Running With The Devil Marathon - Race Reviews

This event was a real 'Race with the Devil'. It was hot: 27C (81F) at start and 41C (106F) at the finish line at high noon. The course was out and back along Lovell Canyon with a double loop near the half-way mark. Pavement all the way and clear sky with almost no trees to offer a shadow. There were many hills with one steep, long section in the middle of the road. The water stations and volunteers were high above average: there was ice and ice-cold water, drinks and high energy snacks. In summery it was a small size event which gave me huge satisfaction. Thank you!

What a great marathon. The course is awesome and beautiful. There is one hard hill at mile 20 to give you a reality check. Joyce, the race director is wonderful. 45 minutes from Las Vegas, with great vegetation, (trees, desert, huge views. Wonderful volunteers.

I've run this course 3 times but this was my first time at Running with the Devil. It is a challenging out (uphill) and back (downhill) course, plus its hot in June. The race had plenty of water and ice (ice ice baby) on the course! I didn't run fast but I still had a good time.

I ran the 'Running With the Devil Marathon' in 2009 when I was in top shape. If you're running for a fast time, pick another race, cause this ain't it. No humidity, but the sun and hills will slow you down. Drink often!

Now THAT was one TOUGH marathon! First half run very conservatively. Second half the unrelenting and in my opinion HUGE hills made me feel like a rag doll going up them. Oh and the 100 degree heat was not a big deal as the course had a perfect amount of well stocked and well iced aid stations. Really enjoyed the event from the host hotel, the Hacienda in Boulder City, to the race management and fellow competitors. This is another one of those little gems of a race worth doing if HUGE hills and Massive heat does not scare you. Three cheers to Calicoracing for having the courage to put on this wonderful event.

I thoroughly enjoyed this race. It really pushed me and was just crazy! I don't know what I would've done without my darling assistant!!! Heheheh. A word of advice: keep dumping ice water on your body. I started to get a little exothermic and keeping my body cool made all the difference. Thank you, Mary....

This was my second race, and the second full marathon I have ever run. Being from Vegas, I had the advantage of doing a lot of heat training before the race, but I wasn't ready for the hills and heat combined. I had to stop at every aid station to put my gear in ice water and fill my two-liter Camelbak up, since it would almost be empty. I ran the entire race wearing a devil horns, a tail, and a pitch fork (which gave me a good bicep workout). The asphalt was so hot that my feet were burning for the last 10 miles. After the race, my feet were covered in horrible blisters. It was definitely an experience I can brag about.

Being from East Texas, with its HUMIDITY, all I can say to those who say, "But it's a dry heat": come on and give this one a try!! I have one other half-marathon under my belt and the temp was 42 degrees. This was a great challenge. Make sure you are ready for HILLS and HEAT. I trained in the humid heat and that helped, but I was unaware of the length and grade of the hills. Aid stations were great, though the next to last one ran out of ice, which I really needed. They did run out of t-shirts too, but I registered late. There was not much in the way of crowds cheering; it was only you and the Mojave Desert. Good view of Lake Mead. (Who would want to stand out in the heat to cheer you on anyway?!) Very little hoopla at the finish line. Would have liked to see more of a "welcoming committee" after finishing such a race. An awesome challenge - not for a PR. DO NOT DO THIS RACE WITHOUT TRAINING FOR THE HEAT! If you do, you may get to meet the local EMS.

This was my first experience with the "Devil." This race offers a great view and a great chance to challenge yourself mentally and physically. If the hills don't do you in, the heat will - and vice versa. It's not a course for PR's or fast times, but rather a demanding challenge for those who love an adventure. The race director, Joyce, is great and friendly. The people who ran the race with me were kind and friendly too. The entire course is pavement. There are cars on the course; it's not closed. You need to bring a good 24-ounce water bottle with you or a Nathan Camelback. Bring your sunblock too! You'll need it. I suggest wearing a hat and sunglasses as well. Wear socks that are thin and won't blister your feet. Train on hills and in high heat for this one. Don't come under-prepared or you'll be walking up several hills! I had a great time at this race and I would definitely do it again!

What can I say about Running With The Devil other than that it is as difficult as the name sounds?!?! DO NOT ATTEMPT to run this event unless you are serious about pushing your limits in extreme heat conditions and desire to learn what can happen to your body and mind in the most devilish of marathons and ultra marathons! The organization and structure for the event is always near perfect (I've run the 50 all three years, 2007, 2008, 2009) and never had reason to complain about the race itself, even though I've had to drop (literally) all three times - at 36 miles in the first year, 28 miles in the second year, and 41 miles this year. Some finish, usually about only half of the field; the rest go as far as their poor, heat-exhausted and dehydrated bodies allow them. It's a challenge like no other, with NO support crews allowed (unless that changes in the future). It's just you, the aid stations, and personal management out in the extreme hot and dry climate of the desert. A "Mini-Badwater," it's been called. I'm a Badwater veteran myself, yet RWTD 50 has shown me that few are capable of surviving it without a support crew in those conditions. I admire those who can handle the heat. I can't... yet I enjoy a challenge, and this one is exactly that. Don't register thinking it'll be a nice scenic run to chalk up on your list of marathons or ultras. Realize that it will truly prove that you don't know your limits yet. - JT

It was a positive experience except that the water stop about six miles from the finish ran out of ice. Not a big deal for most races, but this is not most races. Later, the race director asked runners to deliver supplies to the stops when they drove home. They need a much better plan than that. The course is as expected - arid, hot, sunny, and challenging. If that is not what you like, do not run it. Fans are sparse, but supportive.

I did the half-marathon, and it was my proudest moment to complete this one. I hate the heat, and I'm not a fan of hills, but I had a good time and a definite sense of accomplishment. It was 115 degrees (F) out, with good hills. Definitely bring your own aid supplies to supplement their too-far-apart aid stations. They ran out of event shirts as well. Otherwise, a fun experience. Worth doing just for the uniqueness of the temperatures and noon start. Scenery's nice too.

This was my first half-marathon, and it was so much fun! They really took care of us - the aid stations were a welcome relief and had everything a person needed. The event was well organized, with lots of support from volunteers and competitors. Challenging? You bet. But as long as one came prepared and took the time to take care of themselves throughout the race, it was not bad. It definitely required more mental focus and self-awareness than a "fair weather" race. I felt well most of the race and can't wait for next year. Well done!

My son, James, and I did everything wrong you could do prior to running this race except for picking up some girls in Vegas and going drinking and dancing. We came in on a wee hours flight Thursday, took the Hoover Dam tour on Friday and went swimming in Lake Mead. But it was the free breakfast at the hotel that did me in. That's why I'm coming back. This race is so cool. I qualified for Boston at the Flying Pig up in Cincinnatti and just wanted to run someplace where time did not matter. Ready to run on the Lunar Landscape? This is it. Panted Desert - nothing green, nothing living except for you, and that's not a guarantee. You're going up, you're going down, your shoes are sticking to the road, you're carrying ice, and there is no sound. In the distance you see giant rock formations pushing up from the desert floor, on the other side beautiful, blue Lake Mead. Bring the family and take the dam tour! Buy the wife or girlfriend some Indian jewelry in Bolder, but absolutely bring the inner tube. Finish the race and jump in the lake. It was 112 last year... but you can do this race if you just run smart... like I intend to do next year....

Another hot one. Great support, and cool new medal and shirt. I'll do this again. Do your work and train in the heat and hills before running, and you will do great! Back-of-the-packer friendly; I finished in 7:30, and all aid was present.

Be prepared for high temps and dry climate - similar to running in a giant hairdryer. Staff was nice and very well organized. Aid stations were stocked better than at any other race I've run. Scenery was ok with various rock formations and views of Lake Meade. Very appreciative for the cold ice towels, water, food, and encouragement provided by the awesome staff. Race is very environmentally conscious and limits waste (which is great for us tree-huggers). Course was nontechnical with varying elevations but relatively flat and straightforward... but one had to be ready to deal with the elements. Heat is one thing, but the absence of humidity is horrendous to those of us who love to sweat, so stay well hydrated!! This was the toughest of races I have run based on the weather conditions but well worth the challenge. As a bonus: free suntans when you're done running.

I participated in the Devil 1/2. As stated in the beginning, this course would be very challenging and the extreme heat would add another element to this event. If you did your homework and heat trained, you were much better off. This was definitely the most difficult event I have ever participated in. The aid stations were very well stocked and had everything you could imagine. The volunteers were awesome. I loved the iced towels. This is what kept me going. We also had one of our friends who was going to be a spectator; she ended up being a road crew member for a lot of people - even to people who were complete strangers. Her name is Pam Hall. She had Popsicles and frozen grapes - also a lot of ice. If it weren't for her I don't think I would've finished the race. Thank you, Pam. Joyce, you put on a first-class event and congratulations on pulling it off successfully. I look forward to running in more of your events. I can't say if I will do the Devil next year, but you can bet I will be a volunteer.

If you have done the heat training needed, it will be an event you will not soon forget. I feel the key to this entire event was Joyce, the RD, and the volunteers. They were wonderful support the entire time. The volunteers are what kept many of us going. A few times I wanted to "throw in the towel" but a volunteer would place several ice cold towels on my head, neck, back, legs and I the thoughts soon left me (at least until the next aid station 3+ miles away). Even the people just driving through the national park would pull over and ask if we needed anything - water, etc. If you have second thoughts about running in the heat then it would not be for you. But if you have done the heat training and take the appropriate heat precautions then this is a good event to test yourself. Now that I've run with the Devil (marathon), I'm going to run from an angel in January!

Calico Racing put on a first-class event. The race director provided a very challenging and safe Course in exterme conditions. The race staff provided outstanding support. With Badwater Experience Aid Station workers were able to bring many runners back to life, to be able to complete the event. With temps. of 116F and a very hilly course with up to 8% grade for miles, it was the aid Station workers that saved the day. All stations were very well stocked; I have never seen so much ice in the desert. If you are looking for lots of fun and a nice departure from the normal mega-marathons, this is the choice.

Spectators - Now who would be crazy enough to stand and cheer in weather that felt like a body-sized hair blower turned on high? Organization - Joyce and her volunteers did a superb job. The volunteers actually ran up to meet us as we came into view to give us iced towels and cold drinks. (Did we look that desperate?) They were extremely encouraging and also wanted to know where we had our lobotomies done. (Just a sample of the great humor and attitude everyone had.) This was the first year for this marathon. I was told it was 114 in the shade. On the course, there was no shade. They had tents at the refill stations. You could sit in the shade while they put iced towels on you. The stops were 3 to almost 4 miles apart. I downed about 20 pounds of water in total (actually a bit more than I should have in hindsight). The best part of the stops was the refill of ice for my hat. That felt soooooo good. The scenery of Lake Mead was great. This was my first high temperature desert running. My 90-degree practice runs in high humidity back in Indiana were not relevant at all. Approach this one with caution. About 1/2 of the people that started DNF'd even though this was by far the most experienced marathon crowd I've ever seen. I came in last. (I came in.) This race also has a 1/2 marathon and a 50 mile Ultra. I did the marathon. (Oh, and in case you are not getting the point of this marathon, it started at high noon to savor the hottest portion of the day.) The last aid station was 3 miles from the end. We were told about a 50-miler that had left this station after a long break just before we arrived. We caught up with this 50-miler 2 miles from the end. He was bracing himself on his knees and said he was ok. We offered him water or to spray his back but he said no thanks, he just needed a minute. The ambulance was cruising the course all day and if people had any signs of heat exhaustion, they were picking people up (slurred speech, not able to keep a straight line, etc). We told the driver about the guy behind us about 1/4-mile after we passed him and later we found out he got picked up and was driven off the course. That was very sad for me to hear. That fellow ran 48 miles but could not grunt out the last 2 miles. But that's what this was like. It wasn't the distance but the challenge of finding your own balance of exertion, fluids, and electrolytes vs. getting sick. I ran (and trotted and walked) passed a lot of instant dry vomit on this course (and there was plenty at the finish area - though I was told they were washing it away as it "appeared"). But wasn't that the point of this race? A run with the Devil! A marathon destination like no other. An excuse to test yourself and create some unique memories to look back on (and repeat next year???). If you don't want an extreme personal challenge, then don't do this. On the other hand, depending on the state of your lobotomy, this might just be your perfect cup of marathon.

I was looking for a challenge, and I was not disappointed. The combination of heat and hills made for a great marathon. Lake Meade is the bluest lake I've ever seen. No spectators (it's run in the desert) but the race director did an excellent job and the first aid and support staff were fantastic. Plenty of ice, oranges, potatoes, Hammer Gel, Hammer Tabs, etc. to go around. The extreme heat makes the hills even harder, so be ready for both. I wore a suit to protect me from the heat and it helped. I spoke to another marathoner who wore only the top and he said his legs were fried, so I recommend both. I loved it and maybe I'll try to tackle the ultra next year. Thanks to Joyce for pulling this event together. She did a fantastic job.... And the host hotel rate of $40 per night was a bonus. I think there is a winter run of the same course so maybe I'll try that to see how much of a differnce the heat makes. Once again, I loved it and had a great time. I will definitely run one of her events again.

This event fell into three categories: the single toughest marathon I ever did, the closest I ever came to "quitting," and my slowest time by well over an hour (it took me nearly 7:30). This is an extreme adventure event and a challenge of will. I would recommend it for an experienced marathon adventure runner such as someone who plans to or has run the Death Valley Ultra Marathon, or another extreme weather event. In fact, the RD will have you sign another waiver in person (I had mailed one in), physically check your ID, mark your leg with a code indicating which event you are in, and weigh you in. Temperatures reached as high as 114 degrees, with occasional "thermal" winds up to 20 mph, on a rolling hill course. Since there were only about 25 participants and the drop rate was fairly high - very much a self motivator. The aid stations were between 3 and 3.8 miles apart; as announced from the beginning. Although I knew about the distance in between stations, it proved to be more challenging logistically in terms of water supply. (In fairness to the race committee/organization, for a small event in 100-degree weather, the number of volunteers that manned the stations were large.) The aid stations, along with the park service, were the reason I finished to be sure. The aid station had ice water, heed, e-caps, gels, orange slices, potato wedges, salt, Gus, towels (sprayed one down), canopy to block the sun (shade), chairs, scales, and I am overlooking more. When I pulled in I felt like I had the pit crew from the Indy 500 working on a race car! Awesome job, volunteers. I would strongly recommend a Camelbak or other insulated water storage compartment. I used a 4-bottle fuel belt for water, and the ice water that volunteers I refilled my bottles with at every stop, turned to a very hot liquid a mile after the stop. I attempted a slow trot for three miles (which is why I was ready to quit there, and I understand some runners did). I got advice from a fellow runner (marathon maniac) Dennis: "walk the uphills and jog down." That generally worked up to 16 miles, where I had to integrate more walking. The park ranger at mile 21 who gave me a (second)bottle of ice water was the catalyst for my eventual finish. The race t-shirt is a very nice all-weather, red, short-sleeve with a Calico race series logo, the copper-colored medal is draped by a black ribbon and likewise has the calico cat logo and running with the devil enscription, accompanying distances below (50-mile, half-, and full-marathons). Much food at the finish: cookies bagels, ice tea, etc. Unfortunately, my stomach just felt waterlogged, so I passed on them. Many thanks to Joyce for an excellent job, and not kicking me off course for finishing nearly a half-hour past the 7-hour cut-off!

The race director claimed it would be very hot and that the course would be difficult, and she was absolutely correct!! I'm not sure it's 120 degrees all the time, but it was on race day. There are no few level places on the course, which is in the Mohave Desert, and run on blacktop pavement. The heat was so extreme that I'll be amazed if the DNF rate isn't well over 25%. The race director is an amazing woman. She had fully stocked aid stations every 3-4 miles, and the volunteers were the best of the 40 marathons I've ever run. As I approached each station, one would come out, take my water bottle, hat, bandana, and start filling them and replacing ice, etc. Without their awesome assistance I'm not sure anyone would have finished!! A special thanks to the popsicle lady (Pam??). If you want to do a very hard marathon, pick this, but be prepared to get your butt kicked.