It's probably a case of the running shoe narrative (in the book) being a lot funnier than actually seeing a running show as a ship with no explanation (in the movie).

So far I'm not digging the Marvin android suit. Though I'll reserve judgement until I hear Alan Rickman's voice-over for the character. I imagine he'd make an amazing Marvin.

I had always hoped they would cast Michael Keaton as Zaphod...

Bruno