Revel Mt. Charleston is located just outside of Las Vegas. The start of the full marathon is…read more~7,500 ft. Given the very wet winter this year, the start looked and felt like winter wonderland. Despite our best attempt to stay warm, we froze our butts off waiting for the gun to go off. As with other Revel races, MC is a fast downhill course. The 1H is steeper than the 2H. There are a few small climbs. The last 5 or so miles will feel flat but a small climb at mile 23 felt like Mt Everest. There's no shade at all along the entire course so be prepared, expecially if the day will be warm. Course was well supported and the finish area includes a beer garden and the usual post race nutrients. The expo was held at the convention smaller. It's small. Will take you a few minutes to get through if you don't wish to linger. The transportation options include a pickup at the Tuscany Hotel, near the strip (for a fee). To keep things simple, that's where we stayed. It's a small hotel and easy to get in and out. If you don't care about gaming and other features of large casinos, the Tuscany is a good option. Overall Mt Charleston is a good Spring race to try to BQ. However, Big Bear is still my fav.

I've run the marathon the past 3 years. The race from start to finish has been very well organized…read more Currently, the World Market Center Las Vegas has been the venue for the race expo. At all REVEL races, there's a pair of throwaway gloves and mylar blanket in everyone's goodie/gear check bag. It's the little details right? The wait at the start line can get quite cold as most years, there will still be snow on the ground. For this year, they even brought out heat lamps to help runners stay warm. For the most part, the course is a nice gentle downhill the entire way. There's a late climb around mile 24, so make sure to save a little bit of energy. They have beautiful medals and lots of post race goodies waiting for each runner at the finish line. Race photos are complimentary for all REVEL races!

Huffin' and puffin' before digging into the stuffin' is always a good idea! I kept putting off…read moresigning up for a 5K this Thanksgiving until the week before and happened upon a discount code on social media. Location was convenient, price was right, and of course, the cute medal and shirt didn't hurt! Organization was on point. Missed packed pickup due to Turkey Prep 2017 but grabbed my stuff as soon as I got on site Thursday morning. Race started on time, route was clearly marked, and despite slacking off on running for the past several months, I ran the whole way! My time sucked but I love that they offer timing services because I track my workouts. Looking forward to the next holiday run!

I have done this walk/run for ten years and it's a lot of fun to do. It's the Make A Wish…read moreFoundation of Southern Nevada's major fund raiser each year. There are generally several thousand runners and walkers each year. The fun thing about these events is the chance to see people dresses in all kinds of costumes like the Star Trek people. There are people who put different sweaters on their animals and it's fun to see them do that. Before the race, there generally is some entertainment and stretching exercises. After the race, there's a raffle and more entertainment. It really is a fun atmosphere. The volunteers for the Make a Wish Foundation are excellent! They are there to help in any way they can. The route around Town Square and over Sunset to Valley View is fantastic! Planes taking off from McCarran go almost directly overhead. Perhaps next year, I'll start a UYE so we can have a team there.

Held in early December I visited this event in 2007 as a spectator to cheer on a friend who was…read morerunning in her first half marathon. I ran in the full marathon in 2005 when it was reintroduced with its current course which runs up Las Vegas Boulevard or "the Strip" and runs through Fremont Street and all of its older casino hotels and the Fremont Street Experience. The race starts and ends at the beautiful Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino, but from the moment you are let off from the early morning monorail service it is a confusing maze through the Mandalay Bay convention area just to get to the race assembly area. The signs are not very noticeable and very confusing, and basically you'll end up following a crowd just hoping to end up in the correct location. Once you arrive outside in the bitter cold darkness you are left wondering where to drop off your sweats and which direction to go to get to the start line. It seems only the actual start line is well lit so you'll have to head in that direction in anticipation of the 6 AM start. The actual start of the race is magnificent by marathon standards as the sky is lit up with a dramatic, lengthy fireworks show. Thousands of spectators gather in the Mandalay Bay parking lot and along the Las Vegas Strip to cheer on your every step. The first 5 and a half miles are run along the Strip and miles 5.5 to roughly 6.8 takes you through the Fremont Street Experience. As you exit the Fremont Street Experience you'll come across a timing mat at 7 miles, and unbeknownst to the participant that will be the last time you'll see civilization as the next 16.5 miles are run through desert communities and residential areas where you'll see only a handful of friendly neighbors willing to come out of their warm homes to encourage you to keep running. The general feeling I got was that most residents were pretty irate with having thousands of runners interrupt their Sunday mornings by tossing trash on their streets and forcing them to wait in traffic. At 23.5 miles you'll reach Frank Sinatra Drive. Hopefully by this time the temperatures will have warmed a bit as the tall Mandalay Bay Resort signage becomes visible telling you the finish line is near. Crowd support is pretty spotty until you get back to the 26 mile mark. In 2005 we started the race in low 40 F temperatures and ended the race in warm mid 70 F temperatures. With the exception of the first 7 miles the overall course is not very scenic and actually quite boring. My suggestion would be to just skip the full marathon and participate in the half marathon instead as that race goes out along the Las Vegas Strip, turns around at the Fremont Street Experience and returns to the finish line via roads that run parallel to the Strip. The course support in terms of fluid replacement (water & Gatorade) is exceptional with stations at nearly every mile, and there is plenty of medical support and law enforcement along the course. The finishers' medal in 2005 was quite unique as the center of the medal actually spun on a center axis. Real Las Vegas showgirls and Elvis impersonators stand ready at the finish area and at the race expo to pose with you for a unique Vegas-only photo. Will I return to run in this event? Probably not for the full marathon, but I'll definitely be back to participate in the half marathon.

I've been meaning to write a review for this marathon for awhile, but now as i'm ready to taper for…read morethe chicago marathon in October, it reminds me of my experience with this race last year. I ran the half, and was pretty nervous as my flight was delayed so i didn't get into vegas until waaaaay late friday night...also i started to doubt my training and wondered if i had done enough (normal pre-race jitters i think). Then, once i landed in vegas and got to my parents' house, i started to relax and realized i'd be fine. The race was actually nice and cold (40's at the start, just perfect). There was a fireworks display to start as well as a bunch of running elvis impersonators ...i caught up with the karaoke machine and got to singalong with them, how many races can you say you did that? Blue man group was around mile 3.5, so that was cool. Also, since the race starts at 6am you get a strange mix of fans watching and people just getting out of the clubs. I must say, running past Pure and Jet I was very distracted...so many nice looking ladies =) Then once you pass the strip into the older parts of vegas you get to some strip clubs, where drunken frat packs stumble out of the clubs and happen onto the race and cheer you on ("Run Forrest Run! i must've heard 5 times, quite clever). The race was pretty boring after passing downtown vegas, as we run Frank Sinatra Dr. past all the hotel parking garages for the last part...i think the crowd support is needed the most back here, so if you come out to watch...head to the back of the hotels. I saw my parents at harrah's holding up signs cheering me on around mile 3, so once i saw them i knew i'd be ok =). Overall the race was fine, and i'm planning on doing the half again this year. There is also an after party at Tao where all the runners can get together and talk about their blackened toenails and sore muscles. I think the best part, though, is after the race you are ready to eat a house and there are so many buffets to choose from...i chose the paris buffet brunch and then in-n-out last year (best decision i made, i ate two double-double meals). I think this race will get bigger as it ages.

Trail Trashed, put on in March by Triple Dare Running Company, is my favorite and the hardest trail…read morerun I've ever done. But, I keep going back every year for more torture . The scenery is amazing, the trails are tough, and the support is above and beyond! And, I always make new friends, sometimes from other countries, because people come from all over to participate. I've participated in hundreds of races in the Las Vegas Valley, and Triple Dare is one of the best in the city. Their staff wants you to succeed. From the clear markings of the course, to aid station amenities, to the cheering of the crowds and staff, everything they do is to enable you to complete your race in the very best way you can. They are very supportive of our community, especially veterans, offering them race discounts. They have friendly ambassadors to help answer questions and assist in needs you may have, sometimes offering up discounts to races. They care about our environment and don't harm it in any way. I've done several of their races and will continue to support them. I highly recommend this company!

just did Trail of Terror and it was awesome! everyone was happy, supportive and helpful. you can…read moretell they are having a great time throwing the race- almost as much as we had running. did the 50k relay, and I highly recommend!

Ragnar Relay Series!…read more This one is definitely different. Hailing from San Diego California the experience was definitely different. I did miss the snow since I was in Van 2 and I didn't have to run until after lunch. My fellow Ragnarians who did So. Cal liked this much better. Pros: 1. We rented a house with a thousand bedrooms so we didn't have to sleep in the van. 2. The exchanges were within 30 minutes of civilization so we could shower and take power naps when we were not running. 3. Food was not a problem since we went to Costco and cooked our own food during the major exchanges. 4. The beer garden was a plus Cons: 1. Three of the major exchanges were within a mile of each other which created a lot of confusion for Van 1 so the stress levels were pretty high. 2. A little on the disorganized side since we didn't get a slap bracelet until after the following day. 3. The whole team did not receive their bracelets. 4. The box of pizza for six after running almost 200 miles is not enough. Actually it created friction on who is going to eat the extra slice. Would I do this event again? Heck yeah and we are looking forward the Trail Series.

Driving up Mount Charleston through snow flurries with five other runners, a case each of water and…read moreGatoraide, snacks and too little clothing, I begin to wonder what I've signed up for. The event itself was AMAZING! I found that everyone on our team bonded and supported each other with incredible team work, humor and tolerance. I would do this again in a heartbeat. Now, you may wonder, with such glowing praise for the experience, why three stars? Ah my friends, this is where the story gets interesting... First off, this event is EXPENSIVE! I mean, break open your kids piggy bank, pull money out of savings and be prepared to shuck out lots of hard green. We did decide to do this late, so our registration came to $146 per person, which for an adventure race isn't out of line, but you will have to pay the full amount for the entire team in one payment. If you don't happen to have 12 runners already convinced that two full days of running is a good idea, that's a hefty bill. Now, I'm hearing you say, "That's not really that bad for a massive event like this" and I would usually agree, but then we added up the additional fees that were not apparent when we first signed up. You will have to rent two vans unless you've got a creepy uncle who's still clinging to the 70's with a hoopty sporting a "if this van's a rockin, don't come a knockin" bumper sticker (then you've still got to shuck out bucks to have that beast steam cleaned before any sane person would sleep in it) - So at about $300 per van and another $100 in gas, you're dumping another $800 into transportation. Ok, ok, I know you're thinking, "Of course you'd have to provide your own transportation, but that's it right?" and of course, you'd be wrong again. You also have to buy reflective vests for every team mate, at least two head lamps and two tail lamps for each van. I know were not talkin big bucks, but after already paying $1700 to register and $800 for rides, it starts to get annoying. Oh, and you can't just use any kind of vest or lamps. Got a cool shirt with reflective sleeves, nope, not good enough. You've got to buy one of the approved items listed on their site. Finally, I'm hearing you say: "I can borrow my brother's Escalade (He can give up one weekend pimpin', right?), and I've got some safety gear because I already run at night sometimes" but wait, there's more, If you so much as have one runner that lives within 100 miles of the course, you'll also have to convince three more people to volunteer to man portions of the race. Yup, you heard right, you've got to be a temp service for the race on top of the $2,500 you've already shucked out. Don't have any friends, or all of the good friends you do have you've already convinced to run this thing with you? It's ok, you can pay the race an additional $120 per missing volunteer. That could take this up to almost $3,000 in expenses before you even start. And if you're from out of town, plane tickets or gas will be even more expensive. Ok, so your rich and you bank roll the whole lot without even blinking. Your now expecting an amazing experience right? Well buckle up hombre, because this ain't no trained pony you've signed up to ride. The logistics of running this event are immense, and most of the staff are folks that local runners have guilted into working their weekend. We started off at the start line registration which had no signs telling us where to go, or what to do. The check in was spread over four locations, some required all runners while others just required one to sign, or pick up items. The safety briefing was over a distorted microphone in blowing snow, and focused more on chanting the emergency number than on what to do and what not to do. Oh, and even after shucking out money for vests and lamps, we were forced to pony up a credit cart deposit for safety flags that if not returned would cost us an additional $40. Once we got all of our info we found out that about a third of our courses had suddenly become non-support legs. What does that mean, you ask? Well a support leg is when you and your team leapfrog ahead of the person running to check on them and be a mobile water station. Yup, you've got to do the water station portion of the course yourself at your own expense (kind of a plus and a minus, It was great to support our team, but after paying this much money, you'd expect at least some water) Now a non-support leg means that you cannot stop and help your runner while they are running. On these legs, Ragnar folks set up water stations, though they were not staffed so your runner has to get their own cup then play go fish to find out which of the three coolers still has water. We saw many van's ignoring the non-support restriction, pulling off to help their runners anyway. Overall, It was a fantastic event that really needs some tightening up. I'm sure it's a great race the second time, but it's hell if you don't already know what you should and shouldn't be doing.

You have to be at least part sadist to sign up for this 5K- it's halfway through June, and even…read morestarting at 7AM, temperatures are 90+. But Floyd Lamb Park is probably one of the better places to do this, since the water off of the lake cools things off a bit for the beginning and end of the route. There was plenty of parking and no entry fee. Trail itself was okay, I really enjoyed the beginning/end portions near the lake and liked seeing the ducks. However, the major portion around the basin, with some gravel/rocks, are not my preferred terrain and it was extremely hot in the exposed area. Luckily, there were two aid stations with water and wet towels, which were perfect for cooling off! Shirt and finishers medal were attractively designed with a tie theme, and there was a "coolest tie" contest. Race was open to kids, adults, dogs, and even strollers- those last two were not so much to my liking, but whatever. Those who also participated in the Moms Rock 5K on Mothers Day weekend received an additional Parents Rock medal, which was a fun way to encourage people to do both. Sponsors included Rachels Kitchen- who offered free mimosas and discounted smoothies at their nearby location after the run. Packet pickup was quick and easy at Red Rock Running Co on Cheyenne.

The Sprinkler Spring 5k is organized by a local running organization called Downtown Runners. I've…read moreparticipated in the Sprinkler Sprint twice (in 2014 and 2013). The race was previously held in the sweltering summer month of June, but it looks like it will be held in August this year. Last year I purchased a Groupon for $25 to register for the event. Registration included a "swag bag". This fun 5k is dubbed the Sprinkler Sprint because the course features literal sprinklers, water guns, and other watery escapades that drench runners along the way. I was actually really grateful for being pegged by water guns because it provided sweet relief from the heat. At one point in the race there was a fire truck gushing water out so participants could run through it. The finale was the water slide at the finish line. I would definitely participate in the Sprinkler Sprint 5k again. The race isn't timed - it's just for fun! YELP 100 CHALLENGE 2015: #150