Official 2017 Star Wars - Light Side Half Marathon Weekend (Jan 12th - 15th, 2017)

[courtneybeth]

Had a great 5K race this morning and am feeling very confident for Star Wars weekend. Finished in 35:05, a PR by almost 3 minutes and 11 minutes faster than last year. Woah!

Discovered why I've been having "dry heaves" when I run or am done running - i'm not hydrated enough! My next bit of training this week will be to start drinking more water. Going for the 8 glasses per day rule starting tomorrow (Friday).

 

[kirstie101]

I ran a 5k turkey trot with my 9 year old daughter on Thursday and missed a PR by 24 seconds! I was so happy with how well she did! Then on Saturday I ran 9.5 in the rain and had NO IT BAND PAIN!!!!!!!! I'm so happy! I feel like I'm finally back!

 

[dis_or_dat]

Great job @courtneybeth and @kirstie101!

 

[94bruin]

Another question from this newbie:

How long do you typically spend at the expo? We're driving down and need to plan for bib pick-up at the expo before our dinner reservations.

 

[dis_or_dat]

It depends on how much shopping you want to do or if you want to listen to the lectures. I think I went through the whole expo for Tink including bib pick up in 30 min - and that's with browsing twice. But I went on Saturday afternoon, so all the highly sought after merch was gone by then and all the 5k, 10k, and challengers had already picked up their bibs.

 

[CableKC]

Training Update:

Finally had a chance to run 13.2 miles today ( longest run last time was 12 miles ). I was able to finish the run, but was dead tired.....out of breath and my feet and ankles were sore.

4.5 weeks left. Keep up the training everyone!

 

[CableKC]

Stupid question....but for finishing the Half-Marathon....do we get a t-shirt and a "Look! I finished the Disney Half Marathon" medal?

I hope so.....cuz that's usually the only thing that I want from running in this half-marathon.

 

[FFigawi]

Stupid question....but for finishing the Half-Marathon....do we get a t-shirt and a "Look! I finished the Disney Half Marathon" medal?

I hope so.....cuz that's usually the only thing that I want from running in this half-marathon.

You'll get your shirt at the expo. You get the medal after you cross the finish line.

 

[Sleepless Knight]

Another question from this newbie:

How long do you typically spend at the expo? We're driving down and need to plan for bib pick-up at the expo before our dinner reservations.

This will completely depend on how much time you want to spend at the Expo. Bib pickup shouldn't take too long, but if you want to listen to any of the speakers, browse the race merchandise, check out the various vendors, etc. it could take a whole lot longer, as in 2-3+ hours.

Personally, I like the speaker series. I always learn something useful for the race that helps me. Before my first Rebel Challenge, (also my first multi day race weekend), I learned some very useful information that helped me better prepare for the 10K and 1/2 on consecutive days.

 

[Sleepless Knight]

For those of us doing any Dark Side race, those medals were revealed today.

http://www.starwars.com/news/feel-the-power-of-rundisneys-2017-dark-side-medals-first-look

After the disappointment of the lackluster and near complete lack of detail for the 2017 Rebel Challenge medal, I think all of these medals are very well done. I may even sign up for the Dark Side 5K.

 

[kirstie101]

I can't believe how close we're getting! I am scheduled to do 11 miles on Sunday and I hope its not in the rain like my 9.5 miler was! I ordered some iron ons for DD and I for the 10k and DS for the kids race.

 

[courtneybeth]

I ordered my running shirts today! It's starting to feel real now that outfits are picked out

 

[kydisneyfans]

I may be overlooking things, but is there a link to the course routes at this time?

 

[Dis_Yoda]

Who else saw this add:

Light Side Lounge: A VIP Experience
Are you looking to enhance your race weekend experience? Then upgrade to the Light Side Lounge, a VIP experience created to take the hustle out of your race preparation and calm your inner Force.

This weekend long experience will provide guests with a personalized race check-in process, as well as access to exclusive shopping, dining and entertainment offerings including:

• Light Side Concierge Lounge
  • Pick up your Race Packet & Pre-Purchased Merchandise in one convenient and comfortable place
    • Thursday, January 12, 7:30 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
    • Friday, January 13, 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
    • Saturday, January 14, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
• Official Race Merchandise Shopping Experience with Exclusive Entertainment Opportunity
  • Two-hour private shopping opportunity to prior to Expo opening
    • Thursday, January 12, 7:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
    • Friday, January 13, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
    • Saturday, January 14, 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
• Post-Race Celebration Party
  • Private party at the ESPN Zone® restaurant in Downtown Disney® District
  • Lunch buffet, unlimited arcade game play and exclusive Post Race Party Finisher Photo opportunity
    • Sunday, January 15, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. or 12:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
• Disney PhotoPass® Collection
  • Access to all Disney PhotoPass® images linked to your account at the time of redemption, including your race photos and more
• Commemorative VIP Credential

Enjoy more time at the Disneyland® Resort before and after your race with the Light Side Lounge.


What you need to know:

• $199 per guest (not required for children under 3 years old)
• Space is limited and expected to fill up quickly
• Race registration not included
• Concierge Lounge is located in the Magic Kingdom Ballroom at the Disneyland® Hotel
• Private shopping experience grants early access to Official Race Merchandise area only. Merchandise is subject to availability.
• Post-Race Celebration seating window must be selected upon registration
• Not valid for admission into Disneyland® Resort theme parks. Package items will not be replaced if lost, stolen or damaged. Government issued Photo ID will be required to pick up race materials and pre-purchased merchandise (Driver's license, Passport, Military ID, etc.).
• Package is non-transferable and non-refundable. Items are not for resale and are subject to change or cancellation without notice. Additional restrictions may apply.
• Valid only from January 12, 2017 – January 15, 2017

 

[daisykingdom91]

Who else saw this add:

Light Side Lounge: A VIP Experience
Are you looking to enhance your race weekend experience? Then upgrade to the Light Side Lounge, a VIP experience created to take the hustle out of your race preparation and calm your inner Force.

This weekend long experience will provide guests with a personalized race check-in process, as well as access to exclusive shopping, dining and entertainment offerings including:

• 
  
  
  • Light Side Concierge Lounge
    • Pick up your Race Packet & Pre-Purchased Merchandise in one convenient and comfortable place
      • Thursday, January 12, 7:30 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
      • Friday, January 13, 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
      • Saturday, January 14, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
  • Official Race Merchandise Shopping Experience with Exclusive Entertainment Opportunity
    • Two-hour private shopping opportunity to prior to Expo opening
      • Thursday, January 12, 7:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
      • Friday, January 13, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
      • Saturday, January 14, 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
  • Post-Race Celebration Party
    • Private party at the ESPN Zone® restaurant in Downtown Disney® District
    • Lunch buffet, unlimited arcade game play and exclusive Post Race Party Finisher Photo opportunity
      • Sunday, January 15, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. or 12:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
  • Disney PhotoPass® Collection
    • Access to all Disney PhotoPass® images linked to your account at the time of redemption, including your race photos and more
  • Commemorative VIP Credential

Enjoy more time at the Disneyland® Resort before and after your race with the Light Side Lounge.


What you need to know:

• 
  
  
  • $199 per guest (not required for children under 3 years old)
  • Space is limited and expected to fill up quickly
  • Race registration not included
  • Concierge Lounge is located in the Magic Kingdom Ballroom at the Disneyland® Hotel
  • Private shopping experience grants early access to Official Race Merchandise area only. Merchandise is subject to availability.
  • Post-Race Celebration seating window must be selected upon registration
  • Not valid for admission into Disneyland® Resort theme parks. Package items will not be replaced if lost, stolen or damaged. Government issued Photo ID will be required to pick up race materials and pre-purchased merchandise (Driver's license, Passport, Military ID, etc.).
  • Package is non-transferable and non-refundable. Items are not for resale and are subject to change or cancellation without notice. Additional restrictions may apply.
  • Valid only from January 12, 2017 – January 15, 2017

So do you think that they will hold merchandise for those coming during regular expo hours? I had just come over to ask the below questions but the answer might completely change with this package. I would rather not pay $199 just to shop early ($120 if I deduct the cost of Photopass) since I wouldn't be attending the party.

I'm planning on doing the "Walk in Walt's Disneyland Footsteps" tour on Thursday. However, the last one starts at 10:30am. I would like to go to the expo beforehand so I can get some pins and maybe a race shirt as those might sell out. I would then do the tour and come back to pick up my race packet.

1. Does the expo ever open early? I would be cutting it close if the expo opens at 10am and the tour starts at 10:30am.
2. How early would you typically have to get in line in order to be one of the first in line at the expo?

 

[Dis_Yoda]

So do you think that they will hold merchandise for those coming during regular expo hours? I had just come over to ask the below questions but the answer might completely change with this package. I would rather not pay $199 just to shop early ($120 if I deduct the cost of Photopass) since I wouldn't be attending the party.

I'm planning on doing the "Walk in Walt's Disneyland Footsteps" tour on Thursday. However, the last one starts at 10:30am. I would like to go to the expo beforehand so I can get some pins and maybe a race shirt as those might sell out. I would then do the tour and come back to pick up my race packet.

1. Does the expo ever open early? I would be cutting it close if the expo opens at 10am and the tour starts at 10:30am.
2. How early would you typically have to get in line in order to be one of the first in line at the expo?

For the expo at Disneyland, you actually wait in a ballroom beforehand and are lead down by rows. Every person waiting has a square to wait. I think I describe this in my trip reports.

In 2015 - my husband and I arrived at the Expo around 8AM and were 8 rows back or 9.
In 2016 - my husband and I arrived around 6:30AM and were 3 or 4 rows back I think the earliest people got there around 5AM or so.

Around 9:30AM - they start letting people in line down to the expo. One row at a time. They do this to control the chaos down in the official race merchandise area.

 

[kirstie101]

Who else saw this add:

Light Side Lounge: A VIP Experience
Are you looking to enhance your race weekend experience? Then upgrade to the Light Side Lounge, a VIP experience created to take the hustle out of your race preparation and calm your inner Force.

This weekend long experience will provide guests with a personalized race check-in process, as well as access to exclusive shopping, dining and entertainment offerings including:

• 
  
  
  • Light Side Concierge Lounge
    • Pick up your Race Packet & Pre-Purchased Merchandise in one convenient and comfortable place
      • Thursday, January 12, 7:30 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
      • Friday, January 13, 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
      • Saturday, January 14, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
  • Official Race Merchandise Shopping Experience with Exclusive Entertainment Opportunity
    • Two-hour private shopping opportunity to prior to Expo opening
      • Thursday, January 12, 7:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
      • Friday, January 13, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
      • Saturday, January 14, 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
  • Post-Race Celebration Party
    • Private party at the ESPN Zone® restaurant in Downtown Disney® District
    • Lunch buffet, unlimited arcade game play and exclusive Post Race Party Finisher Photo opportunity
      • Sunday, January 15, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. or 12:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
  • Disney PhotoPass® Collection
    • Access to all Disney PhotoPass® images linked to your account at the time of redemption, including your race photos and more
  • Commemorative VIP Credential

Enjoy more time at the Disneyland® Resort before and after your race with the Light Side Lounge.


What you need to know:

• 
  
  
  • $199 per guest (not required for children under 3 years old)
  • Space is limited and expected to fill up quickly
  • Race registration not included
  • Concierge Lounge is located in the Magic Kingdom Ballroom at the Disneyland® Hotel
  • Private shopping experience grants early access to Official Race Merchandise area only. Merchandise is subject to availability.
  • Post-Race Celebration seating window must be selected upon registration
  • Not valid for admission into Disneyland® Resort theme parks. Package items will not be replaced if lost, stolen or damaged. Government issued Photo ID will be required to pick up race materials and pre-purchased merchandise (Driver's license, Passport, Military ID, etc.).
  • Package is non-transferable and non-refundable. Items are not for resale and are subject to change or cancellation without notice. Additional restrictions may apply.
  • Valid only from January 12, 2017 – January 15, 2017

Very interesting...I hadn't seen this. I personally won't be doing it but im.interested to hear about what it's like!

 

[BigEeyore]

Are we thinking there will be a Dooney for this race again? When will we get to see it if so?
Only a month away!! This is my first race at Disneyland (have done several events at WDW) - getting excited!!
Also Rogue One day - going tonight! Anyone else??? I am hoping they will have some Rogue One photo ops on the course!

 

[dis_or_dat]

Are we thinking there will be a Dooney for this race again? When will we get to see it if so?
Only a month away!! This is my first race at Disneyland (have done several events at WDW) - getting excited!!
Also Rogue One day - going tonight! Anyone else??? I am hoping they will have some Rogue One photo ops on the course!

I'm so excited! I've done Tink and it was so much fun! I know the 501st legion is supposed to be there (right?!), it's probably one of the things I look forward to the most about this race.

You're so lucky you're going to watch Rogue One, I bought tickets for when my brother flies in so I have to wait. Argh. Let us know if it's good!

 

[94bruin]

Have fun watching Rogue One!

Is there a guess as to who may be on the course for the 10K? Also, approximately how far apart are the characters? DH & I may run differently. He is having knee issues so may run intervals; however, he runs faster than I do, so I just run the entire time to be at a similar pace.

In any case, we were discussing that maybe the lead person would stop at a few character photo ops as a way to let the 2nd person catch up. But we'd probably only do one or two of them. I'm assuming that BB-8 would be one of them since it is a BB8 race! Also, there are signs for each mile, right? We'd probably want to take pictures in front of them.