Official 2016 Star Wars Half Marthon - The Dark Side Weekend

[PrincessV]

Anyone have any tips or suggestions for running the challenge?? I have done numerous marathons and half marathons but never races on back to back days. Any tips or suggestions will be greatly appreciated. Thanks

I've done the Princess 5K/10K/half deal twice, and the WDW 10K+half once. The back-to-back training runs were critical for me. As a rule, I don't spend much time in parks during race weekends, and that's always served me well. But I'm also local-ish and can visit to hit the parks any other time, so I know that's not always ideal for others. Different shoes for each race. Fueling and hydrating before and between races just like I tested in training. Lots of rest and early bedtimes!

I'll add that in the past I've taken the short races super easy and pushed the pace on the halfs... but mid-April in central FL? I'll hope for a freak cold front, but I'm prepared for some serious heat; I won't be looking for any PRs, I'm sure.

Hey all,

Does anyone have any idea what the course for the race will look like?-

Nothing's been released yet, but I agree with @Nole95 ...

I think the course is going to basically be a reverse of the Wine & Dine. Starting at EPCOT and finishing at WWOS. Wildcard will be how much construction, if any, might be going on at DHS that would alter the route from the W&D course. My guess is the bulk of the Star Wars character spots will be in DHS. I'll also be curious if it goes through AK, or if they do something different.

I agree - I think EP parking lot through WS, around the EP resorts, up to DHS, out to Osceola, in and out of AK, into WWOS. AK doesn't make much thematic sense to me, but I'm not sure what else they'd do - a longer out and back on Osceola maybe?

 

[acbshada]

I'm just going to issue a "hello" right back at both of you, @MommaoffherRocker & @katiekinzakat. Welcome aboard!

 

[Dave70364]

Hey all!

I have seen here that all resorts will have transport to the races. I have not seen it elsewhere, though. Where was it confirmed? I am going to book a room and want to make sure transport is good to go.

Thanks!!!

 

[acbshada]

@Dave70364 - I found this little tidbit buried on the Travel tab of the runDisney website

Travel Packages for Star Wars™ Half Marathon – The Dark Side

April 14 - April 17, 2016

Travel Details

Magic Your Way Package

The Magic Your Way Base Package lets you experience the magic of a Walt Disney World® Resort vacation at an affordable rate. Just pick your favorite themed Disney Resort hotel then pick the number of days for your Theme Park ticket. Create your perfect vacation with customizable Magic Your Way Tickets. And when you stay at any Walt Disney World® Resort during Star Wars Half Marathon Weekend – The Dark Side, transportation to all race weekend event is provided.​

 

[margitmouse]

@Nole95 and @PrincessV , why do you think ending at WWoS? Doesn't that seem like more of a logistical nightmare in terms of redistributing spectators and runners to their respective resorts, parks etc?

Not sure I love the idea of ending there.... Unless they are going to use that space for some super end of race entertainment!!

 

[Dave70364]

@Dave70364 - I found this little tidbit buried on the Travel tab of the runDisney website

Travel Packages for Star Wars™ Half Marathon – The Dark Side

April 14 - April 17, 2016

Travel Details

Magic Your Way Package

The Magic Your Way Base Package lets you experience the magic of a Walt Disney World® Resort vacation at an affordable rate. Just pick your favorite themed Disney Resort hotel then pick the number of days for your Theme Park ticket. Create your perfect vacation with customizable Magic Your Way Tickets. And when you stay at any Walt Disney World® Resort during Star Wars Half Marathon Weekend – The Dark Side, transportation to all race weekend event is provided.​

THANKS!!!!!

 

[opusone]

Hey all,

Does anyone have any idea what the course for the race will look like?

Just found this thread so i apologize if this question may be repetitive. I tried to search as much as I could but could not find info.

Thanks in advance!!

-BDK-

@Nole95 and @PrincessV , why do you think ending at WWoS? Doesn't that seem like more of a logistical nightmare in terms of redistributing spectators and runners to their respective resorts, parks etc?

Not sure I love the idea of ending there.... Unless they are going to use that space for some super end of race entertainment!!

The original Disney announcement of the race stated the following: "Among its many features will be a unique 13.1-mile course that propels runners through Epcot, Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Disney’s Hollywood Studios and finishes at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex."

 

[margitmouse]

The original Disney announcement of the race stated the following: "Among its many features will be a unique 13.1-mile course that propels runners through Epcot, Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Disney’s Hollywood Studios and finishes at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex."

Aha!!!

Note to self, read the announcements!! Thanks folks!!

 

[MommaoffherRocker]

Just got my runners world in the mail and there is a section about Star Wars inspired running gear inside!

 

[DOOM1001]

I am highly curious about the course,the whole going through Epcot,DHS,AK and finishing at WWoS is a big reason why I signed up,I'm not the biggest fan of the traditional Disney World half route from Epcot to MK and back so you give me something different and unique and I'm in.I've also never done a 10k at Disney so the challenge was a no brainer.The medals are also really nice,love the TIE fighter 10k medal as well as the spinner half which has a unique texture compared to other races.So far the only thing I'm not excited for this race weekend is that the half supposedly starts at 5am,that's like earlier than the other Disney races and the buses from the resorts are probably going to start leaving the resorts at 2:30AM,Seriously!!!

 

[maw]

I love the challenge medal. I should have signed up for that but we decided pretty late to do the 1/2.

 

[flvy]

That's where I'm at @maw I figure I have next year for challenges and 2018 for dopey.

 

[PrincessV]

@Nole95 and @PrincessV , why do you think ending at WWoS? Doesn't that seem like more of a logistical nightmare in terms of redistributing spectators and runners to their respective resorts, parks etc?

Per rD: "
Star Wars Half Marathon - The Dark Side
Sunday, April 17, 2016

5:00 a.m.

Start: Epcot® Resort
Finish: ESPN Wide World of Sports"

I don't think it'll be any worse than anywhere else: WWOS already has the space for busing to resorts. Parking will be at EP wit shuttles going from WWOS to EP after the race, the reverse of W&D.

So far the only thing I'm not excited for this race weekend is that the half supposedly starts at 5am,that's like earlier than the other Disney races and the buses from the resorts are probably going to start leaving the resorts at 2:30AM,Seriously!!!

Yep, count on it! The earlier start is because its freaking HOT down here that time of year, lol! The sun is approaching early summer strength by mid-April, so once it comes up, it'll be mighty warm. The more race we can run before that, the better.

 

[BDK33]

It looks like the half marathon still has not sold out. Any ideas why? Normally the races sell out in an hour...

-BDK-

 

[acbshada]

It looks like the half marathon still has not sold out. Any ideas why? Normally the races sell out in an hour...

-BDK-

I've been baffled about this, too. No clue.

 

[wilkeliza]

It looks like the half marathon still has not sold out. Any ideas why? Normally the races sell out in an hour...

-BDK-

I've been baffled about this, too. No clue.

For my money it is that the distance jump is greater than people expected. The May crowd that would come in for EE were 5Kers. They went from a Spring/early summer 5K to a half. I think a lot of the people who were running EE are scared to attempt a half. On top of that it is before a big holiday season. Spring break is the last week of March for most colleges and schools this year or the last week of April depending on if it is a passover break or Easter break. I think that puts it in an awkward time for families to justify time off.

 

[opusone]

It looks like the half marathon still has not sold out. Any ideas why? Normally the races sell out in an hour...

-BDK-

I've been baffled about this, too. No clue.

Actually, the challenges always sell out very quickly, but the longer individual events don't always sell-out. In fact, I looked in November, and the January marathon was still open for registration.

 

[acbshada]

Both valid and interesting points. Still new to all of this, so thank you for the insight.

So it sounds like even though the half hasn't sold out, that doesn't really put this race in "danger" of not returning. Hopefully...

 

[opusone]

Both valid and interesting points. Still new to all of this, so thank you for the insight.

So it sounds like even though the half hasn't sold out, that doesn't really put this race in "danger" of not returning. Hopefully...

Not at all in my opinion. Prior to them removing the registration indicator bar from the runDisney website a month or so ago, the half was already at 85-86% full.

 

[NurseRunner]

It looks like the half marathon still has not sold out. Any ideas why? Normally the races sell out in an hour...

-BDK-

From my understanding, it is the same weekend as Boston Marathon. Lot of people were upset about that when it was announced.