Star Wars Half Marathon – The Light Side
Anaheim, CA
- Rebel Challenge (19.3 Miles), Half Marathon, 10K, 5K, Kids Run
- Road (Paved)
- Official race website
EVENT CANCELLED starting 2018. Due to a number of construction projects taking place at Disneyland Resort. —— Choose your Destiny! There’s a run for Jedi Knights and Padawans of every age and skill level including the Star Wars Half Marathon, Star Wars 10K and Star Wars 5K, and the runDisney … MORE
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Night and day course...
The expo and stores had a lot of swag and things to purchase, half of the race was very Disney-esque, while the other half was running in Anaheim and though … MORE
The expo and stores had a lot of swag and things to purchase, half of the race was very Disney-esque, while the other half was running in Anaheim and though I liked the spectators, it was shocking to say the least. The medal was beautiful, the course was mostly flat and honestly the spectators were fantastic!
I saw a wookiee
I questioned if this Disney race would be worth the high price tag...and I loved every minute. The races starts off with a host and a jumbo TV with movie … MORE
I questioned if this Disney race would be worth the high price tag…and I loved every minute. The races starts off with a host and a jumbo TV with movie clips and trivia. Speratically along the course are characters ready for photo ops. Light and music light up the park. Between miles 9 &10 there were storm trooper and other characters cheering you on. It was amazing, magical and just plan fun!
Crowded, Scenic & no PR
This race was all about your surroundings. Seeing Disney at night was cool, and the characters were fun but if you wanted a photo you sacrificed a lot of time. … MORE
This race was all about your surroundings. Seeing Disney at night was cool, and the characters were fun but if you wanted a photo you sacrificed a lot of time. Take the pre-race arrival time seriously, as getting to your corral can be time consuming. People in costume make it fun, but be prepared to wait a long time before passing the start gate if you are in any corral after “C”
Disney Runs are Fun!
Disney Runs are so fun, so scenic, so pricy. It’s worth it for the Disney pics. It’s the most expensive race brand by far. If you want to get “hooked” … MORE
Disney Runs are so fun, so scenic, so pricy.
It’s worth it for the Disney pics.
It’s the most expensive race brand by far.
If you want to get “hooked” on races though, this is the kind to sign up for.
Super fun race!
Nothing like turning a corner to see It's a Small World in lights! Super fun race with a great course through California Adventure and Disneyland! Star Wars theme song started … MORE
Nothing like turning a corner to see It’s a Small World in lights! Super fun race with a great course through California Adventure and Disneyland! Star Wars theme song started blaring at about 4:30am for the 6am (?) race time. I wish there was a free or discounted ticket that came with the price of the race, but it’s Disney. 🙂
Rebel Challenge!!
This is always a fun weekend. Because it's Disney the races themselves are a bit expensive and sell out quickly. You have to sign up for the challenge to earn … MORE
This is always a fun weekend. Because it’s Disney the races themselves are a bit expensive and sell out quickly. You have to sign up for the challenge to earn the challenge medal. If you sign up for the 10k and 1/2 separately you will NOT earn the medal.
Both races started at 5:30am in 2017. So be prepared to get up early! Parking is super easy and about $18 for the Disney parking structure.
Be sure to read the costume rules. They’ve changed over the years. But be sure to dress up and get in the spirit of things!
Overslept! ...Some New things I noticed
So.... for my 251st run I overslept! I sped down there anyway and I was about 25 minutes late (5:55am) and the course start was closed :-( . I made … MORE
So…. for my 251st run I overslept! I sped down there anyway and I was about 25 minutes late (5:55am) and the course start was closed 🙁 . I made may way down DownTown Disney (Passing through 3 security checkpoints! – New this time…) and managed to run the last 1/2 mile to pass the finish line and get my medal (nice), banana (free), Gatorade, water and my RunDisney box of treats. This was the first year they passed out thermal blankets to the 5K and 10K attendees.
I noticed a AP only lounge at the finish. There was a long line for it so I didn’t go in. Everyone was picking up something from a table… was it a pin? a cookie? I will investigate in May!
The Expo was smaller then previous events. Packet Pick up is Mandatory and I arrived after work at 7pm (it closes at 8pm). Traffic at parking was crazy so I parked at the Disneyland Hotel where you are given only 20 minutes free… I made It!
Since I basically missed my $80 run I drove to Belmont Shore and did my own Make Up 5K. I ran with a Mickey Darth Vader Helmet, A Cape and My Medal and no one batted an eye. I posted this time as my result.
The happiness place on earth 🌍
The expo for these events are awesome. Lots of cool stuff to browse and awesome guest speakers. The race it self is a blast. Tons of crowd support once you … MORE
The expo for these events are awesome. Lots of cool stuff to browse and awesome guest speakers. The race it self is a blast. Tons of crowd support once you leave the park. Can you say BLING.
Fun, Fun, Fun!!!
Star Wars Half Marathon was just fun. During the first part of the race we took pictures at every photo-stop. Many runners ran the race in costumes, so did we. … MORE
Star Wars Half Marathon was just fun. During the first part of the race we took pictures at every photo-stop. Many runners ran the race in costumes, so did we. Running as princess Leia was so much fun!
Light Side Challenge
Run the 10K on Saturday and 1/2 on Sunday and earn the Rebel Challenge medal. You MUST sign up for the challenge. Since it's a runDisney there's a ton of … MORE
Run the 10K on Saturday and 1/2 on Sunday and earn the Rebel Challenge medal. You MUST sign up for the challenge. Since it’s a runDisney there’s a ton of photo stops along the sections inside the park. Great race. But expensive.
Light Side Challenge
Run the 10K on Saturday and 1/2 on Sunday and earn the Rebel Challenge medal. You MUST sign up for the challenge. Since it's a runDisney there's a ton of … MORE
Run the 10K on Saturday and 1/2 on Sunday and earn the Rebel Challenge medal. You MUST sign up for the challenge. Since it’s a runDisney there’s a ton of photo stops along the sections inside the park. Great race. But expensive.
Not for your PB but for the fun
Dressed up as Princess Leia I got all the cheering I needed. Photo stops with Star Wars character on the course/ but expensive photos. Great sports expo but only the … MORE
Dressed up as Princess Leia I got all the cheering I needed. Photo stops with Star Wars character on the course/ but expensive photos. Great sports expo but only the days before the race, no same day race packet pick up. Early morning start. First miles in the park, later along Annaheim. 5 corals to seperate walkers from runners…Very commercial but fun, however don’t think I need to do it again
Amazing race, but narrow course
This was my first time running one of the Star Wars races, though I've done other runDisney races in the past. The production is always well executed, though the course … MORE
This was my first time running one of the Star Wars races, though I’ve done other runDisney races in the past. The production is always well executed, though the course for the 10K was very narrow in many places, making it hard to pass slower runners, walkers, and people stopping for photo ops.
The Force was with me... Sort of
This was my second Rebel challenge and 2nd year of doing it as a part of Dopey wars ( ran dopey challenge at WDW week prior). I have to say … MORE
This was my second Rebel challenge and 2nd year of doing it as a part of Dopey wars ( ran dopey challenge at WDW week prior). I have to say I have a love/hate relationship with Disney. I love it cause I love going to Disney and they have great medals, and swag. I hate it because people dont take these races seriously. I started in D corral with my 10k and B corral for the half. So people who lied or cheated on their proof of time get seeded a head of me. Problem is these people clog the course and make it harder for people to run. I had to weave and push my way through groups of walkers walking 4 abreast in narrow areas (against race etiquette). Also this year with pictures in the park Disney was cutting picture lines so those of us in the back never got a chance at a picture. I was 35 min ahead of the sweepers and actually as i was passing mile 5 of the course they were at 3.5. I got to the R2D2 line and they closed the line…. I never got a chance to take a picture even though I busted my butt to have that chance to. For you to have the full disney experience you need to go out of the first 3 corrals to have a chance to enjoy all that disney has to offer. If you start in the back you get screwed by those who dont train and dont care and it makes for a miserable day
Such fun and a great fast course
If you aren't stopping for pictures this course is quite fast and good for a PR. Lots of aid stations with water and poweraid, i barely needed my own hydration … MORE
If you aren’t stopping for pictures this course is quite fast and good for a PR. Lots of aid stations with water and poweraid, i barely needed my own hydration belt but was glad I had it. Cliff was there giving out their gels on the course which was good. Over all very smooth experience with the Rebel Challenge, had no trouble getting all the swag, and the expo is fun. It’s expensive but so much fun!
Just....fine
Easy course with amazing support. Course ran through Disneyland in the beginning but then public roads for the last 2/3 of the race and the scenery was boring. Nice medal … MORE
Easy course with amazing support. Course ran through Disneyland in the beginning but then public roads for the last 2/3 of the race and the scenery was boring. Nice medal but not the best I have. Long sleeve tech shirt is nice. Expo was pretty amazing but signage was minimal and I had to ask for directions several times.
The Force is with you...
Another RunDisney Race and they are unlike anything else. It's a top production all the way and a lot of fun. I ran the 5K which unlike the 10K and … MORE
Another RunDisney Race and they are unlike anything else. It’s a top production all the way and a lot of fun. I ran the 5K which unlike the 10K and Half Marathon is not timed.
Somethings to know:
Packet Pickup the day before is Mandatory. The Expo at the Hotel is nice and picking up your packet once you get in is easy. There is a kiosk to print your wavier there.
The Run starts at 5:30am and the 5k has three corrals (A, B, C). I have always been in “A”. Maybe because I register the day it’s possible.
Unlike the other RunDisney events you start the course on Disney/West street facing North. The first mile or so you are out of the park running on street until you enter cast place. From there it is both parks the rest of the way. There are many Star Wars character photo ops along the way with HUGE Lines.
As a Disney geek I appreciate the views of the parks I wouldn’t otherwise see. The Finish line area is always fun.
Expensive Races – I noticed upcoming 5k’s will be $80. They don’t get the word out very often but they do have a charity with each race – this one is The Discovery Science Foundation – serves as the program-development, marketing and fundraising arm for hands-on science learning museums in Orange County and Los Angeles.
Perfect combo - Disney & Star Wars
If you've ever run a Disney race before you already know two things - the races start VERY early and they give out great medals! And the more races you … MORE
If you’ve ever run a Disney race before you already know two things – the races start VERY early and they give out great medals! And the more races you do, the more bonus medals you can receive.
With Disneyland, it is easier to get to the start (compared to Disney World) so you can sleep in A BIT more. Unlike Disney World, there aren’t a lot of characters out for picture taking.
Because it is so early, it is quite dark out. Some spots (backlot mostly) that are surprisingly poorly lite, so watch your step!
Highly recommend doing the challenge (10k on Saturday, Half Marathon on Sunday)
Disney Knows What They Are Doing
This is such an amazing race! The support along the entire race route is superb! Just know that you will be stopping a lot to take pictures of the amazing … MORE
This is such an amazing race! The support along the entire race route is superb! Just know that you will be stopping a lot to take pictures of the amazing views and characters (not just in the park!) there was plenty of water and aid stations. Hopefully you have to use the restroom early so you can duck into a restroom in the park, there is never a line and they are clean and very well lit. An awesome race that I hope to be able to run again next year!
Another Disney Race
Disney Races are always well done - well produced, great course markings, lots of water stops and volunteers, tons of photo ops. This was the inaugural Star Wars race, but … MORE
Disney Races are always well done – well produced, great course markings, lots of water stops and volunteers, tons of photo ops.
This was the inaugural Star Wars race, but being Disney, it didn’t feel like an inaugural event.
My only complaints with the race are that there weren’t many character stops and the on course entertainment wasn’t as good as past Disney races.