If you’re a runner, Christmas is coming a little early for you thanks to our runDisney team, which thinks it’s found the perfect gift for you. Open it up by clicking on this video.

Yep, we’re reviving the popular The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror theme and creating The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror 10-Miler Weekend at Walt Disney World Resort in 2012. If you like to have a scary good time when you run, this race will be the perfect weekend much like The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror 13K race we last staged at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in 2009.

This new race, scheduled for Sept. 29, will follow a similar course – through the set of “Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show’’ and past Mickey’s Sorcerer’s Hat – but features runDisney’s first-ever 10-mile distance that finishes, appropriately enough, near The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror attraction. If you “survive’’ the experience, you’ll be treated to a shiny new medal and a rocking post-race party with your family and friends that features live music, Disney characters and exclusive access to attractions such as Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith, Star Tours, Toy Story Mania! and, of course, The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror.

The new The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror race is our sixth signature runDisney event and the second nighttime race at Walt Disney World Resort. To make room for it, though, we’re shifting our other nighttime event, the Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend, to Nov. 9-10 during the final weekend of the popular Epcot International Food & Wine Festival.

Like all runDisney events, the race weekend will feature a variety of events, including a 5K, kid’s races and a Health & Fitness Expo all at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort.

Mark your calendars now for Feb. 14. That’s the day you can start registering for the new race at runDisney.com. Should be a “terror-ably’’ good time.

Tagged: runDisney, Video, WDW, Wide World of Sports Complex

Filed: Walt Disney World Resort

The NFL Super Bowl isn’t until February, but the Super Bowl of youth football was just the other day at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort. More than 60 teams from around the country competed for the Super Bowl title. Only one team in each of the four age divisions actually won it, but they all put on a heck of a show. To see what I mean, check out this video of the top 10 plays from the championship games. Who knows? Maybe one of these little tykes will be playing in the real Super Bowl one day.

Tagged: Video, WDW, Wide World of Sports Complex

Filed: Walt Disney World Resort

So often we hear stories of fans and communities going to extraordinary measures in support of their team.

In the case of this year’s Disney Sports Spirit Award recipient, we’re proud to recognize the Univ. of Alabama, who came together to support its community – the same people who have supported them religiously year after year – following the EF-4 tornado that ravaged much of western Alabama.

The team’s student-athletes and staff immediately leaped into action following the April 27 disaster. The storm packed 195-mph winds and demolished 7,000 homes, 600 businesses and took 50 lives, including the life of Alabama football player Carson Tinker’s girlfriend, Ashley Harrison.

In order to help the region take its first steps towards recovery, Courtney Upshaw raised nearly $20,000 in relief funds in his hometown of Eufaula, Ala., while Preston Dial loaded up an 18-wheeler and drove in supplies from Mobile, Ala. Barrett Jones lugged a chain saw around Tuscaloosa to remove debris from homes and yards. And the Univ. of Alabama Athletic Department contributed $1 million to the UA Acts of Kindness Fund, which provides relief to faculty, staff, and students of The University of Alabama who are experiencing hardship.

Each year, Disney Sports strives to recognize the most inspirational figure or team in college football, and in this year’s recipient we undoubtedly found a story of selflessness, compassion and recovery.

Tinker will formally accept the award on behalf of his teammates and school during The Home Depot College Football Awards at Walt Disney World Resort on Dec. 8. The 21st annual awards show is scheduled for 7-9 p.m. ET and will be televised live on ESPN.

Tagged: WDW, Wide World of Sports Complex

Filed: Walt Disney World Resort

Spring is still a few months off but if you’re like me, it’s never too early to start planning for those glorious spring afternoons when you can come to Walt Disney World Resort, grab a hotdog and some peanuts and catch a big-league spring training baseball game at Champion Stadium at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.

The Atlanta Braves just released their spring training schedule and I have already circled a few games on my calendar. The New York Yankees are here twice – March 10 and March 28 – and the reigning World Series champions, the St. Louis Cardinals, are here March 19. The New York Mets (March 9, March 23 and April 2) and Philadelphia Phillies (April 1) are coming, too.

In all, the Braves are playing 18 games at Disney, including three night games. They report to Disney in mid-February and then open up the spring season here against the Detroit Tigers on March 3. Individual game tickets go on sale Jan. 7 at all Ticketmaster outlets and at the sports complex box office. Get more information at espnwwos.com/atlantabraves.

Play ball!

Tagged: WDW, Wide World of Sports Complex

Filed: Walt Disney World Resort

For a truly inspiring story, be sure to tune in to “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” this Sunday. Many of the families featured on the show vacation at Walt Disney World Resort during the construction of their new homes. For one special nine-year-old, her dream trip was more than she ever expected.

Anaiah Rucker is an amazing youngster who saved her five-year-old sister this past February when she pushed her from the path of an oncoming truck. Anaiah was struck and endured amputation of her left leg. Now wheelchair-bound, Anaiah still enjoys playing sports and singing in the chorus.

When Anaiah and the Rucker family visited ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, they were surprised by Orlando Magic star Dwight Howard and Katie Holloway, an amputee who played college basketball and was on the U.S. Paralympic Sitting Volleyball team. The two joined Anaiah in playing wheelchair basketball at the Complex. Check out this sneak preview of Anaiah’s story and make sure to catch the full show Sunday, October 9, from 8-9 p.m. ET on ABC.

Tagged: Video, WDW, Wide World of Sports Complex

Filed: Community Outreach, Walt Disney World Resort

Runners who compete in runDisney events can be described in a lot of ways – “athletic,’’ “competitive,’’ “inspired,’’ etc. But, after seeing many of the 12,500 runners who ran in the Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon recently, the best description is probably “creative.’’

Last weekend’s Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon featured some of the most lavish and awe-inspiring costumes we’ve seen here at Disney. From princesses and fairies to superheroes and more, here’s a collection of some of our favorite runner outfits from race weekend, as photographed by Matt Stroshane. Which one’s your favorite?

Speaking of last weekend’s race, Anton Van Zyl, our 2010 winner, wasn’t shy about going back for seconds as he repeated as race champion with a time of 1:13:14. Carrie Majeranowski was the women’s champion with a time of 1:26:10.

Tagged: WDW, Wide World of Sports Complex

Filed: Walt Disney World Resort

Several runners got the experience of a lifetime during our “Meet Up, Eat Up” at the Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon this past weekend.

On a beautiful Friday morning as the sun had just begun to rise, the 25 participants received personalized instruction from renowned Olympic track coach Brooks Johnson as well as runDisney training consultant Jeff Galloway on the track at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, where Brooks trains several Olympic medalists. Once they had their strides fine-tuned, they were led on a short training run by two-time Wine & Dine Half Marathon winner Anton Van Zyl and last year’s women’s winner Melissa Wisner.

Then, Disney Chef Gary Jones – with some playful assistance from Chef Mickey Mouse – gave the group a cooking demonstration on how to easily whip up a healthy breakfast dish. At the end, the runners were given exclusive access to the event’s Health & Fitness Expo where they got first crack at all of the merchandise, apparel and fitness products before the expo officially opened.

It was a fun way to kick off the Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend, which attracted more than 17,000 total runners. If you’d like to get in on the fun, look for more opportunities like it here on the Disney Parks Blog.

Tagged: Video, WDW, Wide World of Sports Complex

Filed: Walt Disney World Resort