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Apr 29, 2024

Martian Marathon Runner Comments

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Course 3.9

Organization 4.4

Spectators 2.9

Number of comments: 108 [displaying comments 11 to 21]

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Rob Klein from Paradise, MI (6/17/2013) "A Damp Spring Race" (about: 2013) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Martian Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This race - like many - was a metropolitan event. It took patience to get through the Detroit-area traffic to get to Dearborn, and then to the Expo. Still, the address was posted, so with help from GPS and a keen eye, it all worked out. Getting checked in was a bit of a challenge because you had to meander through the vendors to get to the lines for check-in. Then the marathon runners had to cross the lines for the shorter races. Once being where you needed to be, with your posted number, it was a breeze. Talking to an appropriate 'race staff' person at the expo took a bit of effort. The shirts handed out there were gray polyester with the alien head outlined in green, with text too. The host hotels were close-by. Also, the start line location was clearly defined in the summary of information, and parking was ample. And parking was available right adjacent to the starting line - for those who chose it. There had been quite a bit of rain the last week and Plan A of the certified course traversed an underpass that was literally under water. To their credit of the planners, there was a Plan B available, and it had to be implemented. This course actually went into several area residential neighborhoods. This required re-marking everything overnight, and it required a lot of volunteers, spread out over the course, to point out the twists and turns through the neighborhoods. Then it was a double-loop course, and that meant we got to see everybody twice. When there was an in and out, in a specific neighborhood, we saw the same person four times. The volunteers were awesome and cheerful. And they stayed for the duration (I was close to the end!). The way the course was laid out, we would go past the same aid stations multiple times for each loop. So we got to see those folks time and again too. Two or three stations did run out of Gatorade near the end, but others did not. To offset that, there was an abundance of GU/gel being handed out, so there was generally water and something for carbohydrate replacement. Porta-potties were not ample, but they were adequate, and they were strategically located so you passed them multiple times on the course. I never saw a line. For this race they trumpeted the chocolate milk theme. I was really looking forward to it. As is sometimes the case, near the end, they run out of finish line amenities. When I finished - with many runners still behind me - they were already out of chocolate milk. What a disappointment. On the plus side, water was still available. Also, there was an enormous amount of food for the runners: bagels, pretzels, Rice Crispy bars, bananas, cookies - literally, boxes of them. So, I doubt anybody left hungry. The weather did not cooperate for this race. As mentioned, it was a rainy week. Then, race-day temperatures were forecast to be mid 30s to mid 40s. It was a race for wearing long sleeves. There was some occasional rain on the course, and about 10:00 am it even snowed. The stretch along Michigan Ave. was incredibly windy for both loops, but it did not extend to other areas. Still, there were billowing, gray clouds for much of the race, and - for me anyway - as soon as I stopped running, I was very cold at the finish line; typical, I guess. The medal was nice, of the heavier type. It was a green alien head - looked like the ones that landed at Roswell in 1947! - with the year '2013' and 'Martian Marathon' in raised letters. Well done.
w. C. from New York State (4/17/2013) "Organizers trumped bad weather & flooding!" (about: 2013) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Martian Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Really hard to judge this marathon based on 2013 since the rain and flooding forced the race organizers to make a last-minute change in the route, but despite the adverse conditions (and a less than ideal course) the organizers did a GREAT job!! The Expo was larger and better than anticipated. The Host Hotel was GREAT ... early race day breakfast was so appreciated. The spectators were sparse, but the volunteers were awesome. The Martian Medal is my very favorite among many ... super cool and solid! Good job to all involved. Hoping next year's weather is better for you.
John Titus from Pittsburgh, PA (4/19/2012) "Best Small Marathon" (about: 2012) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Martian Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was not the smallest marathon that I have ever run, but it was definitely well run. The host hotel was close with breakfast starting at 4:30am and late check out. It was relatively flat. The finisher medal was the best of the 9 marathons that I have done. The spectators cheering us on was limited. Overall, a great race. Hats off to the volunteers and race director.
Letty Marino from Virginia Beach, VA (4/17/2012) "Low key but nice" (about: 2012) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Martian Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I went to packet pickup and saw the 5-6 sheets of racers signed up for the 5k and the same thing for the 10k and half marathon then looked at the marathon and saw only 2 1/2 pages. I thought 'Oh, no. Another self supported marathon' Lucky for me I was so wrong. The volunteers were awesome esp since I'm a back of the pack runner and needed the support late into the day. There were times when volunteers were the only people I saw since there were only a handful of marathoners left on the course. Might I add that all volunteers were full of pep even though it was rainy and nasty for the majority of the race. Not sure about the food at the end since I only grabbed pretzels, bannana and chocolate milk (Yum!) The host hotel was AWESOME! They so cater to runners with early breakfast, late checkout, shuttle service to and from the race and snacks and drinks after the race at the front desk for all runners. Well organized and supported. Thank you to the Dearborn Police Dept for awesome traffic control. Oh, and I loved the huge blow up Martians at each mile marker.
D. S. from Michigan (4/17/2012) "Well organized, peculiar marathon..." (about: 2012) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Martian Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 In a town defined by Ford and where everything is about Ford, here's a marathon about what else?...Martians. I'm still trying to figure out any connection if any, but it's enough quirkiness to bring back a lot of repeat runners. Hundreds of inflatable martians everywhere. Not as many runners dressed up as you would expect though (maybe if they had costume awards it would raise the bar a little on the whole alien theme). The starting venue had plentiful parking & portapotties with covered pavilions where we debated how much rain we were going to get. Starting ahead of the 1/2'ers was very efficient except when running into the back end of their race in those last few miles. There was some congestion with walkers on the biketrail portion near the end, but in general; plenty of room on the closed course virtually from the start. Not much to say about the out-and-back. It rolls along a green-belt from Dearborn toward Livonia and back, nothing too spectacular. Aid/water stations were well stocked. My only organizational concern is that the park restroom facilities were closed up until mile 7 and there were no portapotties on the course; quite a few 'anxious' runners by that point. Lots of race specific apparel for a marathon this size and the alien head medal is definitely unique.
P. H. from Conway, AR (4/16/2012) "Very good event" (about: 2012) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Martian Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 Expo wasn't huge (which I like) but was festive and simple. Plenty of porta-johns at start. Really liked the full starting well before the other races. Course is a little monontous, but not too bad.One small complaint - pre race info said bathrooms every five miles. It was about mile 6.5 before the first one, and the ones that were available were about 30 yds off the course. Really appreciated the volunteers who stayed out in the rain and wind. Strongly recommend the Comfort Inn (host hotel). Staff was GREAT - use their shuttle service to get to the expo and to and from the race. They provided breakfast starting at 5 and had fruit and water available after the race. Tremendous customer service.
S. M. from Ottawa,ON (4/16/2012) "Do this Race!" (about: 2012) 11-50 previous marathons \| 3 Martian Marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 This was my 35th marathon! I have done this course now three times and I will come back for no. 4. This is what I liked: 1. If coolness of race shirts is a draw look no further. This year's shirt was okay in a guy who plays hacky sack on the high school property on friday nights sort of way but I bought a great Cormanesque shirt at the expo for five dollars! 2. I liked the hotel. Cheap rates ($80) and free shuttle to the race. The race food was good with cookies, chips and pretzels. I miss the pizza from prior years. 3. The volunteers and the theme was fun. Some improvements include more frequent water stations, free bags at the expo and a return to gawdy t-shirts.
D. R. from Cincinnati, OH (4/15/2012) "Great marathon that I recommend." (about: 2012) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Martian Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I ran the marathon so comments are based on that race. This race has many pros: - Out and back (I usually don't like out and backs, but Dearborn has a lot of parks and green space, so the course was great). - The expo and race are extremely well organized. Parking for packet pickup and the race itself was very convenient and free. - 'Real' bathrooms at the start/finish and throughout the course. - A lot of very helpful and friendly volunteers. (lots of water, gatorade and gu). - Interesting 'martian' theme. - The medal and shirt (they have women's sizing) are great. - The age awards are cool (martini glass). The only con is that there is a camber in the road almost the entire time, but not much the organizers can do about that.
J. H. from Royal Oak, MI (4/21/2011) "Great, Low Key Race" (about: 2011) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Martian Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 I am a triathlon veteran and this was my first ever marathon; and I am glad that I chose this particular race for my debut. The Course... -is an out and back but is closed which is a huge plus. -is relatively flat, with some gradual hills, nothing too bad and good for a PB. -has water/gatorade/GU every 2 miles. -huge mile marker signs every mile. The expo was fairly ordinary. Race organization was above average although I wish they would've let me exchange my race shirt for a different size. I would definitely run this race again.
M. S. from Florida (4/14/2011) "Don't be fooled by my stars; I enjoyed this race!" (about: 2011) 4-5 previous marathons COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I did the full marathon, so my comments pertain to that. Pros: - great expo for its size - road was entirely closed to traffic - good on-site support re: water/Gatorade - easy for spectators to see you multiple times - peaceful course - running through the woods towards the end Cons: - out-and-back is always a bummer (but understandable considering the distance) - steep grade in road in early miles - long walk (after running 26.2) to food from finish line Overall, I really enjoyed the enthusiasm surrounding this race! Very small, but if you have spectators it will be easy for them to see you multiple times!

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