Star Wars 10k

Having run other RunDisney 10Ks previously, the Star Wars 10K is probably my favorite course to date. The start of the race, as usual, is outside the parks but you eventually weave into Disneyland through Tomorrowland, Fantasy Land, Frontierland, out again, through DCA, Cars Land, Paradise Pier, out again, and back through Hollywood Studios and into Downtown Disney. It was great to run into Sleeping Beauty’s castle from the moat side for once, and one of the highlights for me was the Darth Vader tunnel. I don’t like to stop for character picture opportunities but a lot of people do and this will add 20 – 30 minutes to your time if there is a line. This time around they had Boba Fett, Chewbacca, BB-​8, and various scenes from the Star Wars movies to take a photo with.
The weather was cold but it was fairly decent to run in. It was really dark in some parts of the course and they could have done a better job of lighting some of the tunnels, but it was really fun. I parked at Mickey & Friends ($ 18 if your AP doesn’t include parking) and arrived around 5 am. The festivities started around 4 am but since the race doesn’t start until 5:30 am, you’re better off keeping warm instead of standing around in the cold. I really enjoyed running with costumed Star Wars fans. They even called out my name as I ran across the finish line.
RunDisney races are really well organized so that’s where all your money is going towards. It’s a timed race so they keep track of you on the course with a timing chip in your race bib. The medal for the Star Wars 10K is really nice. I received a bottle of Dasani water, Powerade, a snack box, and a banana at the end of the race. This is a 10K that I would definitely do again.

Today I ran the Disneyland Star Wars 10K. (I am also running the Star Wars ½ marathon tomorrow as part of the Rebel Challenge).
This was my first Run Disney event. I think it is well done. They asked everyone to be there by 4:00 AM, and that was way to early. I mostly stood around freezing for an hour. I understand they don’t want everyone all arriving at once, but that seamed excessive.
The course is well designed and mostly flat. You start in front of the Disneyland Hotel, and go up West street to Ball, and cut into the park at the cast entrance. From there, a little bit of behind the scenes running, until you enter near the main gate. Then a shortcut behind scenes again and emerge in tomorrowland. A nice run through tomorrowland, and up through the castle. A loop around the Matterhorn, and then down towards Small World. Everything looks great lit up in the dark. The course runs around by the rivers of america, then through Adventurland. A few more behind the scenes areas, and then down Main Street USA. From their it took us in and out of California Adventure. I don’t really know the names of the areas over there, but I really liked seeing all the stuff. It then ends running a short way through Downtown Disney. This was also enjoyable, as there were many people out cheering on the runners.
The only downsides were how crowded the course was at most times. With narrow running areas, sometimes there were too many people, and you had no choice but to walk, and people were walking 3 – 5 across. That’s not cool, If you are walking, move to the side and walk single file.
Overall a great event. The volunteers (or are they voluntEARs?) were great. All the cast members were great too. I am excited to run again tomorrow, although more of that course is on city streets. Good event and I might do it again.

I ran the Star Wars 10k as part of the Rebel Challenge and was SO happy that I did. I’m a big fan of runDisney, but I’ll be honest in that I much prefer DisneyWorld courses over DisneyLand courses. DisneyWorld is just SO much more spread out, and on much more property that they have more control and thus more entertainment. However, the Star Wars 10k was the perfect course. Almost the entire race was inside the parks. It included DisneyLand, as well as California Adventure, and parts of Downtown Disney as well. Despite the short distance, there were plenty of changes for spectators to see you. I was disappointed in the number of characters/​entertainment on the course, but I think that was to keep runners moving and to avoid congestion.
I’m also a big fan of the pre-​race announcers. Carissa and Rudy are cheesy hilarious and I like seeing them consistently at every race.
Having previously sworn off races at DisneyLand, runDisney did a wonderful job for Star Wars weekend and I’d run the 10k (and any Star Wars Weekend race) again in a heartbeat!