This weekend happens in April and always has a new theme. The race weekend consists of sunrise yoga, a 5k, a 10k, and a 10-Miler. You can also register for the weekend’s Challenge by running the 5k, 10k, and 10-Miler to earn a bonus challenge medal.
2027 Race Weekend Information
- Race Weekend: April 8-11, 2027
- Registration for 2026: Club runDisney – June 30, 2026 | Regular Registration – July 7, 2026 10am ET/7am PT
- Where: Epcot, Walt Disney World, Lake Buena Vista, FL
- Expo:Â Apr 8-10, 2027 | Wide World of Sports | Thurs 10-7, Fri 12-7, Sat 11-3
- Events:
- Springtime Surprise 5k:Â Apr 9, 2027| $125 | Epcot | Time: 5am
- Springtime Surprise 10k:Â Apr 10, 2027 | $175 | Epcot | Time: 5am
- Springtime Surprise 10-Miler:Â Apr 11, 2027 | $239 | Epcot | Time: 5am
- Springtime Surprise Challenge:Â Apr 9-11, 2027 | $555 | Epcot
runDisney Training Plans:
- Beginner Springtime Surprise 5k Running Plan
- Beginner Springtime Surprise 10k Running Plan
- Beginner Springtime Surprise 10 Miler Running Plan
Race Weekend Description
Springtime Surprise 5k
The Springtime Surprise 5k (3.1 miles) occurs on the Friday morning of the race weekend and is an untimed, family race. The race usually runs in and around Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Epcot in the past but it now runs in Epcot. There are usually 4-6 characters along the course and at the finish you will get a medal, a water, a Powerade, a snack box, and a banana.
Springtime Surprise 10k
The Springtime Surprise 10k (6.2 miles) occurs on the Saturday morning of the race weekend and is a timed race usually around Epcot and the Epcot resort area. The race begins in the Epcot parking lot, runs backstage, around World Showcase Lagoon, around Crescent Lake, through Epcot, and finishes back in the Epcot parking lot. There are usually 6-8 characters on the course and at the finish you will get a medal, a water, a Powerade, a snack box, and a banana.
Springtime Surprise 10-Miler
The Springtime Surprise 10-Miler occurs on Sunday morning at 5am. The race starts in the Epcot parking lot, runs into Future World, then runs to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, around Crescent Lake, around World Showcase, and then ends in the Epcot parking lot. There are usually 10-15 characters on the course and at the finish you will get a medal, a water, a Powerade, a challenge medal (if applicable), a snack box, and a banana.
Springtime Surprise Weekend Maps
Past Race Weekend Info and History
This race weekend was originally introduced as the Star Wars Dark Side Half Marathon Weekend in 2016 and took place April 13-16. It mirrored the Disneyland Start Wars race weekend that then rebranded to Light Side. If you ran both, you got a special coast to coast medal for completing the Kessel Run. It hosted a 5k, 10k, and Half Marathon.
In 2022, the race weekend turned into to Springtime Surprise and was changed to a 5k, 10k, and a 10-Miler (which is much more forgiving since April can be very hot). The fun of the weekend that each year it will have a new theme!
In 2026, the race weekend moved to the first weekend in April and yoga was discontinued.
Disney Blog Posts:
- Runners Who Inspire Us: Army Veteran Overcomes Severe Spinal Injury to Complete 10-Miler at runDisney Springtime Surprise Weekend
- Athletes Had a ‘Ball’ Celebrating Pixar During the 2023 runDisney Springtime Surprise Weekend!
- First Look: Merchandise Celebrating Pixar at 2023 runDisney Springtime Surprise Weekend!
- runDisney Unveils Pixar-Themed Medals for Surprise Springtime Weekend 2023
More Springtime Surprise Info
2023 Springtime Surprise 10-Miler Course Review
It's a perfect 10… miler! Let's run like the Toys and take a look at the Springtime Surprise 10-Mi…
2023 Springtime Surprise 10k Course Review
It's time for a monstrously good time. Let's take a look at the Springtime Surprise 10k map together…
2023 Springtime Surprise 5k Course Review
It's time to take a look at the Springtime Surprise expo, yoga, and 5k together!