Congratulations to all the runners who participated in the inaugural Star Wars Half Marathon in Disneyland. It was a huge success! Have you ever wondered what it takes to host a “Rebel Challenge?” Disney provided us with all the numbers, just so you have an idea of how large this event truly was. I’m sure many people are looking forward to next year. Did you attend the races? Share your experiences with us – we would love to hear them!
More than 12,200 runners participated in the new 13.1-mile intergalactic journey through Disneyland and Anaheim area streets where a variety of Disney entertainment, including Star Wars characters, cheered on runners at every mile. The Star Wars race weekend kicked off with the Star Wars Wookiee Welcome Party, a private event that featured character meet-and-greets, entertainment, a dessert reception and an opportunity to ride select attractions, such as Space Mountain and Star Tours – The Adventures Continues, Astro Orbitor, and Buzz Lightyear Astro Blaster.
Course Information:
More than 23,000 runners will trek to a galaxy far, far away for the debut of the Star Wars Half Marathon Weekend at Disneyland Resort this weekend. The new Star Wars-themed runDisney event will involve kids races, a 5K, a 10K and half marathon, plus several family-friendly events such as the Star Wars Wookiee Welcome Party.
Registration Numbers:
Jennifer Berry, 34, of Denver also seemingly runs at warp speed at Disney, streaking across the finish line Sunday as the female winner after doing the same thing last year at the Disneyland Half Marathon and the Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon. This time she set a personal record (1:22:34) and easily beat out second-place finisher Carla McAlister of San Clemente, Ca. (1:25:32) and third-place finisher Kellie Nickerson of Albuquerque, NM (1:27:03).
28,950* total race registrants for the 2015 Star Wars Half Marathon Weekend
12,200* participants in the Star Wars Half Marathon presented by Sierra Nevada Corporation
10,400* participants in the Star Wars 10K presented by Sierra Nevada Corporation
5,100* participants in the Star Wars 5K presented by Sierra Nevada Corporation
1,250* participants in the runDisney Kids Races
Challenges:
5,200* participants in the Star Wars Rebel Challenge
Demographics:
41.5% male participants / 58.5% female participants
50 states represented, plus Puerto Rico, Guam and Washington DC
79 participants will be celebrating birthdays during the inaugural Star Wars Half Marathon Weekend
Sell Out Times:
Fountain Valley, Calif. native Nick Arciniaga blasted along an intergalactic journey Sunday to win the inaugural Star Wars Half Marathon presented by Sierra Nevada Corporation at Disneyland Resort, his second runDisney victory in the past five months. Arciniaga, 31, who now lives in Flagstaff, AZ, won the Disneyland Half Marathon in August before breaking the finishing line tape first again Sunday, this time greeted at the finish by Mickey, Minnie, Donald and Goofy dressed as their favorite Star Wars characters.
-More than 5,000 of the most daring rebels signed up for the Star Wars Rebel Challenge just 24 minutes after the event went on sale
-More than 1,250 young Jedis were signed up for the runDisney Kids Races in 38 minutes
-The Star Wars 5K was the third event to close registration in 54 minutes after the Star Wars Half Marathon Weekend went on sale
-Over 5,000 runners registered for the Star Wars 10K just 80 minutes after the event went on sale
-Only 122 minutes after the event went on sale on June 10th, the Star Wars Half Marathon was sold out to more than 7,000 runners (not including Rebel Challenge participants)
* Numbers are approximate
A Disney blooded, crafty, fun-lovin’ wife/mom/organizer/planner, etc who is obsessed with all things Disney 🙂 Maria grew up with the Magic Kingdom and has loved watching WDW evolve into what it is today. A firm believer in the Power of Pixie Dust, she is the owner of The Disney Driven Life – A Community for Neurotic Disney People & a d.i.y. crafty blog, Carousel of Projects – create~inspire~share.
