Nick Arciniaga Races in Star Wars

Photo: Flotrack/Star Nerds

Nick Arciniaga Races in Star Wars

Because the 2:11 marathoner is a self-professed Star Nerd.

by The Trailer

NEW YORK CITY, N.Y. – “So adidas has a contract with Star Wars where they can make whatever they feel, as long as it’s George Lucas-approved,” says Nick Arciniaga.

Which means Arciniaga, of Fountain Valley, Calif., had his singlet for Sunday’s cancelled New York City Marathon eyeballed and approved by the Star Wars writer/director himself. (And Indiana Jones. And Willow. Etc.)

Below is an absolutely un-cut interview with the 29-year-old 2:11 marathoner.

The Trailer: So George Lucas approved Nick Ariniaga—

Nick Arciniaga: George Lucas approved my racing singlet.

TT: That is so awesome. [Ed. note: A clear breakdown in reporter impartiality . . . Something so often seen in running journalism.]

NA: So adidas was kind enough to make me a racing singlet for Boston this past year which has the Rebel Alliance logo on it. I [was going to] race in it again in the New York City Marathon this weekend.

Tragic tattoos

TT: Why the Rebel Alliance?

NA: I could have gone with an Imperial display, but adidas chose the Rebel Alliance for me. They feel I’m more of a Jedi-type character.

TT: You’re the only guy as far as we know that is choosing to race in Star Wars gear. So it must have been your original idea?

NA: No, it was their idea. They knew I was a huge Star Wars fan.

TT: They knew you were a huge Star Wars fan.

Carolyn Arciniaga, wife: His car used to have a “StarWars77” license plate. Then we moved to Arizona, so it got hung in our garage.

NA: It’s funny, when I was at Hansons [Hansons-Brooks Distance Project, which Arciniaga left in 2010], everybody made fun of me for being a Star Wars fan. Being in Arizona, everybody adores it. Half the team are Star Wars fans, so it works out pretty well.

[adidas has] sent me gear, shoes, t-shirts, and Darth Vader jackets. It’s pretty nice.

Carolyn: There’s some weird Wookie shoes hanging on our wall. Not kidding.

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Nick Arciniaga ran a PR 2:11:30 in January 2011 at the Houston Marathon after he was initially only contracted to pace teammate Brett Gotcher through 25K. (Yes, he is that hard.) He was eighth at the 2012 Olympic team trials marathon. “Like” his Facebook fanpage, follow him on Twitter, and who knows? If enough people visit his blog, he may begin to update it.