Majestically framing the west side of the valley, Red Rock Canyon is the most notable natural treasure in the Las Vegas area. Federally designated as a Backcountry Scenic Byway, the 13 mile paved scenic drive traverses some of the Mojave Desert’s most stunning vistas. Sandstone formations, desert vegetation, and wildlife …
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Majestically framing the west side of the valley, Red Rock Canyon is the most notable natural treasure in the Las Vegas area. Federally designated as a Backcountry Scenic Byway, the 13 mile paved scenic drive traverses some of the Mojave Desert’s most stunning vistas. Sandstone formations, desert vegetation, and wildlife bring this place to life. The birthplace of Calico Racing! The trailheads “Calico Hills” inspired the namesake and dictated the company logo colors.
MARATHON COURSE- 6:15am start time: USATF Certificate #NV08003DCR; The Red Rock Marathon is an official Boston Marathon Qualifier!
The Marathon course starts at the EXIT of the paved scenic drive at roughly 3800′ elevation. Runners will run against traffic making a left hand turn down a short out and back section on Oak Creek dirt road (total 0.7 mile). Rejoining the scenic drive just after mile 1, runners will continue running against traffic and gradually climbing to the summit overlook at 4771′ by mile 8.6. Descending off the overlook you’ll cruise the next 4 mile downhill, run up to the Visitors Center (elevation 3740′), make one complete loop around the Visitors’ Center the rejoin the scenic drive. Now running with traffic you’ll put in some work as you climb back up to the summit overlook at mile 18.4. The course continues over downhill, flat and rolling terrain where you can pick up the pace to the finish line back where you started at the EXIT of the scenic drive. 7 hour cut off
The 1/2 Marathon course starts at the Visitors Center (elevation approx 3740 feet), roughly 2 miles from the marathon start (also your finish) at the Exit of the scenic drive. You’ll run a complete loop around the Visitors Center before joining up with the paved scenic drive. You’ll run with traffic climbing to the summit overlook (4771′ elevation) by mile 5.3. The course continues over downhill, flat and rolling terrain where you can pick up the pace to the finish line at the EXIT of the scenic drive. 6.25 hour cut off
5K COURSE- *7:45am* The 5K course starts at the EXIT of the paved scenic drive at roughly 3800′ elevation. Runners will run against traffic 1.55 miles to their turn around; retrace their steps and return to the finish line at the EXIT of the scenic drive. 5.5 hr cut off
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Fun race with good support
Very fun course with nice views. The hills were a little challenging for me. Course support was excellent both with aid stations and bathrooms. Great food spread at the end. … MORE
Very fun course with nice views. The hills were a little challenging for me. Course support was excellent both with aid stations and bathrooms. Great food spread at the end.
Transportation was a bit unclear – runners take a bus back to the parking areas or the LV strip. But it appeared shuttles were pretty spread out with people waiting a long time for them.
Tough but beautiful
This was a very difficult race physically for this repeat half marathoner. Climbing 1000 ft in 5 miles. The back half helped me make up my initial pace with all … MORE
This was a very difficult race physically for this repeat half marathoner. Climbing 1000 ft in 5 miles. The back half helped me make up my initial pace with all the downhills. So beautiful though. Beautiful weather. If you want a challenge and/or race to just enjoy the scenery this is a great one!
Brutal but Beautiful
I had done this marathon before and enjoyed it a lot so when I was looking for a half marathon close to LA the Saturday before the Rose Bowl half … MORE
I had done this marathon before and enjoyed it a lot so when I was looking for a half marathon close to LA the Saturday before the Rose Bowl half and saw this one was happening I decided to take a side trip to las Vegas. For the race if you want to stay on the strip you can purchase a bus ticket from the strip if you don’t want to rent a car. However as I obviously had to rent a car with how much I was traveling I just stayed at the Hampton Inn by Red Rock. It is convenient for the race. The full marathon, half marathon and 5K start at different times and locations. There is no parking at the start/finish so you can take a free shuttle from a nearby parking lot or purchase one from the strip. I just parked at the free one which was an 8 minute drive from my hotel. There was only race day packet pick up. I thought the start could be a bit more organized though I get it is difficult with multiple races and multiple starts. For instance some more signage at the start would be nice as everyone went the wrong direction to get the packets but we figured out where to go eventually. It’s a smallish race with a little over 300 half marathoners so packet pick-up was pretty smooth. You got the shirt at the end so you didn’t have to run with it. Weather for the race was nice. it was cooler this year. There was a bit of a drizzle which is surprising for the desert but never full rain. The start was just behind a timing mat and there was no indication where to line up by pace. This could have been done better but since it’s a smaller race it wasn’t a huge deal. This race is really cool because the course is actually in the state park. The half marathon is basically a point to point along the entire scenic drive. It is gorgeous. One of the most beautiful races you will run. There was a coned off area for runners so it was safe even though roads weren’t closed. It is a very tough race with 1400 feet of elevation gain. But the good news is the time limit is super long especially for the half marathon. There is a 7 hour time limit for the full marathon and 6:15 for the half so no worrying about not finishing. The full marathon this year was an out and back along the entire scenic loop. My legs were quite sore since I spent the week in between races walking around Disneyland and hiking and I have a very ambitious half marathon plan so I decided to just walk this one and soak in the scenery. The first 5 miles are mostly uphill and brutal. The good news is the last 8 miles are mostly downhill and less brutal. There were also sufficient aid stations and I was happy there were quite a few back of packers so I was never really alone during the race. My finishing time was obviously quite slow as I pretty much just walked this race but there were still a number of people behind me so this is a great half marathon for walkers. At the finish line you get your medal. The medal and shirt were nice with southwestern designs but they are not distance specific and are quite similar to the swag from 3 years ago. It is still nice swag for a smaller race. There was a lot of food options at the end. No big food options but lots of snacks and a good mix of healthier snacks like trail mix and fruit and less healthy snacks like donuts and candy. The shuttle back was easy though I finished just as one left so I had to wait like 20 minutes. Overall this is one of the most scenic half marathons you can find. I would definitely recommend this race especially if you like smaller, scenic races as long as you don’t mind hills. I would also definitely recommend this for walkers and back of packers. This is a great choice for Nevada if you are more into the beauty of the desert than you are into casinos. I wish the start was a bit more organized but overall I was very happy to come back and do this race again.
Beautiful Course
This is a small race and expectations for swag, food, and spectators should be set accordingly. Buses conveniently pick up racers and spectators from specified locations. It’s a little chilly … MORE
This is a small race and expectations for swag, food, and spectators should be set accordingly.
Buses conveniently pick up racers and spectators from specified locations.
It’s a little chilly and dark in the starting area, but that is a good thing.
The course is beautiful and the weather was perfect this year.
It is a challenging course, with some very steep and long hills. The most challenging being around miles 15-18. Expect to hike these unless you are a contender.
A really excellent marathon if you enjoy scenery, and running for the joy of it.
Gorgeous and Challenging Course
Do you like hills? This is a lot of hill but it's an entirely paved course and you are surrounded by intense natural beauty on all sides. Remarkable experience. Race … MORE
Do you like hills? This is a lot of hill but it’s an entirely paved course and you are surrounded by intense natural beauty on all sides. Remarkable experience. Race was very well organized and conditions were great.
Small scene and hill
Small scene and hill . Well organized if you buy bus ticket Little cold at the start after 20 minutes it is good 👍 . Volunteers are encouraging . Had MORE
Small scene and hill . Well organized if you buy bus ticket Little cold at the start after 20 minutes it is good 👍 . Volunteers are encouraging . Had
Fun watching the Canyon
Perfect weather, good race production.
I have ran this course at night and in the day. It is a good event to run, all paved ( 99%), nice people, good organization. These people do many … MORE
I have ran this course at night and in the day. It is a good event to run, all paved ( 99%), nice people, good organization. These people do many Las Vegas area runs. Weather is almost always good. This time, early cold start, good temps. all day. Location is great, don’t miss this one. Calico racing. The results were posted in less than 12 hours.
Incredibly beautiful
This was a unique year to run due to COVID. They broke the runners into waves and so we started at 1 pm with only about 50 other runners. Calico … MORE
This was a unique year to run due to COVID. They broke the runners into waves and so we started at 1 pm with only about 50 other runners. Calico racing did a great job of making it safe and still smooth production.
The course is one of my favorite ever. I couldn’t believe what I was seeing and had no clue it was going to be so beautiful. I also couldn’t believe how much elevation gain there was in the first half! I was not prepared for that (my fault for not researching more.) It is an out and back course though, so despite walking half of the first 7 miles I still finished around my average half time because I was able to cruise downhill in the second half.
The medal was pretty cool as well. Definitely recommend running this incredible course.
Beautiful Desert Marathon
Views were absolutely beautiful. It was a small race (maybe smaller due to Covid) so there were some lonely spots on the course. Elevation was no joke, but overall it … MORE
Views were absolutely beautiful. It was a small race (maybe smaller due to Covid) so there were some lonely spots on the course. Elevation was no joke, but overall it was a great race. Beautiful medal as well.
Will Take Your Breath Away
So I am not a huge fan of the Vegas strip but I love the natural beauty of the southwest so this was already at the top of my list … MORE
So I am not a huge fan of the Vegas strip but I love the natural beauty of the southwest so this was already at the top of my list for a Nevada race even before covid. I needed a marathon to run this weekend as part of my training for the Zion 50K and when looking at my options this seemed like the marathon most likely to happen that I wanted to run. This was the most beautiful but also the most difficult marathon I have done but I was actually hoping for a more difficult marathon as part of my training. The amazing scenery and the over 2500 feet of elevation gain will take your breath away both literally and figuratively. Now for the details. Logistically this race was very complicated to hold with Nevada group size limits and multiple distances. It ended up being an all day event with 1 marathon group, 4 half marathon groups and 2 5K groups each capped at 50 people. I arrived a week before the race to do some hiking, trail running and sight seeing. I am not a gambler and am not really into the whole casino thing so I stayed at the Hampton Inn near Red Rock. Very convenient for the race and for visiting red rock but if you would prefer a more traditional Las Vegas vacation the race does offer a bus from the strip to the race for an additional fee. Prior to the race a detailed final instruction packet was sent. There were a number of modifications due to covid. One of the main ones is there was no pre-race packet pick-up and you just got it the morning of the race. Since the groups were small, parking was very convenient as we could park at the start line. Normally there is the option of the strip bus for a fee or a free bus from a closer location and no start line parking. I did think the start line was a bit chaotic as there was a half marathon group that started at 6:15 but a lot of them were out and using the port-a-potties and getting their packets when it was just supposed to be the marathoners outside their cars. Luckily the race staff realized this and had marathoners come to the front of the line for packet pick-up. Packet included bib and shirt. Shirt is nice and tech but not year or distance specific. The chaotic start seemed to be related to the multiple groups and not something that would occur in a normal year and I only took away one sneaker from production since it was a lot of work to arrange so many races in 1 day so a few blips is understandable. The marathon started at 6am so it was slightly dark and very cool. In case you have been following my recent weather woes with races, today the weather was absolutely beautiful but as it is the desert the early start is slightly cold but it warms up quickly. Either bring throw away clothes or do as I did and just suck it up and be cold the first 2 miles. Otherwise you might be too hot. Normally the marathon is an out and back along the entire 13 mile scenic drive. This year to accommodate multiple races it was a double out and back from the end of the scenic drive to the halfway point. The half marathon is normally a point to point course along the scenic drive but today there were two out and back courses with one at the start and one at the end of the scenic drive. At 6am the marathoners lined up about 6 feet apart and started. The marathon was manually timed not chipped time. But this isn’t a PR course so it’s not the end of the world if you lose a few seconds starting at the back. The course is absolutely gorgeous with the sandstone formations and desert scenery. There is one short out and back on dirt road in the beginning but the rest is road. The first half of the out and back is net uphill and is tough. It was especially tough since I did about 40 miles of additional hiking and trail running this week before the marathon. There are a few downhills but it is a slow start. The you go to the turnaround point and it is mostly downhill so can make up for some time. You then go to the start line and turn around and do it again. Normally I wouldn’t want to do a 2 loop marathon course but this was so spectacular I didn’t mind doing it again although could have done with a few less hills. There were aid stations about every 2 miles with water, Heed (electrolyte drink) and all but the first one had gels. Very friendly staff and everyone involved with the race was very friendly and encouraging. I was the last runner for some of the race but all the runners who passed me and everyone at the aid stations cheered me on. Even though this was a road race, it had kind of a trail race vibe where it was more laid back and about enjoying nature and each other’s company and not as much about trying to PR or BQ which I really enjoyed. While I was obviously quite slow given the elevation and my tired legs from all the hiking I did earlier this week, I actually felt great at the turnaround point around mile 20 and really killed the last 10K of the race and ended up passing a few people and my fastest miles were the final ones. I greatly enjoyed running (and I’ll admit it some power walking) among such beautiful scenery and I was actually sad it was over. I would have loved another 5 miles so I guess I am ready for my upcoming 50K. At the end they record your time and you get your medal. This was my slowest marathon but I knew that it would be coming into the race given the difficulty and all the hiking and trail running I did this week so I was happy to finish under 6 hours. The medal is big but again not distance or year specific. Also while I like that they use southwestern designs and patterns, I feel like there is too much negative space on the medal and the logo is too small but it’s not a bad medal. There were some cups of water and some grab and go snacks such as smartpop and Kind bars at the finish line but no festivities due to covid. Afterwards I left and went to my favorite vegan spot in Vegas (Violette’s vegan cafe) for my traditional post-marathon veggie burger. Overall I thought this was a gorgeous and wonderful race albeit very difficult. If you want to do well on this race, you will need to do hill training and should not hike 40 miles the week before. But if you want to just enjoy the race and have a great adventurous vacation do the hiking as there is a 7 hour time limit so you can walk a lot of it. Unless you are desperate for a PR or BQ, choose this for your Nevada race!
Stunning Views
This race was small and well organized. The course was very challenging with lots of long, steep climbs & downhills, but the scenery was worth it. The course was beautiful … MORE
This race was small and well organized. The course was very challenging with lots of long, steep climbs & downhills, but the scenery was worth it. The course was beautiful with views of the mountains and red rocks. They do allow packet pick-up on race day. The only downside is the swag. The shirt and medal didn’t have the year on them. And that was the only swag. However they did have a variety of post race food including some soup which was a nice way to warm up after the race. I ran this for my Nevada race. I would recommend it to others!
Beautiful Scenery, Tough Climb
Very Well Organized. It rained all day but race went off without a hitch (at least as far as I could see). Kind of a tough course but I look … MORE
Very Well Organized. It rained all day but race went off without a hitch (at least as far as I could see). Kind of a tough course but I look forward to doing it again.
Great sceanery
Chilly at the stars, long steady hill climbs,great race organization. The pick up at the casino was the only drawerback, you had to walk through a smokey air to get … MORE
Chilly at the stars, long steady hill climbs,great race organization. The pick up at the casino was the only drawerback, you had to walk through a smokey air to get there.
Always worth it
Calico Racing shows they enjoy this as much as the runners by putting the multiple races on without major issues. First, it's just beautiful out at Red Rock to run. … MORE
Calico Racing shows they enjoy this as much as the runners by putting the multiple races on without major issues. First, it’s just beautiful out at Red Rock to run. The full and half course is challenging with the 5k just plain fun. Although the slight incline at the finish always gets me. Great swag metals to finish plus bonus themed placement awards too. Towels and food at the end also a bonus!!
Really Beautiful, Really Hard!
I was looking for a 42K training run that fit my calendar and that I could wear shorts to run - Red Rock fit the bill. The location was just … MORE
I was looking for a 42K training run that fit my calendar and that I could wear shorts to run – Red Rock fit the bill. The location was just breathless, as was I after running the hills. The race was small & seemed very much like a club run in terms of community — lots of conversation, lots of empathy, lots of good vibes — very much like a community event. Calico communications & logistics were flawless. The only drawback was using BLM land meant difficulty with spectators following the racers, but even there Calico arranged for transportation to the site for spectators. I really enjoyed this event!
Spectacularly beautiful. Hills.
Probably the most beautiful half I've ever done. It's situated in a gorgeous state park on a road which winds in a horseshoe shape. The views are always magnificent. However … MORE
Probably the most beautiful half I’ve ever done. It’s situated in a gorgeous state park on a road which winds in a horseshoe shape. The views are always magnificent. However there’s a 5 mile hill to start with and an 8 mile downhill with some ‘rollers’ thrown in, so it’s not likely to be a PR effort. I felt that the hills were pretty runnable with some training. Plenty of aid stations, super-friendly volunteers. Pancakes at the finish line. GIANT medals and a really nice tech shirt. Packet pick up very easy at Sun Coast Casino. Great shuttle buses from the Sun Coast, which made race morning very easy. All in all, fantastic organization, a beautiful race and a great day. SO glad I didn’t do the 26.2.