Ewok ears, Leia buns, AT-ATs, BB-8s, Tauntauns and Wookiees – the inaugural Star Wars Half Marathon Weekend was a wonderfully inventive romp through the eclectic awesome that makes the Star Wars community incomparable to any other.
And as thousands of runners from around the world took to the balmy streets surrounding the Disneyland Resort to put months of training to the test during the weekend’s 5k, 10k and Half Marathon (I took on the 5k while my husband tackled the Rebel Challenge), my six-year-old and eight-year-old joined an enthusiastic group of padawans for runDisney’s Kids Races.
Designed for younglings who want to experience the excitement of their parents’ grown-up races, the scaled down events offer a pretty good reproduction, complete with real race bibs, starting corrals, finisher’s medals and hi-fours.
As first-timers in the 200- and 400-meter dashes, my two ended up gaining more than R2-D2 medals and bragging rights, because they came out of it having learned something about their own starstuff and how intergalactic life lessons revolving around the light and dark sides of Yoda’s infinite wisdom have real-world applications.
Size matters not: Strength of character has nothing to do with how big you are in stature or how many candles are on your birthday cake, and no one knows this better than Master Yoda. Beautiful in its simplicity, yet remarkably weighty, this partial quote serves as a timeless reminder to value brains over brawn.
Do or do not. There is no try: Courage is mental verve with teeth. Equal parts doggedness and single-minded drive, it’s the inner tszuj that makes you do something you’re afraid of doing. These words are what define Yoda as an intergalactic juggernaut, while their distinct eight-word composition makes them the most memorable call-to-action in all of Star Wars.
Wars not make one great: Sith happens as they say, and life will always be peopled with those who seek to darken the light – even at Disneyland, where the usual race magic lost a bit of its luster to cast member rudeness we’d never encountered before. And not just at the race events. Yet each negative experience led to a positive one (we met some of the kindest cast members ever on the very last day of our stay), all of which illustrated one of Yoda’s greatest lessons ever: aggression, violence and general poodoo don’t make a Jedi truly strong.
The next runDisney Star Wars Half Marathon Weekend is slated for January 14-17, 2016.
I just showed my kid these pictures and now she is asking, nay, begging to go next time. And if so, then we will make sure to get in touch with our inner Yodas cos you know Sith happens.
Your kid gets all the hi-fours, Sunny.
I love this so much!!! I am NOT a runner. But at Disney Social Media Moms last year (my family’s first time to Disney!) I remember how amazing it was…. For us, it was incredible just to get to walk through Disney, early in the morning, and see how beautiful and peaceful it was in the early am. Then as the runners passed us, I thought how cool it was. To be able to run in such a magical area! How fun and motivating!
If I were ever to attempt this whole “running” thing, this is where I’d do it
So I adore that they have an option for the littles too! What a great way to get them excited about exercise and stuff! Love it.
(Sorry for the overuse of exclamation marks. Disney+ kids+ Star Wars? That equals too much awesome!)
Exclamation points are everything, Meagan! We’ll overlook any excess 😉 Because as you said, Disney and kids and Star Wars and general awesome.
This is fantastic. Love all the points, especially how size doesn’t matter.
Thanks, Linda. That one’s especially great for siblings who are forever locked in perpetual competition.
We’ll have to put next year’s on our list. Love this! Makes me want to do it with my boys even more!
Tip: Make sure to plan your trip as far in advance as possible. Many racers start booking their hotel rooms about 6-12 months out.
I love that the Run Disney races are such a fun way to get the entire family involved in running at manageable distances. Plus those race bibs? Who wouldn’t be motivated to run just for the cool race souvenirs of an R2D2 bib and medal!
Absolutely, Leticia! Star Wars and running mix beautifully.
This looks like an incredible event for the entire family! I love that they incorporate all the fun for the kids too! We’ve never been to Disneyland, but this would be a great event to plan for!
runDisney is really good about including all ages, and there’s even a Diaper Dash that would be perfect for your youngest.
I love that they have included the kids in these runs now. I can’t wait to get back and do one and have the girls participate, too!
There’s nothing cuter than a kid all puffed up and proud about accomplishing something new.
Love this! My Star Wars loving 7 yo would be up for this race – if only we didn’t live on the other side of the country…. perhaps a try to Disneyland is in order?
Always follow the sunshine, Kimberly!
This is great!! I can’t wait until my daughter is old enough to run these races with me! Great lessons to be learned! And, How cute are those kiddos in costume?! Love it!
So many kiddies running! We loved seeing their enthusiasm, creativity and of course, crazy-fast footwork.
My husband uses the Do or Do not, there is no try one all the time with my daughter!!
Best motivational quote ever.