Martian Marathon Meteor 10k

I’ve done the half marathon at this race about 4 – 5 times now and it’s decent local race to run if you don’t want to deal with chaos of large marathons or travel too far. It is also considered generally considered one of the first races of the year for the spring running season, though there are now a few others that take place before this one.
Being that the weather is hit or miss this time of year, I like the fact this race never fills and that allow race registration at the expo the day before and they allow race day registration as well (double check on this one though, sometimes events suddenly decide to stop doing this). I’ve done enough races that I’m just not really that interested in running it if it’s 35 degrees and rainy, so it’s a big plus for me that I can check the weather and make my decision a few days before, even though it will cost you a little more.
There are only a few negatives that I can think of, and two of them that plague most marathons that are hard to fix are parking and traffic getting to the course. A few years ago they staggered the starting times between the distances that it was noticeable difference in congestion. It’s definitely not the worst parking situation I’ve encountered, but depending on when you arrive, you can plan on having to walk up to about a half mile to the start but it’s not a huge deal.
The one thing they’ve consistently done that has made me skip the race a few years is that they actually shut down major traffic lanes getting into the race on Michigan avenue that are a major headache if you’re coming from the east. The first two years, I didn’t pay attention to much and assumed it was unfortunate construction, but I finally realized it’s part of the course design. A design that I feel is flawed and really doesn’t need to be done since there is plenty of area to run without doing that. I know most races are tough to get into but this one causes major stress and seems like it could be eliminated. If would definitely recommend ignoring the instructions given you by Google and entering from the west even if it means driving a little further.
The other comment that someone mentioned is that there are some boring parts, which I do feel is true. They close streets along hines drive and it’s extremely difficult for spectators to get there, so it’s basically like you’re running through a park on training run with no crowd support from probably close to 5 – 6 miles of the half. Granted, you’re never really «alone» on this course like you are with some races– they’re are always other runners around. However, that seems to change when it comes to full marathon, which many people have told me not to do. Once year I was feeling especially good running the half and when I got to the turnaround, considered just to keep going and run the full even though I knew it wouldn’t «count» in the official sense because I wasn’t registered for it. But when I looked down the road where the full course continue, it seemed like I had a view for about a mile and saw like 2 runners and no crowd whatsoever. It was almost depressing.
The tough thing about rating races things is trying objective. Of course, everyone who runs their first few races is pumped and giving the race 5 stars. They have no frame of reference and generally excited about what they just accomplished. On the other hand, I probably tend to be a little less excited and notice things that other people might not care about it. In the end, I do like this race and I think it’s excellent for first timers or new runners and give the half marathon 4 stars (my only real complaint is the lane closures– just seems stupid). Personally, I’m not sure it’s worth the traffic or hassle for the 5 or 10k, and most people who have done the marathon have told me not to bother.

This is my first half marathon, and I have to say, nothing beats the alien head medal that I got. The half marathon and full marathon were on alternate routes because Hines Drive was flooded. But no matter, we ran around the Dearborn community.
The expo was a little chaotic, with runners all over the place. It was pretty cool that there were technical shirts for sale from past years (sold for $ 5) so people could dress in layers and opt to throw them away during the race if they got too hot. The expo also had arm sleeves and gloves for sale, for people like me who didn’t bring gloves (it snowed a little bit).
On race day itself, there were plenty of water stops and spirit stations (really liked the U of M Mario/​Luigi/​Teletubby towards the end). Each mile marker had an alien that you can high-​five. The technical shirt for 2013 is an eye-​melting neon green, which is so perfect! 10k/​half marathon/​marathon finishers received alien head medals, WHICH ARE AWESOME!
Thank you Running Fit — Martian Marathon staff and volunteers for your hard work making this event seamless and awesome! I hope to come back again next year. Fun events like these and super nice, friendly people are reasons why I’m moving to Michigan next year!

My running group and I chose to run the Martian Marathon as our Spring race this year (a little road trip weekend from Chicago). Turned out, people got injured, had to work or were otherwise engaged and it ended up being Reuben and I.
And we had a great time.
Best way to tackle this one? A good ol’ «pros and cons» list!
PROS:
— registration is cheap, as low as $ 69 for the marathon if you do everything in time. When you think that most marathons out there average around $ 140, it’s a really good deal.
— good, informative website where you can find all the information you need/​want regarding transportation, hotels, expo, etc.
— the town is really into it! There were inflatable aliens everywhere!
— the race expo is held in a huge place and not overcrowded, with ample parking outside. Double score. Besides you were also able to pick up your bib on the morning of the race, a definite plus for people from out of town.
— they went with a virtual goodie bag — awesome green initiative given the fact that most of the time, people don’t keep any of it anyway.
— the shirt is not the best looking but its silly alien/​computer game design makes it fun to wear. And it’s black. And the medal is kind of cute as well, with its alien design.
— organizers and volunteers were all very nice and helpful, especially at the water stations.
— water stations were numerous and adequately equipped.
— there was plenty of food at the finish line: bananas, cookies, bagels, chocolate milk… an impressive display for such a small event!
CONS:
— the lack of bathrooms. I usually don’t use them but people were really complaining about it, and it was apparently not the first time. Sprinkle a few porter potties along the way next year… I think people would really appreciate it.
— the course was a bit boring… going back and forth on the same strip of road doesn’t make a race super exciting, but I understand the logistic behind it. I did enjoy the last 3 miles though!
— I was suffering from heartburn, and no one, NO ONE had anti-​acid at the first aid stations. I found it very weird since it’s quite a staple, and frankly quite annoying because it really slowed me down.
And the rain… nobody’s fault but I think it really made me sick this time. Boo. I hope that I am not meant to run every single one of my marathons cursed by the skies because it’s now the second time, and even though I’d take it over 95-​degree weather any day, it’s still a drag…
All in all, a nice little race. Good job Dearborn!

I ran the 2011 version of this race yesterday. This is my second time for this race. I also ran the 2008 version. My wife, and her friend, ran the ½ marathon. We all had a good time.
This is a good race series to get the cob webs off after a winter of being cooped up in a state of semi-​inactivity. The course is relatively flat and fast (although no records were in danger of falling from our group yesterday). There were about 5000 people by my guesstimate participating.
The martian theme is always fun. We all got a nice technical tee shirt. The expo was well done the day before. There was lots of running stuff and the expo seemed to be well attended both by patrons and vendors.
The after race food and water was plentiful.
There were more than enough portable toilets at the start/​finish area.
Now for some things that weren’t so well done.
This was our first time at this race location. We were unfamiliar with the area and relied on the website for guidance. It said there was plenty of parking at Ford Field (not the one downtown). We followed the directions only to find the road to the designated parking was blocked off. We had to do a U-​turn (along with everybody else on the street) and find parking in downtown Dearborn. This proved to be several blocks away in a parking lot that we had to pay for. OK, it was only 50 cents/​hour but still…
The announcers lost power at the start of the 10K. I just saw the masses moving forward and figured this must be it.
The website advertised drink stations every two miles. This was not an exact science. The first one was shortly after the 1^st mile. The next one was shortly after the 4^th mile. My wife was disappointed that she didn’t bring some water for herself.
Bathrooms were supposed to be every 5 miles along the race course. They seemed to be further than this and some were closed.
Still, even though it wasn’t perfect, we all had a great experience. We’ll be back again next year.

My first 10k! And one of my favoritest races I’ve ever run.
The course was awesome – it winds through the streets of Dearborn, through Henry Ford Community College, DOWN A HIGHWAY ON-​RAMP (how bad-​ass!), and through some beautiful wooded paths. There were definitely some slightly hilly portions, but nothing that I was going to let stop me.
The race shirt was also awesome – an ugly-​as-​sin technical tee that’s become one of my go-​to running shirts.
I have to admit I also fell for the goofy, poorly executed Martian theme. Random dudes in black suits a la Agent Smith would pace the edges of the course at points. Once, someone in a terrible $ 3 alien costume popped out of some bushes. The mile markers were Martian-​themed. All in all, it was charmingly kitschy and delivered some laughs during the race.
I’ll be missing this race this year since I moved away from Michigan, but if I ever have a return visit that coincides, I’d happy run the Martian 10k again! (Pro tip: There’s a 5k, half marathon, and full marathon course as well, so you can choose your poison based on your combined insanity and fitness level.)