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You Can Still Participate in the Sold Out Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend

Registration for the 2024 Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend opened up on the official runDisney website this morning, April 11, 2023, but all events have already sold out. Here’s how you can still participate.

The Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend is the most popular runDisney event, offering Guests the opportunity to complete road races through Disney Parks while supporting a variety of worthwhile causes. Races over the course of the weekend, which all come with chances to see Disney characters along each route, include a 5K, 10K, half marathon, full marathon, and various challenges for completing multiple races.

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Credit: Disney Tips

RELATED: Reasons Why you Should Participate in a runDisney Weekend

Is it possible to register after runDisney events sell out?

Maybe. On rare occasions, spots actually do open up on the official runDisney website. Unfortunately, we do not expect this to happen with the 2024 Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend as all races are already sold out. If the challenges (for Guests who complete multiple races) are still available closer to the races, runDisney has occasionally opened up spots for the individual races rather than the challenge. This isn’t likely to happen as we haven’t seen it very often, but it is possible…just not for the 2024 Marathon Weekend where the challenges are also already sold out.

A better way to register for a sold-out event would be to join a charity team that has already secured registration. There are lots of organizations that will have runners participating, and they may have spots open when runDisney lists everything as sold out. Check with your go-to charities to see who is planning to run, and note that you may have to fulfill fundraising requirements to join one of these teams.

runDisney race

Credit: Disney

RELATED: Getting to the Theme Parks on a runDisney Weekend

How to participate in a virtual runDisney race

The registration process for a virtual runDisney event is nearly the same as in-person races. Simply visit runDisney.com and register online for a virtual race. Virtual races include medals, t-shirts, and training materials for each course included during the in-person weekends, but they run on the honor system so you can complete your race wherever and whenever works for you.

The best part? Registration has not yet opened for the 2024 Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend virtual races. Guests will be able to register online beginning April 14, 2023, for the 5K, 10K, half marathon, full marathon, Goofy’s Race and a Half Challenge (39.3 miles), and the Dopey Challenge (48.6 miles).

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Credit: Disney

RELATED: How to Eat Healthy in Walt Disney World

runDisney volunteer opportunities

Another option for participating in a runDisney event, without necessarily running, would be to volunteer. Each event includes volunteers at various points along the courses cheering runners on, handing out water, and working at the health services tents.

Volunteer opportunities may also fill up quickly, though as of this writing it does not look like they’ve opened up for next year’s races yet, so you may still have time. Information about volunteer opportunities is linked at the bottom of runDisney’s official website.

More about the 2024 Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend

The Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend will take place January 4-7, 2024. Participants of any of the weekend’s races will have access to the Health & Fitness Expo at the ESPN Wide World of Sports, along with complimentary transportation to races, theme parks, and Disney Resorts, training programs, specialty merchandise, and more.

For additional details, or to register for virtual races later this week, visit runDisney.com.

About Brittany DiCologero

Brittany is a New England-based writer focused on the history of the Walt Disney World Resort. She is the author of "Red, White, and Disney: The Myths and Reality of American History at the Walt Disney World Resort," and "Brittany Earns Her Ears."