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Rock 'n' Roll Las Vegas Marathon Runner Comments

Back to Rock 'n' Roll Las Vegas Marathon Information & Reviews

Course Rating Course 3.3 
 
Oranization Rating Organization 2.7 
 
Spectator Rating Spectators 2.8 
 
 
Number of comments: 736 [displaying comments 431 to 441]
More Comments: [ < 1 .. 42 43 44 45 46 .. 74 > ]

 

P. H. from Las Vegas, Nevada (12/4/2007)
"Lots of fun. Needs to be a few changes." (about: 2007)

2 previous marathons | 1 Rock 'n' Roll Las Vegas Marathon
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 4


Had a blast doing doing this race. I was very disappointed in the t-shirt. Also, there needs to be something other than a policeman yelling directions at the break for the half and full courses. What if you were running by and he was taking a break at that point? I had to fill my own water at several stations. I know it's a lot of work putting a race on, and I REALLY appreciate the volunteers. However, with the above changes, this would go from a fun to an awesome race, in my opinion.

 

D. F. from Central Georgia (12/4/2007)
"A Unique Experience... Could Improve" (about: 2007)

1 previous marathon | 1 Rock 'n' Roll Las Vegas Marathon
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 3  FANS: 3


What I liked:

This was my first marathon and it was a pleasure. Running the strip is an awesome experience. The mountains are also a majestic backdrop for most of the race. Elvis sang the national anthem and the on-course entertainment was a boost, with performers like Blue Man Group and several bands. Water stations were plentiful throughout the course. There were a lot supporters on the course. The course is mostly flat. Race start temp was cold - around 36 degrees, which wasn't bad. A nice medal was given afterwards. Mile markers were pretty easy to see, with a red banner hanging.

Needs improvement:

Corrals were not policed and walkers were towards the front of the lines, and the half marathoners were also grouped, which made the first 2-3 miles crowded and slow. The half-marathon/marathon turn-off point was very confusing. I had my iPod on, and if not for a traffic cop, I would have been confused. Several elite racers' races were ruined due to this error. The mile markers were pretty accurate, although around 10-11 I found it to be off by quite a bit. Gatorade was hard to find late in the race after mile 18. Miles 8-26 were pretty boring - just back roads through older residential areas - although the mountains can be seen in the background.

Overall, this is a neat race being in Vegas, with all there is to do. Running the Strip is a unique experience. I think this race will improve as it matures.

 

S. P. from Orlando (12/4/2007)
"Only one complaint" (about: 2007)

11-50 previous marathons | 1 Rock 'n' Roll Las Vegas Marathon
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 5


Great weather, flat course and very fun race with the first 6 miles going along the Strip, folks dressed up as Elvis, etc., and lots of on-course entertainment. And: a tech tee, names printed on bibs, a good number of spectators, and plenty of porta-potties and aid stations to boot. The only complaint I have is that I only saw showgirls to pose with for the official race photo - no show-guys or a single Elvis lookalike. No fair to the women who ran the race!

 

C. L. from Reno, NV (12/4/2007)
"1/2 marathon turn not marked - disappointing" (about: 2007)

2 previous marathons | 1 Rock 'n' Roll Las Vegas Marathon
COURSE: 3  ORGANIZATION: 2  FANS: 1


Because the course wasn't marked at the 1/2 marathon turn, I wound up running the 1/2 marathon instead of the full marathon. At that critical point, the course should have been well marked to direct runners down the right course. I guess there was a guy calling it out, but if you're listening to music or hard of hearing, you'll miss it. There was plenty of water/Gatorade along the half marathon course. Spectators were far and few between and lacked enthusiasm.

 

r. k. from Illinois (12/4/2007)
"Much better, but still some flaws." (about: 2007)

11-50 previous marathons | 3 Rock 'n' Roll Las Vegas Marathons
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 2  FANS: 5


Mile markers were much better, although they still had a couple at the water stops, not at the actual mile distance. Devine blew it big time at split for full and half-marathon though. One man, with a sign, with the sun at his back? Come on, guys. They corrected last year's problems, but they need to look at the big picture too. People need to be directed properly; that is what they are paying for. I did not miss the split, and had a fantastic time. Had a problem with seeding for the preferred start; it was worked out Saturday at the expo. Most everything was improved from last year, but if Devine wants an ELITE event, they still have some work to do. It is a great course, and the volunteers were fantastic. Fan support was great also. A little sparse at times, but what can you do? I guess I will be back.

 

H. H. from Arizona (12/4/2007)
"Could be a great race..." (about: 2007)

2 previous marathons | 1 Rock 'n' Roll Las Vegas Marathon
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 3  FANS: 2


I ran the full marathon today and it was quite a great day to race. I have some feedback, which I trust will be taken as constructive rather than critical. This race now hosts 15,000+ people in the 3rd year but the communication and organization were poor:

1) There were no signs to indicate which way to go when the 1/2 marathoners split from the marathoners - only a single sheriff yelling directions. Some half-marathoners ended up on the full course.

2) Bag-drop was a disaster. Many people didn't know where to drop (saw some people running with bags on their backs) and the storage was via piles on the ground. Pickup took me ten minutes while volunteers looked for the bag. I finally walked behind the desk and found it myself. Really should use pre-printed labels and standard bags (there were multiple bag styles and handwritten numbers) and definitely arrange bags by number while we are running.

3) Officials were still seeking volunteers the day before the race. The reason became evident on the course when some aid stations were lacking resources, especially in the last 6 miles.

4) Timing: Use the new disposable chips. My final time is accurate, but all the splits are gun-time. Unsure if there were problems for others.

5) Spectator support was dismal. Those on the course were great. If you need the cheers, this is not for you, as much of the marathon is spent running long straight-aways with minimal crowds.

The race conditions were great - temp, wind, and I personally don't mind the lonely miles. Would be nice to finish the last few miles on the strip or a decent spectator road rather than the alley behind the hotels. I don't think I will run this again for a while. If you have 15,000+ paying runners, the event should be no-holds barred spectacular and well organized. Don't run out of safety pins at the expo and find a way to staff the thing completely. I realize the event has grown extremely fast in size and I hope it improves. Better/clearer written communication would be valuable (check out NY Marathon's detailed instructions - no questions).

 

J. S. from Champaign, Illinois (12/3/2007)
"Fast Race, Great Weather, No Fans!!!!" (about: 2007)

6-10 previous marathons | 1 Rock 'n' Roll Las Vegas Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 1


I ran this marathon to make up for a sub par performance in Chicago. The course was fast. There were a couple of inclines, and several declines on which to make up some time. The weather - for a Midwesterner - was ideal: 38 degrees at the start and about 52 to finish. Although I still did not qualify for Boston (I ran 3:18 and needed 3:10), I did set a new PR. The only thing that was missing in this marathon was the LAS VEGAS crowd. When I registered, they boasted entertainment at every aid station, and secret locations for performers - and our medals were supposed to be passed out by Cirque Du Soleil. Maybe they were the stagehands cause it wasn't Cirque. I found myself running alone for stretches on the course. There was hardly any local support; maybe they were tired from the previous night's festivities. In LAS VEGAS, this truly could be a great marathon with the course and weather; they just need to make it more lively. Who knows... ith a little moral support, I might have made up 8 minutes.

 

scott bernhisel from salt lake city, ut (12/3/2007)
"2007 - I'll do it again. Would like improvements." (about: 2007)

11-50 previous marathons | 1 Rock 'n' Roll Las Vegas Marathon
COURSE: 3  ORGANIZATION: 3  FANS: 4


High school cheerleaders and rock bands were terrific. Support was awesome. However, there was NO PARKING at Mandalay! WHAT'S UP? It was closed off and empty. Notice that some runners' chip times show 25 minutes to get to the start. Did they run 3 miles just to get there? BOOO! Also, merging with the half the last mile was not cool. After 3 hours, I'm exhausted and I'm surrounded by many halfers who are walking along to the finish like they hardly care. Could the finish paths be kept separate somehow or the lanes divided? One last comment: The lines on the back of the bib number (name__; contact info___; allergies___; etc.) stained my shirt, even though I never wrote anything down. Bib numbers get sweaty and wet! Don't do this. Beware, runners.

 

c. s. from california (12/3/2007)
"Pleasantly Surprised!" (about: 2007)

11-50 previous marathons | 1 Rock 'n' Roll Las Vegas Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 3


Las Vegas 2007 was my 19th marathon. After reading the 2006 comments and reviews about the race, I was hesitant about running this race. When I decided to run it, I went to the start line, treating the race as a long run. I brought my own drink and support and expected the worst. Boy was I surprised! This was a top-notch race! Easy-to-get-to location, good bag drop -off, excellent number of porta-potties at start with little lines, on-time start, exciting starting atmosphere, wonderful fireworks, on-course entertainment, good support throughout, nice crowds, great finish with lots of food, and nice finishing party zone. The course was pancake flat and fun to run. The runners were happy and lighthearted. The only downside was the candor of the road; the slant left my knees aching and sides of my feet very sore. Besides that, an A in everything!! I will be back next year!

 

R. M. from USA (12/3/2007)
"Much better than last year. Poor markers at split" (about: 2007)

50+ previous marathons | 6+ Rock 'n' Roll Las Vegas Marathons
COURSE: 3  ORGANIZATION: 2  FANS: 4


Better organization than last year. Race started on time. Little or no markers at 1/2 and full turn. Not enough helpers at water points. Better finish line area than last year. Great venue for a race.

 

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