Race: Las Vegas Rock n Roll Half Marathon
Runner: Jeff J
Race Date: 11/17/2019
Location: Las Vegas
Results: 1861 out of 19931 overall
Strava Activity Link: https://www.strava.com/activities/2873089733
3 Bests – What aspects of the race did you like the most?
Great/fun group of runners, great location, great music
Not so much – Aspects of the race that didn’t do it for you
Like any big race, it’s very crowded so you have to bob and weave to pass.
Weird factor – What’s the weirdest thing about this race?
People didn’t seem to line up in their corrals very much.
Highlights of your race – What did you do well and enjoy about your race in particular?
This was the first time I’ve run a half marathon and am happy that I finished in under 2 hours. The weather was perfect.
Lessons for others – Share your pro-tips on the race to help the next runner
Arrive well in advance of the race to deal with lines for the bathrooms, gear check, etc.
Lessons you learned that will help you next time around
The elevation was a couple thousand feet higher than I’ve run in prior races. Found my HR to be higher than expected. Also, staying in a Vegas casino (New York NY) was very smoky and my sinuses were very aggravated.
Most important course specific knowledge to know about the race
Lots of volunteers directing folks, so it’s easy to navigate.
Aesthetics – Is it a pretty course?
The Vegas strip is beautiful at night!
Difficulty – Is it a tough course?
It’s a very flat course which is why I chose Vegas as my first half marathon.
Organized and well run – Did it feel like a well-oiled machine or were they flying by the seat of their pants?
Yes, well-oiled machine for the half marathon. I’ve heard the gear check for 10k was a little confusing.
Competition – Is there a strong field?
Lots of great runners here.
Logistics – Does it require a special handshake, registration a year in advance, hotels all booked? Give us the low down on the nuts and bolts of making the race happen.
I registered early on so it was easy.
Aid Stations – Standard fare or anything special to know about the aid stations in terms of what’s available or when?
Gatorade, gel, water every couple of miles.
Weather and typical race conditions
It was mid-fifties during the race in November. Perfect conditions!
Gear – Did you need anything special or is there anything you’d recommend for the next guy?
I brought 4 packets of Gu, in addition to my normal supplies.
Spectators – Is this a friendly course for your friends?
Yes, but it would be hard to find you since there are tons of people.
How’s the Swag?
Lots of cool gear available to purchase.
The Overall Score – How many stars do you give this race and do you recommend that others run it?
4 out of 5 stars. Definitely a fun time!