Q&A With the Marathon-Running Chewbacca

At Twin Cities, Greg Geiger ran 26.2 miles... dressed as a Wookiee. Here's why. And how.

October 9, 2013
Chewbacca Gets Finishers Medal at 2013 Twin Cities Marathon

Photo by Vanessa Graetz

Readers, it probably will not surprise you to learn that, in addition to being a running enthusiast and, apparently, a skilled Photoshop user, I am a diehard Star Wars geek.

I saw the original Star Wars the year it was released, in 1977; owned approximately 2,800 cubic feet of Star Wars merchandise (including bedsheets); and to this day take great comfort in knowing that I can pop in my DVD of The Empire Strikes Back anytime I want. If the Star Wars franchise were a person, our relationship could be summed up with these two lines of dialog:

Me: "I love you."
Star Wars: "I know."

So you can imagine my delight when I saw this photo, taken during Sunday's Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon.

And you can imagine my disappointment when I learned that, no, Chewbacca did not run Twin Cities – that this is merely some guy in a Chewbacca costume.

Despite this letdown, I had to admit that running 26.2 miles dressed as a big, walking carpet – in a time of 5:24:47 – was impressive. Most impressive.

Thanks to this thing called the internet, I was able to track down the man in the costume: Greg Geiger, a 34-year-old salesman in Mendota Heights, Minnesota. Greg was kind enough to answer a few questions about his experience via email. (Usual reverse-disclaimer: Unlike many of my other columns, this one is based in reality. This actually is an interview with an actual person.)

Remy's World: How long have you been running, and how many marathons have you done?
Greg Geiger: I've been running for 15 years, and done 20 or so marathons. [Twin Cities was his first marathon in a costume.]

What is your marathon PR?

Safe to say you're a Star Wars fan?
More a fan of having fun.

When exactly did you decide to run Twin Cities as Chewbacca? And why?
I toyed with the idea for about a month. Got the costume one week before the race.

Do you own the costume, or was it a rental? 
I own it (as of last week). Small price to pay.

Why Chewbacca and not, say, something more "respiratory-friendly," like Grand Moff Tarkin
Go big or go back to Kashyyyk.

Wait… Now that I think about it, is that actually a Chewbacca costume? Or just a Wookiee costume? (I don't see Chewie's trademark bandoleer, for example.)
My older son was disappointed I didn't carry my bag...but I seriously didn't want to have to think about one more thing.

It looks like you ran a fairly significant positive split. What was the second half of your race like?
The second half was filled with high-fives and photo opps... "Selfies" with other runners.

Did you train in that thing? If so, how much?
Honestly, I ran to the end of the block. I got tired but felt all right in the costume. I couldn't see very well, so I went inside (Saturday night) and modified the eyes and nose.  

How did you eat and drink during the race? Or did you?
I stopped at each station and slid cups under the mask.

How did you pee during the race? Or did you?
Never had to go... I sweat it out.

Especially given this new emphasis on security, did you have any trouble getting into your starting corral?

Finally: According to Twin Cities' official results, you beat 705 presumably non-costumed runners. What do you say to them?
Finishing a marathon is the best feeling, once the pain subsides. Few people can claim it. It's either you have or you haven't – not your time, or what species beat you. Congratulations to all entrants and may the Force be with you during your next effort.

ED: Thanks, Greg, for chatting with Remy's World. And, readers, a word of advice: If you find yourself about to pass Chewbacca during your next race, let the Wookiee win.