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May 5, 2024

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 21 to 31]

More Comments: [ < 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 .. 16 > ]

K. L. from Nevada (2/18/2005) "Wasn't impresssed." (about: 2005) 3 previous marathons \| 1 Las Vegas International Marathon COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 3 Only my third marathon. I'm comparing it mostly with St. George Marathon, which was outstanding. But at Las Vegas some aid stations were out of cups and/or sport drink. There was no food until very late in the race and it wasn't even cut up. Had to peel my orange as I ran. The rewards for finishing, a cotton shirt, and three items in a bag (plus the medal of course) compared very poorly with St. George and even more so considering cost. I won't run this one again and I wouldn't recommend it.
B. Z. from Denver, Colorado (2/17/2005) "Not very impressed" (about: 2005) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Las Vegas International Marathon COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 2 I was disappointed with the expo--it seemed too small for Vegas. But, Bill Rodgers was a nice addition and I like the t-shirt. Also, the location of expo (Luxor Hotel) was good. Personally, I felt the course was boring. I guess I'm more of a city marathoner. It's also disappointing that spectators cannot access the course before mile 16. As for the aid stations--running out of cups and water is unacceptable. And where were the promised pacing groups? It's useless to complain about the wind other than to Mother Nature. The printed names on the bibs were a nice touch. I was also disappointed with the post-race. There was not nearly enough food nor drink to replenish. And it seemed there were an abundance of volunteers that could've been used at unstaffed water stations on the course. Don't get me wrong, I very much appreciate any and every volunteer that was there. Overall, I have to wonder where my money was spent for this marathon and if it really is older than the NYC Marathon, then why isn't there better organization?
G. N. from Virginia USA (2/17/2005) "Let's hope the new organization does better" (about: 2005) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Las Vegas International Marathon COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 1 The organization was marginal with lack of support at several water stations and limited food at the end. It was also expensive with a cheap T-shirt, and no party, or even pasta feed included in the price. The course was mostly the ugly parts of the desert and in the city was no better. There were one or two bands along the course but they seemed starkly out of place. Then there was the 30 mph headwind which more then negated any advantage of the downhill. Not their fault but still unpleasant. The race will be under new direction and have a course supposedly in the city next year. It would take a big change to bring me back.
C. M. from Pensacola, Florida (2/15/2005) "Need I say more... won't be back" (about: 2005) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Las Vegas International Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 2 Just read all of the previous comments and you will get a general idea of this marathon. Coming to Las Vegas on vacation? Do the marathon. Maybe. Coming to Las Vegas for the marathon? Forget it. Save your money and play the slots. Your odds at getting more out of them will be better than what you get out of the money spent on the entry fee. I can usually find something good to say about all the marathons I have done (this was #72), but can't think of much good about this one. Oh yes, as one of the previous commentators said, they let us stay on the bus up until the start. Wait, I remeber something else that was good... we only had to deal with 30-35 mph headwinds; no rain, sleet; dust or freezing temperatures.
A. L. from Phoenix,AZ (2/12/2005) "Fast course except for that wind" (about: 2005) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Las Vegas International Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 This would be a great course if not for that wind - the Goldstrike was very convenient to the start - organization was fine and I liked the desert scenery with snowcapped mountains and the Las Vegas strip off in the distance. But I won't be back because of that wind.
j. e. from houston tx. (2/9/2005) "stay with what you know... gambling & booze" (about: 2005) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Las Vegas International Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 2 This race needs a new organizer!!! Running out of cups and drinks at a marathon? GIVE ME A BREAK. The food and after-race was a joke. The participant bag was also poor. Great course and town. The course map also was inaccurate.
R. H. from Minnesota (2/9/2005) "Opportunities for Improvements" (about: 2005) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Las Vegas International Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 1 I enjoyed the course since it was fast and the elevation was exactly as expected from the website. The mountains were very scenic and the temp was perfect. It's senseless to complain about the wind, we all know it can be windy on any given day, I was thankful for all the rain the Vegas area had just prior to the marathon so we didn't have to put up with a lot of blowing sand. The bus rides to the start was efficient and it was great to be able to wait in the buses until the start and there were plenty of porta-potties at the start. The finisher medal is now my favorite one. Here are some areas for improvements: Ensure the aid stations are properly staffed; it was disappointing to find a station without water cups and we were told to drink from the pitchers if we wanted water. What a terrible way to spread germs among people who are taxing their immune systems just by running a marathon. The mile 19 marker was lying on the ground and about a quarter mile from where it should have been. Some oranges during the last 10K would have been a wonderful treat, but not something expected. After seeing only a couple of items in my 'food' bag, I searched for the rest of the food and water only to find out I was being charged for both; what about the runners who didn't bring money along? This is one reason why it?s good to have some cash along. It seemed backwards to be charged for our food and water but there was all the free beer we could drink. I know it's easier to hand out the shirts at the expo, but anyone who finishes a marathon would greatly appreciate having a 'finisher' shirt and the satisfaction of knowing the shirt was earned. As mentioned, these are opportunities for improvements. I still recommend this marathon, because even with the strong headwinds, this is a fast course and I earned a PR. Plus, Vegas is a fun city to visit. If you can stay for an extra day, some hiking at Red Rock Canyon the day after is both very scenic and great for those sore quads.
M. S. from Springfield, MA. (2/7/2005) "Not runner friendly" (about: 2005) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Las Vegas International Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 1 The course was very boring, practically no spectators, and the 20 mph wind in your face from mile 8 to the end was unforgettable. Ultima as a sports drink has to go, it tastes nasty. Las Vegas needs to get behind this event if its to get better. Most people didn't know anything about it. The finish location was poor. The best thing was they let you stay on the warm buses until just before the start and they print your name on your number.
Bill Chilton from Salt Lake City, Utah (2/7/2005) "Vegas Marathon going 'down hill' fast." (about: 2005) 11-50 previous marathons \| 6+ Las Vegas International Marathons COURSE: 1 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 3 I'm 61 and have run 39 marathons since 1996 including the Vegas Marathon several times. I didn't get my money's worth this time... aid stations totally disorganized... half the time no one was handing out liquids (we had to grab it off the table on the run)... out of apples at finish... only three things in finish bag... outrageous. No water bottles at the end! I'm so disgruntled about this marathon that I will not run it again, unless something changes drastically... Bill Chilton 11122 S. 1330 E. Sandy, Utah 84092
G. B. from irvine, ca (2/6/2005) "My 7th marathon and the absolute worst!!!" (about: 2005) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Las Vegas International Marathon COURSE: 1 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 1 I must disagree with the positive comments about this race. It was nothing but 23 miles of headwinds. No gel, no vaseline, or cups at some stations, very few spectators. With all the desert in Las Vegas I would think they could come up with a more runner-friendly course. I never worked so hard and got nowhere. My time was a 4:06 and I cried at the end from exhaustion.

More Comments: [ < 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 .. 16 > ]

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