Hi Brittany and welcome to planDisney! I want to thank you personally for reaching out to me with your question. It looks like you’re inquiring about switching to a virtual option for a
runDisney race, so let’s talk through what’s allowed and what’s not!
Currently,
runDisney offers virtual runs for other distances, such as the
5K virtual series for this summer themed to
Hercules,
The Emperor’s New Groove,
Pocahontas, and
A Goofy Movie. Unfortunately, there are no virtual marathon options available at this moment and
runDisney races are non-refundable and non-transferable. I’m sorry that this may not have been the information you wanted to hear. But don’t fret! Let’s dash over to some tips and recommendations on getting you across that finish line with a medal around your neck!
If you’re worried about training for
the marathon in time (which is completely reasonable as a marathon is quite the undertaking!), did you know that
runDisney offers training plans for runners of all experience levels? These
training programs were tailored by
runDisney’s official training consultant Jeff Galloway and give detailed information on pacing strategies, how to properly warm up, and how to prevent injuries. My wife used one such training plan to train for her first half marathon!
Brittany, I also recommend taking a look at Walt Disney World’s
special offers page to look for any savings opportunities towards a Resort hotel stay. One of the major benefits of staying at a Resort hotel during a race weekend is the complimentary transportation not just to and from the races but also the Health & Fitness Expo for race bib pickup and checking out all the latest runDisney merchandise. The bus ride back to your hotel is super convenient because the last thing you’d want to do after running 26.2 miles is drive and navigate any road closures. One of my favorite Resort hotels to stay at during
runDisney races is
Disney’s Riviera Resort. The Cast Members there go the extra mile to provide you with the service and comfort you need to ensure a relaxing stay!
Lastly, if you have any serious medical issues that may prevent you from traveling to Walt Disney World for marathon weekend, I suggest
contacting runDisney to see how they may be able to help.
Brittany, I know I wasn’t able to provide the information you were looking for, but I hope my response gives you some encouragement to run the marathon in person. Words can’t describe how electric and motivating it can be to run the race alongside other Disney fans, especially as you run down Main Street with spectators cheering you on and a beautifully lit-up Cinderella Castle in front of you. There’s literally nothing like it! I want to thank you again for reaching out to me with your question about runDisney and if you have any further questions about runDisney races or Disney vacation planning, please do not hesitate to
reach out to me and my fellow panelists here at planDisney!
Your pal,
Sean