Official 2016 Star Wars Half Marthon - The Dark Side Weekend

[Liv2CdWorld]

I've finally signed up for a 5k at Disney. I've been told by friends that 5k's at Disney are considered "fun runs" and not timed, therefore, the pace requirements aren't really enforced.

I DO NOT walk a 16 min mile. I have an artificial leg and while I get around just fine, walking fast has never been in my cards. I can finish a 5k in about an hour. I signed up for the Star Wars 5k with my 2 boys (17 and 13) as they both like Star Wars.

Now I'm panicking because I'm seeing that they are enforcing the 16 min mile in order to get the finisher medal? It states: "The Star Wars 5K is NOT a timed event but in order to receive a finisher medal, participants must maintain a 16 minute per mile pace requirement." I don't see this statement on any other runDisney 5k, just the Star Wars one. I'm panicking because my boys aren't going to leave me....but I would really like them to get a medal

 

[Ariel484]

I've finally signed up for a 5k at Disney. I've been told by friends that 5k's at Disney are considered "fun runs" and not timed, therefore, the pace requirements aren't really enforced.

I DO NOT walk a 16 min mile. I have an artificial leg and while I get around just fine, walking fast has never been in my cards. I can finish a 5k in about an hour. I signed up for the Star Wars 5k with my 2 boys (17 and 13) as they both like Star Wars.

Now I'm panicking because I'm seeing that they are enforcing the 16 min mile in order to get the finisher medal? It states: "The Star Wars 5K is NOT a timed event but in order to receive a finisher medal, participants must maintain a 16 minute per mile pace requirement." I don't see this statement on any other runDisney 5k, just the Star Wars one. I'm panicking because my boys aren't going to leave me....but I would really like them to get a medal

You'll be okay. They have to clear runners out of the parks eventually to get the parks open, but the sweep is more generous than the timed runs.

I will say that you likely will not be able to wait in any character lines on the course - those can get pretty long, especially during the 5K runs. They usually have photo-ops at the starting/finishing area, but I'm not sure how comfortable it would be for you to wait in those lines (which can get pretty huge).

But otherwise I think you will be fine! Have fun!

 

[Liv2CdWorld]

You'll be okay. They have to clear runners out of the parks eventually to get the parks open, but the sweep is more generous than the timed runs.

I will say that you likely will not be able to wait in any character lines on the course - those can get pretty long, especially during the 5K runs. They usually have photo-ops at the starting/finishing area, but I'm not sure how comfortable it would be for you to wait in those lines (which can get pretty huge).

But otherwise I think you will be fine! Have fun!

Thank you

 

[Liv2CdWorld]

Just so I have an idea....if we are in the last corral, what time do they usually cross the start? I was originally figuring 30 minutes after the official start, but now I'm thinking more toward 45 minutes?

 

[Ariel484]

Just so I have an idea....if we are in the last corral, what time do they usually cross the start? I was originally figuring 30 minutes after the official start, but now I'm thinking more toward 45 minutes?

Assuming they do this 5K like they have been doing the others, yes, it'll be more like 45-50 minutes. Wheelchair racer (if any) go a few minutes before the "official" start. Then Corral A goes, then B 8-10 minutes later, then C 8-10 minutes after that, etc. They've been doing F corrals for the 5Ks.

 

[roselark]

FWIW I've been seeing a Chiropractor that does Active Release therapy and Graston Technique and it's made a huge improvement. Along with foam rolling and stretching every day I'm nearly pain free after about 2 months.

The pain over the last few weeks was getting really bad and was nearly constant. I could not get into see a physical therapist for nearly 3 weeks, so I decided to see a chiropractor. He said that my right hip was sitting quite a bit below my left hip and he adjusted my SI joint. I went in for 2 adjustments last week (Tuesday and Friday) and I am seeing significant improvement. Ran 2.5 miles on Thursday will almost no pain and again yesterday (4 miles) with just a little pain during the last mile. I ran on an uneven trail surface yesterday, which I think caused me additional problems. He said that I probably will not need another adjustment, but if I still have issues this Wednesday, I am to call him. I am so relieved. I was getting really worried about being able to do the Challenge without significant pain.

I am starting hot yoga this week to see if it helps keep everything loose and to perhaps help me acclimate to warmer temps. LOL I figure an hour of any activity in a 90 degree room is better than nothing.

 

[JStoney]

The pain over the last few weeks was getting really bad and was nearly constant. I could not get into see a physical therapist for nearly 3 weeks, so I decided to see a chiropractor. He said that my right hip was sitting quite a bit below my left hip and he adjusted my SI joint. I went in for 2 adjustments last week (Tuesday and Friday) and I am seeing significant improvement. Ran 2.5 miles on Thursday will almost no pain and again yesterday (4 miles) with just a little pain during the last mile. I ran on an uneven trail surface yesterday, which I think caused me additional problems. He said that I probably will not need another adjustment, but if I still have issues this Wednesday, I am to call him. I am so relieved. I was getting really worried about being able to do the Challenge without significant pain.

I am starting hot yoga this week to see if it helps keep everything loose and to perhaps help me acclimate to warmer temps. LOL I figure an hour of any activity in a 90 degree room is better than nothing.

Glad to hear you're having improvement! I've also had a little bit of luck stretching the psoas - mine was pretty tight. I think there are several yoga poses that do that. Over all it's something that seems to take some time and work but the relief comes gradually. Sounds like you're starting to get a handle on it. Good luck to you!

 

[officer tigger]

So far my training has been going great!! My first 1/2 maratrhon in a couple of years after knee injuries and feeling sorry for myself. Since I started training I dropped 15 pounds and I am on pace to finish under 2 hours. Of course I have to start in the last corral so I don't see me making my goal.
My questions is how long after the start will the last corral start?

 

[opusone]

So far my training has been going great!! My first 1/2 maratrhon in a couple of years after knee injuries and feeling sorry for myself. Since I started training I dropped 15 pounds and I am on pace to finish under 2 hours. Of course I have to start in the last corral so I don't see me making my goal.
My questions is how long after the start will the last corral start?

Congrats on your training!

I would expect about an hour, possibly an hour and 10 minutes.

 

[MomtoGKC]

If you are in the last corral and are going to start an hour late can you show up a little later? My running partner forgot to send his time in so we will be at the end- was hoping at least maybe we can sleep a few extra minutes!

 

[Dis_Yoda]

So far my training has been going great!! My first 1/2 maratrhon in a couple of years after knee injuries and feeling sorry for myself. Since I started training I dropped 15 pounds and I am on pace to finish under 2 hours. Of course I have to start in the last corral so I don't see me making my goal.
My questions is how long after the start will the last corral start?

Depends on how many corrals they end up having. I was in N for Princess and started at 6:25AM - my husband was in B and started at 5:32AM. At Star Wars - Light Side, I was in the last corral and started about 6:10AM but they have less corrals that are larger than WDW's.

 

[maw]

I hope we get to see shirt designs soon - I need to buy another sparkle skirt to go with the shirt for after the race!

 

[Dis_Yoda]

I'm waiting for waivers...I'm just crossing my fingers to not be in the last corral this Star Wars race and my husband is anxious to see if he made it to "A"

Just a month until the races!

 

[Mimsy Borogove]

Before WDW Marathon Weekend, someone on the DIS way smarter than me figured out the waiver website in advance of any rD announcement. That link was this: http://wdw.xacte.com/

That was around Dec 6, so about a month before race weekend. Maybe we'll hear something soon, or some smarty pants will figure out the Dark Side link?

 

[Ariel484]

If you are in the last corral and are going to start an hour late can you show up a little later? My running partner forgot to send his time in so we will be at the end- was hoping at least maybe we can sleep a few extra minutes!

I'd go by what the race program says. I always prefer to show up early rather than late...they close the corrals and stop running the buses eventually.

 

[AThrillingChase]

If you are in the last corral and are going to start an hour late can you show up a little later? My running partner forgot to send his time in so we will be at the end- was hoping at least maybe we can sleep a few extra minutes!

I'd go by what the race program says. I always prefer to show up early rather than late...they close the corrals and stop running the buses eventually.

And any of the resorts can randomly experience a bus delay from too many people lining up at the same time. A few months ago I waited at BC for an hour just to board a bus. Not the norm, but, a possibility.

Plus the pre -race area is just plain fun!

 

[Dis_Yoda]

Buses can take much longer than planned too. At Tower of Terror in 2014 - one of my friends took about 90 minutes to get from Old Key West to Hollywood Studios thanks to traffic delays and bus issues. I rather be safe than sorry on time!

During princess - we were running much later than I thought as my husband's make up/getting ready took much longer than we planned - the panic was not worth it!

 

[skyfire1982]

Anyone have any idea what to expect for the expo in terms of merchandise availability? I've only done the Disneyland races before, and last year, I went Thursday afternoon for the Star Wars expo and found about half the stock sold out, so I made plans for this year's SW expo to arrive two hours early before the Thursday morning opening so I could have my pick of stuff .... just to revisit the expo Friday afternoon (with my friend who had just arrived) and just about all the merchandise was still available then (minus some drinkware).

If the DW expos usually sell out fast on merchandise, I'll try to get over there asap Thursday morning, but if the availability tends to be pretty decent, I'd love to get RD in and go a bit later in the afternoon.

And how do the expo buses run and how early from the resorts?

Thanks!

 

[FFigawi]

Given that this is an inaugural event, I expect the expo will be crowded and merchandise snapped up quickly on Thursday morning. I'd get there early if there are certain items you know you want.

 

[Ariel484]

And any of the resorts can randomly experience a bus delay from too many people lining up at the same time. A few months ago I waited at BC for an hour just to board a bus. Not the norm, but, a possibility.

Plus the pre -race area is just plain fun!

Buses can take much longer than planned too. At Tower of Terror in 2014 - one of my friends took about 90 minutes to get from Old Key West to Hollywood Studios thanks to traffic delays and bus issues. I rather be safe than sorry on time!

During princess - we were running much later than I thought as my husband's make up/getting ready took much longer than we planned - the panic was not worth it!

So true, and we always hear the horror stories of bus drivers who don't know their way around property - it's likely that you'll get a bus driver that is NOT a Disney employee, as runDisney contracts out Mears drivers to help with the extra buses they need. I've read before where people have had to actually tell the bus drivers how to get to Epcot, or the drivers took a wrong turn, etc.

With all the money spent on registration and the trip in general, I sure as heck would not risk missing the start of the race just to catch an extra 30 minutes of sleep or whatever. The risk doesn't seem worth it to me.