From the crowded expo, if you could find the damn thing buried in the Sands Expo center to the 30-45 min to check out line, to the gear check in Mandalay Bay that no one could find,to the screwed up coral, ropes laying on ground, no separation to the boring 13.1 then to the clusterf%$k merging with the half to the sh---y one lane finish which looked like a mosh pit, to the inside of the puke filled Mandalay Bay and incorrect medal given, everything else was fine.

The pre-race expo was very good and the new course was fun. Downhill from there! No information in the packet. After going back to our room we had to go back to the expo's information booth to ask for pre-race instructions. The information was dated for last year and pretty vague as far as clothing drop-off. The T-shirt was pretty plain and there was no finisher shirt. The finisher medals were disappointing (no date on the front), and the ribbon was strictly about Devine (all advertisement). Last year's medals were 100% better. The clothing drop-off was a mess; you had to use their plasic bags and they were not given out prior to drop-off (should have been in the packet).

The start was a little delayed, but went off fine. I ran with a Garmin and the mileage markers were good for the first half, then started to drift, and finally made no sense. Checked with three other Garmin users and they said the same. Good water stations, but they drifted on mileage also. Finish was good, but the food stations were not replenished well and many people came in to empty tables. When I checked the results on the internet by bib instead of a male (57), I was a female (21) with a slower time. Four days later it is still not corrected. My wife's is also still wrong, under a name she didn't run. Minor beef: in a town famous for buffets, why can't the Vegas Marathon have a pasta party to knock your socks off for $8 or $9 at the sponsor casino? Overall, I'd give it a 5 out of 10. Like going to Las Vegas: you should do it once, but it's not a race I would go out of my way to run again. The potential is there, and certainly the sponsors, but it doesn't live up to it.

The route was much better than the desert run. Water and Gatorade were not evenly dispensed along the route. After six miles, the station spacing was too long... then at the end they were too close together. The price of this half marathon was not worth it. The shirt was a disgrace. Detroit gives a Dri-Fit long-sleeve shirt for half the price of Vegas' registration fee. The medal was not comparable to the one given in 2004. I hope the certificate is better than the last one from Vegas!

This marathon was poorly organized. No food, no crowd support, and inaccurate mile markers (yes, more than one!!!). Completely unacceptable! Vegas is a great place for an adult vacation - but skip the marathon.

At the split of 1/2 and full marathoners, there was not much notice of where the split was on the course, and thus I found myself on the 1/2 course for over a mile. I had to run to find back to get on course and evidently missed a chip pad, so I see no time recorded for me. I ran probably over 26 miles to get back on course along with 3 other runners, running a 4:09 marathon. I now have no record of it. I normally finish around 3:30 so know I ran farther. At the end, there was no food for a period and also there was no one to help several of us remove the chip. May not sound like much of a deal, but when you are tired, it helps.

This has to be the best marathon ever. The course was so flat - only like 2 hills. the weather was also very nice. The crowd support was awesome, along with cool runners. Everyone was so enthusiastic... all the way to the finish line. The medals were awesome. I'm 14 and this was my third marathon - and I'm glad I ran it! I will be coming back next year, for sure!! It was awesome!

Forget the desert run of the past!

This is the second year coming up and the new Las Vegas Marathon includes running all the way along the famous Las Vegas Strip and Freemont Street (6 miles of the course)! It then takes off through the neighborhoods of Las Vegas and ends at the starting line.

There are fireworks - viva Las Vegas! With the start right out front the Mandalay Bay Casino!

Unlike the marathon in the past, this one takes place in Las Vegas itself!

And they now have a half marathon! With that addition we will be there! Hope to see others!

...but you need to add a half marathon.

The beginning with fireworks was beautiful along the strip. I enjoyed running through the strip and downtown area. I wish their were more spectators but that will probably come in the future as the race becomes more popular. It was great about the money they gave away. The only complant is I haven't received my award yet and it is difficult to get into contact with someone. I still haven't seen any information about the next Las Vegas Marathon either.

I felt compelled to speak up on behalf of my city as I read the other comments. It's really a shame that many of you did not get to see what a great running community we have here. Las Vegas is top-notch running city with a variety of surfaces and scenery, whatever your running fancy. Runners who live here are among the most outgoing and supportive that I've ever encountered (and no, that's not because we're all in the casino or 'adult' business--common misconception). I would hate for anyone to hold the Jan. 2004 race against us. I agree that the wind that day gave Chicago a good run for the title of Windy City, and frankly, we all paid more compared to other big city marathons. That being said, I urge you all to come back and give this race and our city another shot (take a gamble--ok, bad pun). If you can, head out to the neighboring communities and run with some of the locals. We'll be happy to have you back.