Whether you are a seasoned runner or a run novice, your runDisney experience will begin the same way – with a trip to the runDisney Health & Fitness Expo. The Expo runs over multiple days and is the location where runners turn in the mandatory race waiver, receive their race bib (your race number), gear check bag, and complimentary race tee (either long or short sleeved, depending on which race you are a participant in). Once you pick up your necessary race objects, get ready to experience many more running-related educational and information sessions.

The runDisney Health and Fitness Expo at the 2016 Walt Disney World Marathon weekend took place from Wednesday through Sunday (January 6-9, 2016).  As a participant in the 2016 Walt Disney World Marathon, I arrived on January 8th and went straight to the Health and Fitness Expo located at Disney’s ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. Upon arrival, I was directed to the first stop, the HP Field House, which is where I submitted my race waiver in order to obtain my race bib and gear check bag. It is very exciting when you receive your race bib!  Next up on my race journey was the Jostens Center, where I was able to pick out my race t-shirt and visit with the different race gear vendors, as well as hear from speakers on nutrition, race tips and other relevant topics.

Walt Disney World Marathon 2016 Sign

Race Shirt Pick-Up for WDW Marathon

One of the other unique features of the race expo is the New Balance booth. In addition to their normal collection of shoes and running apparel, New Balance makes four, limited edition, Disney-themed running shoes. Offering two for men and two for women (in addition to children’s sizes), the shoes are modeled after Disney characters. The 2016 designs include the Ariel Vazee Pace ($124.95), Red Carpet Minnie 860v6s ($139.95), Red Carpet Mickey 860v6s ($139.95), and the Dumbo Vazee Pace ($124.95).  The children’s sizes are offered in the Ariel Vazee Pace and Dumbo Vazee Pace designs for $79.95. These shoes are obviously in high demand, so New Balance provides a daily sign up system to secure a fitting. Just sign up on the day you will be coming to the expo, and go check them out!

Ariel Vazee Pace and Red Carpet Minnie

Red Carpet Mickey and Dumbo Vazee Pace

You will want to make sure you leave plenty of time to wander the massive expo center and visit all the race apparel and gear vendors. Exhibitors include running stores, companies featuring women-only running clothes, race watch and other race gear companies and snack taste-stations put on by the race sponsors.

Finally, as you get prepped for your race, make sure to check out the daily schedule for speakers. Previous speakers include the runDisney race guru himself, Jeff Galloway, as well as Disney chefs discussing race-day nutrition and other exercise experts discussing race techniques.

So, whether you are a running newbie looking to learn all you can and get the running basics, or a champion racer looking for the newest running technology, don’t miss all there is to do over at the runDisney Health & Fitness Expo.