Official 2016 Star Wars Half Marthon - The Dark Side Weekend

[flvy]

I do not usually do cheer packages, but it is my understanding they are usually out by now for purchase? So, they may not be offering one for this weekend.

That said, this race weekend in particular seems dry on any events. And has a fan base that would shell out in a heartbeat. They at least usually have a breakfast or something. So I'm still holding out hope for some announcements.

It's weird because it seems to be kind of fizzling out on sales too. You'd think they would have announced some extras to get more interest in the race weekend. They did do a last second early packet pick up dinner thing for Wine and Dine so you never know.

This is my thought exactly. I am not sure why there are no events scheduled that runners of this race would clearly pay for. No Star Wars themed welcome party and no other special events. At this point, there are not even Star Wars fireworks scheduled for DHS any night of that weekend. It's like they just threw the event together and figured runners would be fine with just running.

I actually emailed RunDisney about this last week, but I have not heard anything back from them yet.

It's not like Disney to miss out on extra money. While I actually am okay with just running and getting an amazing inaugural medal, it's just a head scratcher as far as them not maximizing profits. It'll be interesting to see how it turns out. Thankfully for them my first Disney race was last years Wine and Dine so my expectations aren't too high though I know no matter what it'll be awesome and in Disney.

 

[vladimir10]

This is my thought exactly. I am not sure why there are no events scheduled that runners of this race would clearly pay for. No Star Wars themed welcome party and no other special events. At this point, there are not even Star Wars fireworks scheduled for DHS any night of that weekend. It's like they just threw the event together and figured runners would be fine with just running.

I actually emailed RunDisney about this last week, but I have not heard anything back from them yet.

I've called twice, never got anywhere. Also, if you go to 'Register' there is a Finish Line Seating listed for the race. I signed up for these for myself and my son. I'm hoping they add more...

 

[Shrunkenzombiehead]

Darkside Challenge is my first Disney race. Do you get any photos from Disney included in your race fee? is Photopass worth the cost for race photos? I would like to get some character photos. Will they use your phone to take pictures?

 

[MonkeyDishwasher]

Darkside Challenge is my first Disney race. Do you get any photos from Disney included in your race fee? is Photopass worth the cost for race photos? I would like to get some character photos. Will they use your phone to take pictures?

1- No, race pictures are not included with race entry. However Marathonfoto will be more than happy to sell you all of your pictures at a fee- sometimes they;ll have discounts available but they're still not cheap.
2- The race photos are not through Photopass, they're from an outside vendor.
3- Yes, they will use your phone for pictures. Normally there is a photographer with each character location as well as somebody to assist with personal cameras/phones.

 

[hauntedcity]

I just checked out runDisney.com & Active.com, and it looks like the Half Marathon has finally sold out. I'm glad I nabbed a spot while I could!

 

[hauntedcity]

Darkside Challenge is my first Disney race. Do you get any photos from Disney included in your race fee? is Photopass worth the cost for race photos? I would like to get some character photos. Will they use your phone to take pictures?

1- No, race pictures are not included with race entry. However Marathonfoto will be more than happy to sell you all of your pictures at a fee- sometimes they;ll have discounts available but they're still not cheap.

If you don't see an offer before hand, be sure to stop by the MarathonFoto booth at the expo. They often have a deal if you sign up there.

 

[flvy]

I just checked out runDisney.com & Active.com, and it looks like the Half Marathon has finally sold out. I'm glad I nabbed a spot while I could!

I signed up two days ago after debating between the half and the challenge. I'm glad I had good timing.

 

[wilkeliza]

I'm all signed up finally. I'm so excited for this race. It is a "goal" race during our get fit for the wedding plan. My fiancé will be doing his first 10K!!!! He is taking it seriously this time which means a ton to me. I'm doing the dark side challenge which will be 10K number 3 (thank you very much Wine and Dine half of a half) and my 3rd half.

 

[SnowMarie]

Hey all!

This is my first solo trip to disney and somewhat second half (did the W&D half of a half in November.) I am shocked there are a. no parties/events lined up for this race weekend and b. so sad to see rundisney is no longer offering ticket discounts for runners! Has anyone heard anything about either?

Trying to figure out my costume now but probably should focus a bit more on training

 

[miker1251]

I liked the photo ops along the course at the Disneyland Star Wars Half this past weekend, both in the parks and on the streets. Those ops got me to thinking I need to alter my training plan for the Dark Side. I haven't quite figured it out yet, but it is going to be a modified Galloway system. It would be something like run 5 minutes/stand 5 minutes. That way I could mimic running from photo op to photo op.

 

[AThrillingChase]

I liked the photo ops along the course at the Disneyland Star Wars Half this past weekend, both in the parks and on the streets. Those ops got me to thinking I need to alter my training plan for the Dark Side. I haven't quite figured it out yet, but it is going to be a modified Galloway system. It would be something like run 5 minutes/stand 5 minutes. That way I could mimic running from photo op to photo op.

I know it is a dark side race in this coast, but, bring on bb-8!!! I would LOVE to have a photo with him. He looked so cute at the race.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

Also I already told my fiance if BB-8 is on the course I will destroy any PR I may be running towards to meet that little droid haha.

He was pretty darned cute at the DL SW races! Lines were too long so I didn't wait for a pic, but I did take a quick video of him in action as he was in between meeting runners. Very cute! I'm just not fast enough to wait for 45min for a pic!!

 

[Mimsy Borogove]

There is a very distinct possibility that I will murder my pace/time in order to get a photo with BB-8! I love that little droid.

 

[AThrillingChase]

There is a very distinct possibility that I will murder my pace/time in order to get a photo with BB-8! I love that little droid.

There is a 100% chance I will Kylo Ren is my fave character out of the non-droids, but I think I can pull off a really good Rey costume and getting a pic with bb-8 would be perfect, so that is my current plan for the race.

 

[Mimsy Borogove]

There is a 100% chance I will Kylo Ren is my fave character out of the non-droids, but I think I can pull off a really good Rey costume and getting a pic with bb-8 would be perfect, so that is my current plan for the race.

I'm torn between Ahsoka and Rey, but I think in the end, it'll be Rey just because it's an easier costume to run in. I really wanted to do Ahsoka since she's really come into her own in a major way and she's Dark Side-adjacent (via Anakin and Ventress), but I just haven't figured out how to do the headdress that would be cool on an April race day and also conducive to running.

A face-off between Rey and Ren would be pretty great, though, if BB-8 isn't on course.

 

[AThrillingChase]

A face-off between Rey and Ren would be pretty great, though, if BB-8 isn't on course.

Agreed! So long as I can separate Kylo Ren from my crush on Adam Driver in order to do so

 

[flvy]

Crap! I forgot my PoT. Last corral here I come! I'm so bad with that stuff. Looks like I'll be doing a lot of bobbing and weaving.

 

[uccats97]

I am shocked there are a. no parties/events lined up for this race weekend and b. so sad to see rundisney is no longer offering ticket discounts for runners! Has anyone heard anything about either?

I'm totally bummed there haven't been any ticket discounts released for runners. I'm assuming they don't feel the need to give a discount with the vast number of people coming for the race. It's disappointing considering how much money we spend on race fees. The ticket break has always been a nice gesture. I doubt there will be anything with race weekend less than 3 months away.

 

[FFigawi]

I'm totally bummed there haven't been any ticket discounts released for runners. I'm assuming they don't feel the need to give a discount with the vast number of people coming for the race. It's disappointing considering how much money we spend on race fees. The ticket break has always been a nice gesture. I doubt there will be anything with race weekend less than 3 months away.

Disney hasn't offered discounts for park admission during runDisney weekends for quite a while now. The races have been full enough that they haven't seen the need to do so, I guess. Way back when (2011), they had Marathon Monday where you got free admission to any park if you showed your finisher medal from the marathon at the ticket booth the day after the race. Now that was a good discount.

 

[uccats97]

Disney hasn't offered discounts for park admission during runDisney weekends for quite a while now. The races have been full enough that they haven't seen the need to do so, I guess. Way back when (2011), they had Marathon Monday where you got free admission to any park if you showed your finisher medal from the marathon at the ticket booth the day after the race. Now that was a good discount.

Actually, they have. I ran the Expedition Everest Challenge in May 2015 and Tower of Terror 10 miler in October 2014. Both had discounted park tickets offered via an ESPNWWOS ticket link with a special password and both of those weekends were sold out races.