $1,200 Fundraising Commitment
- Full Marathon – $1,200 Fundraising Commitment
- Goofy’s Race and a Half Challenge – $2,200 Fundraising Commitment

©runDisney
2027 Princess Half Marathon Weekend
To run the 2027 Princess Half Marathon Weekend that takes place from February 25th to March 1st, 2027. The following are the specific fundraising numbers based on race:
- 5K – $750 Fundraising Commitment
- 10K – $900 Fundraising Commitment
- Half Marathon – $1,200 Fundraising Commitment
- Disney Fairytale Challenge – $2,000 Fundraising Commitment

©Disney
2027 runDisney Springtime Surprise Weekend
To run the 2027 runDisney Springtime Surprise Weekend that takes place from April 15th-18th, 2027. The following are the specific fundraising numbers based on race:
- 5K – $750 Fundraising Commitment
- 10K – $900 Fundraising Commitment
- 10 Miler – $1,200 Fundraising Commitment
- Springtime Surprise Challenge – $2,000 Fundraising Commitment
For those of you who are interested in participating in any of these fundraisers to race for St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital in a runDisney race, check out additional information and how to apply here!

©Disney
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CONFIRMED: 3 Major runDisney Announcements for 2027
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