This is an inaugural race weekend that has been HIGHLY anticipated for years and it’s so exciting that it’s finally here!! Star Wars Half Marathon Weekend kicks off in just a few days and to say that I’m jealous of everyone participating is an understatement. However, I will living vicariously through all of you and anxiously awaiting photos of these amazing medals to begin flooding my social media streams!
This race weekend is jam packed with Star Wars goodness, so let’s get to the details! (I apologize in advance for a few of the images and diagrams from runDisney that are not very clear.)
Health & Fitness Expo
Your galactic journey will begin with the Health & Fitness Expo at the Disneyland Hotel and the hours are as follows:
- Thursday, January 15th: 10:00 am – 8:00 pm
- Friday, January 16th: 9:00 am – 8:00 pm
- Saturday, January 17th: 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
All race participants MUST attend the expo to turn in signed waivers (click here to print your waiver) and pick up race packets, which include your race bib with B-Tag timing devices, race shirt(s), and gEAR bag. The gEAR bag also doubles as the bag to use for bag check during the race. This is also where you will receive any commemorative items you may have purchased during registration, like this AMAZING Dooney & Bourke bag. Who wants to pick one up for me?!? Seriously…look at this thing!
When you arrive at the expo, your first stop will be the Lower Exhibit Hall for Packet Pick Up. Remember that you can no longer have someone pick up your packet for you. Everyone MUST turn in a waiver, show ID and pick up their own packet.
You will then proceed to the Upper Exhibit Hall to pick up your race shirt(s) and gEAR bag, visit with vendors, listen to the speaker series, and spend all your money on runDisney merchandise. I’m sure this merch will be amazing so break open those piggy banks now!
Resort Transportation
If you are staying at one of the Disneyland Resorts, you will simply be able to walk to the both the Expo and the Starting Line for each race.
If you are staying at a Good Neighbor hotel, there will be complimentary Anaheim Transportation Network (ART) shuttles for the entire weekend for runners and spectators. This doesn’t just include during race time…it is COMPLIMENTARY ALL WEEKEND, January 15-18. Make sure to get a pass from one of the drivers…this is a BIG bonus and will save you a lot of time and money! The shuttles make stops around every 20 minutes, so plan your trip accordingly. The schedule will be extended to the following times:
- Thursday, January 15th: 8:20 am – 12:30 am
- Friday, January 16th: 3:30 am – 12:30 am
- Saturday, January 17th: 3:30 am – 12:30 am
- Sunday, January 18th: 3:30 am – 12:30 am
Here is a map of the Good Neighbor Hotel locations:
Driving Directions
Parking will be available in the Mickey & Friends Parking Structure located on Disneyland Drive and Ball Road for all weekend events. Standard parking rates will apply and there are no discounts for runners. Roads will be closing beginning at 5:00 am on race days and there will be numerous detours that will be set up. Make sure to leave enough time for traffic delays!
Costumes
I’ve seen some great Star Wars costumes during Disney races, but these are sure to be over the top and amazing! I can’t wait to see how creative everyone will get! Who could forget Darth Goofy from the 2013 Disneyland Half Marathon?!
Please note that runners are NOT allowed to wear a face mask of any kind and will be removed from the course if this is violated. So who are you dressing up as??
Bag Check
Participants MUST use the clear bag provided at the expo to check any belongings during the race and affix the label with their bib number on the outside. Bag check will be located in the Lilo Parking Lot/Family Reunion Area. Bags must be checked by 5:15 am for ALL races prior to heading into the start corrals. Bags must be picked up by 7:15 am for the 5K, 8:15 for the 10K and 11:00 am for the half marathon at the same location.
Start Corrals
The start corrals are located on Disneyland Drive between Mickey Way and Paradise Way. For each race, your corral will be listed on your race bib and you will only be granted access to that corral or the one behind you. You can find your corral placement by printing you waiver and finding the corresponding corral for your bib number. Corral placement for the 5K will be available at packet pick-up.
Star Wars 5K
Star Wars 10K
Star Wars Half Marathon & Rebel Challenge
Starting Times
All races will begin at 5:30 am. The wheelchair start for the half marathon will be at 5:29 am on Sunday, January 18th. Runners are encouraged to arrive to the staging area no later than one hour prior to the race start time and be in your assigned corrals no later than 30 minutes prior.
Race Bibs
Bibs must be centered on the front of your shirt. Safety pins will be provided in your race packet at the expo. Do not bend or fold your bib as the Chrono Track B-tag will be affixed to the back of the bib which will be used to track your time. If your bib is not properly centered, damaged or covered, your time may not be recorded properly, or more importantly you won’t get any photos!
If you are competing in the Rebel Challenge, you will have one race bib for both the 10K and the Half Marathon, so make sure to take good care of it!
Pacing Requirements
Remember that you must keep a minimum pace of 16-minutes per mile throughout the race or you will run the risk of being picked up and brought to the finish line. Pace cyclists and the dreaded balloon ladies will be on the course to let you know if you have fallen behind. Keep this in mind if you are planning to stop for character photos. Those lines can get long and it’s easy to lose track of time.
Rebel Challenge Participants
If you are participating in this challenge, you will receive a wristband after finishing the Star Wars 10K on Saturday. This must be worn while running the Star Wars Half Marathon. After completing the Star Wars Half Marathon, you will need to present this wristband at the Rebel Challenge tent to receive your medal.
Coast to Coast Challenge Participants
If you are participating in this challenge, you will receive a wristband when you pick up your bib at the Health & Fitness Expo. A runDisney official will put this on for you and it can not be taken off until you complete the Star Wars Half Marathon. After completing the race, you will need to present this wristband at the Coast to Coast tent to receive your medal.
Course Maps
This Disneyland race weekend is the first to start down Disneyland Drive in a different direction. I’ll be interested to see what people think of this new course route!
Star Wars 5K
Star Wars 10K
Star Wars Half Marathon
Greg over at Why I runDisney has put together some great posts that give an in-depth look at the Star Wars Half Marathon course. So if you are interested on what your race will look like, definitely check these out:
- Star Wars Half Marathon – Start Through the Theme Parks
- Star Wars Half Marathon – Leaving the Theme Parks
- Star Wars Half Marathon – The Finish and Closing Thoughts
More information on other events like the Kids Races and the Wookie Welcome Party is available on the runDisney website and in the Official Event Guide for the weekend. Also, check out some of my packing tips as you get ready to travel.
Finally, if you will be out in Disneyland, I am still looking for some contributors to cover the events of the weekend. Here is a list of some ideas for posts and how to contact me. Also, please tag me in your photos from the weekend on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram…I will cry over them share them all weekend.
MAY THE COURSE BE WITH YOU!
