Official 2016 Star Wars Half Marthon - The Dark Side Weekend

[FFigawi]

Hi all! DS and I are running the 10k on Saturday. Does anyone have any idea what time we will be done, approximately? Just looking at the calendar and trying to plan the rest of that day. We will have to meet up with my DM and DD. Thanks!

It's tough to say without knowing how fast you run, but worst case you should be done by 830.

 

[buzzrelly]

It's tough to say without knowing how fast you run, but worst case you should be done by 830.

I should have said, I'm a poke! And I've never run a race before so I'll be one of the last to get started. So 8:30 is when the last people start finishing? And then what happens? I end up at WWOS, right? And then how do I get back to my resort? Will they have busses running tom there? I am staying at the Poly. Thanks for any info…this is so new to me!

 

[FFigawi]

The first corral will start at 530am. The last one should be underway by 630. At a 16 min/mile pace, the balloon ladies (last starters and last finishers) will finish around 810-815. The buses from WWoS back to the resorts will run until 10.

 

[buzzrelly]

The first corral will start at 530am. The last one should be underway by 630. At a 16 min/mile pace, the balloon ladies (last starters and last finishers) will finish around 810-815. The buses from WWoS back to the resorts will run until 10.

Perfect! That's the info I was looking for. And I'm not quite a "balloon lady," I guess. I usually do around 12-13 minute/mile

 

[emzben25]

Perfect! That's the info I was looking for. And I'm not quite a "balloon lady," I guess. I usually do around 12-13 minute/mile

Balloon ladies are volunteer pacers for runDisney. The are the last ones to cross the start line and maintain a 16 min/mile pace. If you fall behind them, there is a very real possibility that you may be swept. At 12-13 min/mile, you'll be fine. Just remember if you stop to take pictures, your overall pace will be slower.

 

[kmchisholm]

Just for those who haven't done Disney Races before - the clock starts when the last person starts the race. So if you're in a few corrals up, you'll have more time to enjoy the race, pictures, etc.

 

[acbshada]

Just for those who haven't done Disney Races before - the clock starts when the last person starts the race. So if you're in a few corrals up, you'll have more time to enjoy the race, pictures, etc.

I appreciate the first timer tips because I'm new to this as well. I've been thinking a bit about pictures and how exactly I'd like to go about doing that. I'm not a fast runner by any means, so I'm guessing that standing in lines to meet characters might be out for me.

However - for those who do take pictures, do you just bring a small camera along with you? Cell phone? What do you think works best (especially that time of morning)?

 

[kmchisholm]

Here are my first time thoughts -

I use my iPhone. Usually there are plenty of people around available to help. I also don't like to carry much, since I use my phone with the Nike app, I just go ahead and use that camera as well.

If you can do a race ahead of time and get a qualifying time, do it. You don't have to be super fast to move up a corral or two. I run a 2:38 half and usually get bumped up 2-3 corrals. It just helps with peace of mind and not having to cram and work around people in the last corral.

If you have a food or drink you're comfortable with, bring it but don't weigh yourself down. They've had plenty of water in the past and gels along the course (for the Half). Plus, you get so worked up making sure you have everything at 3am that you forget something important like headphones, brushing your teeth (almost happened) etc.

Just enjoy yourself. One time I thought I'd get a PR at the Wine & Dine - wrong. I ran most of it but felt like crud afterwards and am kicking myself for not getting more night time pictures with the floats. Sometimes I think I should keep track of 2 PR's - my Disney and non Disney

 

[iambasicallyanna]

Since this race was announced, my fiance has begged me to sign us up. He's a huge Star Wars fan and we haven't done RunDisney since Princess in 2013. I've adamantly told him no because of the high costs.

So, naturally, I just signed us up for the half (I just got a raise at work, so we can afford it much easier now), but he has no idea yet - he'll find out when we get married in a few weeks. Should be a fun weekend, and a fun reveal for me!

 

[FFigawi]

Just enjoy yourself. One time I thought I'd get a PR at the Wine & Dine - wrong. I ran most of it but felt like crud afterwards and am kicking myself for not getting more night time pictures with the floats. Sometimes I think I should keep track of 2 PR's - my Disney and non Disney

This is very good advice. I find that Disney races are not the best ones in which to attempt a PR. That's not to say it can't be done (I've done it before myself), but it does take away from the enjoyment of the character stops, park views, and all the other things that make running at Disney different than running anywhere else.

 

[PrincessV]

I appreciate the first timer tips because I'm new to this as well. I've been thinking a bit about pictures and how exactly I'd like to go about doing that. I'm not a fast runner by any means, so I'm guessing that standing in lines to meet characters might be out for me.

However - for those who do take pictures, do you just bring a small camera along with you? Cell phone? What do you think works best (especially that time of morning)?

Most lines are short and move FAST: no one's lingering around like at character meets in the parks. There are exceptions, but you'll be able to tell right away: if the line's only 10 deep, you won't wait long. If the line is so long that you see it way before you see who's at the end of it, it could be a while, lol!

I use my iPhone for GPS, music and pics. I just pull it out of my armband when I get into line, get it all ready for the photog, then stick it back in the armband afterward, or hang onto it in my hand for a while if I'm likely to take a few more in the same area.

Just enjoy yourself. One time I thought I'd get a PR at the Wine & Dine - wrong. I ran most of it but felt like crud afterwards and am kicking myself for not getting more night time pictures with the floats. Sometimes I think I should keep track of 2 PR's - my Disney and non Disney

Totally agree! I was on track to PR at W&D last year... until I got into DHS. Then I really wanted a bunch of pics and spent some quality time on a bench watching the lights. I don't regret that a bit

 

[Z-Knight]

I can finally say I'm officially registered for the 5k and Challenge. Up to now I had only a confirmation from the travel provider but today I completed my active.com registration so I am good to go. Kessel Run, ftw!

 

[alexce]

My first races were Princess weekend 2015. In both the 5K and half, I wore running capris with a pocket and kept my cell phone in there. I did a test run in each pair beforehand, to make sure the phone would stay put. Worked great.

If you're doing the half and you can get a POT race in before the deadline, do it. I was mid-field for the Princess half because of my POT, which gave me the peace of mind and confidence to stop for pics. Not sure I would have felt that comfortable doing it if I'd been in the last corral.

 

[Fletch]

This is very good advice. I find that Disney races are not the best ones in which to attempt a PR. That's not to say it can't be done (I've done it before myself), but it does take away from the enjoyment of the character stops, park views, and all the other things that make running at Disney different than running anywhere else.

I concur as well! The fun of the Disney races for me is all about the atmosphere... the pre-race hype, the fireworks for each corral, enjoying the scenery through the parks, seeing characters and decorations along the route, etc. I love to soak it all in and enjoy it. Setting a PR is usually the last thing on my mind.

 

[JClimacus]

I concur as well! The fun of the Disney races for me is all about the atmosphere... the pre-race hype, the fireworks for each corral, enjoying the scenery through the parks, seeing characters and decorations along the route, etc. I love to soak it all in and enjoy it. Setting a PR is usually the last thing on my mind.

I don't see this as an either/or. At least the first half of any marathon (well, all 2 I've run) is, for me, all about soaking in the atmosphere and enjoying myself, running comfortably and chatting with other runners. At that point, thinking about PRs is probably the worst thing to do even if you are trying for one. All it will do is make you nervous about your pace and probably run faster than you should. At least it would for me. I'm running the Goofy, the half with my kids and the full with a friend, and I still will try for a PR even though we will likely stop for some character pics in the full. We'll run a solid pace in the PR neighborhood and, at mile 20, evaluate the situation and decide then how serious to get.

 

[JClimacus]

I guess I shouldn't talk like this on a half marathon thread... but I think the principle could still hold in a half vs a full.

 

[JClimacus]

Actually the whole reason I came on this thread was to ask about the half dedicated weekends vs. the marathon weekend, then I got distracted by the discussion. One of my kids couldn't make marathon weekend and I'm considering asking whether to propose going down with him for Dark Side. I've only been to marathon weekend. How do the "smaller" weekends compare with it? Do you still get the full treatment? For instance, will the Star Wars theme really be a "Wow!" kind of thing, or will it just be a few storm troopers and Ewoks scattered about the course? I've looked at the event pages but I'm not getting a good feel for the difference.

 

[emzben25]

Actually the whole reason I came on this thread was to ask about the half dedicated weekends vs. the marathon weekend, then I got distracted by the discussion. One of my kids couldn't make marathon weekend and I'm considering asking whether to propose going down with him for Dark Side. I've only been to marathon weekend. How do the "smaller" weekends compare with it? Do you still get the full treatment? For instance, will the Star Wars theme really be a "Wow!" kind of thing, or will it just be a few storm troopers and Ewoks scattered about the course? I've looked at the event pages but I'm not getting a good feel for the difference.

Not sure about the Dark Side race but for the Star Wars race this year at Disneyland, they themed the weekend really well. They had Star Wars music playing throughout the parks and all the character stops for the half were Star Wars characters (Chewie, Luke/Leia, stormtroopers, Darth Vader, Boba Fett, rebels from the cartoon). The CM really got into it and would say phrases like "May the course be with you." A group of cosplayes (501st Legion) were out around mile 9 and there were lots of opportunities to take pictures with the cosplayers. They had more characters than Disney had in the parks. It was my first rD race and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I hope the WDW race will get the same treatment.

ETA: I've never ran a WDW race so I can't really compare marathon weekend with SW -- can only share my experience.

 

[Z-Knight]

Actually the whole reason I came on this thread was to ask about the half dedicated weekends vs. the marathon weekend, then I got distracted by the discussion. One of my kids couldn't make marathon weekend and I'm considering asking whether to propose going down with him for Dark Side. I've only been to marathon weekend. How do the "smaller" weekends compare with it? Do you still get the full treatment? For instance, will the Star Wars theme really be a "Wow!" kind of thing, or will it just be a few storm troopers and Ewoks scattered about the course? I've looked at the event pages but I'm not getting a good feel for the difference.

Check out Eddie McCoys videos of the 10k and half to see...lots of spectators also dressing up

http://www.fasteddievideos.com

 

[JClimacus]

Check out Eddie McCoys videos of the 10k and half to see...lots of spectators also dressing up

http://www.fasteddievideos.com

thanks for the link, those are interesting...