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Wine and Dine Half Marathon

You're wined, you're dined, then you're taken to a track and told to run as fast as you can. It's not a new reality show, it's Disney's Second Annual Wine and Dine Half Marathon. Robert Mathis tells you what to expect and how it's changed since last year.

- Robert Mathis, April 5, 2011

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Time is running out to take advantage of the early entry fees for the Second Annual Wine and Dine Half Marathon.

The race kicks off October 1, but if you want save the most money on registration, you have to pony up by April 17. Under Disney's new three-tiered system, the longer you wait, the more you pay. For example, if you register by April 17, you'd pay $145, twenty bucks less than the standard registration fee of $165.

It's not a major discount, but Disney hopes the lure of saving money will tempt runners to sign up months in advance of the actual race.

The Challenge of Night Racing

The Wine and Dine Half Marathon and Relay are night time races starting at 10:00 PM. Disney first offered night races in 2007, with the now retired Tower of Terror 13K. Racing at night poses different challenges than racing in the morning, and requires that you plan your day (and your meals) in anticipation of running that night.

When I ran the inaugural Wine and Dine, I ate dinner early and then took a nap prior to starting the race. It's tough to rest on the day of a race, and your system will need time to adjust, especially since the end of a race doesn't also signal the end of the event.

At the conclusion of the Wine and Dine, for example, Disney hosts an after-hours party that continues until 3:00 AM. If you're not exhausted at the end of the race, you'll definitely be exhausted at the end of the party.

Changes to the Wine and Dine Half Marathon

Disney made some changes to this year's race after some issues with the inaugural marathon last year:

• The finish line is now outside of Epcot rather than inside. Disney made this change in response to complaints about crowding in the park.
• Beer will be available at the finish line for those old enough to imbibe - nothing like a nice cold beer after running 13 miles!
• 20 new food kiosks will be available in addition to the Food and Wine Festival kiosks.
• Disney also plans to operate some Future World rides and attractions during the race to help further spread out race attendees who complained last year of being crammed into the World Showcase with little to do.

I will be attending this year because of the improvements, and I hope either to see you with me in the race or watching from the sidelines!

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