DEARBORN, Mich. – The aliens invade April 12 when the Martian Marathon, organized by Running Fit, returns to Dearborn. Now in its eighth year, the series of events includes a full marathon, half marathon, 10K and 5K. The event also includes a children’s marathon of 1.2 miles for youth who have logged 25 miles in the time leading up to the race. The races will have staggered start times, with the full marathon beginning at 7:15 a.m., the Meteor 5K and 10K runs at 8 a.m., the half marathon at 8:45 a.m., and the kid’s 1.2 mile marathon at 11:40 a.m. More than 8,000 runners and 2,000 children are expected to participate this year. The races begin and end at the main parking lot at FordFieldPark, 22501 Cherry Hill.
The first Martians arrived on Friday for the Martian Expo at the Ford Community and Performing Arts Center in Dearborn
An event expo, which is open to the public, will be 3-8 p.m. on Friday, April 11. The expo will take place at the Ford Community and PerformingArtsCenter, 15801 Michigan Avenue.
The mission of the Martian Marathon event is to promote an active, healthy lifestyle for adults and children. Proceeds from the race benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, the Dearborn Recreation & Parks Department, and select youth track and cross-country programs. Additionally, the Martian Marathon bolsters Dearborn’s economy by bringing new business to local restaurants and hotels.
Dearborn road and lane closures
In order to facilitate the movement of vehicular and participant foot traffic and to conduct the event in a safe and lawful manner, several temporary road and lane closures, as well as some parking restrictions, will be enforced during the Martian Marathon. The Meteor 5K run and the 10K run will result in Cherry Hill Road being closed for only 10-15 minutes between 8:05 a.m. and 8:15 a.m. Running Fit, Inc. has also committed to providing signage at all side-street entrances within the Golfcrest Country Club Estates Neighborhood to instruct residents where and when they can exit the neighborhood via Cherry Hill road.
Additionally, the races will result in the following restrictions at various times between 7 a.m.-2 p.m.:
- Usage and closure of the curb lane and next lane of eastbound Ford Road between Golfview and the exit ramp to Evergreen Road.
- Usage and closure of the exit ramp from southbound Hines Drive to Ford Road and the exit ramp from eastbound Ford Road to Evergreen Road.
- Usage and closure of the curb lane and next lane of westbound Michigan Avenue from approximately the Greenways Trailhead at Andiamo to Brady Street.
The Martian Marathon race routes will take runners through portions of area neighborhoods, impacting the following streets for very short durations: Brady, Morley Avenue, Military, Golfview, Cherry Hill Road, Golfcrest Drive, Shady Hollow Drive, Meadowlane Road, and Willoway Road.
Participant and spectator information
Participants and spectators arriving in Dearborn for the race will have ample parking options in the city’s 10 lots and garages throughout west downtown Dearborn, as well as on-street metered parking spots. As a convenient new option for visitors arriving for the Martian Marathon, several lots will have special flat rates the day of the race. Parking in Lots A and B will be a $2 flat fee, and Lots C and D, which are the closest to the event’s start and finish, will be a $5 flat fee. Parking attendants will be on hand to accept payment.
All other cashiered lots accept cash and credit card payments; metered lots will only accept coins. Change machines are available on site. Visitors may also take advantage of the city’s convenient pay-by-phone parking option. Details are at Park Mobile. Limited visitor parking is also available at Ford Field. A map with more details on race day parking options can be found at Martian Marathon Parking. Visitors to the area should observe posted parking restrictions in residential neighborhoods. Additionally, no parking will be permitted by residents or visitors on Morley Street between Monroe and Military. The Dearborn Police Department reminds drivers to be aware of and courteous to Martian Marathon participants during the race times.
Registration for Martian Marathon events will remain open until race day. For more information, or to register, visit Martian Marathon. To see which roads will be affected by the marathons and runs, route maps for the races are posted online at Martian Marathon Map. Running Fit, Inc. has seven running store locations in Michigan and coordinates 23 other similar events annually.
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