About the May the 4th be with You- The Empire Strides Back 5K, 10K, & Half Marathon
The course runs along the Long Beach waterfront, so you get ocean views for most of it. The route is flat and paved, and the organizer explicitly welcomes strollers, which tells you a lot about the surface and the grade. Costumes are a big part of the day, with photo backdrops and props set up along the course.
Bib pickup opens early on race morning at the event tents, so there is no separate day-before pickup to worry about. Street parking nearby is free, and a paid lot is close if you need it. Chip-timed results go up on-site, and water stations are posted along the course.
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Distances & Start Times
3.1 Miles5/2/2027 08:00$49
6.2 Miles5/2/2027 08:00$53
13.1 Miles5/2/2027 07:00$65
1 Mile5/2/2027 09:00$25
400 Yards5/2/2027 09:30$18
Going for a Time?
Set a goal and get a pace band: every mile split on a card sized for your phone lock screen, so race morning needs no math.
Not sure what to aim for? The 5K pace chart lists the pace for every finish time.
Where to Stay
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