It’s another record for runDisney, but this time the record been set for race registration rather than on the course. On Jan. 24, Disney Sports announced a sell-out record for the major races held during the 2013 Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend.
The Disneyland Half Marathon and two new events – the Disneyland 10K and the Dumbo Double Dare – all reached capacity a mere 26 hours after on-line race registration opened to the general public.
The Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend races have attracted more than 25,000 participants for 2013. In the at-capacity races, 17,500 registered athletes for the Disneyland Half Marathon and 8,000 for the Disneyland 10K. 5,000 athletes have registered for the inaugural Dumbo Double Dare, a back-to-back event in which participants complete the new 10K race on Saturday and the half marathon on Sunday in order to earn three finisher medals.
This year’s Disneyland Half Marathon sold out more quickly than in 2012. Last year, the Disneyland Half Marathon reached capacity about a month after registration opened, approximately the same length of time it took the Tinker Bell Half Marathon to fill.
The 2013 Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend also joins other runDisney race weekends that have reached record-setting capacity, including the 2013 Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend, with its more than 65,000 registered athletes, and the 2013 Tinker Bell Half Marathon Weekend, with more than 19,500.
With this string of successes, the runDisney events join the list of highly popular races, a list that includes the Marine Corps Marathon, ING New York City Marathon and Boston Marathon.
“Runner response to the Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend is overwhelming,” says Disney Sports Marketing and Communication Director Faron Kelley in a prepared statement. “This points to the growing popularity of runDisney events and runner demand for two-day, back-to-back race challenges, along with the ever popular 10K distance.”
The rapid sell-out of the Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend had several other contributing factors. There is, of course, the attraction of running a new Disneyland race or distance and the opportunity to do an inaugural event.
The Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend also reached capacity quickly because runners who attended the Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend and the Tinker Bell Marathon Weekend could register early for the Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend at these events’ respective Health & Fitness Expos.
Annual Passholders also could register for the Disneyland Half Marathon events before the races opened to the general public, as could Disney Visa Card holders.
Also a possible factor: for runners who like race medals, the Disneyland Half Marathon offers an opportunity to earn the Coast-to-Coast medal. The runDisney medal recognizes runners who complete a half marathon or longer distance race at both Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort in the same calendar year.
The Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend will take place Aug. 30 – Sept. 1.
A limited number of registration slots are available for the half marathon and 10K through charity and travel groups. In addition, registration remains open for the Family Fun Run 5K and runDisney Kids Races. These races are filling quickly, with events already reaching more than 80% capacity. Runners can get more information on these opportunities by visiting RunDisney.
For more information on Disney races, see this article: Running and walking Walt Disney World and Disneyland: 2013 – 2014 race schedule.
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