| rev:text
| - A recent email re: 2017 registration prompted me to consider how much I hate myself (aka sign up for this half marathon again), and also to write a review.
When I moved to Las Vegas in 2011, I had a few 5k races under my belt and I remember watching the race on tv thinking I could never complete a half marathon. In 2012, I crossed that 13.1 finish line for the first time, and again in 2013. I skipped 2014, and chose the 10k distance in '15 and '16.
Half marathon:
I am a slower racer but knew I could finish in under 4 hours, which is the time limit set by the race company. In reality this time limit is greatly ignored - both in the respect that people take more than 4 hours, and also in the respect that the race was grossly under prepared to provide sufficient aid stations for the duration of this time limit.
I truly appreciate volunteers. I have completed 62 races and always thank volunteers - but the two years I completed the half, many tables were empty with no volunteers around to thank. This is absolutely not the fault of the volunteers - but of a race that simply is ill-prepared to provide a fun, safe experience to all participants. (Note: in 2015, some aid stations were nearly wiped out just from the 10k runners, before half participants had even made it thru.)
In an effort to keep the dollars rolling in, it feels like the race gets larger each year - to the point that it can take an hour in the chute of waiting to get within sight of the start line. As a walker/slow runner, I stay to the far right to allow people to pass, but there is little direction to the masses to follow this race courtesy, and many first timers wind up right in the middle, obstructing others and posing a safety risk. Another risk is the slippery, empty gu packets all over the ground.
I would absolutely not recommend this race to anyone as their first half marathon. If you live in Las Vegas it is fun to do at least once though. Other half marathons I have finished or volunteered at are better supported, much less crowded, and more fun IMHO.
10k:
The first year of the 10k felt a wee-bit disorganized at the staring line, with a long queue (nothing compared to the half.) Most recently it was a far better experience and I would definitely register for the 10k again for 2017. It is expensive for a 10k, but there are so many logistics involved it is understandable.
Finish line:
2016 was the best finish line organization to date, with one exception - medal distribution was so far back you definitely missed out on instant gratification from getting a medal at the end of the race. I think I might have actually gotten my free beer before I found the person distributing medals.
Tip: they normally offer $99 registration immediately following the race, for the following year. They also offer specials on Facebook often and via email. Closer to the race there have been Groupons available for at least the past 3 years.
|
![[RDF Data]](/fct/images/sw-rdf-blue.png)
![[cxml]](/fct/images/cxml_doc.png)
![[csv]](/fct/images/csv_doc.png)
![[text]](/fct/images/ntriples_doc.png)
![[turtle]](/fct/images/n3turtle_doc.png)
![[ld+json]](/fct/images/jsonld_doc.png)
![[rdf+json]](/fct/images/json_doc.png)
![[rdf+xml]](/fct/images/xml_doc.png)
![[atom+xml]](/fct/images/atom_doc.png)
![[html]](/fct/images/html_doc.png)