May the 4th be with You- The Empire Strides Back 5K, 10K, & Half Marathon by Califlow Runs
- Date
- May 2, 2027
- Distance
- 5K · 10K · Half Marathon & more
From the Organizer
May the 4th Be With You – 5K, 10K, Half Marathon | Long Beach
The Empire Strides Back – Medals, Chip Timing, Photos, Costume Fun!
🏅 Everyone Gets a Medal – No Force Powers Required!
Empire Strides Back – May the 4th Be With You 5K, 10K, & Half Marathon
📍 5000 E Ocean Blvd Long Beach, CA 90803
🗓 Sunday- May 2nd, 2027
Same Day Registration Opens at 6:00 AM @ the Race Ready Athletics Tents
Runner Check In/Bib Pick Up Opens at 6:00 AM
👟 Start Times Based on Distance :
Half Marathon: 7:00 AM
5K & 10K : 8:00 AM
1 Miler: 9:00 AM
Kids Dash: 9:30 AM
🚗 Parking:
Street parking is free. Lot parking is $2.00 per hour. Pay at machine in parking lot
🌌 Why You Should Join:
Ready to race through the galaxy? Whether you’re a Jedi, Sith, or Rebel runner, come show off your Force in this high-vibe, costumed run along the scenic Long Beach waterfront.
🎭 Costumes encouraged! Come dressed as your favorite hero, villain, or creature.
📸 Epic photo ops with galaxy props and backdrops.
🎶 Out-of-this-world vibes with music, cheering, and space-age fun.
🎉 Event Perks:
🏅 Everyone gets a finisher medal
📸 Free race-day photos
🔄 Chip-timed results posted on-site
🚰 Water stations & restrooms on course
👶 Stroller-friendly and beginner-welcoming
🏅 Age Group & Overall Awards
🎟 Sign up now and let the Force (and your feet) guide you!
Distances & Pricing
Race Location
About This Sport
From Endurance Grid's Founder
Endurance Grid is here to help you understand the sport, decide if it's the right fit, and learn how to prepare. For course distances, logistics, and race-day specifics, always defer to the race organizer's event page.
The half marathon is the distance where you find out what you're actually made of. Long enough to demand real preparation. Short enough that it doesn't consume your life to train for it. Most people who run their first half describe it as the race that changed their relationship with what they're capable of. Once you cross this finish line, the bar moves. That's not a warning — that's the point.
Race day energy varies by event size, but the finish line feeling is the same regardless. Big races keep the noise going the whole way. Smaller races give you stretches where it's just you and the miles — and that solitude becomes its own kind of fuel.
The half marathon rewards people who show up for the boring training miles.
How long to train: 10–14 weeks. If you're already running consistently, 10 weeks of structured buildup is enough. If you're building from a casual base, give yourself 14.
Running
From 5K to marathon, running races are the most accessible entry point into endurance sport. There's a distance for every fitness level and a community at every start line.
Coming Up
More running races in CA
Whittier Narrows Spring Running Festival
5K · 10K · 15K
Root Beer and Braids
Run for Chocolate 5K/10K/13.1 SAN FRANCISCO
Half Marathon · 10K · 5K
One Love Run – 5K, 10K, 10M, and Half Marathon
Half Marathon · 10K · 5K
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- What is the May the 4th be with You- The Empire Strides Back 5K, 10K, & Half Marathon by Califlow Runs?
- May the 4th be with You- The Empire Strides Back 5K, 10K, & Half Marathon by Califlow Runs is a running event held in Long Beach, CA. Learn more about the different endurance sports here.
- When and where is the May the 4th be with You- The Empire Strides Back 5K, 10K, & Half Marathon by Califlow Runs?
- Sunday, May 2, 2027 in Long Beach, CA at 5000 E Ocean Blvd, Long Beach, CA. Check the official event page for exact start times and wave schedules.
- How do I register for the May the 4th be with You- The Empire Strides Back 5K, 10K, & Half Marathon by Califlow Runs?
- Registration is handled through their official registration page. Confirm pricing, distances available, and sign up there.
May the 4th be with You- The Empire Strides Back 5K, 10K, & Half Marathon by Califlow Runs
May 2, 2027