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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 441 to 451]
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N. B. from Las Vegas NV (12/3/2007)
"Terrible!!" (about: 2007)

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


This will be the last time I run the LV Marathon. Devine Sports needs to get it together. I ran the full last year and the 1/2 this year. I truly thought the complaints from last year would improve this year's race. They did not. Never have I run in any race where I had to wait and pour my own water at the water stations. This was due to lack of volunteers. At the expo there was one guy on Friday night handling one whole side of the bib pick-up table. I also think this marathon is way overpriced! Also, my friend and I placed our jackets, hers being an $80 Nike jacket, in the provided bags when we got warm. We left them at about the 3rd water station. We never got them back and not one person could tell us how we could get them back. We even went to the actual tent where all the other bags were and none of the volunteers had a clue what to tell us. And of course the the poorest ever split for the 1/2 and the full marathon. May I suggest a huge banner? This is not rocket science. Also had someone stop dead in front of me to take a picture of the Blue Man Group!

Needless to say, poorly done, Devine!

 

L. R. from Los Angeles, CA (12/3/2007)
"Mostly flat, fun course. Glitzy Vegas is unique." (about: 2007)

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


Overall, this was a very upbeat marathon experience. The weather was great. The 6 a.m. start time was good, allowing for perfect temperatures. The craziness of the Vegas strip, runners in Elvis-costumes, and the run-through wedding chapel were fun distractions. The course is fairly flat, with a gradual 400-foot elevation gain and loss in the middle third. Well marked, with ample drinks and facilities. Good spectator support, shouting runner names. Nice technical shirt and interesting medal. The post-race area was chaotic but generally well stocked. No complaints, other than that this seemed more commercial and less charity- or scenery-oriented than most.

 

J. Q. from Washington (12/3/2007)
"I enjoyed LVM 2007!!" (about: 2007)

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


Well I had heard and read really bad things about this marathon, but I really like Vegas and wanted to do this run. So this past Sunday, I ran the New LV Marathon and I had a blast. I had no problem getting to the starting line, and there were no big lines at the bathrooms; then again I used one at the Mandalay Bay before going out to the start. Loved the fireworks and the crowd, the blue guys, Elvis, and all the people running to the chapel. I thought it was a lot of fun. I did get confused in the split for the 1/2 and full - no sign!! But besides that, the aid stations were friendly and had plenty of water and Gatorade. I think they could've used a lot more volunteers at some stations. It was a fun overall experience. No big crowds at the expo and it was really easy and fast to get my bib and goody bag. Also, they had a nice technical shirt and a cool medal. Would do Vegas again - it was fast and flat!!

 

G. K. from New York, USA (12/3/2007)
"So-So Marathon; Excellent Tour of Las Vegas!" (about: 2007)

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


Hotel & Transportation:

Stayed at the MGM signature, and for the price and room quality, I have zero complaints. We took the Tram from Excalibur and were at the starting line within 15 minutes of leaving our room. The Tram was empty (we left our room at 4:45 a.m.).

Expo: Very large expo but not very well organized, as it was missing an information booth. My wife was concerned that she was not placed in the sub 4-hour corral and the volunteers kept pointing her in different directions. As a result, she was unable to resolve this at the expo. Using email and various phone numbers, she was put in touch by a man who goes by the name of Elvis. He was very helpful; however, meeting him at the start of the race proved impossible, as they had tons of Elvis impersonators on the course.

Starting area:

Bathroom situation was superb. I actually got a never-been-used port-o-potty; there were no lines, etc. I did not have bags to check. Starting area was also empty; I easily got to the very front of the 4+-hour corral. My wife, who did not pre-qualify, was allowed to go into the sub-4-hour corral (relax guys - she ran 3:45).

I loved listening to Robyn Lynch, seeing the Elvis impersonators, etc.... For those of you wondering, yes, Elvis impersonators got their own starting area; however, once they allowed the 4+-hour corral to move up, we were in front of the Elvis look-a-likes.

The race:
Due to congestion, I was unable to start running until after the starting mat.

The first five miles we ran north on Las Vegas Blvd. They had firecrackers, some crowd support and a ton of photo ops; also, the road was not crowded.

The half/full marathon split: They had no signage. Those of us without headphones were lucky enough to hear someone on the sidelines yelling instructions. However, I did see approximately 10 runners who went the wrong way. They were forced to turn around as they missed a critical checkpoint.

The final 21 miles: They had many areas where small crowds congregated to cheer us on. Major kudos for the personalized bibs, as I heard my name called repeatedly. We ran through an industrial area, past an RV park, and past a few of the infamous Vegas wedding chapels. Most of the race was through a windy street that went past communities surrounded by a 6-foot brick fence.

The final 10K were cool, as you could see the Vegas strip up ahead. As you got closer, you could make out the Wynn Hotel, Planet Hollywood and Caesar's Palace. Other than that, there was not much to see.


Pros: The bathroom situation. They had a bathroom approximately every half mile, with no line. They also had plenty of water stations (about 1 every mile). Mile markers were everywhere (they even had 10K, 20K, 25K, 30K, 35K and 40K markers). I did not see the first 2 mile-markers, but it was probably because I was so awestruck. After the race was complete, I was able to catch a taxi within 5 minutes.

Cons: Is it me or were some of the mile markers off? No pace groups! Many slow people at the front of the 4+-hour corral; again, pace groups help relieve this problem. They had a few bands along the course, but most were very amateurish and not very good.

 

M. T. from los angeles, ca (12/3/2007)
"2007 MUCH improved from last year" (about: 2007)

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


The organizers did a pretty good job fixing last year's problems. The mile markers were accurate, there was lots of food at the finish for slower marathoners like myself and things just seemed more organized. There was that gaffe with the half/full marathon split point, though, where a bunch of halfers missed their turn off due to poor signage. It's awesome running through the Strip; the rest of the course is bleh.

 

l. p. from california (10/28/2007)
"poor planning" (about: 2006)

6-10 previous marathons | 2 Rock 'n' Roll Las Vegas Marathons
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 1  FANS: 3


I did 2005 and 2006 and found that the lack of organization and development on the part of Devine was horrible. They "scanned" my Champion Chip and could not verify the validity of it but they told me all was fine. It never worked and I had to trust video feedback for a finish time. The start was a mess.

 

G. F. from Atlanta, GA (10/11/2007)
"GET RID OF DEVINE" (about: 2007)

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


So much opportunity wasted. Hate to pile on, but I'm looking at other marathons after Chicago and I can't believe I'd even consider Vegas after 2006. Much of this is piling on what everyone else is saying.

Starting line had much to offer in terms of the fireworks and Blue Man Group, but total chaos to get into the starting grid.

Might as well not have given T-shirts. How cheap can Devine be? Not only crap quality, but the design left a lot to be desired.

Actually think the 1/2 marathon was more like 13.5 miles. Mile markers were way off.

No finish line area just for runners. Complete disorganization.

Devine should be embarrassed. You won't find me at a Devine event anywhere.

 

Sonya Thomas from California (8/21/2007)
"I had a great experience in 2005" (about: 2005)

3 previous marathons | 1 Rock 'n' Roll Las Vegas Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 2


I am so surprised to see how disappointed runners have been with the New Las Vegas Marathon. I ran the first year of the new course in 2005 and thought the course and the organization did a great job. The spectators were limited but did not take away from my best and fastest race ever! I actually came onto all these comments while signing up for Vegas in 2007.

 

E. M. from Chicago (8/20/2007)
"Great City, Flat, Fun! Bravo Vegas!" (about: 2006)

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


Pre-dawn fireworks, Blue Man Group, flat course, solid course entertainment, and encouraging fans, and a great city to enjoy after the race. A bit cold (40's) and windy to start, but most shed extra garments within the first 2 miles, going through strip and downtown Vegas was a blast. Enjoy! (Note: only gave fans 4 stars because sometimes they're sparse; but ones out there were all 5 stars!)

 

S. H. from Vermont (7/25/2007)
"Not a good race" (about: 2006)

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


I was fairly dissatisfied with running this race. The mile markers were almost all way off. Race direction was lacking. I don't think I'll run another race organized by Devine.

Course was basically pancake flat. The wind in the middle miles take a lot out of you. Finish area was boring and chaotic.

 

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