The course was very beautiful. Lake Mead is very amazing. Much more elevation than I anticipated but it was very rewarding to make it through it. It was a pretty small marathon crowd but I am sure that the participant size will grow significantly in the years to come. It was such a beautiful course to run. The only thing that I would like to see change is the traffic situation, as many of the drivers were driving very fast and close to the shoulder where the runners had been running their course. Great volunteers - the volunteers rule!!!!!!!!!! Thanks a million!!!!!!!!!!!!

Pros: 1) 20 miles (or so) from Vegas, which, of course, is a very accessible city with lots of cheap flights; 2) Host hotel was dirt cheap (are you ready for this - $59 for both nights - 2nd night free); 3) Boulder City is charming and quaint, with great restaurants!! The city doesn't allow gambling, but the host hotel, outside city limits, has a casino; 4) Course is very scenic with a continuous view of Lake Mead and some canyons; 5)Course is all paved, with minimal traffic; 6)Great organization with a personal touch; 7) Abundance of aid stations; 8) First time to try Heed? -not bad; 9)Great post-race spread!; 10) There ought to be a saying that the smaller the party, the better you get to know the guests. This was my 20th but smallest marathon - yet I bonded more with other runners.

Cons: 1) Very, very WINDY!!!; 2) Very hilly - I'm used to short hills, but these were long and steep. (Net zero, because out and back.) I'd rather have hills than not; 3) Small medals; 4) Only 1-deep for age group awards; 5) No fans but aid stations seemed to be every 3/4s of a mile; 6) $5 toll for the Lake Mead Park but was glad to help the park and for the reduced traffic;7) Did I mention it was WINDY?!?! And that was not necessarily an anomaly for the area, per the locals, even though a storm was in the area.

This was my 77th marathon and it was very well done. The course was challenging with spectacular scenery. The wind was brutal. The volunteers were extra special!!!!!

This was only my second marathon, but it FAR exceeded my expectations! The view was amazing! The volunteers and other participants were the friendliest bunch of folks I've had the pleasure to spend a day with in my 17 years in Las Vegas! The event was organized and well-managed! I am still just "high on life" about the people I met and the overall experience!!! I highly recommend this race and ANY race that Joyce and Calico Racing put together!!! BRAVO!!!!

Let's be frank; this is not an easy run. If you want cheerleaders and bands, go elsewhere. If you are a runner who enjoys travelling to interesting places, who appreciates a race that is organized by a runner, and who wants to face a bit of a challenge, then sign on for this event. Calico Racing is a new entity and an exciting one. The RD is planning runs that don't pander to huge crowds of marathon wanna-bes, but to runners who want to experience something different. She delivers in every single important area: the race course is accurately and well marked (this in spite of weather that would have dampened the spirits of the most Pollyanna of RDs); her volunteers are solid - they are well placed, upbeat, accommodating and supportive; the post-race food is plentiful and healthy; awards are easily picked up; the website is very user-friendly and informative; shirt and medals are unique and top-drawer (e.g., good quality fabric, no adverts on the shirt; medal is in keeping with race theme); area accommodations are plentiful and economical.

This course is up and down - rolling hills in the sense that you are rarely running on level ground. The setting is unique; do read up on the incredible saga of the Boulder Dam in the Depression Era so you can visit the nearby sites and appreciate this important piece of U.S. history.

If you are not into the whole glitz of the Las Vegas Strip, this race is for you - forget the LV Marathon, forget Reno. Get back to your roots of running and explore Calico Racing. It's the real deal.

This is an awesome small race. Very well organized and beautiful scenery. I cannot imagine running it in the summer. This was much tougher than the Grandfather Mountain Marathon. In fact, I set a PW (personal worst) 3 months after setting a PR, but I don't care. Of course, the race director couldn't control the 30 mph winds. The support was great and everyone was enthusiastic.

Great inaugural event! I wanted a special event for my 75th marathon and was not disappointed. Well organized, great volunteers and super scenery. Course is very challenging but well worth the views of Lake Meade and the desert! Joyce and her staff did an awesome job putting this one together!