5 Reasons Why runDisney's Wine and Dine Half Marathon is my Favorite Disney Race

If there is one race at Walt Disney World I truly get amp'd for, it's runDisney's Wine and Dine Half Marathon! With less than 50 days until we head to Walt Disney World, I thought I would share with you my top 5 reason why this race is one of my absolute favorites...and probably will always be!

Number 5: The EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival

I'm not just a runner. I am a total foodie and lover of wine. I have so many wine memberships it's sick...does that mean I have a problem? Nah I don't think so. Anyway, not only do I get to go to Walt Disney World to run a great half marathon, but I also get to partake in great cuisine from around the world, and sample some incredible wine! This vacation literally is perfect in every way!

Number 4: It's The Runner's Night Out

This is a change of pace. Normally, we are all up bright eyed and bushy tailed at 3AM getting ready to head out for an exciting early morning race...not at Wine and Dine! The race doesn't even kick off until 10PM! So not only can you spend the day wandering around the Walt Disney World resort, and perhaps catch a nap in your favorite resort hammock, but you get to get pumped up at the pre-race party on the lawn at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, then head to your corrals for an exciting night. We take over the resort property! It is really an experience!

Number 3: The Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios Takeover

What's fun about this race is that it starts at ESPN Wide World of Sports complex, then you make your way to Disney's Animal Kingdom. This is where you get to run past the beautiful Tree of Life which is illuminated at time time to show off the spectacular details. Then you get to wave hello to The Yeti as you blast past Expedition Everest (which is one of my favorite Disney World attractions)! Then you make your way towards Disney's Hollywood Studios where you can experience the glitz and glamour of the movies...before you head to The Boardwalk and into the backdoor of EPCOT's World Showcase. Running the theme parks at night is an experience I think everyone should take on!

Number 2: The Laser Show at Mile 13

This was my first time running a race in Florida, let alone a runDisney Florida event...so I had no idea what to expect. I knew my first runDisney event a the 2012 Disneyland Half Marathon was a lot of fun, but let's face it...Florida does a lot of things bigger and better. Something that was so much fun and gave me that extra jolt to finish with a smile on my face was the awesome high energy laser show at the mile 13 marker right outside of EPCOT! I literally stopped dead in my tracks and just said 'WOW!' It was insane. Fog, lasers, and loud music greet you and help propel you to the finish! It is seriously incredible...and at Midnight...I needed the extra help!

Number 1: The People!

This is the race where I traveled to Walt Disney World alone for the first time. I knew no one and was very new to running. I am fine traveling by myself, but really wasn't expecting what I encountered. Nothing but love. Nothing but smiles. Nothing but people willing to help and hoping I had a positive experience. MANY of those people I still talk to constantly today! Those people helped me earn my first Coast-To-Coast at this race. Those people now friends were kind to me at my first runDisney meet-up, and welcomed me with open arms. I will never forget it! People and relationships is what this community is all about. Not just runDisney but the running community in general. It is an awesome place! And I will always be grateful...and that is why I love this race so much! It will always be a special race to me...as long as there is plenty of cabernet waiting for me at the finish.

Do any races hold a special place in your heart?