If you are looking to run a true 'Destination Marathon', this is the race for you. The course for the Sunday marathon starts in Tahoe City and goes straight south on highway 89 to South Lake Tahoe. The views on the course are stunning during miles 19-22. The course follows Emerald Bay with absolutely spectacular views.
The course is not a PR course by any means. The starting elevation is 6200 feet with a climb of over 600 feet during the race, including 500 feet climb in miles 16-18. At the top of the final climb, a bagpiper is playing for all the runners.
Race Director Les Wright does a great job of juggling numerous events over three days. Very good organization during the check-in and race day.
This is a very challenging course but worth it. I am a from the midwest who did no training at elevation. Expect to run slower than normal but the views on the course are worth it.

Lake Tahoe is one of the most beautiful places I have ever laid my eyes on. I didn't expect to make a PR; at an average altitude of 6500 feet, including a 'hill from hell' that steadily and unrelentingly climbs to over 7000 feet, my goal was just to not run out of air.
The priorities of the organizers were problematic; I was told by a friend that getting on the bus to the start line was chaotic. And the start line was merely a chalk line on the pathway and a traffic cone! Skip the license plate holder next time guys, and yet another duffel bag, and give me a good experience - including more protection from traffic in the first half of the run.

INTRODUCTION: I am a race-walker with a median marathon completion time of 5:13:26. The Lake Tahoe Marathon was my twenty-second 26.2-miler accomplished.

COURSE: It was a great day for a marathon: starting temperature of approximately 46 degrees with 70 percent relative humidity (decreasing rapidly), 6 mph wind from the SW, and cloudy. We started at Commons Beach in Tahoe City. At 7 am, Ring Master Les Wright (no relation) started the race with a shot from his rifle and the bagpiper sent us on our way.

We alternated between SR-89 and the lakeside bike path for the first eight-plus miles traveling southbound on the west side of the lake in Placer County. As such, we had many views of the lake and we even had the opportunity to cool off in it; in fact, one barefoot runner did exactly that! Relatively flat here.

As we entered El Dorado County near mile 9, we remained on SR-89 for the next 14 miles. We encountered more noticeable inclines and declines although none were of significant duration. Lakefront changed to forest for a while as we set foot into Ed Zberg Sugar Pine Point State Park, but we had another opportunity to see big water, as the Washoe referred to it, at mile 11 as we entered Meeks Bay.

Leaving Rubicon Bay at mile 14, we turned inland again; the easy descent gave us no clue about what we were to encounter in a mile or so: The Hill from Hell. Starting at 6300 feet, this 500 foot climb over approximately one and a half miles gave us no relief, just a constant, uphill slog. As we reached the crest, we were greeted by the lone piper and a sign that said 6800. HEAVEN

Leaving The Hill from Hell at mile 17, we were given a bit of relief for the next mile before we started to go downhill as we began to round Emerald Bay. Our 200 foot decline was matched by a 200 foot incline as we headed toward Inspiration Point Vista, our second 6800 foot crest, at mile 20.

From here on out, it was either downhill or flat. It took us two and a half miles and four hairpin turns to go down the hill on our way to Camp Richardson, where we would finally part with SR-89 onto the bike path. At approximately mile 24.5, we turned on Heritage Way toward the Tallac Historic Site, summer home of three prominent San Francisco families at the turn of the prior century. We returned back to the bike path alongside SR-89 to Pope Beach Road, which took us to the finish line at Pope Beach, where upon after receiving our finisher's medal and license plate holder, we soaked our feet in the cool water of Lake Tahoe. Finish time weather at 1:53 pm: 65 degrees with 32 percent relative humidity, SSW wind of 9 mph with gusts up to 21 mph, and few clouds.

ORGANIZATION: A conflict between directions made it unclear whether we were able to pick up our bibs on the first night of the expo or had to wait until Saturday morning. It turned out the bibs were available two hours into the expo. Although small, the expo was larger than other marathons of similar size. As for race merchandise, it was the Walmart of expo purveyors: a wide selection at rock bottom prices. For example, a long sleeve navy LTM logoed sport shirt was to be had for $10; 100 percent cotton or cotton/polyester polo shirts of a wide variety of colors and logo designs were available for $15.

A 72 mile counterclockwise circumferential bus tour around the lake was available for a fee the afternoon before the marathon. We stopped at Commons Beach and at Inspiration Point Vista. And while our guide provided us with interesting geographical and historical facts about the lake and environs, she was not knowledgeable about the course specifics.

On race day, bus service was provided from Horizon Casino in Stateline to Tahoe City for the start and from the Pope Beach finish line back to Horizon Casino. No school buses here, but comfortable coaches hired out of Sacramento.

Excellent course support by the water stop volunteers set up roughly every two miles. Some stops had themes; the most memorable being the last one at mile 25 in front of Valhalla, the Heller family retreat in Tallac Historic Site. The volunteers were dressed in period costume and there was a sign that read GO BACK IN TIME. I inquired if it meant that if I drank the Ultima Replenisher at their stop, 15 minutes would be taken off my finish time. They were amused by the query, but alas, such was not the case.

FANS: Some residents showed up outside their houses in the early part of the race, and spectator buses stopped at three different locations to cheer on friends and family. Also, some of the runners had their own private support group providing aid every mile or two as we were progressing south on SR-89.

CONCLUSION: Big water, big elevation, big hills, big vistas. It was the biggest little marathon in the world. Well done, Lake Tahoe.

This was my 59th marathon and it was one of the best events I have ever participated in. The course is just beautiful with many breathtaking vistas to take your mind off the hills (I'm from flat, sea-level Houston, TX. From the excellent race organization, to the wonderful pasta dinner cruise and well-stocked aid stations with very friendly and well-trained volunteers, the event left me wanting to come back and do it again or maybe try one of the ultra distances.

I did the triple, and I'm having a problem picking out major problems with this race(I'm also having trouble walking right now). If you come to Tahoe expecting anything but hills, shame on you. Read all the info on the race site carefully and you will know what you need to know. It's a laid back atmosphere. Race-wise for the first two days each marathoner needed his own support crew(as advertised). By the end of the first day everyone was helping everyone else, as it should be. My wife ended up providing for many runners who didn't have crews, and I was helped out by many others, especially the folks from NJ with the silver Charger. It was like one big family out there.
RD Les, and Angel were both awesome. Don't know how they managed so many events, but they did. I recommend this race to anyone who wants a laid back, but challenging race, or races.

I had a great time running/walking this marathon. My friend who ran this marathon the previous year said it wasn't easy but more of a casual, enjoy-the-scenery marathon - and she was right! Great course and the runners, walkers and volunteers were so cheerful and friendly. Plan on doing this marathon again! P.s. I ended up with altitude sickness, extreme headache and nausea - but it was worth it! Lol!

I signed up for this race after a friend raved about how beautiful the courses (bike/run) were, and boy am I glad I did! The course is STUNNING - easily the most beautiful course I've been on.

I'm from Buffalo/Niagara Falls, New York, so I was nervous about how my body would react with to the elevation. I read that drinking 6-8 liters of water a day and staying away from caffeine and alcohol were suggested to avoid elevation sickness. It worked! I drank a gallon of water throughout each day and night and I didn't have any problems ~ no headaches or gasping for air. This vacation/event was one of the best experiences I've ever had in my life!

I chose the 3 day triathlon. This was my first half marathon. I was relieved that walkers were very welcome in the events. Finisher's medals are given to all of our finishers, and an event windshirts to all of our registered athletes.

Volunteers were enthusiastic and well-prepared at the numerous aid stations. You saw the same spectators over and over as they navigated down the course with you - a very friendly atmosphere.

If you want a beautiful, low-key marathon, put this on your list. I will definitely be back again.

I didn't care for staying at the Horizon Hotel and would not recommend them. Since this was the "host" hotel I thought we would be right in the middle of things. That was definitely not the case. Walking through the lounge and casino with an event like this going on, I expected allot more life in the place - but there wasn't and there were no signs advertising where and when things were happening regarding the marathon events. Nobody working there knew anything about the event. Our room was just "ok" - my boyfriend had to fix the toilet when we arrived and when I made reservations I asked NOT to be near the elevator and my room was right across from them. Finally, the food/service at the buffet was average. It's definitely nothing to write home about there. I'm glad we got to change hotels for the rest of our vacation....

Beautiful course. Add about 30 minutes to your normal time if you are a low-lander. Very good organization. Very nicely done race.

I had to drop down to the 1/2 marathon due to injury. The process was very easy. The entire weekend was very well organized and great fun. What a beautiful area to run in! Les and all of his volunteers did a fantastic job.

This was my first marathon in about 15+ years. I am a 12-year pancreatic cancer survivor and decided to lace up those running shoes again. What a beautiful race! I was super glad I moved to South Lake Tahoe a month before so altitude didn't seem to affect me like it could have. Thanks for throwing in those hills (lol) they were fun! And the Kokanee Salmon at Taylor Creek almost made me forget I had to finish the run! Thanks to the wonderful support, spectators and mostly to my husband and daughter who biked the last half and cheered me on. It was almost spooky how they showed up sitting on rocks, leaning on poles and just being around every corner to encourage me. And I was so happy that our other daughter did the 10K while pushing a baby jogger and my grandson to the finish; and my son-in-law, who just starting running recently, finished the half in the top 25! Wooooo! See you all next year!