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☰
Hoover Dam Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Hoover Dam Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.2 
Organization 4.6 
Spectators 3.1
Number of comments: 34 [displaying comments 31 to 33]
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W. M. from Colorado
(11/1/2009)
 "Great 1st half, tough 2nd half" (about: 2009)
50+ previous marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 1 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). | |
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Ernie Rambo from Las Vegas, Nevada
(11/1/2009)
 "Southern Nevada's Showcase" (about: 2009)
11-50 previous marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 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! | |
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J. D. from Edmonton, Canada
(10/31/2009)
 "Fantastic inaugural race - I was conquered" (about: 2009)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Hoover Dam Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 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. |
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