'Course of the Force' to Run Through Marina del Rey

By Erika Maldonado.

Don't be surprised to see ewoks, storm troopers and other Star Wars characters running through Marina del Rey on Lincoln Boulevard on Saturday. 

The "Course of the Force" kicked off Tuesday at Skywalker Ranch in Northern California and will wind its way down the coast and end at San Diego's Comic Con on Tuesday, July 16. 

The Olympic-style relay race, complete with a replica of Jabba the Hut's pleasure sail barge, will come to the Los Angeles area Friday, starting in Pacific Palisades and stopping for the day at the Santa Monica Pier. The relay day will take off from the Santa Monica Pier and end in Huntington Beach on Saturday.

Instead of an Olympic torch, the official Course of the Force light saber will be passed on to runners at each quarter-mile mark. Event organizers plan to release official start times at a later date on the official website. 

StarWars.com reports this year’s race will cover about 500 miles because of last year’s success. Last year’s partnerships with Make-A-Wish Foundation chapters throughout the state made more than 1,000 wishes possible. 

The $150 registration fee will be donated entirely to the Make-A-Wish Foundation and comes with a customized light saber and personalized bag. Registration for the Santa Monica to Huntington Beach relay day is available online. On site registration is not available. Participants are also encouraged to fund raise by creating an account with Stayclassy.org.