Everything You Need to Know About the Castaway Cay 5K

Running on vacation? Yes, you heard that correctly. If you are an avid runner or looking to offset the unlimited soft-serve ice cream, Disney's private island Castaway Cay offers a free self-paced 5K.

One caveat is ever since 2020, the format of the 5K has changed slightly. It is no longer an organized event that you need to sign up for. In the past, this event ran similar to a runDisney event with official start lines, an early wake-up time, and bibs. Now, the Castaway Cay 5K is a self-paced, do-it-yourself activity on the island. So, let's get into the details.

What is the Castaway Cay 5K?

Castaway Cay is one of Disney's private islands in the Bahamas and serves as a Port of Call on various Bahamian and Caribbean itineraries. If you are lucky enough to visit, this island is completely outfitted for premium family leisure with activities and facilities included in your fare as well as some for an up-charge. Among the activities available to guests, is the Castaway Cay 5K, a self-paced, do-it-yourself course for all ages.

The 5K is an approximately 3.1-mile course that takes you through a section of the island that doubles as a bike path. Here you get to take a scenic route through parts of the island that have been left untouched as well as travel along the island's retired airstrip.

Fun Fact: Before Disney purchased the island for development, Castaway Cay, particularly the airstrip, was utilized by Pablo Escobar and his buddies for ...well... some illicit activities.

This 5K course is suitable for all ages and can be done at whatever pace you want. If you are training for an upcoming runDisney event, this is the perfect opportunity to log in some miles. However, if you want a fun, active option to enjoy with your family, there will be plenty of walkers setting foot on the route as well.

The course itself is relatively flat and offers plenty of shade unless on the airstrip section. Taking a look at the map, the course takes you from the bike rental kiosk down to the main bike path loop where you will be traveling in a counterclockwise direction. Once out of the bike loop you will travel down to the end of the airstrip and turn around at Serenity Beach, the adults-only area on the island. The course then finishes with one more loop on the bike path before returning to the bike rental kiosk. Yes, you heard that right, you need to do the bike loop TWICE to achieve the 3.1 mileage. Although there is signage for directing the 5K participants, it can be slightly confusing at times and most people are not aware they need to do the loop again on the way back. Your trusty author here has made that mistake before!

How do I sign up for the Castaway Cay 5K?

No sign-up is required for the Castaway Cay 5K. This is a self-paced event and is based on the honor system. Head to the bike rental kiosk near the Serenity Bay Tram station to find the Start/Finish line of the 5K, and begin your race at your own pace.

How much does it cost?

Free! This activity is complimentary and is included in your cruise fare. You even get a free rubber medal to commemorate your achievement (while supplies are available).

Do I get a medal?

Of course! After completing the 5K, you can commemorate your crowning achievement with an exclusive rubber medal with our pal Mickey Mouse running alongside the Castaway Cay 5K logo. This is a great souvenir to take home and display with your other medals. To get your medal you need to see the Cast Members at the bike rental kiosk and notify them you just finished the course if your shortness of breath and sweat do not already give it away! Sometimes they will be out of medals due to shipment issues or transitioning to a new design, however, most of the time they are well stocked.

Pro Tip: If they are out of medals on the island, check in with Guest Services on board as they sometimes have extras lying around.

Is there water available?

Yes, along the course you will find self-service water stations with paper cups and a trash bin. They are located at the beginning/end of the bike loop and at the Observation Tower as well as at the turn-around point by Serenity Bay. It gets humid very quickly on the island so make sure to stay hydrated!

When is the best time to complete the 5K?

To beat both the heat and the crowds, I would suggest completing the 5K as early in the day as possible. A portion of the course is also used as a bike path for those renting bikes on the island so to avoid the traffic, prioritize this as your first activity. On Castaway Cay days, my family and I are usually one of the first ones off the boat. I then immediately head toward the 5K start and the course is relatively quiet for an hour. Heat and humidity are also big factors so the earlier start you get, the less of a scorcher it will be.