Disney World bringing back Tower of Terror Race in 2012

Disney’s popular runDisney division has some big news… a return of the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror event. It features a new 10-mile race that will echo the original Tower of Terror 13K race held in 2009. The new race debuts Sept. 29, 2012 and is the sixth signature runDisney event and the second nighttime race at Walt Disney World. In order to make room for this event, the Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend will shift to early November.

Reviving the scarily popular Twilight Zone Tower of Terror theme, runDisney unveiled its newest race today, The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror 10-Miler Weekend, which debuts next year at Disney’s Hollywood Studios theme park at Walt Disney World Resort near Orlando. As with all runDisney events, The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror race weekend will involve a variety of events, including a 5K and Kids’ races, plus a Health and Fitness Expo, at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Disney.

Watching this footage from the 2009 Tower of Terror 13K race, I hope they’re able to capture what everyone says was a great atmosphere throughout the park.

The nighttime race, scheduled for Sept. 29, is the reincarnation of The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror 13K last held in 2009. The new event has a similar race 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 at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Runners will receive a finisher medal inspired by the Tower of Terror and then celebrate their achievement at a villainous post-race party with their family and friends, where they will enjoy live music, characters – including your favorite Disney villains – and have exclusive access to attractions like The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith, Star Tours and Toy Story Mania.

“The 10-mile distance has emerged in popularity as beginning runners, who are fast becoming super fans of the sport, consider it the next big challenge after a 5k or 10k,” said veteran race director Jon Hughes, who will serve as race director for The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror event. “Take into account the unique night race combined with Disney’s Tower of Terror theme, and it’s ‘the must do’ event for 2012!”

The new The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror race is the sixth signature runDisney event and the second nighttime race at Walt Disney World along with the Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend, which shifts to Nov. 9-10 next year during the final weekend of the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival. As with all runDisney events, The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror race weekend will involve a variety of events, including a 5K and Kids’ races, plus a Health and Fitness Expo, at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Disney.

Race registration opens Feb. 14, 2012 at runDisney.com. For more information on runDisney events and The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror 10-Miler Weekend, visit www.runDisney.com.