If you were registered for the 2020 Walt Disney World Wine & Dine Marathon Weekend races they will now be held virtually according to an announcement on the runDisney website. This is a blow to a lot of athletes who were looking forward to participating in the final onsite run event of the year. And the theme “Wickedly Delicious” was so perfect!

Here’s the statement:

“With circumstances surrounding COVID-19 continuing to change around the globe, we continue to make timely decisions about our operations after considering guidance from local and national health authorities. As we have shared before, we are basing our decisions on the safety and well-being of our Cast Members, athletes and our Guests, since there is nothing more important than that.

With that in mind, we are transitioning the 2020 Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend at Walt Disney World Resort to a virtual race. All registered Guests for the onsite event have the option of receiving a full refund for the race, and registered Guests with a U.S. mailing address may convert their existing registration to the new virtual event that can be completed from home, a local running track or favorite running trail.

Eligible runners who select to participate in the virtual race will receive a race shirt and medal for each distance they complete, in addition to the satisfaction of completing the race they’ve been training for. Registered participants will receive an email beginning July 23 with instructions on how to make their registration selection before August 5, 2020. If a selection is not made, registered Guests automatically will be refunded.”

Those that have registered do have the option of either a full refund for the races scheduled or if you have a U.S. mailing address you can choose to turn your registration into one for the new virtual event.

If you choose the refund the money will be refunded to your original form of payment. If you no longer have your original form of payment you can contact runDisney by August 5, 2020 to receive a refund via either a check or or Disney Gift Card. Refunds should take between six-eight weeks. If you do not receive it by then contact runDisney.

You can refund the following:

• Race registrations (Half Marathon, 10K, 5K, Two Course Challenge and Kids Races)
• Commemorative merchandise (automatic refund – no virtual option)
• ChEAR Squad (automatic refund – no virtual option)
• Processing fee

If you were registered to run in the onsite race and you do not have a U.S. mailing address, you will automatically receive a refund.  Only those with U.S. mailing addressed can participate in the virtual option.

Gift Cards will also take six-eight weeks for processing and are available for the half Marathon, 10K, 5K, and Two Course Challenge.

Virtual Race Option

“All registered participants, with a valid U.S. shipping address for the 2020 Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend at Walt Disney World Resort who purchased their registrations on runDisney.com will have the option to participate in a virtual race. Please note this does not include PO Boxes or APO Boxes. Participants who select this option will receive the following based on their registration(s):

• Race distance medal(s)
• Runner long sleeve shirt(s) and kids short sleeve shirt(s)
• Digital Bib and finisher certificate
• Digital Toolkit including start/finish line and mile markers
• Digital Goody Bag
• Virtual playlist
• A Disney Gift Card for select races

Guests with a U.S. mailing address who already have received a refund for their registration may still register to participate in the virtual race option by contacting runDisney by August 5, 2020.”

If you booked through a charity:

“Runners who’ve booked through a charity or tour operator should reach out directly to that organization. Runners who’ve booked through the Walt Disney Travel Company may call them at 407-939-4786 (407-939-IRUN) for available options.”

Any donations made to Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida will not be refunded and will be delivered to the sponsored charity.

What about other upcoming races:

RunDisney is currently looking into 2021 with the well-being of participants, volunteers, guests and Cast Members in mind. They currently do plan on having their 2021 races as scheduled starting with the 2021 Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend taking place January 6-10th. They will keep participants updated on any changes.

What do you think? Comment and let us know!

Source: runDisney