Official 2016 Star Wars Half Marthon - The Dark Side Weekend

[camaker]

Thinking ahead...it's been awhile since I've done a disney race, been to WDW a lot just haven't race down there since 2014, anyway we are staying at POFQ for SWDS...any tips or tricks to be thinking about? One couple in our party will have a car, is it better to drive either to race or expo? Thoughts on the event buses from there? Thanks in advance! I'm getting excited!

I just stayed at POFQ for WDW Marathon Weekend. It was great using the event buses. Each race morning, I was able to walk up and walk right onto the bus. No significant lines, no waiting. Had to wait a few minutes for the bus to the Expo, but the traffic to the Expo was the worst part of the trip. A lot longer than the bus wait and having someone else driving made it a lot less stressful. POFQ is also nice since it's one of the smaller resorts, so you're not very far from the food court or buses, regardless of which building you're in. That can make a big difference after running a race.

 

[DisCatGirl]

I know this has been asked - but I don't see there has been an answer yet. Do we know the route for the 1-K and the 1/2? My husband is doing the Challenge and we are staying at the Boardwalk. Wondering if I can cheer him on from there? Any idea when the route will be announced?

 

[Wink25]

I just stayed at POFQ for WDW Marathon Weekend. It was great using the event buses. Each race morning, I was able to walk up and walk right onto the bus. No significant lines, no waiting. Had to wait a few minutes for the bus to the Expo, but the traffic to the Expo was the worst part of the trip. A lot longer than the bus wait and having someone else driving made it a lot less stressful. POFQ is also nice since it's one of the smaller resorts, so you're not very far from the food court or buses, regardless of which building you're in. That can make a big difference after running a race.

That's where I'm staying! Glad to hear it's a good option!

 

[acbshada]

I know this has been asked - but I don't see there has been an answer yet. Do we know the route for the 1-K and the 1/2? My husband is doing the Challenge and we are staying at the Boardwalk. Wondering if I can cheer him on from there? Any idea when the route will be announced?

I know there's been some speculation from the folks in this thread, but officially this is all we know so far (according to the runDisney website):

In Regards to the 10K:
Start: Epcot®
Finish: ESPN Wide World of Sports
"The Star Wars 10K is packed with 6.2 miles of running excitement. The thrills begin at Epcot® where you'll wind your way through Future World and World Showcase, then on to Disney's Hollywood Studios® running down Hollywood Blvd and on to the ESPN Wide World of Sports for an exciting Star Wars 10K finisher celebration."

In Regards to the 1/2:
Start: Epcot® Resort
Finish: ESPN Wide World of Sports

There doesn't really appear to be any description of the 1/2 course at all, you just get a little blurb that says "Star Wars' most legendary villain, Darth Vader, the Galactic Empire's Sith Lord, reigns over the first-ever Star Wars Half Marathon – Dark Side at the Walt Disney World® Resort. Feel the force on this 13.1 mile thrilling adventure."

Shrouded in mystery the Dark Side is. Yes...hmm...

 

[opusone]

I know this has been asked - but I don't see there has been an answer yet. Do we know the route for the 1-K and the 1/2? My husband is doing the Challenge and we are staying at the Boardwalk. Wondering if I can cheer him on from there? Any idea when the route will be announced?

In Regards to the 1/2:
Start: Epcot® Resort
Finish: ESPN Wide World of Sports

There doesn't really appear to be any description of the 1/2 course at all, you just get a little blurb that says "Star Wars' most legendary villain, Darth Vader, the Galactic Empire's Sith Lord, reigns over the first-ever Star Wars Half Marathon – Dark Side at the Walt Disney World® Resort. Feel the force on this 13.1 mile thrilling adventure."

For the 1/2 marathon, the original announcement of the Star Wars Dark Side Weekend said "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."

So, that's all we have until either the event guide is released or the course is posted on the USATF certified courses website (which it is not yet). I would assume that they would use the boardwalk in some fashion, but don't know for sure.

 

[Dis_Yoda]

Anyone know of any travel providers with bibs still?

My husband's boss has decided he wanted to run just now after seeing the medals.

 

[MommaoffherRocker]

Anyone know of any travel providers with bibs still?

My husband's boss has decided he wanted to run just now after seeing the medals.

Not sure if you have found a travel provider yet but I came across this one (I'm debating on changing to the challenge) and it doesn't say sold out http://momentsofmagictravel.com/star-wars-half-marathon-the-dark-side/

 

[acbshada]

Seriously...winter can end now. lol I'm so ready to go run outside again! And to not be sick with a cold/sinus infection. That would be nice, too.

Plus, I'm dying for more information on the race weekend. It seems like it's so close, and yet we've got nothing. :\

 

[MommaoffherRocker]

I'm so ready for the time to change! I miss my evening runs.

 

[clemsondisneygirl]

ha! be careful what you wish for...here in AZ we have had unusually warm weather (like high 80s, low 90s by 3 pm) and that means all my outside runs have to get completed early in the morning. I also am not a person who handles the heat well and I run hot (aka you will never see me running in long sleeves) Why cant we all just have perfect 60-70 degree weather with a gentle breeze at our backs all the time?!

 

[Disneyland_emily]

So read something interesting today.. Marathon photo is out- Disney photo pass is in starting with dark side- No real details yet on how it'll work but very intrigued...

 

[Ariel484]

So read something interesting today.. Marathon photo is out- Disney photo pass is in starting with dark side- No real details yet on how it'll work but very intrigued...

Very interesting. Where did you read that?

That would be a HUGE improvement. I wonder if AP holders would get photos included with their passes (since Memory Maker is part of annual passes)?

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

So read something interesting today.. Marathon photo is out- Disney photo pass is in starting with dark side- No real details yet on how it'll work but very intrigued...

SO GLAD!!! I've not had great luck with marathon photo at some events, and ordering the pics afterwards is a NIGHTMARE when doing it for many people and multiple races.

 

[kmchisholm]

So read something interesting today.. Marathon photo is out- Disney photo pass is in starting with dark side- No real details yet on how it'll work but very intrigued...

Yes, would love to know where you saw this. If it's true would totally make the AP price worth it

 

[Disneyland_emily]

it was a news flash on the cast website this evening. Mostly said more details to come-

I'll be curious how they work it esp since dlr races wouldn't have magic bands to use active rfid (think ride photos) to the potential I'd see with wdw races.. So no idea if they'll band base it or bib base it...

 

[kmchisholm]

Could the photographers still have the ability to scan magic bands? Or maybe they'll act as a third party and it won't link to the system. This is more exciting than merchandise to me!

 

[Ariel484]

it was a news flash on the cast website this evening. Mostly said more details to come-

I'll be curious how they work it esp since dlr races wouldn't have magic bands to use active rfid (think ride photos) to the potential I'd see with wdw races.. So no idea if they'll band base it or bib base it...

That's a good point. It's not like they can really scan MagicBands while the race is going on, right? Seems like it would be a mess. So they'd have to implement the bib # recognition...which would be a totally new thing for PhotoPass.

It's probably cheaper for them to use their own photographers than to contract out MarathonFoto...maybe?

 

[SueInBoston]

So read something interesting today.. Marathon photo is out- Disney photo pass is in starting with dark side- No real details yet on how it'll work but very intrigued...

This is good news, Marathon Foto is such a pain !!!

 

[hotblooded]

So read something interesting today.. Marathon photo is out- Disney photo pass is in starting with dark side- No real details yet on how it'll work but very intrigued...

This is great for people who normally buy a package anyway! I don't, but it could sway me in that direction.

 

[cavepig]

My parents are running which would be great as they have APs so get photopass, but yeah wonder how that will work with claiming your photos? It's not like they can scan your band or a card as you run by....unless it's how mine train reads your band when you are on the ride...hmmm, we'll be cool to see what happens.