WHAT:

Course of the Force, the inaugural Star Wars™ lightsaber relay, begins Saturday on the Santa Monica Pier at 10:00 a.m. with a free event for the public. The complete schedule July 7-11 can be found below.

The public can come out to the Santa Monica Pier starting at 10:00 a.m. to enjoy live music by the Spazmatics (http://perfectworldentertainment.com/thespazmatics.php), appearances and autographs by Star Wars characters including actor Peter Mayhew who played Chewbacca. There will also be giveaways by event sponsors and merchandise and concessions for sale.

At 1:00 p.m. Chris Hardwick and a crew of kids from Make-A-Wish will run the first segment of the inaugural Course of the Force from the Santa Monica Pier.

All media are encouraged to attend the kickoff event on the Pier. Please contact Adam Harris for more information.

Star Wars™ fans will have a chance to channel their Force of goodwill while raising a lightsaber, an elegant symbol of hope, in an epic journey worthy of the Jedi Knights. Course of the Force, an Olympic torch style relay run with a lightsaber will travel down the Southern California coast July 7-11, in the days leading up to the San Diego Comic Con International®. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Make-A-Wish® chapters of San Diego, Greater Los Angeles and Orange County and the Inland Empire.

This isn’t your typical running race, either. Course of the Force is all about Star Wars enthusiasts celebrating their love of the Saga. Runners will pass off a custom Hasbro Ultimate FX Lightsaber at quarter-mile markers and are encouraged to come decked out in their best Star Wars and pop-culture themed costumes.

The event is held in partnership with Lucasfilm, Ltd., Nerdist Industries and Octagon to raise proceeds for Make-A-Wish® Foundation.

MEDIA CONTACT:            Adam Harris

(336) 253-2539

Adam.harris@octagon.com

RELEASED TODAY: Special Course of the Force Preview Video

Course of the Force, in partnership with Lucasfilm, has released a Star Wars-themed short film today. Written by Broadway Video (SNL, 30 ROCK, PORTLANDIA) writers, the film was shot at Industrial Light and Magic and is the ‘origin’ story of the Course of the Force as Chris Hardwick carries the lightsaber from ILM to the Santa Monica Pier to kick of the event. It’s a fun, high-quality video that features R2D2, Boba Fett, Ewoks and Tusken Raiders and a cameo from The Walking Dead creator Robert Kirkman.

Link to Short Film: http://youtu.be/UwnBMQ0l7u4

WHEN & WHERE:

Conival Schedule

http://courseoftheforce.com/schedule/

WHO:

Nerdist founder all-around geek hero Chris Hardwick will be the master of ceremonies. Hardwick will be joined along the way by Her Universe’s Ashley Eckstein and Nerdist’s Alex Albrecht and Alison Haislip. On top of all that awesomeness, parts of the event will be streamed live on StarWars.com and the Nerdist YouTube Channel.

Chris Hardwick: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_Hardwick / https://twitter.com/#!/nerdist/

Ashley Eckstein: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ashley_Eckstein / http://www.ashleyeckstein.com/

Alison Haislip: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alison_Haislip / https://twitter.com/#!/alisonhaislip/

Alex Albrecht: https://twitter.com/#!/alexalbrecht/ / http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alex_Albrecht

Confirmed Celebrities Participating

Drew Carey

Zachary Levi

Paul Scheer

Vanessa Lengies

Neil Everett

Michael Rosenbaum

FX Character Wilfred

Team Unicorn (Rileah, Clare, Milynn and Michele)

Alex Heartman

Tyler Posey

Jessica Parker Kennedy

Kal Penn

Scott Mantz

Alie Ward

Georgia Hardstark

TK Nguyen

Edson Buddle – LA Galaxy Player

Pat Noonan – LA Galaxy Player

Bill Gaudette  – LA Galaxy Player

Adrianne Curry

Marketing Partners

·        Lucasfilm

·        Nerdist

·        Octagon

·        EBay

·        State Farm

·        Farmer John

·        Otter Pops

·        Hasbro

·        Shoebacca

·        Gogo

·        Rovio

·        Hyundai

·        PlayMechanix

REGISTRATION:

There are still running spots available for the inaugural Course of the Force. Sign up today at http://courseoftheforce.com/registration/

What Star Wars™ fan hasn’t dreamed of using a lightsaber for good? 100% of the registration proceeds benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation chapters of Southern California. For a $500 donation to Make-A-Wish runners can still register for available spots on Sunday, July 8 and Tuesday, July 10.

All runners will receive a custom Hasbro Ultimate FX Lightsaber and a limited-edition collectable swag bag complete with Star Wars graphic novels, sunglasses, toothbrushes, cups, Fighter Pod Mystery Packs, Jedi wristbands, Angry Birds towels, LEGOLAND hats, Archaia publishing posters, John Tower buttons, coconut water and Popchips.

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