The runDisney Virtual Race Limit Should Not Exist!

Okay, yes, I did say I had finished up my little runDisney suggestion blog post series. It’s just… I had another idea.

WAIT, runDISNEY HAS VIRTUAL RACES?

Believe it or not, runDisney virtual races are quite the thing! They function much the same as other virtual races you may be familiar with. runDisney sends a supply kit and instructions, including a date range to complete a specific mileage distance. The running part is up to you and can be performed anywhere you like. You then submit your time on a designated website for recording on the honor system. This is not usable for a proof of time or anything but does render you an official finisher.

Typical virtual race kits tend to include a medal, bib, and some sort of swag, the latter of which runDisney tends to go all out on. Think mugs, sweatshirts, socks, pins, and other commemorative items of that ilk. Although runDisney’s virtual race registrations do tend to be expensive, people who enjoy collecting souvenirs may find a lot of value here.

ADMITTEDLY THIS IS NOT MY WORLD

In the interest of full disclosure, I should note that I am not a virtual race person generally and specifically have never done a runDisney virtual race. I’ve come close once or twice when the swag was particularly compelling, but ultimately decided that, personally, the value was not commensurate with the cost. To me a medal is only as good as the experience it represents. I’m just not good enough at creating a memorable at-home race for a virtual medal to mean anything to me.

That being said, I am by no means the arbiter of taste! So I asked my Instagram followers what they like about runDisney’s virtual races. Many of them had excellent answers that brilliantly underline my consistent maxim that value is subjective. Virtual races don’t resonate with me, but they do resonate with others, and here are some reasons why!

WHAT PEOPLE LIKE ABOUT VIRTUAL RACES

Some people simply cannot travel for runDisney races. Whether it be due to costs, work responsibilities, travel issues, or logistics, not everyone who would like to participate in a runDisney race is able to make the journey. Virtual races enable them to get a taste of the experience without leaving home.

Children of all ages can participate in virtual races. All in-person runDisney races have an age minimum: 5 for the 5K, 10 for the 10K, 14 for the half, and 18 for the full. However, kids develop at different rates. They have different tolerances for not only the physical rigors of running but the high stimuli of in-person events. A virtual race puts the power to decide what races their children can handle in the hands of the parents. Plus, while runDisney races don’t permit strollers, no such embargo plagues a virtual race. Now you can bring your baby if you want!

Virtual races don’t have pace limits. Wherever you are on your fitness journey, runDisney’s pace minimums can seem daunting. But virtual races are balloon lady-free, so you can take all the time you need.

Some people run for the bling. Medal collecting is a legitimate hobby, and a subsection of runners are in it for the sweet hardware. I find the quality of runDisney’s medal can be hit or miss (hello broken spinners and chipped paint), but no one can deny they’re fun and colorful!

It’s easier for groups of friends to participate. Since the monetary commitment is smaller (no flights or hotels) and organization is less challenging (no midnight wakeup call and you typically have a window of literal months to complete your race), it can be comparatively simple to put together a fun group experience, whether that be in person or over social media. Historically it’s also been far less difficult to register for a virtual race. Although…

IS THE runDISNEY VIRTUAL RACE SCENE GROWING IN POPULARITY?

It’s no secret the runDisney in-person race business has been booming for years. Bibs sell out faster than ever! Many, MANY people who show up on the drop date never even get a chance to register.

The virtual race scene, however, is more uneven. Some sell out in hours; others linger for weeks, and it’s not entirely clear why. Yet the most recent summer virtual race series registration played out like an in-person race bib release. Many hopefuls never got past the entry queue before every virtual race kit was sold out from under them.

But wait… why? I mean, I imagine the reason kits sold out was because more people missed out on a in-person race bib and sought to make up for that with a virtual race registration. My larger question, though, is why do virtual races have to “sell out” at all?

WHY CAN’T runDISNEY LET ANYONE WHO WANTS TO RUN THE VIRTUAL RACES?

As much as it sucks to compete for a limited number of in-person race bibs, it’s obvious why runDisney does this, at least up to a point. A race course can only accommodate so many people at a time, and runDisney races in particular are subject to the requirements of regular park operations to boot. Whether or not runDisney maximizes their resources is a separate and somewhat opaque question, but its finite nature is easily understood.

Not so with virtual races. Individual runners now manage their own race days. runDisney’s part comes down almost exclusively to merchandising. If the New York Marathon can distribute around 60,000 medals on an appointed date, surely runDisney can produce enough to open the floor to more virtual racers? Surely the Disney Store knows how to effectively distribute packages? Heck, they’ve managed to send all the Wine & Dine Half participants their after party tickets in the mail.

Now, this is a business, and I assume part of the problem is the aforementioned unpredictability of the virtual race market. Virtual races don’t always sell out. runDisney certainly doesn’t want to be left holding a bunch of useless medals in cases where the market is soft.

That’s where my idea comes in!

MY SOLUTION: runDISNEY VIRTUAL RACES SHOULD BE BY PREORDER ONLY

So why doesn’t runDisney expand the lead time and make all virtual races by preorder only? Open race kits for purchase for, say, a week, or even a couple days. See how many people are interested. Once you’ve collected all your money, get down to business to defeat the huns ordering and distributing as many kits as the runDisney community so desires. runDisney expends exactly as much money as necessary, and everyone who wants to participate can.

Because I think anyone and everyone who wants to be a part of a runDisney virtual race should be given that opportunity. It’s so tough out there in on-site race bib registration! While it is to an extent unavoidable thanks to supply and demand, supply COULD meet demand in the case of virtual races.

I suppose one reason they don’t might be the fear of losing out on the hype that drives scarcity marketing. Yet I strongly suspect that much of the popularity of runDisney’s virtual races is spillover from in-person races. We all know that hype is ongoing. I really don’t think there’s a lot of risk here. In fact, I think it would eliminate a lot of the economic risk they already take on with the virtual model.

ADMITTEDLY I’M NOT A RACE ORGANIZER

That being said, I am not a virtual race organizer. I’m not even an avid virtual racer doer. Perhaps there is something I’m not thinking of that renders my plan difficult to impossible. Still, from my singular angle, I see making runDisney’s virtual races more accessible as a potential win for everyone involved.

C’mon, runDisney, throw your community a bone. Let everyone who wants a virtual race kit have one. Heck, you could make even MORE money in the process!

Don’t forget, you can follow FRoA on Threads @fairestrunofall and on Instagram @fairestrunofall. If you have any questions or thoughts, leave a comment or email fairestrunofall@gmail.com. See ya real soon!