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Rock 'n' Roll Las Vegas Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Rock 'n' Roll Las Vegas Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 3.3 
Organization 2.7 
Spectators 2.8
Number of comments: 736 [displaying comments 231 to 241]
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T. E. from Omaha, Nebraska
(12/9/2010)
"Awful - worst marathon experience yet" (about: 2010)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Rock 'n' Roll Las Vegas Marathon
COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 2 1) Course: The course for the half and the first part of the full is fun (with the exception of a mile through a sketchy area) but the second half is through some desolate industrial areas with numerous out-and-backs. Not very creative, and I guess I don't like running by abandoned lots in the last several miles of a marathon. 2) Volunteer support: The volunteer support in the second half was virtually non-existent in some cases. I didn't run my best time (a personal worst) but was well within the course time limit - yet there were some aid stations that no people were staffing or where there wasn't any water/Cyto (one or the other). I had to wait for people to fill up cups on several occasions. Plus, most, if not all, marathons offer some type of food for the full runners at the later aid stations. None here. 3) Finish line: I finished the full marathon in about 4:45. But, there was no Cytomax left. All that was left for food was dry, hard bagels, some bananas and warm yogurt. Given how much I was cramping and not doing well at the end, it would have been nice to get some electrolytes in my system and some nutrition, but I guess that's asking too much. Every other marathon I've run had better offerings. I also discussed this with a friend who ran just under the time limit, and yet the finish line support (water, food, etc.) was being taken down. THAT IS UNACCEPTABLE. 4) Speaking of Cytomax: it's awful. Also, at some aid stations it was basically mixed so weak that it was more or less water. Not really that good for replenishing electrolytes. 5) Bands: There really aren't that many. Most of them you saw several times due to the out-and-back nature of the course. My hometown marathon has more bands on the course. Again, they advertise that they're a "Rock 'n' Roll" marathon series, yet you don't have that much music on the course. 6) The expo: it was this held off-site from the host hotel when there is a perfectly good convention center at Mandalay Bay. The Sands expo center was extremely crowded and poorly set up for the traffic. I realize I went on Saturday during peak times, but all of the exhibits were packed tightly together. You would think you would have gotten a slightly larger space. This is the MOST EXPENSIVE entry fee I have had to pay ($145), and given the cost, I would have expected top notch services, organization, etc. Yet I received the worst marathon experience to date. It is very apparent the Competitor Group, Inc. cares about the profits they make with the race rather than the care of the runner. I will NEVER take part in a Competitor Group, Inc. event again. It is very apparent that they do NOT care about the full marathon runners because everything is catered to the half. If that's the case, just make it a half marathon. If you want to run a full marathon in Nevada, don't run Las Vegas. | |
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C. H. from New York, NY
(12/8/2010)
"Great half-marathon; AWFUL full-marathon!" (about: 2010)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Rock 'n' Roll Las Vegas Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 The first 13 miles of the race (the half-marathon) were wonderful: flat course, run on the Strip, surrounded by spectators. The corrals were well organized and we didn't have to wait too long to get to the start line. However, the last 13 miles of the race were in industrial and residential areas, with LOTS of sharp turns and a few steep hills. There was barely anyone cheering and in some areas no one was out. There were only 2-3 bands in the last 13 miles. I'm most annoyed about the fact that we got a short-sleeved shirt for this race. For the amount of money that we paid and the fact that this is a winter marathon, I think they should have offered a long-sleeved shirt. The expo was just average. It was well organized but nothing impressive. The bands in the first 13 miles of the race were awesome! I really enjoyed running to the music. I wish that the last 13 miles of the course was more of a straight line versus full of sharp U-turns. I will not do this full-marathon again but will recommend the half-marathon. | |
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K. E. from Chicago, IL
(12/8/2010)
"Good for fun - not if you are serious!" (about: 2010)
2 previous marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 4 If you are looking for a fun, laid-back race environment, this is great. I was disappointed with the corral system; no one seemed to enforce where you were and people were cutting in line. I was running the full and got stuck behind slow half-marathoners that should not have started that far ahead. I think it is great that people of all levels can take part in this event and have fun; it was just frustrating trying to navigate around some of these people early on. One water stop was not fully staffed and I had to miss it because there was only one person there (maybe the timing). I loved the first half on the Strip; the back half is far less scenic and I was not a big fan of the 180-degree turnarounds at some locations. Bands on the course were okay. Brett Michaels performed at the end and that was great. | |
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J. T. from Walled Lake, MI
(12/8/2010)
"Love the city; good race, but too expensive." (about: 2010)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Rock 'n' Roll Las Vegas Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I ran the full marathon. I liked it, overall. Support was good, with plenty of fluid at the fluid stations. Spectators were OK (a medium number, moderately enthusiastic). Some of the views were fantastic (approaching Mile 8 and seeing the mountains, the fire and sounds at Mirage, and long stretches running up Hacienda towards Luxor's pyramid were all highlights). The only real complaint I have is that the race is too expensive. I guess if 25,000 - 29,000 people signed up, everyone might not agree, but I've decided I won't do another Rock 'n' Roll unless the prices come down. It also sometimes felt a bit chintzy; for example, they charged my mom to track me - $2. How silly, and then, even worse, it didn't even work (they say they will refund the money). If you're going to do one marathon in your life, and want the full crazy experience of a huge race, go ahead and spring for it. If you're looking for Nevada for the 50 states, though, I'd imagine there are better, cheaper races out there. | |
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A. M. from Norfolk, VA
(12/8/2010)
"Not worth the extra 13.1 miles" (about: 2010)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Rock 'n' Roll Las Vegas Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 This was my first full marathon, and I have to say that I was very, very disappointed after the turnoff at mile 12.6. It was just brown desert and brown industrial buildings. I would have had a much better time doing the first 13 miles over again, down the Strip and back. This was not my first Rock and Roll event, so I knew what I was getting for $150. The swag sucks, the bands are always no-names, and there are always masses of people. They are pretty well organized, though, and it's fun to say you did one. I won't be doing another Rock and Roll event; it's just not worth the cost. It was a good excuse to go to Vegas though! | |
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G. F. from Tucson, AZ
(12/7/2010)
"fun marathon" (about: 2010)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Rock 'n' Roll Las Vegas Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Running up the Strip was exciting with the water and volcano shows and seeing the race on many billboards. I really liked all of the cheerleaders all along the way. The Strip was fast, except that there are so many half-marathon runners that running a consistant pace was nearly impossible. After leaving the Strip, it was largely uphill to mile 17. Didn't like the two high overpasses. Didn't think it a good course for BQ even though I had a PR and missed qualifying for Boston by one minute. I think Tucson would have been faster. But LV was fun. There was a lot of food at the finish. Some places along the race had only 1 or 2 porta-potties, so there was always a wait, which hurt my time. I think it would be a faster course if the half-marathoners started an hour after the marathoners. | |
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K. H. from Wilmette, IL
(12/7/2010)
"Good excuse to come to Vegas" (about: 2010)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Rock 'n' Roll Las Vegas Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 I ran the full. The course is very fast; there are only a couple of bridges to cross in the second half, and the rest is totally flat. The first half of the course was on the Strip and very exciting... the second half had some nice views, but was mostly pretty boring. Surprisingly, there were not very many spectators, even in the first half. There were a lot near the start and finish, and a lot at mid-Strip, but there were hardly any spectators at all in the other areas of the course, and most of them just look at you blankly, although there were a few that were supportive. Like all R'n'R races, the first half is very crowded, but you have plenty of room to run in the second half when the halfers turn off. Organization was excellent, water stops plentiful and volunteers are amazing. The cost of the race, as others have mentioned, is also very steep (although I had a discount available so it wasn't as bad, but still... it's pricey). In short, it's a nice excuse to visit Las Vegas, but it's not on par with other large races. | |
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P. L. from NYC
(12/6/2010)
"Fine, I guess" (about: 2010)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Rock 'n' Roll Las Vegas Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 2 Was very excited to do my first marathon in Vegas. I wish they'd informed me that tech shirts were men's. The small is way too big for me! Medal is nice. The groups of kid cheerleaders (middle schoolers?) were adorable and encouraging, but there were very few bands! And many of them weren't actually playing as I passed (I was in the middle of the pack too). Is this all Vegas has to offer for local music? Glad I brought my iPod. The second half of the course, as has been mentioned, is very boring. It meanders maddeningly around office parks and apt complexes and alongside the freeway. I would have preferred to do the Strip twice instead. | |
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n. l. from Florida, USA
(12/6/2010)
"I thought it was great!" (about: 2010)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Rock 'n' Roll Las Vegas Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I thought the course was super-organized. Tight, but not TOO tight on the Strip (isn't the half marathon portion always a bit thick?). All of the loops and double-backs in the second portion were a total tease with seeing Mandalay right in front and then having to hang a right. Well stocked stations; I loved all of the high school cheerleaders - fun and peppy! Never can have too many Elvis impersonators. Cher sang the national anthem and the Blues Brothers started us off. Of course, the fee was too high, but I still had a great time. | |
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B. T. from San Dimas, CA
(12/6/2010)
"Fun but expensive" (about: 2010)
6-10 previous marathons
| 2 Rock 'n' Roll Las Vegas Marathons
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I had a fun time at this event. The highlight of R'n'R Vegas is running the Strip. Pros: 1. Organization was rock solid. Typical for a Rock 'n' Roll event. 2. Running the Strip is fun. The Elvises were fun to run with. 3. Better weather than last year. 4. More bands and cheer squads than last year and a good post-race concert. Cons: 1. There was a 5.5-hour time limit on the marathon. A lot of slower runners moved up several corrals to give themselves more time. My corral was very crowded, and I passed a lot of slow runners during the first few miles. 2. After leaving the Strip, the marathon course was a crisscrossing circuit of streets. Very boring. I think this allowed the course marshals to enforce the time limit. 3. The race fee was expensive ($145), and the marathon and half marathon were the same price. There was no early bird discount. 4. It was a disadvantage to register early for this race. People who registered early missed out on fee discounts and giveaways in the months leading up to the race. |
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