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☰
Hoover Dam Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Hoover Dam Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.2 
Organization 4.6 
Spectators 3.1
Number of comments: 34 [displaying comments 11 to 21]
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S. L. from Fisher, MN
(12/20/2014)
"You gotta run this for the tunnels alone!" (about: 2014)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Hoover Dam Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Calico Racing puts on a terrific little race with lots of different scenery. The point here is not to be cheered on, it's to enjoy the route. Yes, you see the Hoover Dam (twice), but the real highlights are all along the course, including great views along Lake Mead. It's running through the old railroad tunnels that really make the race, though. They truly elicited a 'Wow, that's unique!' (As did the run on the parking garage to see the Dam!) Stay on the Strip and take the bus from Bally's easy as pie. Kudos to the RD and the Park Service this year for adapting to unforeseen circumstances and maintaining our view of the Dam. And thanks to the fantastic volunteers, especially for keeping us straight in that parking garage. We'd definitely run this one again! | |
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N. S. from Hopkins, MN
(12/15/2014)
"'cause you love running..." (about: 2014)
50+ previous marathons
| 1 Hoover Dam Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 For anyone wanting to organize a race for runners to just have a good run without a lot of frills or hassles this is the example of how to accomplish the task. Pick a fascinating destination on a route that most people wouldn't even know exists which has a tremendous history. Support the run with great volunteers and just the right amount of rest stops and make it possible for all runners on the course to support each other by properly staggering races of 10K, 1/2 marathon and marathon. There are no spectators at all (handful of relatives, maybe?)..but who cares! If you love to just run this is a race you must do! Don't expect to PR, but this is great if you ran in the fall and just want one more race or to try and keep it going.. | |
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P. S. from California
(12/14/2014)
"Extra mile made distance 27.2" (about: 2014)
50+ previous marathons
| 1 Hoover Dam Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 1 Not just me, but many grunted about the mileage being way off. My GPS said 27.2. That's a lot and it made me concerned about making a flight home The medal and the shirt were generic - no date. I would expect more for what I paid, which was high end for a marathon. There was virtually no post race food - cup of noodles. Really? The course was very scenic. Really hated the parking lot and steps, though. Why was that necessary. It was a chance to cross off Nevada in December, when warm weather races are hard to find, but I would not run it again! | |
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Michael Pratt from Naperville, IL
(12/21/2013)
"Beautiful scenery, well organized" (about: 2013)
First Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Not a flat course and a tough one as my first but I had a great time. Well organized, good time of year to go to Vegas (off season), and absolutely gorgeous course. Weather was perfect (50s) and the size made it very personal. I ran with various people during the course with interesting stories. | |
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j. t. from kingman,az
(12/17/2013)
"nice, scenic small race" (about: 2013)
50+ previous marathons
| 1 Hoover Dam Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This was a great day to run this course. It is small, with nice views of lake meade. The old tunnels were fun, and the switchbacks make for an interesting run. not a pr course, but worth the trip. Easy in and out with no hassles with morning of pick up. Not for people looking for quick course, crowds and large expo. | |
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R. F. from San Diego, CA
(12/16/2013)
"Great scenery, well-organized race (Half Marathon)" (about: 2013)
6-10 previous marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 1 Ran the half. Well-organized from the bus shuttle from the strip (first-class buses) to the post-race food (Chili or Beef Stew plus other items). Difficult to do a PR on this course, but who cares, the scenery is beautiful. It was sunny and about 50 degrees for this race. The trail part is a little bit rocky, saw someone stumble, need to pick-up your feet. While it is a decline for the last 3 miles, there is a little uphill at the end after you make the U-turn to head back to the finish. Very few spectators, but great Volunteers and Race Director. | |
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S. J. from Minnesota
(2/2/2013)
"Stunning Scenery! Great Comaraderie!" (about: 2012)
11-50 previous marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 The course had great scenery with views of the lake, the railroad tunnels, and the turnaround at the dam. The participants came with an attitude of cooperation and friendliness. I went away feeling I had a bunch of new running friends. The 4 miles uphill at the start was not nearly as tough as I expected and of course it meant 4 miles of downhill near the end. (Not at the end - we all groaned about the last little piece that was needed to make 13.1/26.2 but put some uphill in the last mile.)The event was well organized. It is not a PR course but most memorable. The post race food had some protein and hot foods which were appreciated. It was 45 to 50 degrees and overcast for much of the race. I ran the half marathon, which is one loop of two on the same course. | |
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D. E. from Ann Arbor, MI
(1/10/2013)
"Amazing Marathon!" (about: 2012)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Hoover Dam Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Loved this marathon. When the NYC marathon was canceled, I wanted to run one more to finish up my year. This one happened to be ON my birthday, so I thought what the heck! Scenery was beautiful, not many spectators but that didn't matter, race was well coordinated and the volunteers were the BEST! I will definitely run this marathon again. | |
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S. K. from Southern Indiana
(12/19/2012)
"Great scenery and course, but watch for rocks!" (about: 2012)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Hoover Dam Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This course is free of vehicles, full of scenery, and a great - doable challenge. The organizers do a wonderful job, and know how to put on a marathon. Half of the run is on an old railroad used to transport supplies for the building of the Hoover Dam. The track has long been taken up leaving a dirt, gravel, occasional rocky path through 5 tunnels! Please watch for the rocks. I tripped twice scrapping my left knee and hands enough to need medical attention. I still finished the race, but with a bloody mess on my legs and hands. But, it was worth it! | |
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H. M. from St. Louis
(12/18/2012)
"Trip Hazard for Skimmers" (about: 2012)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Hoover Dam Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 There are 14 miles of rock and dirt trails in this double out and back course. The trails have scattered .5 to 1 inch rocks that caused me difficulty but the rocks that caused me the most difficulty were the larger rocks that were mostly buried but parts were exposed above the trail. I did not realize I skimmed the ground when I run until I noticed that other people around me were not having the same difficulties that I was experiencing. Overall, I would say I tripped maybe 6 to 10 times with 2 or 3 that were almost falls and one fall to the ground with skinned knee and hands. Anyway, I would recommend that you wear gloves and something covering the knees and arms. Also, the course was hillier than I expected, even though the website had an elevation profile that showed the hills and the website mentioned that it was a tough course. It was. On the positive side, it was a beautiful course running on the trails above Lake Mead and near the Hoover Dam. If I were the race director, I might have picked the same course even with the trip hazards. |
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