All You Need to Know About the 2018 Star Wars Half Marathon Weekend

The third-annual Star Wars Half Marathon – The Dark Side race weekend returns to Walt Disney World Resort April 19-22. The race weekend pays homage to the Dark Side of the Star Wars galaxy and is expected to draw nearly 50,000 runners, spectators and fans. The Star Wars Half Marathon Weekend will be an intergalactic experience with Kids Races, a 5K, 10K, Half Marathon and a Star Wars First Order Challenge, along with Star Wars-themed experiences, character greetings and a health and fitness expo.

Weekend Overview:

runDisney Health & Fitness Expo (ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex):

• April 19 – 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
• April 20 – 10 a.m.-7 p.m.
• April 21 – 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

runDisney Kids Races on April 21 (ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex):

• 100m Dash: 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
• 200m Dash: 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
• Diaper Dash: 12:30 – 1 p.m.
• One Mile Run: 1 p.m.

Star Wars Dark Side 5K (Start/ Finish: Epcot):

• April 20 – 5:30 a.m.

Star Wars Dark Side 10K (Start: Magic Kingdom Parking Lot | Finish: Epcot):

• April 21 – 5:30 a.m.

Star Wars First Order Challenge:

• April 21-22 – Includes two courses through Walt Disney World Theme Parks totaling 19.3 miles, the Star Wars Dark Side 10K and the Star Wars Dark Side Half Marathon.

Star Wars Dark Side Half Marathon (Start: Magic Kingdom Parking Lot | Finish: Epcot):

• April 22 – 5:30 a.m.

Spectator Viewing
There will be spectator viewing areas at each race’s start and finish areas.

Host Resorts

• ALL Walt Disney World Resorts
• Shades of Green Resort
• Walt Disney World Dolphin Resort
• Walt Disney World Swan Resort

Event Times Guide

Transportation and Parking
Transportation has been arranged for participants staying at host resorts.  Buses will be indicated by runDisney signs placed in the front windows.  Please note, transportation is only provided to and from host resorts.  Guests who do not stay at a host resort are responsible for their own transportation to and from race-related events.

Transportation schedule:

Thursday (Expo):

• Host Resorts to EWWS: 9:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.
• EWWS to Host Resorts concludes at 8 p.m.

Friday (Expo):

• Host Resorts to EWWS: 9:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.
• EWWS to Host Resorts concludes at 7 p.m.

Friday (5K):

• To / from host resorts: 3:30 – 5 a.m. and 6:30 – 8:30 a.m.
• Race participants must board a bus to Epcot no later than 4 a.m. to be on time for race start.
• Those driving a personal vehicle must park at Epcot no later than 4:30 a.m.
• Transportation will continue throughout the morning for spectators.

Saturday (Expo):

• Host Resorts to EWWS: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
• EWWS to Host Resorts concludes at 3:30 p.m.

Saturday (10K):

• To start line / from host resorts: 3:30-5 a.m.
• To finish line / from host resorts: 6-9:30 a.m.
• Shuttle between start & finish line will run from 3:30-6:30 a.m.
• Race participants must board a bus no later than 4 a.m. to be on time for race start.
• There will be no monorail transportation provided to race weekend events.
• Guests at the Grand Floridian, Polynesian and Shades of Green will be permitted to walk to the start line via the approved walking path.
• Transportation will continue throughout the morning for spectators.

Sunday (Half Marathon):

• To start line / from host resorts: 3-5 a.m.
• To finish line / from host resorts: 6-11 a.m.
• Shuttle between start & finish line will run from 3-6:30 a.m.
• Race participants must board a bus no later than 3:30 a.m. in order to make it to their corrals on time.
• There will be no monorail transportation provided to race weekend events.
• Guests at the Grand Floridian, Polynesian and Shades of Green will be permitted to walk to the start line via the approved walking path.
• Transportation will continue throughout the morning for spectators.

Resort Impacts:

Theme Park Impacts

EPCOT:

• Friendship Boat Transportation to and from Disney’s Hollywood Studios will be delayed until 11 a.m. Guests can utilize bus transportation from the Epcot Resorts and Epcot.
• From approximately 6:15 – 10 a.m., all Guests must utilize the onstage crosswalks to safely cross the race course at the following three locations:
• Pin Central East towards Test Track/Mission: SPACE
• Future World Bridge near Agent P’s World Showcase Adventure
• At the United Kingdom pavilion

DISNEY'S HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS:

• Extra Magic Hours will occur from 8-9 a.m. If needed, rope drop for Extra Magic Hours Guests will occur near Peevy's Polar Pipeline.
• Friendship boat transportation to and from Disney’s Hollywood Studios will begin at 11 a.m. on select dates. Bus transportation will be available for applicable Guests.
• The race course crosswalk will be located at Hollywood Junction.
• Rosie's All-American Café will open for lunch at 10:30 a.m. 

ROAD CLOSURES:

Sunday, April 22:

• 4–8 a.m. - Werikhe Way will be closed.
• 4:15–8:15 a.m. - DAK parking lot exit detour in effect (Cars will exit through Auto Plaza and turn back to Sherberth Rd.)
• 4:30–9 a.m. – Eastbound Osceola Parkway will be closed. 
• 5-8 a.m. - Western Way will be closed eastbound at SR 429 and westbound at the Coronado Springs Service Rd.

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