The Ultimate Guide to the Star Wars Rival Run Expo 2019

Who's ready to run?

I am so excited about the Rival Run Half Marathon this year! This race falls on my dad's birthday weekend this year and I ran it last year when it was still pegged as the Dark Side Half... so naturally I chose the light side this year (sorry, 501st Legion friends!). 
That being said, race weekends can be a little overwhelming... so let's simplify everything and check out some of what the expo has to offer, shall we?

The When & Where

You pick your bib and gEAR bag up at the expo, which you should do above all else! This is also when you get your official race shirt and any pre-order merchandise you've received (a separate window). This all goes down at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex!
Hours are...

• Thursday, April 4 from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
• Friday, April 5 from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
• Saturday, April 6 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

The Arena and Northwest Pavilion, aka the first main building when you enter the complex to your right, is where you can pick up your bib, check out the official runDisney merchandise, and enjoy some character meet and greets. After that, you'll want to take your bib over to the VISA Athletic Center (there's a pathway with some step and repeat style photo ops with pics of the medals, so be sure to grab a photo on the way!) so you can pick up your race shirt and then check out the rest of the expo and what all of the vendors have to offer! Just don't forget your photo ID. Forgot your waiver? It's okay - you can print it out and sign it at the expo before picking up your bib.

Staying at a Disney resort? They'll be offering transportation to and from the expo and the races - just check the posted signage for the exact times and pick up locations.  This includes Shades of Green and the Swan and Dolphin. You should find the info in the lobby! 

Interactive Zone Schedule
​(top floor of VISA Athletic Center)

Thursday, April 4

• 11:00 a.m. Pre-Race Yoga
• 11:30 a.m.  Meditation for Runners
• 12:00 p.m. Foam Rolling and Stretching Presented by AdventHealth
• 12:30 p.m. Yoga for Race Recovery
• 1:00 p.m. Ask Jeff with Jeff Galloway
• 2:30 p.m. Make-A-Card Station Supporting Make-A-Wish Foundation
• 3:30 p.m. Runner Pints and Pours
• 4:00 p.m. Animation Academy
• 4:30 p.m. Runner Pints and Pours

Friday, April 5

• 10:30 a.m. Pre-Race Yoga
• 11:00 a.m. Meditation for Runners
• 11:30 a.m. Yoga for Race Recovery
• 12:00 p.m. Foam Rolling and Stretching Presented by AdventHealth
• 12:30 p.m. Meditation for Runners
• 1:00 p.m. Junior Activity Zone
• 2:00 p.m. Ask Jeff with Jeff Galloway
• 3:30 p.m. Make-A-Card Station Supporting Make-A-Wish Foundation
• 4:30 p.m. Runner Pints and Pours
• 5:00 p.m. Animation Academy
• 5:30 p.m. Runner Pints and Pours

​Saturday, April 6

• 10:00 a.m. Yoga for Race Recovery
• 10:30 a.m. Meditation for Runners
• 11:00 a.m. Foam Rolling and Stretching Presented by AdventHealth
• 11:30 a.m. Ask Jeff with Jeff Galloway
• 12:30 p.m. Junior Activity Zone
• 1:30 p.m. Runner Pints and Pours
• 2:00 p.m. Animation Academy
• 2:30 p.m. Make-A-Card Station Supporting Make-A-Wish Foundation

The Official Merchandise

The merch this year looks way less fluorescent in person than it does in the photos, which I’m grateful for! It’s still very bright and colorful but not obnoxiously so, and it’s nice to see colorful Star Wars merch! Thursday evening it seems they had plenty of everything except some of the jackets; I find that those usually sell the fastest regardless of which race weekend it is.

Photo Ops

There are some really fun photo ops this year! You’ve got the aforementioned medal step-and-repeats, the massive course map photos, some Photopass photo ops where you pick up your shirts, and some character opportunities where you pick up your bibs (including Han in carbonite!).

Want more info on runDisney expos in general? Check out my Dos and Don'ts of a runDisney expo!
Are you running for the Dark Side or the Light Side? Let's discuss!