Course of the Force, the pre-Comic-Con lightsaber run sponsored by Nerdist Industries and Lucasfilm to raise money for Make-A-Wish Foundation, will return this year from July 9th to 16th. Last year’s event (see “Course of the Force”) was a big success, with a caravan of costumed, runners, Jabba the Huttt’s Sail Barge, Yoda-filled RVs, and support for Make-A-Wish chapters in Greater Bay, Los Angeles, Orange County, and San Diego. 

This year’s event will be longer, starting at Skywalker Ranch in Marin County north of San Francisco (last year’s started in Santa Monica). Nerdist Industries founder Chris Hardwicke will host the event at “Conivals,” city-stops along the way, with live entertainment, expo booths, giveaways, and more. Course of the Force will host activities at the Chuck Jones Gallery in San Diego during Comic-Con, July 18-20. 

Participants run quarter-mile segments, handing off the official Course of the Force lightsaber to the next runner. Registration fees, which go to benefit the charity, are $150 for each relay spot. Runners get a customized Hasbro lightsaber and Course of the Force swag bag. 

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