It’s coming back… Nerdist Industries and Lucasfilm’s Course of the Force will once again find runners participating in a relay to raise money for charity. This year’s run kicks off at Skywalker Ranch and travels down the California coast all the way to the San Diego Convention Center. Course of the Force will be held July 9-16, with the end of the relay timed to the start of the San Diego Comic-Con.
And as they did with the inaugural run in 2012, Course of the Force is teaming up with the Make-A-Wish Foundation (LA, Greater Bay, Orange County, and San Diego chapters), with 100% of the registration entry fees going to support the charity. Make-A-Wish kids will be involved in the opening ceremonies, closing ceremonies, and in the event itself.
Nerdist Industries’ Chris Hardwick is once again hosting the event.
‘Conivals’ will be set up along the way, allowing Star Wars fans the opportunity to “celebrate their love of the Saga with live entertainment, expo booths, giveaways and much more.”
“Our plan to run at Comic-con screaming with a lightsaber worked beyond our wildest dreams. People showed up! Lots of them! In cosplay! And we were able to grant more than 1000 wishes for Make-A-Wish!” explained Chris Hardwick. “Last year we started in Santa Monica, this year, Marin, and hopefully next year Tatooine.”
Runners each handle a quarter-mile segment of the 500-mile course, passing off the Course of the Force lightsaber as they go. For those interested in participating, visit www.starwars.com/courseoftheforce. The registration fee is $150 and includes a customized Hasbro lightsaber and an exclusive Course of the Force swag bag. Per the organizers, runners are encouraged to “be creative and wear their best Star Wars gear.”
