Nevada > E.T. Full Moon Midnight Marathon, Half Marathon, 10K & 51K
Rachel, NV • Sunday, August 5, 2012 • Course Map
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When we say there's no other race like this one in the country, we really mean it. The year 2007 brought the inaugural running of the "E.T." Full Moon Marathon, Half Marathon & 10K in this tiny town about two and a half hours north of Las Vegas, welcoming nearly 200 runners for this midnight run through the desert along what is rumored to be some of the most active hotbeds of "extraterrestrial" activity anywhere in the U.S. (With the emphasis on rumored...)
More than 840 runners in all four races combined at the event's 2011 running -- including just over 340 runners in the half marathon alone -- donning plenty of reflective roadwear and all manner of costumes, bobbing antenna balls and alien-like outfits to celebrate this wacky, weird -- and very fun -- nighttime road race. The race, which is a point-to-point race run entirely on paved highways through the Nevada desert, starts on Highway 375, known perhaps better as the Extraterrestrial Highway (and officially named so by the federal government in 1996), which stretches nearly 100 miles from Route 93 to Route 6.
From there, the course follows a northward and westerly path along the mostly flat highway until you reach the hills that begin the ascent up Coyote Summit, which runners reach at about the half-way point and an elevation of about 5,591 feet above sea level. After crossing the peak, the course then begins a steady downward trek toward the finish line at the Little A'Le'Inn on Old Mill Road in the town of Rachel, which lies about 40 miles from the intersection of Route 93 and Highway 375.
As this is truly a midnight race (the half marathon start is at 12:30 AM, timed to be on the weekend closest to the full moon), race organizers require that runners wear reflective clothing and carry a flashlight or wear a headlamp. You probably won't be able to see it that late at night, but the area surrounding the course is known for its gorgeous desert scenery, from mountains and mesas nearby to the tough-yet-beautiful (and abundant) plant life.
Race
Weather & Climate
Weather conditions in the town closest to Rachel, the town of Hiko on Route 93, can get very hot in the late summer, with August temperatures that range between 98°F and 63°F. Because the race is run at night, however, temperatures are likely to be cool in the 60s, and there is likely to be little to no chance of rain (the area sees just over 0.6 inches of rainfall on average for the month). On the day of the race (Aug. 5), the average daytime high is 99°F and the average nighttime low is 65°F.
Course Map
View the race route map for the E.T. Full Moon Midnight Half Marathon
Fees
$65 for the half marathon, if registered by December 31, 2011
$75 between January 1 - July 22, 2012
$80 between July 23 - August 2
$90 at the race expo and on the day of the race
Registration
To reserve your spot in the late summer 2012 running of Rachel's E.T. Full Moon Midnight Marathon, Half Marathon, 10K or 51K race, register online at Active.com.
Official Race Website
calicoracing.squarespace.com
Leave a Comment
Ever run in Nevada's annual E.T. Full Moon Midnight Marathon or Half Marathon? Share your impressions, stories and tips from the event.
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