| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | |
| H (°F) | 51 | 51 | 73 | 68 | 57 |
| L (°F) | 34 | 33 | 47 | 50 | 35 |
I Loved running in the old and new sections of Vegas at nighttime!! We started out when it was light and finished in the dark with all the lights. MORE
I Loved running in the old and new sections of Vegas at nighttime!! We started out when it was light and finished in the dark with all the lights.
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So i'm torn. I loved the race itself. The beginning was VERY rocky. We had to walk half practially a mile from the start line, and a mile from the … MORE
So i’m torn. I loved the race itself. The beginning was VERY rocky. We had to walk half practially a mile from the start line, and a mile from the finish line. There were so many people that you couldn’t go to the bathroom before hand. BUT there were portapottoes after they let the heat out, so there was that.
The expo was a huge let down. The potential to make something great was there, but it fell flat. Pretty much I would suggest paying the extra $50 to get the stuff the day of the race so you can save your money on a hotel the day before. I would also highly suggest doing the ST Judes bit. It’s a great cause, and you get pretty sweet stuff the day of the race.
It was a flat and fast course. Other than having to weave our way through thousands of people throughout the entire race, if you could start with the first heat, you could definitely PR here.
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I was returning to Las Vegas for the first time in 12 years — but this time with three of my favorite ladies, who somehow managed to convince me that … MORE
I was returning to Las Vegas for the first time in 12 years — but this time with three of my favorite ladies, who somehow managed to convince me that it would be a good idea to spend three full days of daring, dehydrating mischief in Sin City before running a half marathon on the fourth day of the trip. Oh, and this half marathon was going to be at night, something none of us had done before, so I knew fueling and hydration for this race would be uncharted territory. I couldn’t resist rolling the dice to find out what my body was capable of.
On race day, I ate a breakfast wrap with sweet potato waffle fries. I was hoping it would be the complete nutritious meal I needed to power me through the race, keeping my fingers crossed it would not be the cause of unforeseen disastrous gastric consequences. I knew there would be plenty of portable water closets along the course… but still. This trip was already memorable without a bathroom emergency. We wandered over to the Start Village around 3:00 P.M. The Start Village was located behind Planet Hollywood at the intersection of East Harmon Avenue and Audrie Street. Our hotel was conveniently located right between the start line and the finish line — more importantly, closer to the finish line.
We later learned the actual start line was on E Tropicana Avenue at MGM Grand, which was a half mile walk south from the Start Village where everyone was loading up by bib color. When we registered for the race, participants were all assigned a group color and corresponding start line loading time based on the estimated finish time we entered during registration. I was not hoping for a PR, I knew I was there to enjoy the course, take lots of pictures and videos for the ‘Gram, and have fun. If I finished in my average finish time with minimal discomfort and lots of photographic evidence at the end, I’d consider it a good race. The Rock ‘n’ Roll Las Vegas Half Marathon, celebrating its 25th year, was state #8 for me on my 50 states quest.
Each group color was to load to the start line every 15 minutes, for what was in theory an orderly wave start that should have gone off without a hitch. The pre-race communication about this was excellent, the planning was seamless, but the execution was a bit disastrous. There was mass confusion as groups were not instructed to load at their designated times, delays in the next group in the sequential order being called to load, and the end result was ten thousand slightly confused runners squished together within the fenced in start line loading area, clamoring to attempt to squeeze through a narrow black inflatable tunnel to then be released out of the corral to the other side, where they would then begin their half mile walk to the actual start line at the MGM Grand.
According to my weather app, it was 53° F that afternoon with an expected low of 48° F, with wind speeds of 12 mph. The walk to the start line got us pumped up and warmed up, with THOUSANDS of spectators cheering along both sides of Las Vegas Blvd, and music that energized runners and spectators alike. There were people everywhere. In the streets, on the sidelines, and above us, cheering from the pedestrian bridges, and even on the stairs of the pedestrian bridges. The best way to describe the energy of this race was literally a rolling party.
I was absolutely thrilled to find that the entire course was not only beautiful and lively, but it was a gradual gentle downhill pretty much the entire time, and every single mile fully engaged every single one of my five senses. If any race course could be described as “downhill both ways,” this could be it. Miles 1 – 7 were so enjoyable… the most enjoyable miles I’ve ever experienced. For the thousands of miles I’ve run in the past 18 years, that’s saying a lot.
Maybe it was the crowd support, maybe it was the extraordinary enthusiasm of the volunteers, or maybe it was the perfect dry weather and low humidity that didn’t aggravate my sinuses, but I felt amazing for the first half of the race. My breathing was almost effortless the entire time, and I was surprised that even with the race beginning in the middle of what was essentially my dinner time, I was not feeling sluggish or even worried about my time. It was a total immersion in the experience, which is something I don’t normally allow myself to do.
We headed south on Las Vegas Blvd, and by the end of the first mile, we’d passed Tropicana, Harry Reid International Airport (LAS), and the Clark County Fire Station all on the left, and on the right side of the strip as we continued south, we passed Excalibur, Luxor, and Mandalay Bay. At mile 2, we looped around, stopped at the Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign, and continued back up the strip now heading north, with Mandalay Bay looming in view on the right.
The course was extremely well supported, and definitely in my top 5 races as far as excellent course support. There were aid stations approximately every 2 miles, and each aid station had water, with alternating aid stations providing snacks and electrolytes. Medical stations were located at the start and finish.
We passed Luxor on the right while running mile 2, and then got nice close up view of Excalibur. Reaching Mandalay Bay marked mile 3, and this time we were passing Luxor and Excalibur on the left as we headed north on Las Vegas Blvd. I was treated to a spectacular up close and personal view of one my favorite hotels, New York New York. All the while, there were bands set up on elevated platform stages along the course, playing every genre of music imaginable, paying homage to each decade with favorites and classics. I was happy with my decision to not wear my headphones this time.
Mile 9 was the second turnaround point for the half marathon course, and we looped back around at Fremont Street and began heading south down Las Vegas Blvd again. At the turnaround, the wind was no longer at my back, and I was running against the wind. It was bone chillingly cold, and I should have worn a long sleeve shirt under my T-shirt and gloves. I was also acutely aware of how different 45° F feels without the sun, as opposed to 45° F during the daylight.
At mile 12, we entered the spectacularly glamorous portion of the strip again, with all the lights and fanfare, and the Finish Festival was just up ahead. I could see the flames skyrocketing up into the night at the Mirage, and the streets were once again lined with spectators cheering, reading our bibs and calling out our names to cheer for us. The genuine enthusiasm complete strangers had for us finishing felt like a warm hug that broke the spell of the cold, dark, desert air.
My only real complaint other than the disorganized start would be the quality of the photos. I paid the extra fee for high quality finisher photos, and instead what I got were extremely blurry, overexposed abstract works of art that were reminiscent of an “Attempt to Locate” alert from the police to the public, with gritty surveillance camera still photos. I complained to FinisherPix, who offered me a discount on my next order for a future event.
Everything else that happened on my trip will stay in Vegas.
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Well executed race. 27,000 participants yet I wasn’t lost in the crowd. This was the 25th anniversary for RnR series. Large races with production staff are absolutely the best! Expo … MORE
Well executed race. 27,000 participants yet I wasn’t lost in the crowd. This was the 25th anniversary for RnR series. Large races with production staff are absolutely the best!
Expo
Lots of photo opps. Activation stations. Samples. Eclectic collection of vendors. Something for everyone, including your friends/spectators. Signed the banner. Found my name on the giant banner (so cool). Stood on the lighted 13.1 sign. Great experience including “smoke” (dry ice) at the tunnel entrance. Really felt like a professional athlete. It was worth the walk through.
Start Village
Great setup. Jumbotrons made sure you didn’t miss anything happening at the starting line. Mattes for stretching were available. Great chance to see the Elvises and Run Forest Run costumes. Schedule was running ahead so they put us through the chute early.
Race
Love the tracking app. My spectators were able to see me at pedestrian bridges over the Strip, go get supper and get to the finish line. Perfect from my perspective. Course had lots to look at. World’s largest selfie station could have used a helper or volunteer to keep it moving faster. Neat concept. The course was easy and flat. (Beware of the street’s lane reflectors. Possible trip hazard.) Aid stations were helpful. Volunteers were kind and encouraging. So were the stage performers. Great engagement as you ran past. Made you run harder!
Finish
Porta potties are before the finish. So you have a tough choice. Need potties after the finish line. Others had commented on the very long finishing chute. I was prepared and it was really long.
Swag
Any race that makes a custom shirt with my name on it as a participant is TOPS in my book!!
Warning
If you bought the pint glass, it is NOT dishwasher safe. I ruined mine on the first wash.
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This was a really great destination run! First, the fitness expo was top notch. One of the best expos I have been to across the US. Lots of great photo … MORE
This was a really great destination run! First, the fitness expo was top notch. One of the best expos I have been to across the US. Lots of great photo opportunities, gear, swag, and music! Race day was great, beautiful weather for the half marathon. It certainly got colder though once the sun went down, I highly recommend hat, gloves and mid-level warm gear. The wind in places can be biting! Loved the Blue Man Group sending off the waves and the bands all along the route. Water and Aid stations were great as well. The only downside was the small inflatable tunnel that EVERY person had to funnel through. Pre-party and after-party were awesome. I would recommend this race for anyone that wants to check off a destination run in Las Vegas!
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So the best part of this race is getting to run down the Las Vegas Strip at night. That part is really awesome. It's also a flat course if that … MORE
So the best part of this race is getting to run down the Las Vegas Strip at night. That part is really awesome. It’s also a flat course if that is something you’re looking for.
My biggest issues with this race were a lot of the little management things that just didn’t make sense. The corral staging area was at least a mile from the start line. There were very limited port-o-potties for the amount of people. Although once you got through the tunnel when your corral was called, there were plenty of them! But of course, at that point you’re just trying to get to the start. You also had to pass through a tunnel once your corral was called and people from other corrals were just standing around blocking the entrance.
Then we walked to the start line and just… went? There wasn’t a separate wave start. I’ve never experienced that before at a big race like this.
The medal was nice. The shirt was okay. I think what really bothers me about all of these little things is that this race is really expensive, so I would expect top notch planning and execution, especially from a race group that’s been doing this for 25 years. I’ve done big races for less money that were way more organized. It was just disappointing and I don’t think I’ll ever do another RnR race.
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This has always been on my bucket list, did the 5k Saturday night and half Sunday night. Over 22,000 people, very crowded, but expected. All emails/instructions were good, some maps … MORE
This has always been on my bucket list, did the 5k Saturday night and half Sunday night. Over 22,000 people, very crowded, but expected. All emails/instructions were good, some maps were off so if not familiar with area, just follow other runners. Expo was ok, too many people trying to sell teeth whitening and hand/foot cream, lol. Start up was most chaotic I have ever seen, felt bad as some people actually got hurt. The security was even scared and backing away. If you have kids or are older and need any space, I wouldn’t recommend it. The beginning took forever and too pushy. There were tons of aid stations, support and easy road, little dark but expected. So much to look at and everyone in a good mood. We had beer wristbands, yet no beer, were given wine seltzers at BOTH races. Wish they had chocolate milk or better food, was just grab and go chips, banana and fruit snack. Also did NOT get my REMIX medal, which is the medal for completing both races. Many of us couldn’t find where to get it. So hoping they will mail it. I loved the city, the people, the volunteers, the shirts, the music (only saw a couple bands, was mostly Dj’s) and the experience. The lack of swag for such an expensive race was disappointing also. Hope this helps others.
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This race was perfect for me as I am an evening runner and don't do well on hills. The only part of the race that I question was the starting … MORE
This race was perfect for me as I am an evening runner and don’t do well on hills. The only part of the race that I question was the starting line. It was a bit of a bottleneck and since I wasn’t sure where the timer started, I was afraid I was being forced to walk when I should have started running. Luckily the start line is about a quarter of a mile from where the bottle neck starts so I was able to run when I went over the timer, but I have to say I was worried at first. I think they need to give each running corral more time to fix the traffic jam at the beginning and it would help if the walkers were all at the back, but probably can’t fix that. Otherwise, it was it was a fun run, and this night owl hopes to find more runs that don’t start at the break of dawn.
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Definitely worth doing!!! Start lines were kinda overwhelming but great race. Nice and flat. Run the strip at night🤣. Not my personal best time wise but had a great time. MORE
Definitely worth doing!!! Start lines were kinda overwhelming but great race. Nice and flat. Run the strip at night🤣. Not my personal best time wise but had a great time.
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This is a unique run… and definitely one that you should try. It is a cool experience running down the strip at night with the neon lit up. But this … MORE
This is a unique run… and definitely one that you should try. It is a cool experience running down the strip at night with the neon lit up.
But this was a challenging run for me. The course itself is flat and fast. But the timing is what made it hard. Our corral didn’t start until 5:30 or so. This meant we were finishing up around 9PM. I was starving and tired. Neither contributed to me feeling great at the finish line. I understand why the run is at night… and wouldn’t want to change it. But just know this may throw you for a bit of a loop.
The expo was well organized. It was cool having Lululemon as a vendor, but their merchandise didn’t fit a lot of the participants.! The shirt for this race is ok. The medal is really cool.
Where it fell apart a bit for me was at the start. There was a bit of chaos at the starting party and then we had to walk a quarter mile to the starting line. They did have a DJ so at least the atmosphere was upbeat.
Race support was awesome. Probably one of the best I’ve seen. There were aid stations spread throughout the course and they appeared ready for anything. The spectators were upbeat and encouraging. They could have used more food items on course, particularly given the timing, but that is a minor detail.
Everything seemed wrapped up as we got to the finish line. I get that we’re slow… and there were a lot of runners (it took 1.5 hours to send everyone out), but I finished well within the course limit. I wish they’d celebrate us a bit more.
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I ran as a master elite runner and my experience could not have been better. From pre race accommodations to how the race handled the results and awards I thought … MORE
I ran as a master elite runner and my experience could not have been better. From pre race accommodations to how the race handled the results and awards I thought everything was top notch. There were some mistakes made by the race officials during the race, but the race managers acknowledged the mistakes and made amends for them. Very commendable. Also love this course. Running Las Vegas Blvd never gets old. Plus, what a great place to celebrate afterward.
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The start was slow and jammed up for over one entire block. Raining. Poorly set up. Mixed corrals. Two 360-degree turns caused a jam, and people could not get through. … MORE
The start was slow and jammed up for over one entire block. Raining. Poorly set up. Mixed corrals. Two 360-degree turns caused a jam, and people could not get through. The start was prolonged for 30 minutes while it rained.
– way too many walkers allowed in the first corral of runners. Many overweight walkers near the front line walked at the start and never ran one step. They needed to be in the 3rd wave.
The EXPO was the BEST Expo we have ever attended. Real professional.
The shirts were very nice. The medal was nice.
The rain just caused a lot of problems.
The Police did a good job.
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Having the entire Strip shut down for runners is pretty awesome. The medals were also neat. Everything else was mediocre, and I do not think I would do this race … MORE
Having the entire Strip shut down for runners is pretty awesome. The medals were also neat. Everything else was mediocre, and I do not think I would do this race again. There was a lot of walking to get to the holding area before the start, a lot of waiting around as I was in a later start group, then a lot of crowded walking to get to the start. Even though the course was flat, I had my worst half marathon time and I’m not sure why, but part of it might have to do with it being a night race. The start of the race was warm enough, but night fell and the temps got cooler by the finish, so I wish I had dressed accordingly. The finish did not have much to offer (unless you like beer, which I don’t), so I just wanted to get back to my hotel, but had to walk pretty far before I could get out of the course.
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Good event. A ton of people! If you like "zoning out" while running, this is not the race for you. Please of distractions if that is what you are looking … MORE
Good event. A ton of people! If you like “zoning out” while running, this is not the race for you. Please of distractions if that is what you are looking for. This is “an event”, not your small town’s “half marathon.”. Plan on lots of walking and try to rest the day before your race because you’ll have 15k steps before you even start running.
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My only minor issue was finding the expo inside the resort hosting the expo. The shirt fit great and had a good design. The expo had a mix of apparel … MORE
My only minor issue was finding the expo inside the resort hosting the expo. The shirt fit great and had a good design. The expo had a mix of apparel and other stuff from a variety of vendors. I’m glad I attended the concert the night before the race. It was a full orchestra playing classic rock tunes. They were really entertaining.
The start of the race was well organized, the water stops were organized, there was plenty of entertainment. I started around 4:30pm. By around mile 5 the sun was beginning to set and the lights on the strip started to really pop. You can get some great photos of you want to stop and do that. There are professional race photographers too.
At the finish line there were drinks and snacks. It was a really unique experience.
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Super fun race. It started with a lot of waiting in line and walking at the start, however, once the race started it was a party for 13.1 miles! There … MORE
Super fun race. It started with a lot of waiting in line and walking at the start, however, once the race started it was a party for 13.1 miles! There was a lot of entertainment along the course, which made it very enjoyable. You run every inch of the strip. It was super fun to run it at night. The finish line party was top notch! Free rose’!
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This is one of my favorite races to run because it's tough to beat the energy and visual stimulation of the Las Vegas Strip at night! The field for the … MORE
This is one of my favorite races to run because it’s tough to beat the energy and visual stimulation of the Las Vegas Strip at night!
The field for the half was much smaller than in years past but the infrastructure in place was there to support a much bigger field. I thought the start village and walking path to the start line was much smoother than when I raced in 2019. I like the start/stop light system that is used to start races much more than the previous mass starts because it allows for more spacing between runners while you get going. The first two miles while not narrow streets, were much more narrow than usual because of road construction so not having the mass start was preferrable.
I always enjoy the lights of the Strip as you turn back and head north toward Downtown Las Vegas. There was so many people lined up in the early part of the race so that made it exciting. The course is about as flat as can be but the road is beat up in places so I did have to keep an eye out. One of the only negatives was how dark is can get in the part of the course that connects the north end of the Strip to downtown. In a couple sections you could see that street lights were completely out which added to the darkness but in other spots that were “lit”, a couple of light towers would have been welcome.
Overall, this race is one of my favorites just because of how big and exciting everything is. We stayed at the Flamingo which was a quick walk to the Start Village and adjacent to the exit of the finish secure zone. While the race technically finishes by the Mirage, you still have to walk to the end of Caesar’s Palace to exit the secure zone so the hotels in that area are preferrable if you don’t want to have to double-back to get to your room.
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The updates to the 5K for 2022 were greatly appreciated! Having run the 5K back in 2019, I really enjoyed the new downtown course and especially finish. Given we were … MORE
The updates to the 5K for 2022 were greatly appreciated! Having run the 5K back in 2019, I really enjoyed the new downtown course and especially finish. Given we were running the half marathon the next day, we were just looking to have an easy run and enjoy the atmosphere and the new setup was just that. The final stretch to the finish line at twilight with all the Fremont lights was fantastic!
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The course "Vegas Strip at Night" is what this race is all about. Completely different from any other course you have run and just "So Vegas"! Very flat and the … MORE
The course “Vegas Strip at Night” is what this race is all about. Completely different from any other course you have run and just “So Vegas”! Very flat and the race temperature was ideal (upper 50s). Picking up the bib and t-shirts was simple, centrally-located on the Strip. The Rock and Roll running franchise knows how to carry out the details. My only beef-a big race and the startling line for the different corrals moved slowly. But a fun and happy crowd, lots of costumes-, older crowd, more women than men. Tip-don’t arrive early to the starting area-too much waiting around.
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Given the number of runners, the race was very well organized. Runner were organized in corrals and and escorted to the start line through the large number of pedestrians on … MORE
Given the number of runners, the race was very well organized. Runner were organized in corrals and and escorted to the start line through the large number of pedestrians on the trip.
This was possibly the flattest race I have ever ran. I don’t recall even a gradual hill on the course. The race started slightly before sunset and headed toward Mandalay Bay. Several runners stopped for photos between mile 2-3 at the iconic Las Vegas Sign.
This race truly showcases the strip at night as the course ran past every Major Casino on Las Vegas Boulevard before a quick turnaround on Fremont Street. The race ended near the Mirage and Caesar’s Palace. The live music fit the vibe of the city with several DJs as well as live bands providing entertainment.
The aid stations were adequate. The offered water and sports drinks. There was a nice Biofreeze pit stop near mile 11 as well. Volunteers were friendly and supportive. It was cool to see all of the onlookers on the sidewalks and pedestrian bridges.
The post race offered food, drinks and adult beverages. The swag is the only reason I didn’t rate this race as a 5. The medal was adequate but seemed like a downgrade from the previous series owner’s medals. The tech shirt was long sleeve, but I wasn’t a fan of this year’s logo.
This race is a unique even that I would recommend to anyone that can make it to.Las Vegas.
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Night run
I Loved running in the old and new sections of Vegas at nighttime!! We started out when it was light and finished in the dark with all the lights. MORE
I Loved running in the old and new sections of Vegas at nighttime!! We started out when it was light and finished in the dark with all the lights.
Loved but didn't love
So i'm torn. I loved the race itself. The beginning was VERY rocky. We had to walk half practially a mile from the start line, and a mile from the … MORE
So i’m torn. I loved the race itself. The beginning was VERY rocky. We had to walk half practially a mile from the start line, and a mile from the finish line. There were so many people that you couldn’t go to the bathroom before hand. BUT there were portapottoes after they let the heat out, so there was that.
The expo was a huge let down. The potential to make something great was there, but it fell flat. Pretty much I would suggest paying the extra $50 to get the stuff the day of the race so you can save your money on a hotel the day before. I would also highly suggest doing the ST Judes bit. It’s a great cause, and you get pretty sweet stuff the day of the race.
It was a flat and fast course. Other than having to weave our way through thousands of people throughout the entire race, if you could start with the first heat, you could definitely PR here.
What Happened in Vegas
I was returning to Las Vegas for the first time in 12 years — but this time with three of my favorite ladies, who somehow managed to convince me that … MORE
I was returning to Las Vegas for the first time in 12 years — but this time with three of my favorite ladies, who somehow managed to convince me that it would be a good idea to spend three full days of daring, dehydrating mischief in Sin City before running a half marathon on the fourth day of the trip. Oh, and this half marathon was going to be at night, something none of us had done before, so I knew fueling and hydration for this race would be uncharted territory. I couldn’t resist rolling the dice to find out what my body was capable of.
On race day, I ate a breakfast wrap with sweet potato waffle fries. I was hoping it would be the complete nutritious meal I needed to power me through the race, keeping my fingers crossed it would not be the cause of unforeseen disastrous gastric consequences. I knew there would be plenty of portable water closets along the course… but still. This trip was already memorable without a bathroom emergency. We wandered over to the Start Village around 3:00 P.M. The Start Village was located behind Planet Hollywood at the intersection of East Harmon Avenue and Audrie Street. Our hotel was conveniently located right between the start line and the finish line — more importantly, closer to the finish line.
We later learned the actual start line was on E Tropicana Avenue at MGM Grand, which was a half mile walk south from the Start Village where everyone was loading up by bib color. When we registered for the race, participants were all assigned a group color and corresponding start line loading time based on the estimated finish time we entered during registration. I was not hoping for a PR, I knew I was there to enjoy the course, take lots of pictures and videos for the ‘Gram, and have fun. If I finished in my average finish time with minimal discomfort and lots of photographic evidence at the end, I’d consider it a good race. The Rock ‘n’ Roll Las Vegas Half Marathon, celebrating its 25th year, was state #8 for me on my 50 states quest.
Each group color was to load to the start line every 15 minutes, for what was in theory an orderly wave start that should have gone off without a hitch. The pre-race communication about this was excellent, the planning was seamless, but the execution was a bit disastrous. There was mass confusion as groups were not instructed to load at their designated times, delays in the next group in the sequential order being called to load, and the end result was ten thousand slightly confused runners squished together within the fenced in start line loading area, clamoring to attempt to squeeze through a narrow black inflatable tunnel to then be released out of the corral to the other side, where they would then begin their half mile walk to the actual start line at the MGM Grand.
According to my weather app, it was 53° F that afternoon with an expected low of 48° F, with wind speeds of 12 mph. The walk to the start line got us pumped up and warmed up, with THOUSANDS of spectators cheering along both sides of Las Vegas Blvd, and music that energized runners and spectators alike. There were people everywhere. In the streets, on the sidelines, and above us, cheering from the pedestrian bridges, and even on the stairs of the pedestrian bridges. The best way to describe the energy of this race was literally a rolling party.
I was absolutely thrilled to find that the entire course was not only beautiful and lively, but it was a gradual gentle downhill pretty much the entire time, and every single mile fully engaged every single one of my five senses. If any race course could be described as “downhill both ways,” this could be it. Miles 1 – 7 were so enjoyable… the most enjoyable miles I’ve ever experienced. For the thousands of miles I’ve run in the past 18 years, that’s saying a lot.
Maybe it was the crowd support, maybe it was the extraordinary enthusiasm of the volunteers, or maybe it was the perfect dry weather and low humidity that didn’t aggravate my sinuses, but I felt amazing for the first half of the race. My breathing was almost effortless the entire time, and I was surprised that even with the race beginning in the middle of what was essentially my dinner time, I was not feeling sluggish or even worried about my time. It was a total immersion in the experience, which is something I don’t normally allow myself to do.
We headed south on Las Vegas Blvd, and by the end of the first mile, we’d passed Tropicana, Harry Reid International Airport (LAS), and the Clark County Fire Station all on the left, and on the right side of the strip as we continued south, we passed Excalibur, Luxor, and Mandalay Bay. At mile 2, we looped around, stopped at the Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign, and continued back up the strip now heading north, with Mandalay Bay looming in view on the right.
The course was extremely well supported, and definitely in my top 5 races as far as excellent course support. There were aid stations approximately every 2 miles, and each aid station had water, with alternating aid stations providing snacks and electrolytes. Medical stations were located at the start and finish.
We passed Luxor on the right while running mile 2, and then got nice close up view of Excalibur. Reaching Mandalay Bay marked mile 3, and this time we were passing Luxor and Excalibur on the left as we headed north on Las Vegas Blvd. I was treated to a spectacular up close and personal view of one my favorite hotels, New York New York. All the while, there were bands set up on elevated platform stages along the course, playing every genre of music imaginable, paying homage to each decade with favorites and classics. I was happy with my decision to not wear my headphones this time.
Mile 9 was the second turnaround point for the half marathon course, and we looped back around at Fremont Street and began heading south down Las Vegas Blvd again. At the turnaround, the wind was no longer at my back, and I was running against the wind. It was bone chillingly cold, and I should have worn a long sleeve shirt under my T-shirt and gloves. I was also acutely aware of how different 45° F feels without the sun, as opposed to 45° F during the daylight.
At mile 12, we entered the spectacularly glamorous portion of the strip again, with all the lights and fanfare, and the Finish Festival was just up ahead. I could see the flames skyrocketing up into the night at the Mirage, and the streets were once again lined with spectators cheering, reading our bibs and calling out our names to cheer for us. The genuine enthusiasm complete strangers had for us finishing felt like a warm hug that broke the spell of the cold, dark, desert air.
My only real complaint other than the disorganized start would be the quality of the photos. I paid the extra fee for high quality finisher photos, and instead what I got were extremely blurry, overexposed abstract works of art that were reminiscent of an “Attempt to Locate” alert from the police to the public, with gritty surveillance camera still photos. I complained to FinisherPix, who offered me a discount on my next order for a future event.
Everything else that happened on my trip will stay in Vegas.
Fun race! Well-Orchestrated Event
Well executed race. 27,000 participants yet I wasn’t lost in the crowd. This was the 25th anniversary for RnR series. Large races with production staff are absolutely the best! Expo … MORE
Well executed race. 27,000 participants yet I wasn’t lost in the crowd. This was the 25th anniversary for RnR series. Large races with production staff are absolutely the best!
Expo
Lots of photo opps. Activation stations. Samples. Eclectic collection of vendors. Something for everyone, including your friends/spectators. Signed the banner. Found my name on the giant banner (so cool). Stood on the lighted 13.1 sign. Great experience including “smoke” (dry ice) at the tunnel entrance. Really felt like a professional athlete. It was worth the walk through.
Start Village
Great setup. Jumbotrons made sure you didn’t miss anything happening at the starting line. Mattes for stretching were available. Great chance to see the Elvises and Run Forest Run costumes. Schedule was running ahead so they put us through the chute early.
Race
Love the tracking app. My spectators were able to see me at pedestrian bridges over the Strip, go get supper and get to the finish line. Perfect from my perspective. Course had lots to look at. World’s largest selfie station could have used a helper or volunteer to keep it moving faster. Neat concept. The course was easy and flat. (Beware of the street’s lane reflectors. Possible trip hazard.) Aid stations were helpful. Volunteers were kind and encouraging. So were the stage performers. Great engagement as you ran past. Made you run harder!
Finish
Porta potties are before the finish. So you have a tough choice. Need potties after the finish line. Others had commented on the very long finishing chute. I was prepared and it was really long.
Swag
Any race that makes a custom shirt with my name on it as a participant is TOPS in my book!!
Warning
If you bought the pint glass, it is NOT dishwasher safe. I ruined mine on the first wash.
Great run and great scenery!
This was a really great destination run! First, the fitness expo was top notch. One of the best expos I have been to across the US. Lots of great photo … MORE
This was a really great destination run! First, the fitness expo was top notch. One of the best expos I have been to across the US. Lots of great photo opportunities, gear, swag, and music! Race day was great, beautiful weather for the half marathon. It certainly got colder though once the sun went down, I highly recommend hat, gloves and mid-level warm gear. The wind in places can be biting! Loved the Blue Man Group sending off the waves and the bands all along the route. Water and Aid stations were great as well. The only downside was the small inflatable tunnel that EVERY person had to funnel through. Pre-party and after-party were awesome. I would recommend this race for anyone that wants to check off a destination run in Las Vegas!
Expensive for what you get
So the best part of this race is getting to run down the Las Vegas Strip at night. That part is really awesome. It's also a flat course if that … MORE
So the best part of this race is getting to run down the Las Vegas Strip at night. That part is really awesome. It’s also a flat course if that is something you’re looking for.
My biggest issues with this race were a lot of the little management things that just didn’t make sense. The corral staging area was at least a mile from the start line. There were very limited port-o-potties for the amount of people. Although once you got through the tunnel when your corral was called, there were plenty of them! But of course, at that point you’re just trying to get to the start. You also had to pass through a tunnel once your corral was called and people from other corrals were just standing around blocking the entrance.
Then we walked to the start line and just… went? There wasn’t a separate wave start. I’ve never experienced that before at a big race like this.
The medal was nice. The shirt was okay. I think what really bothers me about all of these little things is that this race is really expensive, so I would expect top notch planning and execution, especially from a race group that’s been doing this for 25 years. I’ve done big races for less money that were way more organized. It was just disappointing and I don’t think I’ll ever do another RnR race.
once in a lifetime, would NOT do again
This has always been on my bucket list, did the 5k Saturday night and half Sunday night. Over 22,000 people, very crowded, but expected. All emails/instructions were good, some maps … MORE
This has always been on my bucket list, did the 5k Saturday night and half Sunday night. Over 22,000 people, very crowded, but expected. All emails/instructions were good, some maps were off so if not familiar with area, just follow other runners. Expo was ok, too many people trying to sell teeth whitening and hand/foot cream, lol. Start up was most chaotic I have ever seen, felt bad as some people actually got hurt. The security was even scared and backing away. If you have kids or are older and need any space, I wouldn’t recommend it. The beginning took forever and too pushy. There were tons of aid stations, support and easy road, little dark but expected. So much to look at and everyone in a good mood. We had beer wristbands, yet no beer, were given wine seltzers at BOTH races. Wish they had chocolate milk or better food, was just grab and go chips, banana and fruit snack. Also did NOT get my REMIX medal, which is the medal for completing both races. Many of us couldn’t find where to get it. So hoping they will mail it. I loved the city, the people, the volunteers, the shirts, the music (only saw a couple bands, was mostly Dj’s) and the experience. The lack of swag for such an expensive race was disappointing also. Hope this helps others.
Fun To Do At Least Once
This race was perfect for me as I am an evening runner and don't do well on hills. The only part of the race that I question was the starting … MORE
This race was perfect for me as I am an evening runner and don’t do well on hills. The only part of the race that I question was the starting line. It was a bit of a bottleneck and since I wasn’t sure where the timer started, I was afraid I was being forced to walk when I should have started running. Luckily the start line is about a quarter of a mile from where the bottle neck starts so I was able to run when I went over the timer, but I have to say I was worried at first. I think they need to give each running corral more time to fix the traffic jam at the beginning and it would help if the walkers were all at the back, but probably can’t fix that. Otherwise, it was it was a fun run, and this night owl hopes to find more runs that don’t start at the break of dawn.
Awesome race but cold
Definitely worth doing!!! Start lines were kinda overwhelming but great race. Nice and flat. Run the strip at night🤣. Not my personal best time wise but had a great time. MORE
Definitely worth doing!!! Start lines were kinda overwhelming but great race. Nice and flat. Run the strip at night🤣. Not my personal best time wise but had a great time.
Rock N Roll Vegas
This is a unique run… and definitely one that you should try. It is a cool experience running down the strip at night with the neon lit up. But this … MORE
This is a unique run… and definitely one that you should try. It is a cool experience running down the strip at night with the neon lit up.
But this was a challenging run for me. The course itself is flat and fast. But the timing is what made it hard. Our corral didn’t start until 5:30 or so. This meant we were finishing up around 9PM. I was starving and tired. Neither contributed to me feeling great at the finish line. I understand why the run is at night… and wouldn’t want to change it. But just know this may throw you for a bit of a loop.
The expo was well organized. It was cool having Lululemon as a vendor, but their merchandise didn’t fit a lot of the participants.! The shirt for this race is ok. The medal is really cool.
Where it fell apart a bit for me was at the start. There was a bit of chaos at the starting party and then we had to walk a quarter mile to the starting line. They did have a DJ so at least the atmosphere was upbeat.
Race support was awesome. Probably one of the best I’ve seen. There were aid stations spread throughout the course and they appeared ready for anything. The spectators were upbeat and encouraging. They could have used more food items on course, particularly given the timing, but that is a minor detail.
Everything seemed wrapped up as we got to the finish line. I get that we’re slow… and there were a lot of runners (it took 1.5 hours to send everyone out), but I finished well within the course limit. I wish they’d celebrate us a bit more.
Master elite experience was great!
I ran as a master elite runner and my experience could not have been better. From pre race accommodations to how the race handled the results and awards I thought … MORE
I ran as a master elite runner and my experience could not have been better. From pre race accommodations to how the race handled the results and awards I thought everything was top notch. There were some mistakes made by the race officials during the race, but the race managers acknowledged the mistakes and made amends for them. Very commendable. Also love this course. Running Las Vegas Blvd never gets old. Plus, what a great place to celebrate afterward.
Best Event but not today. crowded start
The start was slow and jammed up for over one entire block. Raining. Poorly set up. Mixed corrals. Two 360-degree turns caused a jam, and people could not get through. … MORE
The start was slow and jammed up for over one entire block. Raining. Poorly set up. Mixed corrals. Two 360-degree turns caused a jam, and people could not get through. The start was prolonged for 30 minutes while it rained.
– way too many walkers allowed in the first corral of runners. Many overweight walkers near the front line walked at the start and never ran one step. They needed to be in the 3rd wave.
The EXPO was the BEST Expo we have ever attended. Real professional.
The shirts were very nice. The medal was nice.
The rain just caused a lot of problems.
The Police did a good job.
Unwieldy
Having the entire Strip shut down for runners is pretty awesome. The medals were also neat. Everything else was mediocre, and I do not think I would do this race … MORE
Having the entire Strip shut down for runners is pretty awesome. The medals were also neat. Everything else was mediocre, and I do not think I would do this race again. There was a lot of walking to get to the holding area before the start, a lot of waiting around as I was in a later start group, then a lot of crowded walking to get to the start. Even though the course was flat, I had my worst half marathon time and I’m not sure why, but part of it might have to do with it being a night race. The start of the race was warm enough, but night fell and the temps got cooler by the finish, so I wish I had dressed accordingly. The finish did not have much to offer (unless you like beer, which I don’t), so I just wanted to get back to my hotel, but had to walk pretty far before I could get out of the course.
The view from the back of the pack
Good event. A ton of people! If you like "zoning out" while running, this is not the race for you. Please of distractions if that is what you are looking … MORE
Good event. A ton of people! If you like “zoning out” while running, this is not the race for you. Please of distractions if that is what you are looking for. This is “an event”, not your small town’s “half marathon.”. Plan on lots of walking and try to rest the day before your race because you’ll have 15k steps before you even start running.
Strip at night was cool
My only minor issue was finding the expo inside the resort hosting the expo. The shirt fit great and had a good design. The expo had a mix of apparel … MORE
My only minor issue was finding the expo inside the resort hosting the expo. The shirt fit great and had a good design. The expo had a mix of apparel and other stuff from a variety of vendors. I’m glad I attended the concert the night before the race. It was a full orchestra playing classic rock tunes. They were really entertaining.
The start of the race was well organized, the water stops were organized, there was plenty of entertainment. I started around 4:30pm. By around mile 5 the sun was beginning to set and the lights on the strip started to really pop. You can get some great photos of you want to stop and do that. There are professional race photographers too.
At the finish line there were drinks and snacks. It was a really unique experience.
Party race!
Super fun race. It started with a lot of waiting in line and walking at the start, however, once the race started it was a party for 13.1 miles! There … MORE
Super fun race. It started with a lot of waiting in line and walking at the start, however, once the race started it was a party for 13.1 miles! There was a lot of entertainment along the course, which made it very enjoyable. You run every inch of the strip. It was super fun to run it at night. The finish line party was top notch! Free rose’!
Vegas!
This is one of my favorite races to run because it's tough to beat the energy and visual stimulation of the Las Vegas Strip at night! The field for the … MORE
This is one of my favorite races to run because it’s tough to beat the energy and visual stimulation of the Las Vegas Strip at night!
The field for the half was much smaller than in years past but the infrastructure in place was there to support a much bigger field. I thought the start village and walking path to the start line was much smoother than when I raced in 2019. I like the start/stop light system that is used to start races much more than the previous mass starts because it allows for more spacing between runners while you get going. The first two miles while not narrow streets, were much more narrow than usual because of road construction so not having the mass start was preferrable.
I always enjoy the lights of the Strip as you turn back and head north toward Downtown Las Vegas. There was so many people lined up in the early part of the race so that made it exciting. The course is about as flat as can be but the road is beat up in places so I did have to keep an eye out. One of the only negatives was how dark is can get in the part of the course that connects the north end of the Strip to downtown. In a couple sections you could see that street lights were completely out which added to the darkness but in other spots that were “lit”, a couple of light towers would have been welcome.
Overall, this race is one of my favorites just because of how big and exciting everything is. We stayed at the Flamingo which was a quick walk to the Start Village and adjacent to the exit of the finish secure zone. While the race technically finishes by the Mirage, you still have to walk to the end of Caesar’s Palace to exit the secure zone so the hotels in that area are preferrable if you don’t want to have to double-back to get to your room.
Much improved 5K!
The updates to the 5K for 2022 were greatly appreciated! Having run the 5K back in 2019, I really enjoyed the new downtown course and especially finish. Given we were … MORE
The updates to the 5K for 2022 were greatly appreciated! Having run the 5K back in 2019, I really enjoyed the new downtown course and especially finish. Given we were running the half marathon the next day, we were just looking to have an easy run and enjoy the atmosphere and the new setup was just that. The final stretch to the finish line at twilight with all the Fremont lights was fantastic!
This race makes for a fun weekend!
The course "Vegas Strip at Night" is what this race is all about. Completely different from any other course you have run and just "So Vegas"! Very flat and the … MORE
The course “Vegas Strip at Night” is what this race is all about. Completely different from any other course you have run and just “So Vegas”! Very flat and the race temperature was ideal (upper 50s). Picking up the bib and t-shirts was simple, centrally-located on the Strip. The Rock and Roll running franchise knows how to carry out the details. My only beef-a big race and the startling line for the different corrals moved slowly. But a fun and happy crowd, lots of costumes-, older crowd, more women than men. Tip-don’t arrive early to the starting area-too much waiting around.
Unique experience on the Strip
Given the number of runners, the race was very well organized. Runner were organized in corrals and and escorted to the start line through the large number of pedestrians on … MORE
Given the number of runners, the race was very well organized. Runner were organized in corrals and and escorted to the start line through the large number of pedestrians on the trip.
This was possibly the flattest race I have ever ran. I don’t recall even a gradual hill on the course. The race started slightly before sunset and headed toward Mandalay Bay. Several runners stopped for photos between mile 2-3 at the iconic Las Vegas Sign.
This race truly showcases the strip at night as the course ran past every Major Casino on Las Vegas Boulevard before a quick turnaround on Fremont Street. The race ended near the Mirage and Caesar’s Palace. The live music fit the vibe of the city with several DJs as well as live bands providing entertainment.
The aid stations were adequate. The offered water and sports drinks. There was a nice Biofreeze pit stop near mile 11 as well. Volunteers were friendly and supportive. It was cool to see all of the onlookers on the sidewalks and pedestrian bridges.
The post race offered food, drinks and adult beverages. The swag is the only reason I didn’t rate this race as a 5. The medal was adequate but seemed like a downgrade from the previous series owner’s medals. The tech shirt was long sleeve, but I wasn’t a fan of this year’s logo.
This race is a unique even that I would recommend to anyone that can make it to.Las Vegas.