New runDisney Star Wars race name and theme coming in 2019 - Star Wars Rival Run Weekend

May 04, 2018 in "Star Wars Rival Run Weekend"

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Posted: Friday May 4, 2018 9:24am ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

The Star Wars race weekend at Walt Disney World Resort will celebrate Star Wars rivalries in 2019 with a new theme and name - 'Star Wars Rival Run Weekend presented by OtterBox.'

Beginning 2019, runners will be able to choose which side of the Force they will run for during the race weekend April 4-7 2019.

Races will include a 5K, 10K, half marathon and the runDisney Kids Races, and in addition there will again be two challenges for runners to tackle. There’s the Star Wars Rival Run Challenge, which involves running the 10K and the half marathon during the race weekend, and the runDisney Kessel Run Challenge – completing the Star Wars Rival Run Half Marathon at Walt Disney World Resort and running the Star Wars Virtual Half Marathon at home.

Star Wars Rival Run Weekend logo

Discuss on the Forums

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GimpYancIentJul 02, 2022

Exactly. The last running of the Star Wars Rival Run was my last Disney race. I put in a lot of mileage every year, just not at Disney.

drod1985Jul 02, 2022

After almost a year off I just started getting back into running with the goal of doing a Star Wars Rival Run race. Man I was bummed to see it's been replaced with the Surprise races. So add me to the list of those with no motivation to do a runDisney event now.

Chet DakotaApr 19, 2022

Completely agree. Right now, I have no motivation to do a runDisney event.

GimpYancIentSep 13, 2021

The Coast to Coast Challenge, the Kessel Run Challenge (Light Side races at DL & Dark Side races at WDW) those were challenges that enthused me. The DOPEY challenge was merely the run start for the year. It's not that Disney can not do them, the historical record shows other wise. The DL races are on hiatus excuse does not fly, Disney can take them off the shelf, dust them off and do what is necessary to get them up and running. So yeah, Challenges, let's talk challenges. What is being presented right now is weak and bland w a lack of imagination and motivation clearly being shown. "Spring Time Surprise" replacing the Star Wars Rival Run does not raise the enthusiasm or excitement level.

Texas84Sep 13, 2021

I want that Orange Bird medal!

GimpYancIentSep 13, 2021

I enjoy a challenge, I enjoy circulating around the property soaking in everything, I enjoy the difference of a Disney run event compared to any other. The idea of a spring time surprise gives me apprehension as to the theming choice! Disney managements choices have left something to be desired. It will be sad to see an excitingly themed event turned into something bland.

EPCOT-O.G.Sep 13, 2021

Okay. I goofed on this earlier, but give me some combo of Figment / Carousel of Progress / Horizons logo and I'm doing every race

DemarkeSep 13, 2021

I now desperately want those themes now. Perhaps a “Great Big Beautiful Challenge” for anyone that competes in all three 😁

uncle jimmySep 13, 2021

I thought the same thing, along with a tie-in with the Spring Flower & Garden Festival they can offer so much.

dreamfinderSep 13, 2021

Look at it the other way. It lets them have an event themed to the flavor of the month, IE whatever hot property they want to profit off of, without having to explain why it's got a different event name each year. They can change all the distance characters and such, without having to change the name. OR they can bust out smaller cult favorites without having to theme the whole event around them. Hitchhiking Ghosts Half, Orange Bird 10k with a Figment 5k anyone? (Making those up, don't quote me)

EPCOT-O.G.Sep 11, 2021

Likely medals: Broken Paperboy from Spaceship Earth Strobe light Yeti Drew Carey AA from DCA Rocket Rod ride vehicle

GimpYancIentSep 11, 2021

Me, Myself and I, after much sleeping on it, thinking about it and doing some running while contemplating about it have come to the conclusion the Springtime Surprise Weekend is a cheap, poor retheme choice. Taking an exciting themed event and made it bland / unexciting. :grumpy: