This was a small but well organized race. The host hotel was super close to the start and the marathon went off without a hitch. I actually did better than I had expected given the hills and the difference in weather (which was perfect) from Maine. The aid stations were frequent and well stocked, and the course was beautiful. Very friendly runners as well. My hat is off to the 50-miler who passed me at around my mile 20 (44-ish for him) looking like he was out for a 3-mile Saturday run. Good medal and shirt.

This year the weather was perfect. Although located close to Vegas, it is in the recreational area of beautiful Lake Mead and Hoover Dam. There are a few hills, but for me, this helps break the run up. The views are magnificent.

The t-shirt and medal were outstanding. Joyce, the RD of Calico, makes every runner feel special and has to be the hardest working RD around - not only a great RD, but also a great runner, participating in many marathons and ultras herself. This is reflected in her positive attitude and her volunteers.

This was my third Calico event and the experience is always the same... unique, excellent and "as advertised."

A great course celebrating desert vistas of the lake. I note that some complained about the wind. It frankly was much better than forecast - and sometimes in your face and sometimes on your back. The race director is superb and really into running. We are grateful that she allowed us an early start on the marathon so we could have time to shower before our flight. I'm looking forward to running with Calico Running again! PS. In the categories of marathons run, why not up it? This was my 103rd and there was a person there running her 100th.

Overall I liked this race. You can tell the race director has a true love of the sport and for runners to go through the trouble of staging a 5K, 10K, half and full marathon, and 50-miler all on the same day.

I didn't have a particularly good run because I am dealing with knee issues, so I was slower than I wanted to be, but that is no one's fault but mine. I really liked the course. It was a small race, and since I was running so slowly, I was all alone for about 98% of time. But there was beautiful scenery to look at and take pictures of while I was talking and singing to myself! Yeah, it was very windy, but that is not the race director's fault. It was also hilly, but nothing bone crunching. I think it was a nice rolling course with some good downhills too. There was plenty of water and sports drink on the course, and porta-potties about every 4 or 5 miles. Since it was such a small race, at least there was no waiting in line at the potties!

My only complaints are about the shirt and medal. Neither distinguish which race you ran (they're not dated either), so the 5K runners got the same medal and shirt as the 50-mile runners. That wouldn't be so bad if the shirt and medal you received had only the race you ran on it. And this year someone finished that had a bunch of kids with him at the finish line. These kids swarmed the food table and they were allowed to eat what they wanted, so when my husband finished the 50-miler, there wasn't much food left. The finish line stuff should be for runners only - not family and friends too.

I would recommend this race. It's not far from Las Vegas, so it's a fun long weekend in Sin City! But be prepared to run alone if you don't go with a friend who runs at your pace.

I would recommend this marathon, as it is run on a good, challenging course away from the city in a recreation area. We ran on an asphalt road along Lake Mead and started just a few miles from the Hoover Dam. This course was very challenging, as there were several hills that definitely got our attention, but none were unreasonably tough. Others have commented on the wind, as we definitely had to battle the wind for much of the first half. With the hills and certain wind, this is not an easy qualifier for the Boston Marathon.

I would without hesitation recommend staying at the host hotel, the Hacienda Hotel, which is between Boulder City and the Hoover Dam. This was a nice place to stay, with good food, and it's only about three miles from the start and finish lines. And, the race director arranged an unbelievable rate of $60 total for a two-day stay, which makes it convenient to take a shower after the marathon even if you don't plan to stay that evening.

There were about as few spectators as any race could have, which didn't bother me one bit, but be aware of it if this is important to you.

Lastly, I should mention that the long-sleeved tech shirt is heavier than many other tech shirts, so it's great to wear in cooler weather. Good job with the shirt!

Beautiful scenery... just gorgeous. But this race was pretty extreme in its own right; combine the hills with the extreme wind, and you've got a tough atmosphere. I looked online and found wind gusts of 20 mph for that day. This course was a man-eater. It was fun, but I thought you better know that you're signing up to really test yourself with this one. It was rewarding to complete, though, and had some just gorgeous views!! It didn't have a large number of racers, which was nice, and the other racers and volunteers were a friendly group. I would have preferred a tech running shirt rather then just a regular t-shirt.

Three cheers for the awesome race director and the equally awesome volunteers! It was hillier than I expected, and the wind nearly knocked me off my feet a few times, but that just adds to the fun. The volunteers were amazing, and even though there were just one or two spectators who kept leap-frogging me in a vehicle and cheering for their loved ones, they cheered for the rest of us, too. Who needs spectators when you have great volunteers and fully stocked aid stations? The awards were beautiful slate hand painted plaques in the shape of Nevada. The food at the finish line was the best I have ever seen for a race. Three cheers for Calico Racing! (If you are doing 50 states and need a marathon in Nevada, make this the one.)

I think comparing the course to Big Sur is going a little over the top (I have run both events and disagree with that assessment).

Nonetheless, I do agree that it is moderately scenic - though the appearance of the color of the water of Lake Meade was grayer than the deep blues of the lake in the summer. (I ran the Runnin' with the Devil Marathon in June.)

Support was exponentially greater than the Devil Run; checks every mile and a half rather than three miles. (I joked with volunteers, some who had supported both, that it was probably easier to recruit for an event that was 65 degrees cooler....)

The gray overcast skies kept conditions near perfect, but we paid for the storm passing through with extremely fierce headwinds that compounded climbing the hills on the rolling, paved course.

The full service aid stations were impressively stocked with gummy bears, bananas, animal crackers, etc., and were situated a mere three miles apart. (The others, every mile and a half, had water and sports drink.)

The race's long-sleeved, cotton, lodo'd shirt is themed appropriately and has no advertising.

The finisher's medal is also themed and quaint, but doesn't distinguish the distance run (listing all events held from the 5K through the 50-miler - and it does not list the date).

The finish line included pasta and ingredients for "s'mores" and more.

The race director does an excellent job and is very thorough to include pre-race and follow up e-mails.

I would highly recommend the event to any marathoner from a first-timer to a one-hundred-timer....

Awesome race director and volunteers! This course is not for the faint of heart but the spectacular scenery will rival those of Big Sur and others. Very spiritual event in the desert! No fans, but there shouldn't be on a course like this. The volunteers and aid stations were first-class!

I have run many ultra races. I ran this Running From an Angel 50 mile race, as well as others that Joyce Forier has directed (Running with the Devil and ET Midnight Marathon). These races are well organized and done with much passion for running from Joyce Forier. I highly recommend any of the races - from 5K to 50 miles - that Joyce directs. The scenery in each race has been spectacular with each and every step. The volunteers are extremely helpful and go out of their way to get you what you need, braving all of the elements in the process. Whether braving the wind, the extreme heat, or midnight running, they all have been very worthwhile experiences. Ultra-running, as in these races, requires you to expect the unexpected; that is all part of the ultra-running experience. The unexpected adds to the thrill and excitement of the race. If you want to be challenged, as I believe most ultra-runners do, I recommend any Calico race. Not only are they races, but they also provide a unique opportunity to see the surrounding areas of Las Vegas in only a way that running can.

I would have never seen what this part of the country had to offer if it had not been for Joyce Foriers willingness to put on and direct these Calico racing events. I recommend to come and challenge yourself to what each of the Calico racing events has to offer - and uniquely challenged you will be. Joyce and Calico are a very welcome addition to the ultra-running world. I myself plan on running more of the Calico races knowing that with each step that I will not only be challenged but will be supported in a unique manner. Joyce's willingness to put on and direct these races allows me the opportunity to show and run as she puts forth the willingness to do all the behind the scenes work, along with the many volunteers, and deal with the challenges that I will never have to deal with as a runner. Many "thank yous" to Joyce and the many volunteers for making this possible. I did put a 5 for spectators, as this is an ultra event and there are generally not many spectators, but do not overlook the fact that the volunteers are spectators that also cheers us along. I have not been disappointed in any of the Calico races. You also get to meet some special and unique runners regardless of the distance run who are very supportive. Highly recommended, as with any Calico race.