About the Event:
The Rock 'n' Roll Las Vegas Marathon and Half-Marathon is open to runners and walkers. The event will debut in 2009 as part of the Rock 'n' Roll series by Elite Racing. It replaces the marathon and half-marathon run by Devine Sports from 2005 to 2008.Rock 'n' Roll Las Vegas Marathon and Half-Marathon
Date and Location:
The event is held the in early December. The start/finish is near Mandalay Bay, on the far south end of the Las Vegas Strip. The starting time is the same for all. Walkers must finish the marathon in seven hours and the half-marathon in four hours.Registration:
Register online. Early bird pricing is $105 for the marathon and $100 for the half-marathon. Packet pickup is at the Health and Fitness Expo, Friday and Saturday before the race.Register for the Rock 'n' Roll Las Vegas Marathon and Half-Marathon
The Course:
The course will be different from the 2005 to 2008 courses. The area is flat with only slight uphill and downhill stretches. It is a certified marathon course and a Boston qualifier. As typical of the Rock 'n' Roll series of events, more than 70 bands will perform along the route.Walker Friendly:
The finish stays open for seven hours for the marathon and four hours for the half marathon. As this is a new event in 2009, we shall await reviews to determine how walker friendly it is, as hosted by Elite Racing.Medal and Shirt:
All registrants receive a technical T-shirt and goodie bag, with medals for finishing.Weather and Parking:
The typical morning temperature is 35 degrees to 50 degrees, and it can be very windy. By noon, it may warm up to 60 degrees to 70 degrees. Rain and snow are rare but possible. It is best to come dressed in layers. If driving, plan for an extra 30 minutes to 90 minutes in detours and traffic jams, plus a half-mile walk to the start. You can take the tram from the Excalibur to Mandalay Bay -- catch it at the Tropicana/Las Vegas Blvd. pedestrian overpass.Las Vegas in December:
Early December is low season for Las Vegas, with good hotel deals. Many shows are "dark" in early December, so you may miss some of the fun. I love having thinner crowds, though, and it is easier to get in to good restaurants or find a spot at your favorite gaming table.Photos and Report of the Las Vegas Half-Marathon:
I walked the New Las Vegas Half-Marathon in 2006 and 2007, before the event was replaced by the Rock 'n' Roll Marathon and Half-Marathon. I enjoyed it completely, with a couple of caveats: First, check your own finish snacks with your warm-ups, as there were none after the 3-hour mark in 2005 and 2006. This problem seemed to have been solved in 2007, though. Also, print out the race instructions at home, as none were provided in the goodie bags. In 2007, they were available at some of the check-in counters at the Expo.
The Expo was almost worth the trip itself, featuring dozens of booths for running and walking apparel and gear. In 2007, I got there in time to see 100 Running Elvises parading around the room and stopping for photo ops.
It is a blast to walk the full length of the Las Vegas strip. On-course support was excellent for the half marathon route, with plenty of water and Gatorade and even wedding cake at the five mile mark! Porta-johns were provided at each mile for the first six miles, then every quarter mile on the half-marathon return.
The race has a history of poor signage, with mixups in mile markers in 2006 and a confusing half-marathon/marathon splitting point in 2007. Study your map well, or bring it along for reassurance.
This is a race I would happily do every year.
Las Vegas Marathon and Half-Marathon Photo Gallery and Review
