We came a long way to run this race and it was worth it. This is one fantastic marathon. We had to run two loops and I was glad we did because I had missed so much the first time around. Volunteers and water stops everywhere and they made up for the lack of spectators. This is one race we all HAVE to run at least once,;put it on your bucket-list.

I ran this marathon yesterday and wanted to post my commments while the experience was still fresh in my mind. This race was meticulously organized and beautifully planned. The folks at Calico must be commended for a superb job. The water stops were well placed and always well stocked. The volunteers were always friendly, helpful and very attentive. There really weren't any spectators, which was to be expected given the route. As for the route: due to some last-minute issue, the course was altered so those of us running the full marathon had to run the half-marathon route twice. This had advantages as well as some disadvantages- when you finished your first half, you knew exactly what to expect when you began the route again. The bad news was you knew exactly what to expect: hills, hills, hills, extreme wind and those killer switchbacks at the damn parking lot. But because the marathoners were looping around, we got to see all of the half marathon runners, which was very cool. Except for the high winds, the weather was perfect for running. The views at every point along the route were spectacular. There was a great mix of hardcore runners and your basic marathon enthusiasts. Everyone was friendly and supportive.

Be warned: anyone considering this race must incorporate hill training in to their workout. As long as you prepare, you will be guaranteed a marathon to remember.

Wow! My sixth marathon this year, and the best yet. Unique course that captures the natural beauty of the Mojave Desert and Lake Mead - magnificent scenery and views.

The small event was perfectly organized, and is so much more enjoyable than the big-city urban quagmire races that seem to be so popular. It was great parking right at the start line and staying in a warm car right up until the start of the race. The well stocked aid stations were everywhere. And who needs spectators with the constant views and beautiful scenery?

The post-race chili was excellent and came with cornbread. The apple cobbler was as good as you will find.

Excellent!

I give the course three stars because it's pretty hilly (one star because I'm not a mountain goat), but it's very beautiful (five stars). The first half was spectacular, and running through the old railroad tunnels was a cool experience. I found the switchbacks and turnaround confusing (inside the cones! step up onto the curb! outside the cones!) - but maybe it's just me. As the first comment says, the second half got hot and hilly, and the shade was gone. I give the organization five stars because it was flawless, as far as I could tell. I give the spectators five stars because, although the only spectators were aid station workers, they were fantastic. Very supportive and enthusiastic.

Kudos to Joyce and her volunteers. This was a nice little race. No spectators, but fantastic volunteers. The first half of the race was great. Yes, it starts with an uphill, but not the worst I've done (New Mexico). Then it levels out onto a packed dirt trail. The weather was very comfortable. Yes, you do see a quick view of Hoover Dam. Then, it's back toward the start you go. You pass the start/finish and you're at 12 miles. Then it gets tough. The hills are relentless, the shade is gone, and it starts to warm up quickly. Admittedly, I was not fully trained for this one. And the race director did say it's a tough course. All in all, it is a good race (if you're prepared).

Once again, Joyce created an incredibly beautiful course that shows off the natural beauty of Nevada, this time blending nature's amazing palette with one of man's most impressive technological wonders. The race was well organized. The course was tougher than I realized, but without all the mess of a zillion runners and traffic, I managed to shave several minutes off my St. George Marathon time from a few weeks earlier. I gave five stars for "Spectators" because one doesn't need spectators along a course like this. The hype included with most marathons is not needed here - you see other runners often due to the out-and-back portion of the course and the aid stations, manned by motivated and efficient staff, are the only "spectators" you need to have a great time at this race. If you want to run the quintessential Las Vegas Marathon, you now have a choice of two: Hoover Dam and Red Rock. That other marathon on the Strip? That's just like any other race in the nation - these two are unlike any other!

Just ran in this marathon today. It was the inaugural Hoover Dam Marathon - a small event with a field of only about 100 runners.

If you like small-scale events that have been lovingly put together by the organizing team, then you'll really enjoy this run.

The "money shot" happened about six miles in when we were suddenly faced by the stunning Hoover Dam. The runners probably only got to see it for a few seconds but it was worth it. A large part of the race was along the old tracks that were used to carry all of the heavy equipment to the dam construction site in the 1930s. At times we were running through the huge tunnels that had been blasted through the rock to accommodate the tracks. These were a wonderful feature of the run. This first half of the run was 50 meters or so above Lake Mead, and we had a great vantage point to soak in the wonderful views when we were out in the open between the tunnels.

The second half of the course was hard, hard work - lots of hills to deal with and the sun started beating down late on in the race. The last 13 miles were through some arid terrain, but the track was tarred most of the way and was easy on the feet.

Organization was exceptional - there were drink stations almost every mile, maybe every second mile, but there were a lot more than at most marathons. This was probably made possible because of the "double loop" configuration of the race, but I was really appreciative to have them all. And they were very well stocked with water, energy drinks and gels - some of them had fruit too, and pretzels and rubs for sore muscles! So we were very well looked after.

I've rated the fans as being a three - but it's completely to be expected that you're not going to have thousands of screaming fans lining a race through the Nevada desert. That's not why the runners came to this race. Although, saying that, those that dotted the course cheered every runner and we all got a huge amount of friendly support from the drink stations as well.

The swag was great too - a really well designed medal and a beautiful, long-sleeved, technical running top. Both have the dam as their main feature. The top, I believe, was designed by the race organizer - it's a really nice design and it's quite inspiring that she had taken the time and effort to put such a personal touch into it and into all the other aspects of the race. (She was there with the large cowbell to usher off the runners and was there ringing it like crazy as each of us thankfully crossed the finishing line).

The runners were all very friendly - we saw plenty of each other because of the double loop and there was a great camaraderie.

Come if you like a real challenge, inspiring settings and small-scale races with a personal touch. Stay in Vegas too - it's just a few miles down the road.

It was a privilege to have been part of the first Hoover Dam Marathon and I hope to be back again.