Aliens vs Astronauts
Astronauts vs Aliens 5K
Saturday, May 9, 2026.
NASA-JSC’s 2026 Aliens vs Astronauts Race will take place, rain or shine, on Saturday, May 9, 2026 at the NASA Gilruth Center, located at 18500 Space Center Blvd., Houston Texas, 77058.
Participants will register as an Alien or an Astronaut and are encouraged to “dress accordingly”.
- REGISTRATION CUT-OFF IS WEDNESDAY, MAY 1st.
- DUE TO NASA SAFETY PROTOCOLS, NO REGISTRIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED AFTER THIS DATE.
- ALL PARTICIPANTS MUST CHECK-IN AT THE REGISTRATION TABLE TO RECEIVE A SECURITY WRISTBAND. YOU WILL NOT BE ALLOWED ON THE COURSE WITHOOUT A WRISTBAND.
REGSITRATION / FEES
- 1K Individual – $15 until April 19th / $20 – April 20th – May 1st
- 5K Individual – $30 until April 19th / $40 – April 20th – May 1st
- 5K Team of 3 – $85 until April 19th / $120 – April 20th – May 1st
- Early Registration ends April 19th – includes shirt and finisher medal
- Late Registration – April 20th. Shirts not guaranteed
REFUND POLICY
- No refunds will be issued for any reason within 30 days of the event.
- Earlier than 30 days before the event, participants may be eligible for a 50 percent refund of registration fee only.
- Processing fees are not refundable.
PACKET PICK-UP
- Participants may pick up their race packets on Friday, May 3rd at the Gilruth Center from 4 – 6 PM.
- Medals and Wristbands will not be issued until race day.
RESULTS
- Race results will be posted on runhoustontiming.net
PARKING
- Parking at the Gilruth Center will be limited to the North, South, and East lots. No charge for parking.
RACE DAY SCHEDULE
- 7:00 am Check-in Starts
- 7:45 am Best Dressed Award
- 7:50 am Group Stretch
- 7:55 am National Anthem
- 8:00 am 1K Starts
- 8:15 am 5K Individual and Teams Countdown and Launch
- 9:15 am 5K Individual and Team Awards at Bluebonnet Pavilion
AWARDS
- To be eligible for an award, there is a 40 minute cut-off on the Individual 5K and a combined 3 person Team time of 120 minutes.
- Top 3 Male and Female finishers for each division will receive special trophies.
- 20 and under
- 21-30
- 31-40
- 41-50
- 51-60
- 61 and up
- The top three Teams who have the lowest combined score will receive a Team trophy. A person is eligible for both and could receive an Individual 5K and a Team 5K Award.
- 1K participants are not eligible for awards.
COURSES
- Several hydration stations and road guards will be stationed around the 1K and 5K courses for participants safety.
- 1K Map (Link Coming Soon)
- 5K Map (Link Coming Soon)
BEST DRESSED
- A single person will be awarded the Best Dressed Award, voting by crowd applause.
- If you would like to participate, arrive no later than 7:30 am and report to the MC tent next to the start line. Voting will take place at 7:45 am. This is a relaxed and fun themed event. Come dressed as your favorite ASTRONAUT or ALIEN.
SPONSORS APPRECIATED
- If you are interested in becoming an involved sponsor for this event, please contact carlos.b.jones@nasa.gov for more information. Multiple Sponsorships levels available and In-Kind Donations accepted.
- Partner Form – Link Coming Soon
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
To volunteer for this event, please email carlos.b.jones@nasa.gov, cynthia.j.kibby@nasa.gov or contact the Starport Front Desk at 281-483-0304.
