Rock Tahoe Half Marathon
Stateline, NV
- Half Marathon
- Road (Paved)
- Official race website
Save 15% w/code ROCKTAHOE26 ***RUN in beautiful Lake Tahoe! ROCK your way through some awesome weekend events! RECOVER pool side with live music at the post-race pool party! The Rock Tahoe Half Marathon starts at Spooner Summit and drops over 800 ft as it winds its way down Highway 50 along the … MORE
Local Historical Weather (Jun 14):
| 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |
| H (°F) | 76 | 76 | 71 | 70 | 73 |
| L (°F) | 39 | 44 | 46 | 30 | 46 |
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All Downhill… Until It Wasn’t
The Rock Tahoe Half starts at Spooner Summit and follows Highway 50 downhill toward Stateline—at least for the first half. Then the climb begins. At around 2,000 meters (6,500 ft) … MORE
The Rock Tahoe Half starts at Spooner Summit and follows Highway 50 downhill toward Stateline—at least for the first half. Then the climb begins. At around 2,000 meters (6,500 ft) of elevation, this race was tougher than I expected.
The weather was perfect, the lake was stunningly blue, and the sun was absolutely relentless. I thought this would be a breezy net downhill course, but the altitude and late-race inclines made sure it wasn’t easy.
Strangely, for a race by Lake Tahoe, there weren’t that many lake views on the course—and almost no spots where I felt like stopping for a photo. Beautiful surroundings, but not quite the scenic run I hoped for.
Beautiful but a challenge
Prettiest course I have run. Great views of Lake Tahoe. Lots of hills, both up and down. Be ready for that. Great course support and volunteers although last aid station … MORE
Prettiest course I have run. Great views of Lake Tahoe. Lots of hills, both up and down. Be ready for that. Great course support and volunteers although last aid station did run out of cups. After race pool party was fun. Perfect weather to start but did warm up some by race end.
Gorgeous but few tweaks
The race is beautiful, mainly downhill with stunning views of the lake. Elevation may be a challenge if you're not acclimated. The good: Pacers, really cool medal, full food (like … MORE
The race is beautiful, mainly downhill with stunning views of the lake. Elevation may be a challenge if you’re not acclimated.
The good: Pacers, really cool medal, full food (like a packed lunch) at the finish, the views, early start for walkers.
The bad: Have no reason to not start earlier as the sun is a doozy when it comes out, ran out of aid (Gu) for the first 7 miles for “slower” runners (I was the 2:45 pacer) which isn’t acceptable, was short on water/cups at some water stops, mile markers were all over the board either super off on their placement or just missing all together, and the shirt is very “meh”.
High Altitude Running Fun
This race is amazing! The expo was simple but good energy, the line for getting your bib did get kind of long but wasn't too crazy. The start line was … MORE
This race is amazing! The expo was simple but good energy, the line for getting your bib did get kind of long but wasn’t too crazy.
The start line was a wide open area with plenty of bathrooms. They had a guided stretch and a really excellent electric guitar national anthem before an on-time start! The first 3 miles are totally down hill so I flew into the next 10 miles of rolling hills. The walkers had started an hour before us which I had originally thought was strange but then ended up loving it as they would cheer me (and I would cheer them) on as I ran by them on the course. The altitude is definitely no joke on your performance up here (and I only showed up to Tahoe, one day before) but the views all made up for it!
Tahoe ROCKS!
Pre race communication was great Expo was sufficient nothing spectacular Weather was perfect Postcard views coming out of the tunnel First half was all downhill with rolling hills second half, … MORE
Pre race communication was great
Expo was sufficient nothing spectacular
Weather was perfect
Postcard views coming out of the tunnel
First half was all downhill with rolling hills second half, course was good on road with a couple of miles on bike trail
Swag was awesome: very nice shirt and medal was big and one of my favs
National Anthem was played by a guy with a guitar which was pretty cool
Plenty of aid stations with bananas, oranges, goldfish, gummies, granola bars, water and hydration recovery drink
Finish line had stainless steel water bottles, granola bars, bananas, oranges. Also had compression recovery boots, they felt real nice on sore legs!
One thing I was not a fan of is that top 3 overall winners were eligible for age group awards too. I am only saying this since I finished 4th in my age group and the first place finisher was 3rd overall. I guess I should have run faster. Lol
Overall fun race with great staff and volunteers
I definitely recommend this race!
Beautiful Half Marathon
I have done this HM twice and once virtually in 2020 during Covid. In 2019 on my first one there was more swag , a BBQ lunch and free beverage … MORE
I have done this HM twice and once virtually in 2020 during Covid. In 2019 on my first one there was more swag , a BBQ lunch and free beverage of choice. I just completed this HM once again in June 2024 and the swag was gone and free lunch at the end. Still got a nice finisher shirt and medal to add to my collection! The scenery is breathtaking, but lots of downhills and uphills, so be prepared! The weather has been great at South Shore Nevada side each time, in the 70’s not too hot or cold! Lots of water and snack stations, friendly volunteers knock it out of the park! One lane is coned off until you get to the meadow which is a nice tree lined and beautiful narrow bike trail! Be prepared to take lots of pictures! There is professional photography along the route as well! When you get to 13.1 miles at the finish line, there is a nice pool party with bars and food for sale as well as a band at the Golden Nugget Casino at Stateline! I love this HM and would recommend it to everyone! It is spectacular and well done! Lots of email coordination and easy race swag bag pick up and bib the night before at the expo! Shuttle service is included from The Golden Nugget Resort to the start line! Lots of fun, just train hard first!
MY FAVORITE HALF EVER
Every time I encourage someone to run a half for the first time, this is the race I recommend. I've ran this 3 of the 4 years we have lived … MORE
Every time I encourage someone to run a half for the first time, this is the race I recommend. I’ve ran this 3 of the 4 years we have lived here. I wanted to run the one other time, but had just given birth. I was able to bring her in the stroller on the 2019 race. This race has a gradual decline for most the race and then the last couple miles wind through the shade near the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino. I have probably ran 15+ half marathons over the last 5 years, and Rock Tahoe is my absolute favorite. My one critique as that one year, I tied my quarter zip around my waist along with my bib number so I got no pictures and wasn’t able to view pictures to comb through, which I would have done. I was really disappointed because the photos turn out so great with the beautiful scenery.
Fun, scenic race.
This was my daughter's and my second year running the Rock Tahoe Half Marathon and we loved it! The management is organized, everyone is friendly and the scenery is amazing! … MORE
This was my daughter’s and my second year running the Rock Tahoe Half Marathon and we loved it! The management is organized, everyone is friendly and the scenery is amazing! From packet pickup to the pool party and everything in between we had nothing but great experiences. All of the hydration and fuel stations were manned with awesome volunteers who cheered us on and even entertained us with their dance moves. We absolutely want to participate next year and look forward to another great time!
Not all downhill!
My son won a free race entry to this race at the CIM Expo in December~and since he can’t drive yet...off we went to run Rock Tahoe. I loved the … MORE
My son won a free race entry to this race at the CIM Expo in December~and since he can’t drive yet…off we went to run Rock Tahoe. I loved the idea of staying in Tahoe, getting to sight see etc. However, rooms were at some points $500 nightly due to the event and a concert the same weekend. Make sure you make arrangements early!!! We stayed in Reno and drove up Race morning. Easy! Wasn’t ideal but was doable. Would’ve much enjoyed being able to stay local and enjoy festivities though. Anyway, back to the race itself. The expo is so small you mustn’t blink. They do a great job or organization though and bib pick up was easy and painless. Not much to buy to brag (meaning shirts, sweatshirts etc) What they did have basically only fit the typical runner body~oddly enough, the majority I saw didn’t fit that mold so I’m hoping they figure that out soon. Again, organized expo but seriously lacking. Race morning meant bus rides to Spooner Summit. About a 20 min ride. I wasn’t looking forward to what I figured would be a winding route to the top. (I get very carsick). It wasn’t!! There were plenty of buses. Easy parking at Montbleu or Hard Rock parking. Hop on the bus at your scheduled time and off ya go. Easy. Great atmosphere at the top. Although, for being named after Hard Rock…it seemed a bit weak energy wise. Announcer was good but other than that just your typical pre race blah. There’s an early start for back of the packers. I enjoyed this. However, pay attention to the “penalty boxes”. These are areas Back of Packers can’t pass before the lead runners go through. They are real! The first 3 miles or so are downhill. However, there are some uphills and rollers and even a significant couple uphills. While it’s not exactly like scaling Mt diablo or Mt Tam…it is work when you’re at elevation and sleep deprived and it’s HOT!! Not to mention when you’re expecting all downhill!!!! This frustrated me. Also, the entire course minus a couple last miles are on a very very VERY busy highway going into Tahoe. Only one lane is shut down. It’s busy! So, no headphones. And yes, it’s dangerous at points. The AS are setup at great intervals BUT most only stocked with that yellow Nuun and water as well as some orange slices. However, mile 9s AS rocks with alcohol and other goodies if you’re into that sorta thing. If not, they’re also the most energetic and friendly with great music!! I struggled here with food poisoning and the heat and constant rollers. I just couldn’t get any pace going for myself. Maybe it was the elevation too but it just wasn’t a good time for me. I finished well well WELL over my projected. But, I finished. The last three miles or so are odd. The route veers off into a “bike route”. I didn’t pay attention to that on the course map so I had one vision in my head and it was wrong. This made my last three miles hell. This “bike route” was paved and went through a lil camping area and upstairs and hills and down through meadows then thru town. Odd! Then, instead of finishing in front of HR Hotel…the course winds behind the hotel and down the street to the backside of the hotel to finish. Again. Odd. The finish line announcers were present even at my late arrival which I was thankful for. (In my defense, a good amount of time was spent helping several injured runners and one gal who blew out her knee right in front of me!) There were a few snacks left at my finish and I’m very thankful for the guys manning the water bottle pool that threw extra water bottles at my hubby and I as we finished. Love the water bottles too! Keepers! Post race festivities for me were meh. I’m not a beer drinker so a few of the tents were not for me. I’m not one for feeding my face post race with huge sandwiches or alcohol so that really wasn’t any interest. The clothes for sale were the leftovers from expo in size small and smaller. The best part of the post race for me was the chance to buy an organic fruit popsicle. Lol. Those were great! The medals and shirts were superb!!! The sling pack was ok. It doubles as your gear check bag with blanks on it to fill in your bib number with marker which I thought was genius. Other than all that I was just happy to get in my car and head back to Reno to relax in the hotel and go out to the BBQ street fair that night!
Epic course with epic views
If this race is not on your bucket list, it should be. The views for the majority of the net downhill course are stunning. Don't be fooled though, there are … MORE
If this race is not on your bucket list, it should be. The views for the majority of the net downhill course are stunning. Don’t be fooled though, there are enough rollercoaster hills in the second half to keep you working for that medal. 2019 was warmer than usual temps for Tahoe and I’m excited to run it again in 2020 with hopefully slightly cooler air.
BEAUTIFUL
First half I have ran but everything was very well organized, water and food stations about every 2 miles, moderate route when u think Tahoe, very fun, beautiful and well … MORE
First half I have ran but everything was very well organized, water and food stations about every 2 miles, moderate route when u think Tahoe, very fun, beautiful and well worth it! I will be doing it again next year!
Best half marathon
This race has a beautiful course, fun expo, and aid stations are great. Such a fun race to do. The scenery alone makes it worth it. Mostly down hill the … MORE
This race has a beautiful course, fun expo, and aid stations are great. Such a fun race to do. The scenery alone makes it worth it. Mostly down hill the first three miles, then the rest is rolling hills. Expo/packet pickup is a event itself with music and fun vendors/sponsors. Aid stations are awesome plenty to refuel and friendly faces. Definitely a must do race.
One of the best I've ever ran!
This race was organized very well. The course was sufficiently protected and there were minimal turns throughout the course. Water stations were plenty, though some were slow on refilling cups … MORE
This race was organized very well. The course was sufficiently protected and there were minimal turns throughout the course. Water stations were plenty, though some were slow on refilling cups so there was a minor wait for water. The packet pickup expo was on the smaller side, but it was efficient and was a fun party nonetheless. The finisher expo was amazing at the hard rock. There were plenty of snacks and refreshments at the end. Finisher photos were great, and the pool party & tacos at the finish were just what the body needed after a race. I will be back for sure.
Beautiful Run
This is probably one of the most beautiful runs that I have done. It is not all down hill there are a few good hills to climb. But overall, the … MORE
This is probably one of the most beautiful runs that I have done. It is not all down hill there are a few good hills to climb. But overall, the weather was perfect, the production was good and had good energy, and you cannot replace Lake Tahoe views.
Loved it all!
Well worth my drive from Bend, Oregon to run this wonderful half marathon with a friend. Absolutely stunning views and a great course with a lot being downhill. Hard to … MORE
Well worth my drive from Bend, Oregon to run this wonderful half marathon with a friend. Absolutely stunning views and a great course with a lot being downhill. Hard to do a PR when you can’t help but stop for photos so I will be back again😉 So well organized from packet pick up to pool party finish. Everyone super helpful and welcoming. Lots of well stocked aid stations and toilets if needed. Swag is great and appreciate being able to download the professional photos. Pool party was a welcome end to the run. If you are looking for a half marathon this one will not disappoint……
Awesome Race For A 1st Timer Rock Tahoe
Amazing crew! Water stations every 2ish miles with food and waters. Amazing vibe and you can’t beat that scenery! You must stop to take a selfie! MORE
Amazing crew! Water stations every 2ish miles with food and waters. Amazing vibe and you can’t beat that scenery! You must stop to take a selfie!
Beautiful race!
It’s was such a beautiful course that I forgot I was running at some points! Well organized , the aid stations were fully stocked and at great intervals. I love … MORE
It’s was such a beautiful course that I forgot I was running at some points! Well organized , the aid stations were fully stocked and at great intervals. I love the swag! I only wish I could have attended the pool party! That will be a must for next year! My new favorite race for sure!
fun race and course that cannot be beat!
Its 2nd time around. Last year, I enjoyed it so much that I signed up immediately for this year. During my run, I had no expectations other than knowing that … MORE
Its 2nd time around. Last year, I enjoyed it so much that I signed up immediately for this year. During my run, I had no expectations other than knowing that I will encounter beauty in the nature surrounding me while putting myself through a challenging but fun course. It’s not easy to run at elevation when I don’t train in elevation. This year what made a difference truly is that my last year’s run motivated a big group of friends to come up and run with me. Last year it was me and my awesome bad ass triathlete friend who ran. This year, i ran with a big group of bad ass Spartans and guess what, we are inspiring even more people to sign up for 2019. The energy from this race is infectious to say the least. The course is breathtaking. The swag is awesome. I run for medals and like last year this medal rocks. I beat my last year’s time and I am proud, albeit by just 3 min. So What else can I ask for? More runners coming up to join this awesome race and I hope to crush my run time in 2019 by a bigger margin!
Perfection!
Aid stations are amazing and often. Love the electrolyte options. Also, fruit and gummy energy chewies are an added bonus. People are so nice and helpful. Easy directions to the … MORE
Aid stations are amazing and often. Love the electrolyte options. Also, fruit and gummy energy chewies are an added bonus. People are so nice and helpful. Easy directions to the race, fun after party, and the medals are the main reason I run. Plus downhill it perfect for me, since I don’t really train for this race.
Beautiful and fun run!
I love this run which is why I came back and will continue to come back! From registration to the finish line, it was smooth and informative! Every aide station … MORE
I love this run which is why I came back and will continue to come back! From registration to the finish line, it was smooth and informative! Every aide station was full stocked with hydration, fuel, and energetic support! Well marked course and awesome finish line! The after party rocked and the pool was a great way to recover. Love this race and recommend it! Also walker friendly for those wanting to take on a half and not ready to run. And not to mention the gorgeous views!!