Star Wars Half Marathon – The Dark Side

Star Wars Marathon 2

Feel the Dark Side of The Force in Disney World!

After you a Star Wars fan, runner, or both? If so, you’ll be happy to hear that runDisney is adding another thrilling event to the schedule: Star Wars Half Marathon – The Dark Side. After the exciting kick off Star Wars Half Marathon in Disneyland this year, Disney World is now getting in on the action. These races will be held April 14 – 17, 2016 and registration begins promptly at noon Eastern on Tuesday, September 22. Here’s everything you need to know about the Star Wars Half Marathon courtesy of runDisney:


It is a weekend of galactic fun and fantastic runs during the Inaugural Star Wars Half Marathon – The Dark Side – at the Walt Disney World Resort. You’ll be running on Darth Vader’s turf with the Emperor’s white uniformed storm troopers cheering you on your way. Darth Vader, the Galactic Empire Sith Lord, has a weekend of powerful surprises in store including spectacular runs, special events, entertainment, and much, much more!

Feel the power of the force with runs for Star Wars fans of every age including the Star Wars Half Marathon, Star Wars 10K, Star Wars 5K, and the runDisney Kids Races. Challenge yourself to the ultimate test with the Star Wars Dark Side Challenge combining the Star Wars 10K and Half Marathon. It’s all part of the first-ever Star Wars Half Marathon – The Dark Side, April 14 – 17, 2016.

Star Wars Half Marathon – The Dark Side

Sunday, April 17, 2016 5:00am
Start: Epcot
Finish: ESPN Wide World of Sports
Fee: $199

The Power of Darth Vader Meets the Magic of Disney!

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.

Star Wars Half Marathon – The Dark Side – Highlights

  • Timed Half Marathon race
  • 13.1-mile course through the Walt Disney WorldResort
  • Entertainment on-course
  • Family Reunion Area with live entertainment
  • Event Weekend Transportation from the Event Host Resorts

Star Wars Half Marathon – The Dark Side – Race Participants Receive

  • Champion Short-Sleeved Tech Shirt in Women’s or Men’s Cut
  • Half Marathon Finisher Medal
  • Official Digital Event Guide
  • iGiftBag
  • Personalized bib
  • On-course and post-race refreshments
  • ChronoTrack B-tag timed race with live runner tracking signup for friends and family
  • Personalized results website

Star Wars Marathon 4Star Wars Dark Side Challenge

Saturday, April 16 and Sunday, April 17, 2016 5:30am
Start/Finish: Walt Disney World Resort
Fee: $330

The Ultimate Darth Vader Challenge!

Darth Vader throws down a challenge of galactic proportions in the Star Wars Dark Side Challenge. Put the force to work for you in this ultimate test of your strength and endurance that combines the Star Wars 10K on Saturday with the Star Wars Half Marathon on Sunday. Choose your alliance – run for the light or run for the dark – then get set for an amazing 2-day, 19.3 mile-run. Runners who finish both races are awarded the Star Wars Dark Side Challenge Finisher Medal in addition to the Half Marathon and 10K Finisher Medals.

Star Wars Dark Side Challenge Highlights

  • Two courses through the Walt Disney World Resort totaling 19.3 miles
  • Entertainment on-course
  • Family Reunion Area with live entertainment and characters
  • Event Weekend Transportation from the Event Host Resorts

Star Wars Dark Side Challenge Participants Receive

  • Champion Short-Sleeved Tech Shirt in Women’s or Men’s Cut for the Half Marathon, 10K and Star Wars Dark Side Challenge
  • Special Star Wars Dark Side Challenge Finisher Medal, along with Star Wars Half Marathon and Star Wars 10K Finisher Medals for completing the Half Marathon and 10K
  • Official Event Guide
  • iGiftBag
  • Personalized bib
  • On-course and post-race refreshments
  • ChronoTrack B-tag timed races, with live runner tracking signup for friends and family
  • Personalized Half Marathon results website

Star Wars 10K

Saturday, April 16, 2016 5:30am
Start: Epcot
Finish: ESPN Wide World of Sports
Fee: $110

May the Force be With You!

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 passed Star Tours and down Hollywood Blvd and on to the ESPN Wide World of Sports for an exciting Star Wars 10K finisher celebration.

Star Wars 10K Race Highlights

  • Timed 10K race
  • 10K course through the Walt Disney World Resort
  • Entertainment on-course
  • Event Weekend Transportation from the Event Host Resorts

Star Wars 10K Race Participants Receive:

  • Champion Short-Sleeved Tech Shirt in Women’s or Men’s Cut
  • 10K Finisher medal
  • Official Event Guide
  • iGiftBag
  • Personalized bib
  • On-course and post-race refreshments
  • ChronoTrack B-tag timed race with live runner tracking signup for friends and family

Star Wars MarathonStar Wars 5K

Friday, April 15, 2016 6:00am
Start/Finish: Epcot
Fee: $75

Galactic runs and family fun!

Now the entire family can thrill to the excitement of a Star Wars 5K run under the watchful eyes of Darth Vader and his storm troopers! Star War fans (age 5 or older) are invited to take part in all the racing fun on a thrilling course winding through World Showcase and then Future World and on to the finish.

Star Wars 5K Highlights

  • 5K course through Epcot
  • Entertainment on-course
  • Event Weekend Transportation from the Event Host Resorts

Star Wars 5K Participants Receive

  • 5K Unisex T-shirt
  • 5K Finisher medallion
  • Official Event Guide
  • iGiftBag
  • Personalized bib
  • On-course and post-race refreshments

runDisney Kids Races

Saturday, April 16, 2016
Start/Finish: ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex
Fees: $15 dashes, $30 one mile run

A galaxy of fun for the youngest runners!

There’s fun for runners of every age during the Star Wars Half Marathon – The Dark Side. Children 13 and under are invited to participate in the runDisney Kids Races taking place at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Track & Field Complex on Saturday, April 16, 2016. Encourage your youngsters to join the fun and sign up for any of the Kids’ Dashes or the One Mile Run. There’s even a Diaper Dash for crawlers! Every child who participates goes home with their own Finisher Medal. Parents are welcome to run with their child; parents participating with their child must sign a separate event waiver. Space is limited.

runDisney Kids Races Age Groups

  • 12 months and under – Diaper Dash for crawlers
  • 1-3 years old – 100m dash
  • 4-6 years old – 200m dash
  • 7-8 years old – 400m dash

runDisney Kids Races Participants Receive

  • runDisney Kids Races T-shirt
  • Kids Race Finisher medallion
  • Personalized race bib
  • Post-race refreshments

Registration is available now for Disney World and Disneyland Annual Passholders as well as DVC members. Registration opens to the general public at noon Eastern on Tuesday, September 22. Remember the runDisney events generally sell out within hours sometimes minutes of opening. Be sure to sign up as soon as the window opens if you are interested. Please click here to register or for more information; may the force be with you!

501 WaysHeading to Disney World soon?

If you are planning a vacation to Disney World, be sure to check out these valuable resources to help you save time and money:

Have you done a runDisney race before?
Will you joining the Dark Side? Please leave a comment!

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