---
title: Express registration
description: Single-page registration for virtual and challenge-style competitions
order: 50
---

# Express registration

Some virtual and challenge-style **competitions** offer **express registration** — a shortened single-page form instead of the full multi-step checkout.

**URL pattern:** `competitions/<event>/apply/express/`

Opening `/apply/` on a virtual-style competition **redirects automatically** to the express form.

::: note Challenges use a different flow
Step and sports **challenges** register at `/challenges/<slug>/apply/` — not the express competition form. See [Participate in a challenge](participate-in-a-challenge.md).
:::

## When express apply is used

Express registration is available for **virtual**, **distant race**, and **challenge race** competitions — not for standard **in-person** races, **ticket** events, or **collection** events (those use the full `/apply/` flow).

Paid events still redirect to payment after the form when a fee applies.

## Before you start

You must be **signed in**. If you open express apply while logged out, DistantRace asks for your email and sends you to sign up or log in — it does not collect full registration details anonymously.

Private competitions require a valid [join code](using-a-join-code.md) in the URL (`?join_code=`) or a short-lived session cache (about 15 minutes) before the form opens. Organization-wide join codes work too.

## What you fill in

Typically on one page:

- Personal details (name, gender, birth date if required)
- **Distance** or category
- **Team** — pick an existing team or create one in a modal when the distance allows teams
- Registration questions from the organizer
- Agreement to [event regulations](event-regulations-and-consent.md)

If you already registered for this event, the page lists your existing entry with an option to **quit** (withdraw) and apply again — unless you bought a premium package that blocks quitting.

## Registering someone else

Express apply links to a **sub-participant** list at `apply/express/sub/` when the event allows family or group entries. You can also open the main form with `?p=<participant_id>` for a saved profile.

See [Registering for someone else](registering-for-someone-else.md).

## After submit

- **Free events** — confirmation at `apply/ok/?e=<registration_id>`; you may see [post-apply add-ons](post-registration-add-ons.md) or premium upsells immediately
- **Paid events** — redirect to checkout, then confirmation

Registration may be blocked when the event is full, outside the registration window, or you reached the organizer's per-user application limit.

## Related

- [Participate in virtual competitions](participate-in-virtual-competitions.md)
- [Register for in-person competitions](register-for-in-person-competitions.md)