Extraterrestrial Full Moon

Prepare for an otherworldly running experience at the Extraterrestrial Full Moon, taking place on August 1, 2026, in the mysterious high desert landscape of Alamo, Nevada. This unique midnight race, offering distances of 51K, 26.2M, 13.1M, 10K, and 5K, invites runners to traverse the famed Extraterrestrial Highway (NV 375), a stretch of road bordering the enigmatic Area 51, known for its countless UFO sightings. Embrace the thrill of the chase under the glow of a full moon, where the vast desert darkness gives way to stunning twilight hues, majestic moonrises, and the possibility of shooting stars overhead.

Runners will navigate a paved, out-and-back course with elevations ranging from approximately 4000 to 5600 feet, featuring gorgeous desert vegetation and scenic mountain vistas. While sections include a significant, gradual incline towards Coyote Summit for longer distances, the unique midnight start time ensures cooler temperatures, typically in the 60s, providing ideal running conditions far more pleasant than typical August daytime highs of 94F. With an average 3% chance of precipitation, clear desert skies are usually the norm. The atmosphere is undeniably festive, with many participants embracing the alien theme by donning costumes and reflective gear; headlamps or flashlights are required for safety, and glow bracelets are provided.

The Extraterrestrial Full Moon race, a long-standing event first held in 2007, is renowned for its excellent organization and plentiful aid stations stocked with cupped water and Gatorade. Despite the remote setting, all races start and finish in Rachel, NV, near the iconic Alien Cowpoke General Store, making it a hub of extraterrestrial excitement. This event offers an unforgettable blend of challenge and fun, an opportunity to run in a truly iconic and intriguing location, recognized as "One of the Best Marathons in the USA" in 2016.