Star Wars Half Marathon highlights Disney's road race offerings

Star Wars Launch Bay

One of Disney World's most anticipated additions is the upcoming "Star Wars" section currently under construction at Hollywood Studios. To quench fans' thirst, the park has opened Star Wars Launch Bay. This area includes character meet-and-greets, a "Star Wars" prop museum and more.

In with the new

Disney World continually rolls out new additions to its resort faster than a runner's personal best. This summer keep an eye out for Frozen Ever After, a dark ride set to open at Epcot's Norway Pavilion in June. Other fresh out-of-the-box offerings include Animal Kingdom's "Rivers of Light" nighttime light show; the "Star Wars"-inspired "Symphony in the Stars: A Galactic Spectacular" fireworks show at Hollywood Studios; and the Skipper Canteen, a restaurant themed after the Jungle Cruise ride at Magic Kingdom. Cool off after a run or a day at the park with a fruity libation at Trader Sam's, an interactive Tiki bar at Disney's Polynesian Village Resort.

Never mind the fact the clock ticks mere minutes before 5 a.m. Exhilaration and eye candy replace coffee and cream as an energetic boost, keeping my eyes stretched open at full capacity.

Standing in my corral of runners awaiting the start of the inaugural Star Wars Half Marathon at Walt Disney World Resort, my fellow racers would fit right in bellying up at some spaceport cantina in that iconic galaxy far, far away.

A towering dude totally covered in gold body paint — complete with matching gold shirt, shorts, socks and Mickey Mouse ears — serves as a living homage to "Star Wars" droid C-3PO. The Princess Leia buns sit securely on each side of the head of a female competitor, who dons a track suit with the name "Sky Runner" emblazoned across the back. Various other participants sporting "Star Wars"-themed running gear help make up the massive pack, which snakes along a road tucked behind Disney's Epcot Center theme park.

Me, I'm crowned in a Darth Vader ball cap and wrapped in a running shirt designed to look like Vader's chest. My lower half is stuffed inside a pair of leggings, each pant leg decorated with a lightsaber blade running the length of it. I figure since I'm embarking on a race subtitled "The Dark Side," I might as well do it in Sith style.

I prove to be one of nearly 20,000 runners lining up to tackle 13.1 miles like a Rebel pilot gearing up for a space battle. Some have been going at it all weekend. While others opted to participate in the 5 or 10K races that took place earlier in the weekend, others take the Dark Side Challenge. The latter includes both of the aforementioned races and the half marathon.

Although the participants resemble Dragon Con attendees, I find out this is par for the Disney race course. RunDisney, the road race arm of the House of Mouse, hosts a total of nine races at Walt Disney World Resort, Disneyland Resort in California and Disneyland Paris in France. These über popular events usually sell out shortly after going on sale. Runners are already clamoring for a spot in the races happening during the Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend, taking place January 5-8, 2017. It includes a marathon, half marathon, 10K, 5K and more. The next race hitting the starting line will be the sold-out Tinker Bell Half Marathon on May 8 at Disneyland.

Runners typically shroud themselves in costumes and take to the race routes, which wind in and out of Disney parks and along surrounding roads. Non-"Star Wars" races find guests getting in character, some soaring along the course with fairy wings strapped to their backs, others pounding the pavement in their best Mickey or Minnie attire.

It's not just the celebratory hoofers that give RunDisney events all of that character. Just moments after a burst of fireworks signals the beginning of my race, I happen upon squatty "Star Wars" robot R2-D2 perched in front of a backdrop and ready for his close up. A line of runners wait patiently to pose with the famed astromech droid.

Artoo proves to be the first of many intergalactic denizens stationed along the way. Chewbacca, Darth Vader, legions of Stormtroppers, bounty hunter Boba Fett and Captain Phasma are just a few star warriors I will see throughout race.

The sun has yet to rise as myself and throngs of other runners enter the Epcot park. Lights still illuminate its buildings just as it had the night before. Spaceship Earth, the park's giant, iconic trademark structure, glows in purple light like the Death Star.

Once we've made tracks through Epcot, the course leads us down the road and into Disney's Hollywood Studios. At the end of the park's Hollywood Boulevard stands a sprawling stage where the angst-ridden Kylo Ren paces back and forth, Troopers flanking either side of him.

We exit Hollywood studios and set out on a long stretch of race course real estate, which is actually an expanse of highway on Disney property. Race organizers keep things entertaining with speakers blasting the "Star Wars" soundtrack and big screens periodically placed along the road showing "Star Wars" film clips.

Other diversions include photo ops of memorable scenes from the "Star Wars" flicks. As my shoes slap the asphalt of the parking lot outside Disney's Animal Kingdom theme park, I notice some runners taking a break and posing in front of elaborate sets. One depicts the trash compactor scene from the first "Star Wars" movie. Others choose to vogue inside the wampa snow monster's cave, which looks straight out of "The Empire Strikes Back."

After herding us through Animal Kingdom, the staff directs us to the park's exit, a gaggle of "Star Wars" bounty hunters guarding the gates. Then it's back to the highway for the home stretch.

The final mile of the race has us running along a sandy road surrounded by palm trees and other foliage. Ewok drums thump over the loudspeaker as my heart pounds. Although some choose to hop on top of the speeder bikes parked along the trail, I keep going, intent on getting this thing over and done.

Although I cross the finish line light years after the race's winner — 45-year-old Jason Ryf from Oshkosh, Wis., clocked in at 1 hour, 13 minutes and 39 seconds — a wave of sweet relief crashes over me. As I wrap the race at Disney's ESPN Wide World of Sports complex, a volunteer soon drapes a medal featuring Darth Vader's mug around my neck. The surge of end-of-race adrenaline makes me feel as if I could take on the entire Empire myself.

Well, maybe not. My dogs are barking louder than tauntauns, and the hotel pool beckons.

Before drifting off into a poolside sleep that would rival Han Solo's carbon freeze catnap, my thoughts fill with post-race reflection.

Thinking about following suit and signing up for a RunDisney race? Consider the following:

Don't run for time

RunDisney races are more about the experience than the race itself. The scenery, photo ops and overall immersion can easily slow you down.

Stay on target

A large portion of the participants opt to walk, so keep a keen eye on those in front of and around you. Although race etiquette usually calls for walkers to stay to the right, it doesn't always happen. If you choose to run, expect to dodge gobs of walkers along the way. Since the some of the course occurs along narrow walkways and paths, bottlenecking often occurs. Prepare for sudden stops by keeping a safe distance from those in front of you.

Beware of burn out

If you decide to hit the theme parks on the days leading up to the race, don't overdo it. You can easily chalk up a dozen miles while spending the day in a Disney park. Consider visiting the parks after the race.

For more information on RunDisney events, visit: rundisney.com.