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Extraterrestrial Full Moon Midnight Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Extraterrestrial Full Moon Midnight Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.6 
Organization 4.5 
Spectators 2.6
Number of comments: 80 [displaying comments 1 to 11]
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Bill Gross from Fairfield, CT
(9/3/2018)
"Unique Marathon Experience" (about: 2018)
50+ previous marathons
| 3 Extraterrestrial Full Moon Midnight Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Starts at midnight. Run through the night. Moonlight illumination. Straight through the desert. Shooting stars. Area 51 with it's odd lights and sounds off to the right. Well organized. Water and food stations appear out of the darkness when you really need them. Does this sound like the description of any marathon you have run? If not, find your way to Las Vegas in August and do this event. Not for PR but for PE- Personal Experience. I've run +100 marathons and this one made a lasting impression. | |
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C. H. from Las Vegas, NV
(10/15/2017)
"Out of this world experience" (about: 2017)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Extraterrestrial Full Moon Midnight Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This is by far the most unusual marathon I have ever run! My previous marathons have all been big city races and I was growing tired of the crowds and impersonal nature of big races. I chose this race on the recommendation of a runner I met at my last race, and I am glad I listened. The race director does an amazing job with executing what I can only imagine is a beast. There were maybe 8 buses, some going different places, but in around 15 minutes everyone was onboard and we were on our way. Halfway into the drive we had some heavy rain, but luckily for the most part had decent weather for the race. I was pleasantly surprised how cool it was during the run, and was glad I read the emails suggesting I bring warm clothes for the finish line. The volunteers were great, especially the lady at mile 23- what a whoot! Cool medals, pancakes at the finish line and back on the bus. I'll pay it forward and recommend it to other runners with 2 thumbs up. | |
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A. V. from Wisconsin
(10/11/2017)
"Good experience with some hiccups" (about: 2017)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Extraterrestrial Full Moon Midnight Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 2 Good: It is what the description says it is - a run through the night in the desert. The volunteers I did see were out in the middle of the night in the rain - so kudos to them. It really was unusual. Meh: The bus from Vegas was 1) too cold, 2) broke down before leaving the city (they got us another bus, but then there was no reassurance AT ALL that we would make the race on time), 3) chaotic to board - we were directed from an empty bus to a full bus which was full so they directed us back, and 4) too few and far between at the finish. Nope: The half marathon had a lot of walkers, many happy to walk several abreast. You will have to navigate around them. Not every runner wore the required headlamp - maybe 60% did. During the back 10k, I saw ZERO volunteers, ZERO spectators, and a handful of other runners. I did see lightning (or UFO, ha ha). One aid station was abandoned. This was not exactly encouraging when I needed a boost the most. At the finish, the food table is minimal and not exactly enticing, and by the way, it's not in the building but over to the side of the finish area. Bring a sweater for the bus home; there are no foil wraps at the finish. | |
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A. J. from Midwest
(10/8/2017)
"Finally checked this off my bucket list!" (about: 2017)
50+ previous marathons
| 1 Extraterrestrial Full Moon Midnight Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Finally got to run this marathon after wanting to for years, and it was everything I could have asked for and more. I ran the full with a friend and my husband ran the half. The logistics were extremely easy even being from out of town and never having been to Las Vegas before. The host hotel had a shuttle to pick us up from the airport, easy packet pick up and caught the bus to the start line. After the race the bus back was a charm so we could sleep. Back at the hotel they shuttled us back to the airport. My only regret is not staying in Las Vegas a few extra days. I will be back again to run this race and will stay longer then. It was so fun seeing all of the alien costumes and green glowsticks. People really got into the spirit of the race. The course was very easy to follow and the aid stations exactly as advertised. How in the world they get volunteers out there in the middle of nowhere in the middle of the night is beyond me! Great finish line food and medal. Can't wait to come back! | |
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A. K. from Washington State
(9/24/2017)
"One of my favorite marathons of all time!" (about: 2017)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Extraterrestrial Full Moon Midnight Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I ran this marathon on the recommendation of a friend as my Nevada in my quest to run all 50 states. I am so glad I did. What a unique experience and a well organized event. I was very impressed with the RDs attention to detail and communication. She was very responsive and knowledgeable. I could tell she is a runner herself since she seems to have thought of everything. I'm trying to not repeats states, but might make an exception to try her Red Rock marathon as well. Highly recommend! | |
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D. D. from California
(9/23/2017)
"I keep coming back for more!" (about: 2017)
50+ previous marathons
| 4-5 Extraterrestrial Full Moon Midnight Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I ran the marathon for the last 5 years and just keep coming back for more. I love this race! This year I had 2 friends run the half marathon while I ran the full. It was nice to be able to ride the same bus up with them even though we ran different races. The course and support is exactly as advertised and the post race food always impresses me. There aren't many spectators unless you count the volunteers who are brilliant. But I enjoy the serenity of the quiet desert. I'll be back again I'm sure! | |
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A. K. from Florida
(9/3/2017)
"What a blast!" (about: 2017)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Extraterrestrial Full Moon Midnight Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 After wanting to run this marathon for a long time, my work schedule finally cooperated for 2017. What a blast and worth the wait. You can tell the organizers have been doing this race for more than a decade. It must be a logistical nightmare for them, but it was flawless. Logistics were made easy for my small group. Flew in, free shuttle to host hotel, got my packet and got on the bus. Our group had people running the marathon, half, and 5K. Running on the Extraterrestrial Highway was surreal. Finishing to fresh pancakes at the finish line at the A'le'Inn with my family and friends was priceless. Then sleep on the bus back. Out of this world worth it. Thanks Calico! | |
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W. P. from Las Vegas
(8/23/2017)
"Scary ride back to Vegas" (about: 2017)
50+ previous marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 3 I've done multiple races, all over the country. I was doing the half marathon as a fundraiser. Looking forward to the experience of running in the middle of nowhere in the middle of the night. There was some rain early in the race but you can't control that. The waterstops were well stocked and staffed, even if they were a little further apart. I didn't notice any aid stations or even people driving the course to make sure everyone was ok. But the scary part about the entire event was the busdriver of the bus I was on, fell asleep on the way back to Vegas (it's a two hour drive from the finish). He was finally convinced to stop before getting back on the interstate and the passengers waited for the highway patrol and a relief driver for the remainder of the ride back to Vegas. A definite once in a lifetime experience. | |
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B. G. from Fairfield, CT
(8/8/2017)
"Out of this world running fun" (about: 2017)
50+ previous marathons
| 2 Extraterrestrial Full Moon Midnight Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Lots of marathons can claim to be 'unique' but not compared to this one. Lets see. Starts at midnight. In the middle of the desert. On an open two lane road. The spectators are cactus and tumbleweed. But you can't see them because it is dark...really dark with the cloud cover. If running is a solitary sport this gets you right to heart of it. You run by feel because sight gives few clues. The other runners are also there for the off-center joy of a night given over to running. You have to be willing to trade a night sleep for many nights of memories. A shout-out to Joyce who puts this race together. How she gets this approved, organized, transported, fed and watered-in the middle of the night-in the middle of now where is kind of amazing. Thanks and I will be back. | |
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S. C. from Eugene, Oregon
(8/8/2017)
"GREAT organization." (about: 2017)
50+ previous marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 1 I've run with Calico before, and once again they delivered flawlessly. The BUS; I was skeptical, but it was perfect. On time, comfortable, and in my mind the only way to do this one! The RUN; what can you say, it was as advertised. For 2017 we had a weather event, so nothing the RD could do about it? The bus driver had the wipers on double time on the way out there ... and then the hail hit. WOW, this will be fun! Foretunately, by the time we got to the start area, it subsided. We started the run PROMPTLY at midnight and it soon started raining again. It mostly stopped by mile 8, but by then I was soaked. Again nothing the RD could control for. I think there may have been one real nice benefit of the rain, after it stopped, we had the wonderful aroma of sage brush. If you haven't even enjoyed that smell, it really is a great one. Once you top over the hill at mile 13, it feels like you've grown wings for the next many miles as you get the downhill benefit of your uphill efforts. OUT AND BACK, the last 6 miles was actually fine, for me. I liked seeing the town of Rachel at mile 20, and all the festivities, and seeing the other runners. I truly thought one of the coolest sights was at the mile 23 turnaround when you see all the headlamps of folks still running in, for both the 1/2 and fellowfullmarathoners. Not the seeing how many were still 'behind me' just the site of miles and miles of headlights. The Alien Inn is a must go in. The gals there didn't care if you bought anything, they were just as nice to you if you just wanted a chair to sit on (plenty outside as well)! Several of us had a few straight shots, then the bar tender joined us! They seriously could not have been nicer.They even gave ice bags to people. No charge, no purchases needed, just nice people! Now here's my one warning; you are unlikely to BQ here. I had a pretty slow time (for me) and took first in my age group. Thankfully, I asked my time, and found out I got a cool gift for being #1 in my division. Again, another super nice consideration from the RD. THANK YOU Calico for an amazing and unique running experience! |
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