runDisney Charity Running FAQ

Scroll down to view our current runDisney races, fundraising minimums, and the link to apply to run with Team Hope Story.

Hope Story is a non-profit organization that provides no-cost resources to medical professionals and families whose child has received a Down syndrome diagnosis. We enjoy creating experiences where people can run, have fun, and help us provide hope to families of children with Down syndrome in the process! We would love for you to run with Team Hope Story.

You can learn more about Hope Story by clicking around our website and following us on Instagram and Facebook. Additionally, we encourage you to join our charity-running Facebook Group to stay up to date on running opportunities through Hope Story.

Upcoming runDisney Races & Fundraising Commitments

(Please note – all fundraising minimums include your race registration with nothing out of pocket due today, and free Team Hope Story swag.)

2024 Springtime Surprise Weekend (April 18-21, 2024)

All Races Sold Out – Join the Waitlist

2024 Disneyland Halloween Half Marathon Weeknd (September 5-8, 2024)

All Races Sold Out – Join the Waitlist

2024 Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend (October 31 – November 3, 2024)

All Races Sold Out – Join the Waitlist

2025 Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend (January 8-12, 2025)

2025 Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend (January 30–February 2, 2025)

Note: the fundraising amounts include your race registration and free swag. The fundraising deadline is 1/17/2025.

2025 Princess Half Marathon Weekend (February 20-24, 2025)

2025 runDisney Springtime Surprise Weekend (April 3-6, 2025)

If you have a question not listed below, please email us.

Securing a Bib / Race Registration

The first step for securing a runDisney charity bib through Hope Story is to fill out the application for the selected race (see above for current races.)

You’ll receive an email within 72 hours letting you know your status. If chosen to be a part of Team Hope Story, you’ll receive a fundraising commitment, waiver, and credit card authorization form (to guarantee your fundraising commitment) that you must complete within 24 hours of receiving it to prevent your spot from being released.

After receiving your completed DocuSign, we will send you a link to set up your fundraising page via Donorbox. After completing these steps, you will be sent a link to register for your selected race(s) on the runDisney website. (Please note: race registration links will be sent after we receive them from runDisney. We do not have an exact time frame for these links, as we can only send them when we receive them from runDisney.
The race registration is included in the minimum fundraising commitment.
Yes! You can register for multiple races during the same race weekend and different race weekend events.
We love it when families run together! As different races have various age requirements, please refer to the runDisney website for specific information regarding minors.
The credit card guaranteeing the minimum fundraising commitment must match the runner registering for the bib. For minors or spouses, we allow the name on the credit card to be different than the runner. If you have a unique situation you’d like to talk to us about, please email us.
runDisney races are unable to be canceled or transferred for any reason. Once the DocuSign is completed, runners are personally responsible for 100% of their minimum fundraising commitment.
runDisney races are not able to be canceled or transferred. Once your Docusign is completed, you are personally responsible for 100% of the fundraising commitment, even if you choose not to run with your charity bib. 

After Being Selected

You will receive the link to register for your selected race(s) after your Docusign is signed, your fundraising page is set up, and we receive the links from runDisney.
Yes. Once you receive the link to register for your selected race(s), runners will set up (or log into) their runDisney account to register for their selected race(s.)
Yes. Runners can preorder runDisney merchandise when registering for their selected race(s.) Please note that runDisney merchandise is limited, and certain items/sizes may sell out quickly.

Fundraising

Each race has a specific minimum fundraising goal. However, we encourage all of our runners to set a fundraising goal higher than their minimum. Runners are only responsible for the minimum fundraising commitment agreed upon when signing their DocuSign, so we encourage all of our runners to aim for the stars when setting their fundraising goals.
Yes. We allow runners in the same household to combine their fundraising goals if they would like to do so. Would you like to combine your fundraising goal with someone who doesn’t live in your household? Please email us; we’d be happy to discuss it with you.
One of the first things we encourage our runners to do is list 10-25 people they can contact directly. Then, email or phone each person and explain that they are running for Hope Story, which provides no-cost resources to families whose child has received a Down syndrome diagnosis. Then, ask if they would be willing to support Hope Story and their run with a specific amount and include a link to their fundraising page. We also encourage runners to join our charity-running Facebook group and asking for tips and strategies from other runners.
Donations can be accepted by mail. Please make the check payable to Hope Story and send it to Hope Story, 1920 North Coit Road #200-176 Richardson, TX 75080. Please have the donor write your name on the check’s memo line. Once the check is received, we will apply it to your fundraising page.
We do not accept cash donations.

Race Weekend

All runners will receive premium Team Hope Story swag to train in / run in. While runners are not required to wear their Hope Story gear, we strongly encourage it. In some cases, runners do not wear their Hope Story singlet but choose to find a creative way to represent Hope Story during their race.
Yes! Wearing a costume during your race can be part of the fun during runDisney events. runDisney gives specific guidance on their website: “Yes; however, costumes cannot interfere with your safety or that of other runners. If a costume is questionable or offensive to others, Disney reserves the right to either have you change into something more appropriate or remove you from the event. Please refer to your specific event under Race Policies to review The Walt Disney Costume Guidelines.”
Yes! We love meeting our runners in person and taking a team picture before each race. Details will be emailed to you before your selected race(s.)
Yes. We love seeing friends and family supporting our runners out on the course. We sell a cheer kit that can be purchased by clicking here.
Park tickets are not included in a runner’s race registration.
Runners who run the half-marathon and challenge during Wine & Dine receive one complimentary ticket to the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival post-race party. Additional tickets can be purchased on the Disney website.