RoundupReads Galactic Showdown: Aliens vs. Astronauts 5k Challenge

Galactic Showdown: Aliens vs. Astronauts 5k Challenge

by Sumer Loggins | 2024-05-09

What do aliens and astronauts have in common? Their shared passion for space and a friendly competitive race! On May 4, 2024, over 500 people gathered at the Gilruth Center for a cosmic costume run, most donning their favorite galactic attire.

With one small step and one giant leap at a time, attendees sprinted across the finish line, proving that no matter where in the universe you come from, the thrill of the race unites us all.

A group of people run outside and pass the start line.
The costumed runners sprint across the start line at the “May the 4th be with you” 5k fun run race on May 4, 2024. Credit: NASA/James Blair

“Seeing the NASA workforce and community participants come out, dress up, and have fun to support the people of NASA is exciting,” said Joel Grant, race director and Starport’s wellness and fitness director. “Starport will continue to create activities that engage, enrich, and energize our team members so they can do their best to complete the NASA mission.”

The costume contest was a standout part of the event, with first place going to a group dressed as Avatars, complete with blue-painted faces, arms, and legs. Christa Felix, dressed as Barf from Spaceballs, took second place. Third place was awarded to Jasmine Powell, Katherine Ehase, Abetzi Reyes, Lisa Johnson, Corey Mei, Britney Tang, Maggie Kilnger, and Kimberly Canning, who dressed as alien axolotls, and called themselves Team Boing Alotl.

Five people dressed in costumes pose for a photo outside. Four of them are covered in blue paint.
Race Director and Starport’s Wellness and Fitness Director Joel Grant (far right) presents an award to the Aliens vs. Astronauts 5k costume winners. Dressed as Avatars, the awardees were Shilpa Byrichetti, Nicholas Garside, Megan Huebschman, and Emily Buergler. Credit: NASA/James Blair

The Crew Health and Performance Exploration Analog crew—Anca Selariu, Nathan Jones, Ross Brockwell, and Kelly Haston—also participated virtually in the race, completing the 5k within their ground-based habitat at Johnson Space Center.

 

A woman with short gray hair, wearing a black t-shirt and shorts, raises her left arm in victory while sitting on a stationary bike. The setting includes wooden paneling and a black wall.  A man with short brown hair, wearing a red t-shirt and shorts, smiles while sitting on a stationary bike. The setting includes wooden paneling and a black wall.

A man with short brown hair, wearing a green t-shirt and shorts, smiles sits on a stationary bike with a green alien stuffed animal placed in front of him. The setting includes wooden paneling and a black wall. A woman with short hair and glasses, wearing a beige scarf and green alien-themed ears, is smiling and seated on a stationary bike. She holds a small green alien plush toy. The setting includes wooden paneling and a black wall.

From left, Anca Selariu, Nathan Jones, Ross Brockwell, Kelly Haston, inside the CHAPEA (Crew Health and Performance Exploration Analog) habitat at NASA’s Johnson Space Center during the Aliens vs. Astronauts 5k race. Credit: NASA

***

The Aliens vs. Astronauts 5k race winners are:

 

Women’s Under 18

1st place: Alexis Bearor

2nd place: Cara Le

3rd place: Verity Lovett

 

Men’s Under 18

1st place: Juan Sanchez

2nd place: Joshua Stilwell

3rd place: Xavier Shields

 

Women’s 18-30

1st place: Kelly Fitzpatrick

2nd place: Leslie Barragan

3rd place: Shelby Derose

 

Men’s 18-30

1st place: Andrew Brandt

2nd place: Zach Wusk

3rd place: Jesus Herrera

 

Women’s 31-40

1st place: Melissa Bittick

2nd place: Jennifer Wells

3rd place: Deana Montanez

 

Men’s 31-40

1st place: Andrew Sperling

2nd place: Richard McEvoy-Kemp

3rd place: Tyler Oar

 

Women’s 41-50

1st place: Mary Robertson

2nd place: Reyna Merritt

3rd place: Sharon Robare

 

Men’s 41-50

1st place: Derek Snyder

2nd place: David Whitlock

3rd place: John Babin

 

Women’s Over 50

1st place: Leslie Schaschl

2nd place: Lucia Gentry

3rd place: Irene Pelayo

 

Men’s Over 50

1st place: Michael Lively

2nd place: Lucky Cordova

3rd place: Chris Hermes

 

Most Inspirational Runner

Gotthard Janson

 

Scroll below for more pictures from the galactic race.

A group of people dressed in costumes outside during a race event.
A group of people dressed in costumes outside during a race event.
A group of people dressed in costumes outside during a race event.
A group of people dressed in costumes outside during a race event.
A group of people dressed in costumes outside during a race event.
A group of people dressed in costumes outside during a race event.
A group of people dressed in costumes outside during a race event.
A group of people dressed in costumes outside during a race event.
A group of people dressed in costumes outside during a race event.
A group of people dressed in costumes outside during a race event.
A group of people dressed in costumes outside during a race event.
A group of people dressed in costumes outside during a race event.
A group of people dressed in costumes outside during a race event.
A group of people dressed in costumes outside during a race event.
A group of people dressed in costumes outside during a race event.
A group of people dressed in costumes outside during a race event.
A group of people dressed in costumes outside during a race event.
A group of people dressed in costumes outside during a race event.
A group of people dressed in costumes outside during a race event.
A group of people dressed in costumes outside during a race event.
A group of people dressed in costumes outside during a race event.
A group of people dressed in costumes outside during a race event.
A group of people dressed in costumes outside during a race event.
A group of people dressed in costumes outside during a race event.
A group of people dressed in costumes outside during a race event.
A group of people dressed in costumes outside during a race event.
A group of people dressed in costumes outside during a race event.
A group of people dressed in costumes outside during a race event.
A group of people dressed in costumes outside during a race event.
A group of people dressed in costumes outside during a race event.
A group of people dressed in costumes outside during a race event.
A group of people dressed in costumes outside during a race event.
A group of people dressed in costumes outside during a race event.
A group of people dressed in costumes outside during a race event.
A group of people dressed in costumes outside during a race event.
A group of people dressed in costumes outside during a race event.
A group of people dressed in costumes outside during a race event.
A group of people dressed in costumes outside during a race event.
A group of people dressed in costumes outside during a race event.
A group of people dressed in costumes outside during a race event.
A group of people dressed in costumes outside during a race event.
A group of people dressed in costumes outside during a race event.
A group of people dressed in costumes outside during a race event.
A group of people dressed in costumes outside during a race event.
A group of people dressed in costumes outside during a race event.
A group of people dressed in costumes outside during a race event.
A group of people dressed in costumes outside during a race event.
A group of people dressed in costumes outside during a race event.
A group of people dressed in costumes outside during a race event.
A group of people dressed in costumes outside during a race event.
A group of people dressed in costumes outside during a race event.
A group of people dressed in costumes outside during a race event.
A group of people dressed in costumes outside during a race event.
A group of people dressed in costumes outside during a race event.
A group of people dressed in costumes outside during a race event.
A group of people dressed in costumes outside during a race event.
A group of people dressed in costumes outside during a race event.
A group of people dressed in costumes outside during a race event.
A group of people dressed in costumes outside during a race event.
A group of people dressed in costumes outside during a race event.
A group of people dressed in costumes outside during a race event.
A group of people dressed in costumes outside during a race event.
A group of people dressed in costumes outside during a race event.
A group of people dressed in costumes outside during a race event.
A group of people dressed in costumes outside during a race event.
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