Las Vegas International Marathon - Race Reviews

...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.

It was horrible, ugly, nasty, scary, just plain awful. I can't think of any other words to describe the experience. Don't do this one!!! I know the course is changing and the race director is changing, but even with that, I still suggest - find another marathon.

I recently received my finisher's certificate from the marathon and it reawakened miserable thoughts about this year's race. Is that what they call a finisher's certificate and in comparison to the Marine Corps (all printed and with a ton of stats printed too)? I'm kind of embarassed to fill in my name and my time on the Vegas one -- can't wait to see what Boston has to offer. I bet it's something real classy like their race, course, fans and organization. I'm glad that the race has a new owner, but, the race director should be canned. I have run this race two years in a row and doubt I'll ever be back... I guess in reading some of the comments, there actually was some food at the end that we weren't charged for (yes, I was charged $6 for a sausage sandwich, bag of chips and a Pepsi-- never had that happen before -- even in Vegas last year!!). Can't prove it by me, a mid-packer, one of the runners that is said to be in the worst need for support after the race. SUPPORT???!! Was there any? Running out of cups at one of the water stops, no gels, no oranges -- just a lot of wind both from Mother Nature and from the organizers. I can't figure out what happened to the $75 entry fee if all we got was a ride in a school bus to the start... Well, we did get the desert scenery -- I loved the course and the run through the desert with all of its morning colors -- guess this was the only thing I liked about the race for 2 years in a row. Spectators were hard to find and they also had a hard time seeing us... my wife finally got a chance to see me at mile 21 but had to figure out where since they changed the route and didn't tell anybody. She also said there was no way she was able to see me any time before that because she was still unfamiliar (maybe scared is a better word) with the city and its roads and the maps given out were so abbreviated that you really couldn't use them (I nearly ran over a 3-foot embankment in one the roads that looked like we could use but the street was under repair - "DEVESTATED" might be a better word). And no word of repairs either (the street I'm talking about had been under repair for some time). DO SOMETHING ABOUT THAT. My wife accompanied me to see me run and twice in 2 years she saw me at different points near mile 21 (despite technically being the same course); in Boston she saw me twice despite having to deal with children, grandchildren and a dog and the T... This race really needs to consider the needs of its runners and family, and forget the prize money... PRIZE MONEY -- I didn't even see the elites at the start; they must have been hiding them from us riff-raff. Guess that's where my $75 went... to some Kenyan who runs for a living. They're going to destroy our sport and organizers like this are greasing the rails too. This isn't just me. The same information (sans Keyans and prize money) is printed in the magazine 'Distance Running' in the Jan - March 2005 edition. It's really hard to believe that this marathon has been around longer than NYC. While I haven't run NYC yet, all the comments are great regarding the race and it's one that is increasing in size by nearly the amount of runners here. I've run both Boston and the Marine Corps and they run races, not jokes like Vegas. MARATHON FOTO!!! I just remembered that the shock and confusion of seeing a woman in all my pictures... until I realized that she had the same number as me but was in the half marathon. She must have shocked too. Needless to say, I didn't buy a picture because besides sharing my number (shame on you organizers -- you could at least have given the half runners a different number sequence), who wants a picture of yourself taken in some run-down industrial center and not at the finish line. By the way, she got a picture at the finish line. Maybe Marathon Foto gave up after 3 hours or so. Or maybe you're planning to run only a half marathon in the future. I just hope the new owners see my comments (I'm just too disgusted to add more) and act on them for the future benefit of other runners and for themselves. The change of the course is a good starter, but I know even if I wanted to run this again DOUBTFUL!!!!!!!!!), a start date so close to Christmas puts this race out of bounds for me. I chose it since it gave me a winter respite at the end of January and the real cold hasn't hit us in NH as of yet in December. GOOD LUCK NEW OWNERS!!! FOR YOUR OWN GOOD, CHANGE THE STAFF WHO SCREWED THIS UP FOR THE LAST 2 YEARS...

I knew the start was a slight incline for the first 9 miles or so, knew to take it easy. But after you crested and started on a long downhill. The wind was tough. Mile 16 water point had no cups. Saw Michael Waltrip pass me at mile 20. I like the tail wind the last 3 miles. With all the big money in Vegas, you would think they would do it up big. It needs a lot of work and the new route, might be what it needs.

I've already provided comments in a separate note (M.M. from Fort Mill, SC) and gave the race overall good marks. I concluded by saying that I'd run the race again IF it finished on the strip. Guess what? The course has been changed, with the start and the finish by the Mandalay Bay Hotel. Even more important, the race has been moved to December 4, 2005, which I've been assured means a lot less wind! With the changes, and owing to the fact that my wife and I have just returned from Las Vegas where we had a great time, I've decided to run the race for the second time in the same year! Call me crazy... but I love Las Vegas and when and where else can you run the same race twice in the same year.

Thought I'd seen it all but after having run 15 marathons, Las Vegas is the cheapest. Received my certificate for marathon completion the other day, it was blank. You put in your name and time. Never seen that in any other marathon I've run and I've run big and small. Very poor for such a large city. I won't be back. Get your act together Vegas!

The course was great. It was flat but the wind factor over the last half of the race was bad. Someone said the wind is always bad for this race. Our bus driver had been given the wrong exit number for where he should let us off, so we ended up going 10 to 15 miles too far and having to turn around. Other than that it was very organized. I'm not sure why the half-marathon starts first.

I had fun running the LV Marathon. Name another race where Elvis sings the national anthem. Running through the 'mountains' and then the desert was a good break from city marathons. Too bad the wind was so strong for more than 14 miles; tough to set a PR with 25 mph headwinds. Next year have enough cups and sports drinks! I'll be back IF the race finishes on the strip.

The last three pages of comments sums up nicely the issues with this marathon in general! It is in need of new race organization and a course that runs down the strip and makes a spectacular finish! I ran it primarily for the benefit of Michael Waltrip's Operation Marathon. Probably will not be back!

I'm usually positive after every marathon I run, but this one pushed me over the edge. First off: Where was the food after the race? I paid $80 for an orange and 3-inch long PowerBar? If this were a $40 marathon, I wouldn't feel too bad. But the Vegas Marathon was billed as a large, 'international' race...I was expecting more - much more. I can understand if some people thought the course was desolate, but I enjoyed the scenery and it was a nice departure from the urban races I'm used to doing. The worse problem, as mentioned, was the wind. The wind NEVER stopped... it was a constant 25 mph in your face from mile 8 to 23. I know I can't blame the organizers for this. My advice is to take your $80 or $90 find another winter marathon - anywhere but Vegas.

Course profile is somewhat deceiving. The downhill portion felt flat rather than downhill, although that could have been attributed to the strong headwind. Few hills in the early miles were noticeable, but not difficult. If you do experience headwinds, you'll have them for the first 20 miles as it's a straight line into Vegas before the first turn. Half and full marathon starting points and times are different, avoids a lot of congestion in the early miles. Point-to-point course, so bussed to the start, but the busses stay at the start, so you can relax in relative comfort until gun-time. A nice touch. If you need spectator support, this is not your race.

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.

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?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

Except for the wind at times, I really enjoyed the half-marathon portion of this race. The weather was sunny and the temperature was perfect. People were in a very upbeat mood. I thought it was well organized and managed. I commend the organizers. I definitely will come back again.

I liked the organization and the course. I hope that they will have gel next time, especially at the 18th mile. Well, I think I will run it again next year. The Gold Strike Hotel is very marathon friendly!

It is hard to imagine an uglier course than this - it runs along the interstate for the first 22 miles, then along the intl. airport for the remainder. Horrible gusting wind for 16 miles of the run dropped our time considerably. Essentially no spectators, music or cheering. The course is easy - 8 miles slight uphill, then the rest downhill.

The course is boring; the scenery of the desert in the beginning is great, after that it's boring. The wind started at about mile 8 and never quit. Some aid stations were out of Ultima early on even for the mid-packers. The only reason this marathon still exists is the destination. Viva Las Vegas!

I knew ahead of time that the course was not terribly scenic, and that crowd support was pretty much nonexistent, so I didn't mind those shortcomings. As everyone there knows, the infamous 30mph LVM Headwind showed up again, the one I had heard so much about. Obviously, nothing could be done about that. I was really impressed with the level of organization at the event, and the volunteers were great. I thought the expo was pretty good, and I really liked the level of cooperation between the hotels and the event. I hear there's a new course next year?

The course was straight and went nowhere near the strip. Very windy and no people; the only ones were complaining about closing the road.

It was all great until about mile 14 when the 30-mile headwinds started and killed most PR's. No gels on the course, no food of any kind. All I needed was a couple of gels in the later miles. This was my 9th and there have always been gels starting at about mile 12. I was starving!!!!

This was the 4th LVM for me and I will keep coming back. I enjoy Las Vegas - probably because I don't gamble much - and I enjoy its marathon very much. The sunrise just before the start of the race is beautiful and the course is fast but fair. I had to pass a couple water stations because they were understaffed. I hope they can get more volunteers in future races. There weren't a lot of spectators but the ones who showed up were very noisy and supportive. Thanks LV organizers for a good experience.

Flattest course I've run - definitely a PR course if they ever get a day where they don't have a strong headwind. Not many fans, except at the end, at the relay exchanges and at a couple of intersections late in the race. If they move the end of the marathon to the strip (as proposed), it will add a lot to the race. Expo was fine and the transportation to the race was excellent (buses). Plenty of aides stations, although some were understaffed and one ran out of cups (And I was a middlepacker, running about 9 min/miles). Overall, a great destination marathon with definite PR possibilites.

Very little Gatorade. I finished by 5:15 but most of the stands had no drinks, and knowing how poorly snacks are given, I had taken plenty of my own - but I did not think drinks would be a problem also. A fellow marathoner was exhausted as he had no replenishments. Worst marathon for supplying drinks and food.

Course is very flat and very speedy. Until you hit some headwinds in the last 5-6 miles. Otherwise, nice run!! Beautiful sunrise made it gentle to run in. The city setting was perfect as well!!! Volunteers were amazing!!!

Three years in a row and the wind is still howlin'! This could be one of the fastest marathons in the world--but you're still at the mercy of Mother Nature. A world record could easily be set if the winds calm down. Course is point to point with the slightest of an uphill grade the first 5-6 miles. Then there's a gentle and prolonged downhill stretch 'til about mile 20 or so--a few turns and another 3 miles or so downhill to the finish. This race is simple with all the basics covered. Transportation, expo, prompt start (with 'Elvis' singing the Nat'l Anthem), post-race staging, medal, chip-retrieval, and bag-drop all work well. Volunteers are friendly; there are sufficient water stops and porta-johns along the course. Didn't see promised pace groups or gels out there but it didn't seem to matter. LV Marathon is a nicely packaged run. Except for the relentless headwind, weather was perfect--sunny and cool. Would easily recommend this race--when this atypical bad luck with the wind ends, a PR is definitely within reach.

I think this was a great marathon despite the wind, which really only pushed hard from 13 to 23 miles. That same wind turned into a rejuvenating tail wind for the last 3 miles on a slight downhill. This is a great course with a mild uphill for the first 8 miles and an encouraging downhill grade for about the next 12 miles. Don't kid yourself; if you've ever been to Las Vegas, you know it gets windy. There weren't that many spectators but the ones there were fun and loud. There were plenty of volunteers and facilities. The finish line was well organized with a large amount of massage tables. Great job Las Vegas!

The weather was fantastic, the scenery was fantastic and so are the volunteers. Too bad that there are few spectators. The sports drinks also appear to be very diluted but on the whole, it was a fantastic experience. I would definitely recommend this race to anyone.