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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 41 to 51]
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D. S. from Michigan
(8/24/2010)
"An unique experience!" (about: 2010)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Extraterrestrial Full Moon Midnight Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 What an eerie experience to be dropped off at midnight in the middle of nowhere to follow fellow runners draped in lights and/or glow necklaces through the high desert! It felt a little odd having the expo at the Hard Rock Hotel. I wasn't the only runner who felt a little out of place amongst the "frat party" atmosphere. Not the best hotel in which to sneak that pre-race nap. Joyce put on a terrific event and was omnipresent; however, my only real complaint was that the loading of the buses was a rather disorganized event as runners sought the "chatty" and "quiet" buses. I ran the 51K and it wasn't the altitude or the terrain or the dead of night that was my greatest hurdle; it was the mental dysfunction of gauging distances in the desert. You would run toward lights for miles thinking you were at the next aid station or turnaround point, and you could even see the people handing out the cups of water, but it was like you never got any closer or it was moving away from you! Then when you finally made the turn-around, it looked liked you had only run a few blocks from the previous station. It was like running in an M.C. Escher drawing; I felt very disoriented. Shirt and medal were nice. It would have been extra special had the finisher medals been specific for the different running events. I think all the buses on the return trip were "quiet" buses. ZZZzzzzzz. | |
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M. B. from Midwest
(8/24/2010)
"For something different, run the ET Marathon" (about: 2010)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Extraterrestrial Full Moon Midnight Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 1 I was really pumped to run this race. Based on comments from previous years, I had high expectations for the whole ET experience. I thought pre-race communication via email by race director was thorough and helpful. Bus transportaton to/from the race start went smoothly. The packet pick up was a breeze. Not really anything in the way of an expo, but I had pretty much figured that from information on the website. Nice shirts and medals. The aid stations were well stocked and had great volunteers. HEED is my preference for sports drinks so that was a plus. Things to consider for future events: 1) Separate the runners on the buses according to which event they are participating in, staggering the departure times. Doesn't make sense to require 10K runners to leave at 8:45 p.m. from Vegas only to have to sit on a bus for nearly 4.5 hours before their race. 2) Seemed the race director had too much on her plate. I think things would have been much better executed had she delegated some of the race responsibilites to volunteers. 3) Concern about the contest for the alien costume as well as the raffles and giveaways. Not sure either one of these came to fruition as promoted on the website. 4) If a runner drops down to a shorter distance during the event because they can't or don't want to complete the distance they registered for, that is fine. And, if the RD wants to give them credit for the race they completed that is great. However, they should not be in the running for age category awards for the event they dropped to. All in all, a decent event. I don't regret having made the trip to Nevada to run this one; however, I don't think I'll be rushing to run it again anytime soon. | |
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D. I. from Gainesville, FL
(8/24/2010)
"Tougher than I thought, but worth it!" (about: 2010)
50+ previous marathons
| 1 Extraterrestrial Full Moon Midnight Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Outstanding organization throughout! The Hard Rock was noisy, but registration/check-out was very smooth. The bus ride out-and-back was convenient and great. The marathon was very well supported. The course was beautiful: stars, the full moon, a beautiful sunrise! There were no spectators... but the policeman who watched over me was wonderful! The volunteers were also the best! I would definitely recommend this one! Oh, and the A Le Inn folks are wonderful. You have to pick up your certificate of abduction! Great marathon experience! | |
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T. G. from Wisconsin
(8/23/2010)
"Great Marathon, Horrible Host Hotel" (about: 2010)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Extraterrestrial Full Moon Midnight Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 1 I really had a great time running this marathon. The all-uphill first half was really tough, but the last half made up for it. The race medal and shirt are awesome. Even though it was in the middle of the night, the volunteers handing out water and people working the start and finish lines did a great job!! I would recommend this marathon to anyone looking to do a marathon in Nevada. I will be back next year!! The only bad experience I had is with the host hotel. Here's my warning to all looking to run this marathon: avoid staying at Hard Rock Hotel at all costs. If you enjoy partying until you puke, hotel guests screaming and smoking in the hallways all night long and a $10 one-way cab ride anytime you want to hit the strip, then this is your hotel. You have been warned; I had to learn the hard (no pun intended) way by suffering three nights there. | |
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J. M. from St. Paul, MN
(8/23/2010)
"Great Run" (about: 2010)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Extraterrestrial Full Moon Midnight Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 1 This is a great marathon. The race director and the volunteers did such a wonderful job. Thank you! The full moon, zillions of stars, Milky Way, shooting stars, mountains and the desert at night... what a great time. No spectators - just the people on the course. Give this run a try. The shirt and medal are very cool and fun. | |
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K. W. from Las Vegas NV
(8/12/2009)
"this is a great race" (about: 2009)
11-50 previous marathons
| 2 Extraterrestrial Full Moon Midnight Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This is one of my favorite marathons each year. Going off at midnight can't be beat. Running in the middle of the desert is equally as fun. This is a well organized race that I always look forward to. My only negative comment about this race is the Hammer Heed energy drink.(yucko). Stick with the cold water; the Heed could stop you dead in your tracks. Thanks, Joyce; your races are a lot of fun | |
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J. H. from Overland Park, KS
(8/12/2009)
"Well organized, unique race" (about: 2009)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Extraterrestrial Full Moon Midnight Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This is a race to do for the sheer love of running, not for a big marathon experience. Joyce does an excellent job of putting this event on. I can't say enough about the organization. Everything - from loading the buses in Vegas until we loaded them to head back - was well planned and executed. The course itself was tough, but I think it had more to do with the fact that we were starting at midnight rather than any sort of technical difficulty. The entire first half is on a slight incline, which is barely noticeable, until miles 11-13 when you definitely feel like you're running uphill. Then the rest, as they say, is all downhill. It's also just one, long, straight shot, which makes it mentally difficult. You pass the town of Rachel at mile 20, and then have to run a 10K out-and-back. Once you turn around for the last 3 miles, you can see the finish the entire time. My time was very slow, but I knew it would be. Don't run this race for a PR; run it just to enjoy running through the desert at night. This race is definitely not for the faint of heart, but I can't think of a more beautiful way to finish a marathon than by getting to watch the sun come up over the desert mountains. I definitely recommend this race. | |
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R. R. from Collierville, Tennessee
(8/12/2009)
"Something New Under the Stars" (about: 2009)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Extraterrestrial Full Moon Midnight Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 Here is a race unlike anything else around. To begin with, the race starts in the middle of the desert - not in a city, not in a town, not even at a hotel or building of any kind. The "start line" is at the "Black Mail Box" located at a turnoff on Highway 375 (dubbed the official ET Highway). This is as close as you can get to the famous "Area 51," and it is every bit as remote as the hype claims. Most of us started our journey back in Las Vegas, where we boarded buses and drove over 2 hours into the desert. No cell phone coverage here! Another unusual aspect is that the race is started at midnight, and the landscape is only lit by the full moon (no street lights, buildings, or much of anything else man made). We are given green glow sticks to wear and many runners had those "miner hats," complete with headlight to see better. Personally I think once my eyes adjusted to the moonlight, I was able to see just fine without supplements. The temperature was surprisingly cool (low 60's) and there were some moderate winds. The conditions were perfect for me, but those who dislike the cold might be a little uncomfortable. The altitude also played a factor, especially on the mid-race hill, which peaked at just over 5,500 feet. It wasn't really steep, but it went on for several miles. You pass the A'le' Inn (play on words for "alien") at mile 20, and head back out into the desert until you reach the marathon turnaround (or the 51K turnaround farther down) and head back to the A'le' Inn for the finish. Breakfast awaits you there and a bar is open even for late morning arrivals if you want to buy a beer or a cocktail to celebrate your finish (this is Nevada after all!). The skies were full of impressive shooting stars, the traffic on this open course was light, and the runners in costume will make you smile. The water stops are every 3-4 miles and many only have water at them but are adequately stocked even for late arrivals. It is a good idea to bring a water bottle that can easily be refilled, and a good supply of gels or snacks is a must. The medal was alien-themed and substantial, but it was generic - the same for all race distances from 10K - 51K - and didn't have the year on it. Still, it is unique just like this race. I highly recommend that you try it. You won't be sorry that you took a trip into the heart of the Twilight Zone! | |
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D. K. from Pacific Northwest
(8/12/2009)
"Unique Night Run that is Well Organized" (about: 2009)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Extraterrestrial Full Moon Midnight Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 1 This is a great nighttime race that is well organized. Good job, Joyce! If you like a desert setting, solitude, not too many people (spectators or runners), great organization, breakfast and a nice medal, then this is the race for you. The course is tougher than most; do not expect to get your PR on this course. Perhaps it is the altitude, the fatigue factor (due to it being at night), and the warm weather (near 70ish). This race had some wind the first half the course which did not help. The race itself is fun and friendly, and Joyce is one who makes it happen. She takes care in listening to each person and their comments. Staying at the host hotel, the Hyatt Place (they provide airport pickup and drop off) and using the buses (no problems at all) to and from the race is the way to go. Nice race, but do not expect to have many people cheering you on. The folks attending the aid stations every 3.5 miles are a great group of folks. I would highly recommend this for a unique race experience. Watch for shooting stars. | |
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J. G. from Planet Earth
(8/11/2009)
"Area 51 was an area fit for fun!" (about: 2009)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Extraterrestrial Full Moon Midnight Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 This was my twelfth marathon, and it was by far the most unusual. If it weren't for this run, why else would I have reason to go to the remote Nevadan desert under the isolation of a cool, starry night? Add to this the exhaustion of a challenging course, and behold a surreal experience. Near the end, with the pack of runners generously dispersed, I was alone - hearing nothing but my own footsteps and regular intake of breath, and seeing nothing but the silhouettes of ghostly Joshua trees and falling stars. The experience really did put me in another world. The only aliens that early morning were the participants of this unconventional race. It was we, adorned with glow-in-the-dark apparel and accessories, who stood out as foreigners briefly invading the nightly solitude of the orderly desolate landscape. While it felt the rest of the world was asleep and dreaming, the few hundred of us eccentric participants were wired awake, dreaming only of the anticipated finish line. I don't have too many nitpicks with this race. It's relatively new, so I imagine that as time goes on particular kinks will be fixed. I will address minor issues along some proposed suggestions. 1. The packet pickup at the host hotel was a bit congested. I'd recommend finding a bigger room for the pickup, or find someway to manage the line a bit better. T-shirts should already be in the packet if you've already registered, as long as the volunteers ask each participant to ensure that the right size of shirt is in the packet. It was nice to have a choice between a cotton shirt or technical shirt, but this caused a bit of a delay - and I think that could be a choice given to a person at the time of registration. 2. I heard some mumblings about the shuttles, but mass transportation in various other marathons I've ran has been doubly chaotic. Nothing is ever perfect, so for me it wasn't a big deal. Evidently there was a gaffe where all of the buses were allowed to load at the same time, so you ended up with all of the buses only being partially filled, and each bus had to wait for the gaps to be closed. Perhaps designated buses might curb some of this problem or more delegated volunteers to ensure smoother bus loading. 3. The theme of the race lends itself to awesome costumes. The website advised of a costume contest. To enter, you needed to get in touch with the race director at the packet pickup or at the start line. Both environments were too hectic for that to be successful. Perhaps at the race start there should have been a designated Costume Entry table, and a designated volunteer or volunteers to photograph you, log you in as a costume participant, and provide instructions as to when the actual judging or award presentation would take place. 4. This isn't unique to this marathon, but volunteer staff should always stand out from participants. They should have been wearing special shirts. 5. Many of us finished around the time we are used to waking up! Free coffee (or included with the price of registration) would have been nice to have, instead of having to purchase it at what seemed to be a rather inflated price $1.50; and it was no Starbucks, let me tell you). 6. The medals and t-shirts are some of my favorites I've received from a race! But, the medal and shirt lacked what many events are also guilty of: no date printed anywhere! Put it on the ribbon of the medal if you must, but a date adds a lot of significance. |
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