One of the things I love most about Castaway Cay day with Disney Cruise Line is running the Castaway Cay 5K. However, the Castaway Cay 5K has changed over the years. The good or bad news, depending on how you look at it, is that it’s no longer a group race with race bibs. It’s a run-your-own-race on Castaway Cay. But don’t worry, the Castaway Cay 5K still has a medal!
2025 Castaway Cay 5k on Disney Cruise Line
When you disembark at Disney’s Castaway Cay, you can run or walk the 5K whenever you want. There is no registration ahead of time. Run it for time, make it a fun run, or go for a nice walk.
Castaway Cay is Disney’s private island, and it’s my favorite island. When Disney Cruise Line docks at Castaway Cay, you can run or walk a 5K on the island and receive a medal for free. A 5k is 3.1 miles. I have run the Disney Castaway Cay 5K while sailing on the Disney Dream, the Disney Wish, the Disney Fantasy, and the Disney Magic.
There is not currently a 5K on Disney’s newest island, Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point.
In past years, the Castaway Cay 5k was an organized run with registration, bibs, timers, Cast Members as chEARleaders and it felt like a mini runDisney race. They even had a Castaway Cay Challenge that would correspond with Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend.
All the runners would meet on the ship and walk off together and then have a timed race.
Now the Castaway Cay 5k is a self-paced, run-when-you-want race. So throw a change of clothes in your beach bag for after your run.
How to Run Disney’s Castaway Cay 5K
The start line for the Castaway Cay 5K is by the bike rental booth.
Follow the race signs down the old airstrip. Continue to follow the signs around the bike path and down by Serenity Bay, the private adult beach on Castaway Cay. You’ll make a complete loop and a half, so sometimes it can be tricky if you’re not paying attention to the signs.
Once you pass that finish line, then head to the bike rental hut to collect your Castaway Cay 5K medal.
How Do You Sign Up for the Castaway Cay 5K?
There is no sign up or registration process for the Castaway Cay 5K on Disney Cruise Line. Any guest can run the Castaway Cay 5K, no matter the age.
Once you’re off your ship, you choose the time when you want to run and then head to the start line by the Bike Rental hut. You’ll see 5k markers along the way to direct you. Some of the Castaway Cay 5K race course is shared by the bike paths, so just be careful for bikers, too.
Age Restrictions For Castaway Cay 5K
There are no age restrictions for the Castaway Cay 5K and families can run together.
There used to be an age restriction of 10 years old+ for the Castaway Cay 5k, but younger kids can now run, too.
How Much Does it Cost to Run the Castaway Cay 5K?
The Castaway Cay 5K is free to run for all guests of Disney Cruise Line who stop at Castaway Cay.
Are There Water Stations on the Castaway Cay 5K Race Course?
There are water stations set up along the course for runners and bikers. If you wait until later in the day to run, sometimes the water jugs are down to their last drops.
Castaway Cay Medal 2025
You will get a medal for completing the Castaway Cay 5K! Once you complete the 5k (running or walking), you can collect your medal at the Bike Rental Station. It’s based on the honor system, so if you put in the miles, then you deserve that medal. It’s more like a rubber medallion but it’s still cute.
The 2025 Castaway Cay 5K medal is a Mickey Medal.
Unfortunately, biking does not officially count for the 5k, but it’s still really fun to rent bikes, cruise around the island, and head to the lookout tower.
You don’t receive a shirt for running the Castaway Cay 5K like other runDisney race weekends, but they usually have some type of merch to purchase in the shops on the island.
Is the Castaway Cay 5k Worth It?
Castaway Cay is precious relaxation time for me and my family. When the race was early and you got off before all other guests, it made sense. Now that the hoopla and fanfare are gone, the Castaway Cay 5k is not quite as exciting.
However, if you love to run, want motivation to run or just want the bling, then go for it! Some of the views around the beautiful island are worth it like the beach and palm trees. Some can be mundane. But they added some fun photo ops along the course.
If you’re traveling in the summer, I suggest running earlier in the day, because it gets really hot. Bring a change of clothes and put on your swimsuit and head to the beach afterwards!
To reward yourself try Palo Brunch or if your little one decides to run with you, maybe treat them to the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique.
Questions about the current Disney Cruise Line wifi? We’ve got you covered.
Happy running and remember…every mile is magic. Even at sea.
