| rev:text
| - I returned in 2014 for the brand new Remix Challenge, which consisted of the inaugural SLS 5K on Saturday, and your choice of race on Sunday (1/2of the Half, Half or Full Marathon).
This year, every race distance sold out in advance. The weekend definitely had a busier feel than last year (and last year was busy!!).
EXPO:
I flew in on Saturday morning. My friends and I got to the expo around 1 and to say it was a scene is no exaggeration. I got there about the same time last year and it wasn't this insane. It was so packed, we actually ended up skipping most of the vendors because it was almost impossible to move.
Some tips to help you navigate:
1) Print out your confirmation sheet(s) in advance
2) Come earlier. I can't say how early, but before Saturday afternoon.
3) Take the monorail to the expo center
I didn't sign up for VIP so I had to stand in two lines for each of my bibs (5K and Half) and then again for shirts.
5K
This was the first year for this option, and for the Remix Challenge. It sold out and proved popular. The course starts and ends in the parking lot of the new SLS, and travels around the area.
We arrived to find a festival-like atmosphere with a DJ, lighted displays, etc. It was a parking lot, but they made the best of it!
There were only supposed to be four corrals, but it seemed like they did 7 or 8 launches of people.
Not gonna lie... This isn't a great course. You basically get one lane of closed traffic on the street along a loop around the perimeter of the SLS. No music along the way. It's the northernmost end of the strip, so not a lot of spectators either.
At the halfway point was a junior cheer squad cheering and handing out water. They were the cutest!
Finally we came back to the end, went through a light display and crossed the finish. They had plenty of refreshments, photographers, medals and the Michelob tent (one free beer for participants).
Took the monorail to and from and it was packed. I think they need to run extra trains during these high traffic events.
HALF (Sunday)
This year, the temps dropped significantly between Saturday and Sunday. If you do this race, make contingency plans in your dress for the weather to change. It was colder than forecast and this was tough. Desert temps can be brutal (both hot and cold).
We left the Westin at 3 to head to the monorail. Unfortunately, they were slowing people into the monorail and it took us about an hour to get on. We were not warned. By the time we got off at MGM, and walked to the start line carnival, they were singing the National anthem, the concert was over and the pre-race snacks were shut down. Leave much earlier than you think you will need to.
The half and the full have a shared start, and there were close to 60 corrals. We ended up getting into 37 ( the best we could get to when we got there) and it took a full hour for us to reach the start line. Yes, the race started at 4:30, and we crossed at 5:30.
Plenty of entertainment and spectators along the way. There is a desolate stretch around mile 7(?) just before Fremont St where you are routed through a dark quiet set of streets. No spectators, no music, no nothing. But then you get to Fremont and know you're in the home stretch.
Around mile 11 or 12, there was a great long stretch of speakers pumping 80s music. It was a great pump-me-up.
As you approach the finish line, the crowds are thick and full of excitement.
The finish corral is well organized, especially for being such a massive race. There are tons of volunteers helping with everything. BUT, the finish corral is about a mile long. Yes, really! There are medals, beers, chocolate milk, power bars, bananas and for once, plenty of space blankets!!!!
OVERALL COMMENTS
The Competitor Group (owners of the RNR series) are very well organized. Even though this race was huge, they were ready.
They also listen to feedback. This year, all race distances got technical t's (with great designs). Very appreciated!
Great race bling for all distances, and totally tailored to each location. In fact, the half and full medals have glow in the dark components since its a night race :)
Rock n Roll have all Remix Challenge participants a black wristband. At the end of the finisher corral, we simply had to walk up to the Heavy Medal tent, show our wristband, have it snipped, and were handed our medal. Compared to the wait I had for my Cali Combo medal at RNRLA (a much smaller race), this was a cake walk.
This was by far the largest race I've ever done (and I've done runDisney events, which are also quite big). While well organized, be prepared that if you're not an elite level runner, you may have to do a lot of standing and waiting.
And it's Vegas, so you will be walking/on your feet a lot even without the race--be prepared! My fitbit registered 53,500 steps at the end of the day, which is roughly the equivalent of 26 miles. I had about 10,000 (5 miles) before we left for the start.
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