I have run several other Rock 'n' Roll Marathons, including the inaugural run in San Antonio, so I'm not going to cut this one any slack.

The first 11 miles or so that we ran on the Strip were OK, but after that it was pretty miserable - plain BORING is more like it! The long stretches without turns and mere handful of spectators made for 15 miles going on 50. The few bands that were playing when I ran by were ok, but it just seemed like there weren't very many of them. Water stations were well stocked and volunteers were smiling and friendly. I finished at 3:40, which was a PR, but the 3:45 pace group finished so far ahead of me that I wasn't even able to see them. I still haven't figured that one out. I won't be running the full in Las Vegas again.

I ran the half and thought everything was great. Not everybody was in their assigned corral, but overall a great race.

I've run other Rock 'n' Roll races, but Vegas was so unique. Running the Strip is the highlight of the race. The fireworks at the start made up for the early start time, and the Elvises were a fun element.

It was a very cold day with temperatures close to freezing. It never really warmed up that morning, so the lack of spectators did not surprise me. The volunteers, though, were out in force. Course support was very good and greatly appreciated.

I was surprised by the lack of bands; after all, Vegas is the self-proclaimed Entertainment Capital of the World. I would guess there were probably half the number of bands promised.

Like other Rock 'n' Roll marathons, the marathon course seems to be an afterthought. After the course left the Strip, the route seemed to be cobbled together to make up the required distance.

I would recommend this race even though it is the most expensive Rock 'n' Roll marathon. In the future, I would run the half marathon and not the full.

The organizers need to realize that they don't actually want to hold anything more than a half marathon. The first 10 miles running on the Strip was fun and challenging (challenging because we were weaving in and out of half marathoners who started in the corrals 4 and 5, even though their bibs indicated they were to start in corral 24 - things like that). And there were some good bands. But as soon as we left the halfers, the course ran under the freeway, alongside Home Depot, and behind communities whose walls are so high that you can't even see the homes. Band quality seemed to drop off, too, and a lot of the bands were on break, smoking cigarettes off the side of their stage. If you're looking for a fun half, do it. If you want a fun and festive 26.2, this is not the best destination.

I ran the half-marathon and I will fully agree with previous comments about the walkers and slower runners way up front in the corrals - what wasn't to understand about corral assignments? The bands were sparse, I found running the Strip uninspiring. Lots of glitz but no heart. An awfully expensive half for what it was. I will not be doing any more R'n'R events. I did like the medal however.

I am a local so I knew the course very well. This race used to start out at the state line. Then in 2005 it was moved to the Strip. Since then the course has changed, but this last version of the course was the best. The first 10 miles flew by. I loved running on the Strip. When it split off, the uphill climb was very gradual. I really liked the out-and-back turnaround. I was able to see the elite runners running by on their way back in. Also the last 6 miles were on a downhill grade. There were two overpasses at mile 24.5 and 25.5; yes, these sucked, but it sure beat running the last 3 miles behind the Strip like in previous years. Plus we didn't have to finish with the half marathoners.

Since this wasn't my first Vegas Marathon, I went to the expo, picked up my packet, and left. My husband was able to drop me off very close to the start (advantage of being a local). And I swam like a salmon upstream to get to my corral. The wave start was great. The streets also had plenty of elbow room. I qualified for Boston with time to spare, and I ran a faster time here with a 500-foot climb than I did in St. George with the 2000-foot drop. I really liked the tech shirts, although I thought the half marathon shirts were a better color. Also, after the race it was easy to find my family and go home. I am so doing this race next year.

Had a great time running on the Strip. Race was very well organized, as usual for Elite. The music was good. I think everybody was cold. Funny to see those still gambling walking out of the casinos 6 a.m. giving you a puzzled look. The whole experience was fun and made for a unique and memorable experience.

PROS
1. Great Location
2. Early start
3. Fireworks
4. Skydivers
5. Duh - VEGAS, BABY, VEGAS !

CONS
1. COLD
2. COLD
3. No timing strip at mile 24, so my family had a hard time standing in the cold determining when I would be there.

Overall, I can't wait to go back in 2010!

I ran in Vegas last year, and although it was a lot of fun, there were problems from the instant the race started. I was convinced to come back again because of the new ownership and the fact that they sent me a discount code for registration.

I loved every minute of this race. What better way to run a marathon than down the Strip in Las Vegas? Great organization, really good bands and tons of screaming spectators. My only problem with the whole event was a speaker that wouldn't cooperate at the starting line. We couldn't understand what the announcer was saying or who was singing. Otherwise, it was a great day!!

Loved the wave start and the run along the Strip! Thanks to all of the cheerleaders out there. It was too cold for some of the bands, but that had no impact on the race. Will do this one again! That long climb sucked but I was more than happy to run the last 10K downhill for most of it (except two killer overpasses between miles 24 and 25). Wish you would have had a separate receiving line for food and drinks for the marathoners!

Pluses: Website, registration, communication with staff pre-race, help desk at expo, tons of volunteers, merchandise, number of vendors, quality of and convenience of expo, tech shirt, hotel discounts (we stayed at Four Seasons - amazing hotel and it's great to be have the start and finish outside of your hotel!), plenty of fanfare and excitement at start, started on time, perfect weather, well executed wave start, running on the Strip, plenty of aid stations, 2 GU handouts, roads all to ourselves, pace groups, good finish area, showgirls in photos, race results at the finish line, some food, great restaurants and entertainment in LV, just about everything you could ask for.

Negatives: This was my 3rd R 'n' R Marathon, and although they are good at what they do, the overall feel is overly commercialized and hyped. Not for the meek with the crowds, the merchandise, the selling you on their next race; it's almost as if you are not a runner so much as a running consumer. And Las Vegas is pretty sketchy - packed with a lot of wannabes who look like they couldn't even afford bus fare there, let alone lose it in the casinos. Leaving the expo, you passed a lot of cowboys there for the rodeo finals and dudes in line for the Metallica concert (and other assorted types), and we runners definitely stood out. Others have pointed out some picky things - the wave start and massive crowd makes for a long wait at the start, Vegas isn't very attractive, they apparently ran out of water (?), etc. but I have yet to run in a perfect marathon, and don't expect to.

All in all, this was a good race.