This was my 39th marathon and by far the most scenic. With the out and back climbs you have plenty of opportunities to enjoy the incredible views. This is not a PR course nor is it spectator friendly. As a 50 Stater, I am recommending this as an alternative to the crowded, over produced city runs.
My only complaint is with the tasteless Heed. Even watered down Gatorade or PowerAde is better.

First Red Rock Marathon, second race run by Calico Sports (did the E.T. half in 2012). Joyce organizes great races and makes everything run smoothly with the help of an excellent volunteer cadre.

The Red Rocks course has a healthy elevation change on the out and back, but is scenic throughout the entire course. Volunteers at the aid stations were great! Spectators were minimal because the race is on a road traveling through BLM lands, but I personally enjoyed that aspect of the race. The course was open to vehicle traffic, though coned off and safe.

Weather was chilly, with a strong headwind on the return uphill (there were snowflakes involved!), but the final miles to the finish line were blue skies and sunshine. Good finishing snacks!

Small field of racers. Calico runs quality events!

Walk up hills and enjoy the beautiful view! This marathon is a challenge but, I so enjoyed the scenery. This marathon was well organized and provided great rest stops that included water, heed and food. My advice- bring warm clothes and shed prior to the start.

Enough of the downhill events that make me look fast. This is a test. Endurance needed with scenery all around. Great organization (as all the Calico races have). A must do fitness and mental challenge.

Not many paved marathons can claim 3000' of vertical elevation change, but this one can. The Red Rocks scenic drive is striking, but don't come expecting to run your best time (unless it's your first).

Packet pickup at a local casino was convenient, though smoky. Race day coach buses to the start were right on time. The small starting field (120 or so) meant you could find your pace quickly. Then comes the hills, lots of them...flatlanders beware. Aid stations were plentiful (every 1-2 miles) and well stocked with friendly volunteers. The HEED sports drink tastes like chalk, but it gets the job done. Spectators were sparse, but supportive. Trying to fight the oncoming half marathoners was challenging at times. Post race food was plentiful, though the medal (for those that care about that sort of thing) was just OK. Post race buses back to the hotel/Strip were very well organized.

Registration fees are a tad on the high side. Overall, though, a quality marathon with well-thought out logistics that comes recommended by this runner.

What a gorgeous course! The canyon is visually interesting the entire route. The desert colors and rock formations are really cool, but you will have to dig out some long up hills. Don't run this one for the time; you can't. The volunteers are wonderful, and the water and aid stations are there where you need them. The humidity is 5%. I sooo recommend this race. You will never forget the beauty of the canyon, and you would never have otherwise come here I would think.

This is one of the most beautiful and scenic marathon I ever ran. But this is a very tough course, a lot of uphills.
I was like 25 min slower than my slowest marathon. But for the scenery it is worth it.

A very well organized race: aid stations were well manned and every 2-3 miles, traffic cones were set-up every 100m or so to block-off the running route from traffic so no car issues at all, and getting to the race and back to our hotel in Vegas was easy with the scheduled buses.

This race is organized and run by runners for runners. The scenery on the marathon route is spectacular; you get to tour the Red Rock Canyon by running. With about 3,200ft in elevation gain, don't expect to get a PR on this course; but the scenery more than makes-up for any pain in the legs. I would definitely recommend this marathon.

I signed up for this race the night prior to the race, on a whim, while travelling with friends in Vegas for the first time. While I didn't really enjoy the Vegas scene, this race was the best impulsive decision I have made to date. The course was hard, no doubt, but rewarding and beautiful, calming and meditative at the same time.

it was breath taking at the start around sun up running in desert at dawn!! could think of nothing better. great amount of aid stations with very nice people. Race orginiser seemed to say hi to everyone and wish luck... I'm not local but I very much want to go again.