Extraterrestrial Full Moon Midnight Marathon

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.

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.

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.