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Las Vegas International Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Las Vegas International Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 3.7 
Organization 3.6 
Spectators 2.1
Number of comments: 154 [displaying comments 131 to 141]
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A Runner from San Fernando Valley, CA
(3/2/2001)
 "The Good, The Bad and The Ugly" (General Comments)
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 1 It would be so easy to run straight into town and finish this in glamorous fashion. There is nothing glamorous about this marathon. It is ugly! But it does have one good thing going for it. It's fast. You can make up time on the downhill sections of the course. The bad is that you will need to make up some time because there are some grades in the first half and the last few miles are so flat and ugly that you will need a head start to get through them. The new & improved course takes you on a tour of industrial complex parking lots and then runs you along the airport toward the finish at a park. I lost count of the number of turns in the last several miles of the run. The straight-shot old course was much more to my liking. This new course is not pretty or fast enough for me. I'd rather drive 2 extra hours to do St. George! | |
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A Runner from St. Paul, Minnesota
(2/23/2001)
 "fast, mostly downhill course; not too scenic" (about: 2001)
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 1 The Las Vegas marathon is a very well organized mid-winter event. The weather in 2001 was perfect - 40 degrees at the start,warming to 55 or so at the end. The mostly downhill course helped me reach a PR. The race starts outside Las Vegas and heads straight into the city. Once in Las Vegas the course stays off the high-rolling Strip. There are several turns before the finish in a municipal park. Don't expect too many spectators. If you aren't a gambler there isn't a lot to do before or after the race. | |
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Mark P. Gershman from Scottsdale, AZ
(2/20/2001)
 "There's so much potential for a 35-year old race" (about: 2001)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 1 The course is basically downhill, but so few turns, a little boring, but nonetheless easy.With all the big high rollers in Vegas, it's a shame that someone has not stepped forward to give it a big sponsorship that would probably result in a better-staged race. Because it is such a straight-line course, pacers would really help out. The one and only major drawback is that the busses that drop you off are so efficient, that you sit in a school bus for almost two hours doing absolutely nothing except tighten up and think about the additional sleep you could have had. Maybe a later bus schedule or bonfire upon arrival or something to get everyone revved up would have helped. | |
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A Runner from Hawai'i
(2/16/2001)
 "A new & good experience" (about: 2001)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 The course is fast, though not the cakewalk some would have you believe. I went slower than expected on the first uphill & had to run hard downhill & on the flat at the end to get near what I had planned. There was a nasty little incline just around 20, also. I had hoped it would be cooler & I could have done without the headwind (very long drafting packs throughout the race), but the race organization was great & the dry weather was nice (compared to a typical race here in Hawai'i). I hope to do it again, but greedily want a tailwind & cool temperatures throughout. | |
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A Runner from Pittsburgh PA>
(2/16/2001)
"Great marathon through the desert." (General Comments)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 1 Even though I saw more jack rabbits than spectators while running this race and my biggest cheers came from the police officers directing traffic, I would recomend this race to anyone not running their first marathon. Weather was beautiful, course is fast and the entire event is very well organized. It is surreal seeing the finish area from 15 miles away. My only complaint - GET RID OF ULTIMA SPORTS DRINK!!!! It is by far the worst sports drink I have ever trained with and received at a race. It tastes terrible and has very little carbs compared to other drinks. It is a terrible choice for a marathon. | |
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susc from pa
(2/12/2001)
"Great Race. Boston Bound" (about: 2001)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 I ran this race in 2000. My goal for 2001 - return to Vegas and qualify for Boston. Goal completed! What a great feelng. Enjoyed everything about this race. Don't go for the crowd support, its light at best. Go for the course, its fast. Plenty to drink and eat. Buses could leave at 6am not 5am. | |
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A Runner from Texas
(2/7/2001)
"Good race but needs some adjustments" (about: 2001)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 Buses should leave later. Course should stay open 6 hours. Host hotel should be flexible about an 11 A.M. mandatory checkout. A finish near the strip would be better. Volunteers were numerous and excellent. Bus loading was very effecient. Party should be post race, noon until 4:30 with awards, finisher shirt, food, drink. Most people have left by 6:30. | |
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A Runner from Valencia, CA
(2/7/2001)
"Use it as a tune-up/long run" (about: 2001)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 I used this as my long run prior to Los Angeles in March and was glad I did. A good course with enough small hills, down hill and flat to make it a good run. Forget crowd support, even in the city. My biggest support came from the LVPD stopping traffic!! Speaking of the city, why not run through it instead of around it? Even a few miles on the Strip would make a huge difference. And please, can we ban Ultima from all races? This has to be the worst fluid replacement ever made. The finish area was small but efficient. Very classy at the bag pick-up to see you coming and have it ready as you got there. Major kudos in my book! I'll certainly return but getting on the bus 2 1/2 hours early to freeze in the desert or stay cramped on a bus? Even tents with heaters would be better!! | |
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A Runner from Lake Forest, California
(2/7/2001)
"The Course That Keeps Giving" (about: 2001)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 1 If you want a great shot at a marathon PR, and maybe an entry to Boston, I strongly recommend this marathon. This marathon is not about the pretty sights, though I enjoyed the Vegas skyline, IT'S ABOUT SPEED! And hey runners, get a clue...stay at the Hotel in Jean (where the marathon starts). I stayed at the Goldstrike in Jean and walked 1/8 mile to the starting line, 10 minutes before the start. Everyone else had to take a school bus (ha!) at 5am to the starting line. The organizers will give you everything promised, nothing more/nothing less. Water and Ultima every two miles, and one of the fastest courses in the world. | |
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A Runner from San Francisco, CA
(2/6/2001)
"Nice terrain, nice topography & staff" (about: 2001)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 Could be a better race if:1) finish was on the strip or at least last bit wasn't beside airport runways and needed more drinks, etc at finish. 2) Needs more publicity- most folks in LV didn't know race was even taking place 3) Buses leaving at 5am are too early, esp in this town!!!!- it's too hard to readjust schedule to get up at 4 am, and almost impossible to go to bed at 8pm! How about 6 am departure for buses, or a later start, or a circuit course? |
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