Four-day race weekend at the Disneyland Resort likely to sell out quickly; Event kicks off with nighttime Star Wars Wookiee Welcome Party

ANAHEIM, Calif. (June 10, 2014) — Runners can register today for the new Star Wars Half Marathon Weekend presented by Sierra Nevada Corporation at the Disneyland Resort. The intergalactic journey runs January 15-18, 2015. Runners can sign up at www.rundisney.com.

Jedi runners should move fast. Given the popularity of all runDisney race weekends, this transportive event will likely sell out at warp speed. In recent years, runDisney race weekends have regularly sold out in record time, and last year attracted more than 163,900 runners to Walt Disney World and Disneyland — a 40 percent increase over the previous year, making the runDisney series one of the largest in the nation.

The Star Wars race weekend kicks off with the Star Wars Wookiee Welcome Party on January 15. This private event in Tomorrowland will feature 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 Blasters.

In addition, there will be a slew of family-friendly events throughout the race weekend, including a three-day Health and Fitness Expo, featuring the latest in fitness apparel, running gear and high tech gadgets, plus speakers such as runDisney training consultant Jeff Galloway and runDisney nutrition consultant Tara Gidus.

The Star Wars Half Marathon Weekend is the fourth runDisney race weekend scheduled for 2015 at the Disneyland Resort, doubling the number of races held in 2013. The new event offers runners a variety of race experiences for all levels, from Padawans to Jedi Masters — the runDisney Kids Races, the Star Wars 5K, the Star Wars 10K and the Star Wars Half Marathon. And for an ultimate test for Star Wars rebels, there’s the Star Wars Rebel Challenge – a two-race challenge that combines the Star Wars 10K on Saturday with the Star Wars Half Marathon on Sunday. Jedi runners who finish the 19.3-mile challenge earn a special Star Wars Rebel Challenge finisher medal in addition to medals for the 10K and half marathon.

The celebratory charity for the race weekend is the Discovery Science Center, a non-profit organization that inspires and educates young minds through engaging science-based programs and exhibits that create a meaningful impact on the communities it serves. Contributions to the Discovery Science Center can be made at http://www.active.com/donate/SWDISCOVERYSCIENCE

WHERE: Disneyland Resort, Anaheim, Calif.

WHEN: January 15-18, 2015

runDisney Health & Fitness Expo
Thursday, January 15, Friday, January 16 and Saturday, January 17

Star Wars Wookiee Welcome Party
9:30 p.m. – 11:30 p.m. on Thursday, January 15

Star Wars 5K presented by Sierra Nevada Corporation
5:30 a.m. on Friday, January 16

Star Wars 10K presented by Sierra Nevada Corporation
5:30 a.m. on Saturday, January 17

runDisney Kids Races
9 am on Saturday, January 17

Star Wars Rebel Challenge presented by Sierra Nevada Corporation
Saturday, January 17 and Sunday, January 18

Star Wars Half Marathon presented by Sierra Nevada Corporation
5:30 a.m. on Sunday, January 18