The Laughlin/Bullhead Half Marathon, 12K & 5K features:– Stunning Scenery including: Brilliant Sunrise over Black Mountains, the Davis Dam, Lake Mohave, Colorado River, Heritage Trail & finish along Casino Row.– Sweet, DOWNHILL COURSE: Net negative 443’ of DOWNHILL elevation loss of Half Marathon.– Perfect running weather – 55 degrees historically …
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The Laughlin/Bullhead Half Marathon, 12K & 5K features:
– Stunning Scenery including: Brilliant Sunrise over Black Mountains, the Davis Dam, Lake Mohave, Colorado River, Heritage Trail & finish along Casino Row.
– Sweet, DOWNHILL COURSE: Net negative 443’ of DOWNHILL elevation loss of Half Marathon.
– Perfect running weather – 55 degrees historically at race time.
– Generous race time limit of four hours – walkers welcome!
– Age Group awards in 13 Age Categories + ALL runners eligible for Raffle prizes!
– FREE BEER – for all finishers!
– Superb Race-Cation, weekend getaway, girls weekend out – come for the race, stay for the PARTY! Casino gaming, live shows, family friendly events and attractions.
The December weather in Laughlin and Bullhead City is perfect for an early morning race – crisp, clear, with mild temperatures and visibility for miles. Speaking from experience, the Mojave Desert is one of the most picturesque, peaceful and tranquil places to run on Earth. The Half Marathon course begins in the parking lot in front of Laughlin High School, weaves through the school grounds including one lap around the track before heading out onto the highways around Laughlin. Miles 2 – 3.3 are a steady climb of 321’ as you make your way toward Highway 163. From Needles Highway you will cross over onto the Westbound lanes of Highway 163 where you will be running East as you start the fastest portion of this course. You’re now facing 3.3 miles of DOWNHILL (loss of 683’) as you speed toward Davis Dam Rd. Be sure to look up at the sun rising over the Black Mountains in the Arizona distance checking out the Colorado River and Casino Row in the foreground – this is one of the most breathtaking vistas of the course. Leaving Highway 163 you turn north onto Davis Dam Rd, continuing the steady downhill trek as your thundering footfalls echo in the desert’s silence. Be sure to look for the cowboys that are sometimes seen riding along this part of the course and give the horses at Pot-O-Gold Stables a hearty wave.
The hulking bulwark of the Davis Dam appears eerily in the distance and you head straight as the glorious downhill comes to an end. You begin the brief ascent onto the rim of the Davis Dam itself. A peek over your shoulder reveals a stunning view of sunrays dappling like brilliant diamonds on the surface of the mighty Colorado River. The rim of the Davis Dam allows you to cross from Nevada into the State of Arizona, and you are welcomed by a million-dollar view of Lake Mohave to your left. The brilliant hues of the lake’s surface shift from deep cobalt to cerulean blues and are so beautiful it disappoints your eyes to tear them away. Be sure to take advantage of our #SelfieSpot where you have the opportunity to take your photograph with one foot in NV, and one in AZ. Wait! Without warning, you notice that your Running Watch and smart phones have suddenly gained precisely one hour. WTH? Am I running that slow? No. Not only have you crossed into the Grand Canyon State, but into the Mountain Standard Time Zone as well – it’s the FUTURE! Watches and phones will be momentarily confused, but the mystery will only be temporary. You journey into Arizona to the only out-and-back portion of the course. The journey through Arizona is relatively brief (depending on how your legs are holding up) and after making the turnaround you return to re-cross the Davis Dam and back into the Silver State – Nevada. Your return to Casino Row will be along the banks of the Colorado River via Laughlin’s new Heritage Greenway Trail, a beautiful, newly-opened public park filled with hiking and equestrian trails.
Your final push to the finish includes a bridge crossing (sorry for the slight uphill to the bridge) and descent onto Casino Drive where you will glimpse the finish line ¾ of a mile ahead! The cheering crowd of spectators welcomes you home; where a volunteer will congratulate you and drape a well-deserved medal around your neck. Exhausted, but exhilarated – high on endorphins and the satisfaction of your performance, it is time to Celebrate! Grab a water and head to the party, don’t forget to get your free beer when you are ready for it (Legacy Runners get two). There will be music, prizes and eventually we will give out the age group awards. Enjoy!!
We are proud to be raising funds for the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Colorado River, a safe and fun place for over 1,000 kids in our community.
LESS
This was a scenic, mostly downhill, run.
This race had interesting scenery and was mostly downhill. It was a somewhat small race, but I generally prefer smaller races. It was interesting switching time zones during the race … MORE
This race had interesting scenery and was mostly downhill. It was a somewhat small race, but I generally prefer smaller races. It was interesting switching time zones during the race and crossing from one state into the other. The view from the dam was really nice.
I love this race! Super fun
Beautiful weather, very well- run, close enough to Arizona if you’re a Hilton girl allergic to cigarette smoke, packet pick-up is smooth. Gavin always puts on a professional event. I … MORE
Beautiful weather, very well- run, close enough to Arizona if you’re a Hilton girl allergic to cigarette smoke, packet pick-up is smooth. Gavin always puts on a professional event. I sure hope this wasn’t the last one.
Well Done
A well done and well organized race. Better then average for sure but short of great. Good pricing, plenty of parking, GREAT MC (Gal on the mic was terrific), one … MORE
A well done and well organized race. Better then average for sure but short of great. Good pricing, plenty of parking, GREAT MC (Gal on the mic was terrific), one the better participant medals I’ve received, post race munchies were very good, awards ceremony was fun and well done, a lot of participants and fun energy, Laughlin is a fun Casino town, a lot of GREAT places for fun and food and lodging, plenty of quality photos to download for your memories, all together a “Dam Fine Race”. Negatives: Not much of a swag bag, T Shirt quality was just okay, turn around point was pretty narrow, route was not very scenic but still okay, the Beer ran out and the Beer line got way too long. All that said, I’ll be looking forward to running it again next year for sure…
The scenery was a surprise
I was expecting a boring run along the strip. After a very short distance we transitioned to the desert along a beautiful paved pathway. The route was great and far … MORE
I was expecting a boring run along the strip. After a very short distance we transitioned to the desert along a beautiful paved pathway. The route was great and far exceeded my expectations. Race was well organized and executed.
Great race to enjoy and zone out
If you can survive the first few miles of up hill and wondering why you signed up, you will be rewarded with the most downhill I have ever run in … MORE
If you can survive the first few miles of up hill and wondering why you signed up, you will be rewarded with the most downhill I have ever run in a race. The weather was great – no winds this year. Aid stations were supported by boys and girls club who were very motivating. They did not run out of gu or bananas. The course was well marked and it was very peaceful to run and enjoy the quiet of just runners shoes. Great medal but didn’t care for the shirt- shirt had too much of the front. After party was good was free beer but also water and chocolate milk and cookies ! No corrals but had someone from local high school play the national anthem on her flute. That set the tone for enjoying this race
A" must run" race
Awesome medal - great race - one of those races where you have to stop and take in the view - plenty of water stations and very helpful staff. This … MORE
Awesome medal – great race – one of those races where you have to stop and take in the view – plenty of water stations and very helpful staff. This race is on our “must run” every year!
Great race.
Very fun event. Runner's Bus was great. Looking forward to the 12K next year. I probably shouldn't have stopped 3 times to take pictures of the dam and scenery as … MORE
Very fun event. Runner’s Bus was great. Looking forward to the 12K next year. I probably shouldn’t have stopped 3 times to take pictures of the dam and scenery as I missed first place in my age group by less than 2 minutes. Will go flat out next year.
Perfect race for a 1/2 marathon 1st
This was a great race and perfect one for a half marathon first timer as a good portion of it was downhill. The views during the in were incredible. They … MORE
This was a great race and perfect one for a half marathon first timer as a good portion of it was downhill.
The views during the in were incredible. They had plenty of aid stations throughout the race so there was no need for me to carry my own water. Everything was easy to navigate and the shuttle buses were a plus. The best part was, even if you took the super early shuttle, they let you wait in the heated gym for the race to start so you aren’t out freezing waiting for everyone else to get there.
The only thing I would like to see improved is to have searchable pictures. It is much nicer to just enter your name or bib number and see all your picture instead of having to scroll through thousands of pictures to find your. But overall, I would highly recommended this race to anyone and especially to first timers
hilly, but great scenery
There are some nice downhill parts, but there is also some challenging uphills on this course. The back half has great scenery. I was also encouraged to see pacers out … MORE
There are some nice downhill parts, but there is also some challenging uphills on this course. The back half has great scenery. I was also encouraged to see pacers out there for the slower paces (3, 3:15 and 3:30). Also, I liked the idea of having a chartered bus from OC and LA.
Great Race, Scenic and Entertaining
Great Race in a beautiful location. Highlights: - A to B, Bag Check at the start - Starts at a high school and they open the gym so you can … MORE
Great Race in a beautiful location.
Highlights:
– A to B, Bag Check at the start
– Starts at a high school and they open the gym so you can hang out inside to keep warm before race
– run is gorgeous, starts on a highway, over the Davis Damn and through a cool park
– plenty of water stations
– Craft Beer at the end, in n out across the street where you can take your beer and grab a burger
– great after party
Love this Race!
I just love this race! I’ve done it three years in a row and I have no plans of stopping. This is just a great production all around from the … MORE
I just love this race! I’ve done it three years in a row and I have no plans of stopping. This is just a great production all around from the people of Laughlin. It’s a fun little get away weekend to go to Laughlin for the weekend as the rates are cheap for that weekend to enjoy this race.
To begin the expo is not anything special. It’s a small race and so don’t expect much here. It has grown each year though in quality and so who knows moving forward. But the t-shirt each year is an awesome one that is comfy and the design is one you will actually wear.
The race itself is just beautiful and fun. There are a lot of downhill parts that this is one of my fastest 1/2 marathons each year. You get to cross the Davis Dam into Arizona and then come back into Nevada, so that’s neat to run in two time zones.
The race finishes on the Laughlin strip and you are right at the after party. Fantastic snacks are provided with music to enjoy for the wait until the rewards begin.
They go three deep in each category and so my odds are always good each year for getting to go home with something extra.
One nice touch in 2018 that I have never seen before is my ribbon my medal declared I was a top 100 finished. I just love little touches like that and Run Laughlin delivers on these often. And speaking of the medals they are awesome! Some of my best medals on my board come from this race.
Don’t hesitate! Do this run as you won’t regret it!
Dam great race
Fun run, scenery is great. Half marathon has best views by far. Laughlin is great place to run and get away for a weekend. At every intersection on the final … MORE
Fun run, scenery is great. Half marathon has best views by far. Laughlin is great place to run and get away for a weekend. At every intersection on the final push there is police officers patrolling traffic, they are great they holler for you and get you motivated- never ran a race where they would do that.
Super fun race, would attend again!
Awesome race, super fun, worth driving from Vegas for! One of the few races I'd make a point of doing again! Additional feedback, based on my experience running the 5k … MORE
Awesome race, super fun, worth driving from Vegas for! One of the few races I’d make a point of doing again!
Additional feedback, based on my experience running the 5k in 2018:
Post race party: The post race party had to be one of the absolute BEST I’ve been to of well over 100 races I’ve attended. I had a blast! The beer, music, and location made for perfect atmosphere and I had the best time. As long as the DJ can work just a tiiiiiiiny bit on keeping the music upbeat (it was 90% on point!) and staying off his phone, you’ll have my vote for #1 post race party!
The course, aid, and photography: The course was amazing! I’m not a fan of any undulations whatsoever but it was scenic and perfect for being social during. The close but spacious enough course design was perfect for high-fiving and waving at people on the way out or return. It was also a great way, particularly for out-of-towners, to see Laughlin. I really enjoyed it a lot. Walkers and slower runners did block the course for me a couple of times and maybe need to be told pre-race to keep an eye out for and move out of the way for other participants. I had to shout to warn one person to move so she wouldn’t get plowed over. Not too bad though! The only other things I could recommend are putting the photographer in a spot where runners wont block each other from photos or perhaps getting a second photographer. More importantly, have water-providing volunteers on either both sides of the course or at least have them make an effort to get more to the inside of where the course curves to get water to runners. Actually, maybe just put the aid station on a straight section. It’s hard to justify moving to the outside on a curve to grab water during a 5k and skipping aid isn’t great either. Not a huge criticism though! I didnt need the water. I just would’ve taken it if I could’ve reached it more easily. 🙂
The awards ceremony: I feel bad about the negative remarks this race has received on this! I truly LOVED the personal approach taken with this and all the effort put in to making this special for everyone. The setting was perfect for everyone to be able to watch and cheer each other on, photo opportunities were spot on (though somehow the photographer missed the 1st place female 5k award and maybe some other key moments.. :/ ), and the prizes were fantastic. The best prizes possible are definitely those which let participants commemorate the event and how they did in it, imo. I truly could not complain about the awards ceremony except, obviously, regarding the length. Perhaps the personal notes and/or mini interviews could be saved for overall winners to expedite the process. If necessary, the awards ceremonies could be separate for each race so that 5k runners dont have to wait for half marathoners, for example. Not sure what else? I can tell that the organizers consistently put a lot of effort into improving this event so I’m sure they’ll take feedback into consideration and come up with something! 🙂
Race shirts: I vote for smaller size availability! Men’s smalls and mediums were both out when we arrived and the women’s small was pretty big. Granted, I didnt get to do packet pick up at the expo the day before, as driving out the day before wasnt practical for me as a Vegas resident, but I still think that at least something smaller than a large should have been available race morning, at least for pre-registered runners. Maybe offer shirt size selection during registration so you’ll have correct quantities available. Ordering spares, letting people trade their sizes, and having shirts available for late registrants can then be at organizers discretion but everyone will at least get the shirts they originally requested. Shirt measurements being provided during registration could be an option. All that said, I dont think I really care about collecting race shirts anymore. I’m not sure if everyone else would agree but if so maybe the race could save money by not offering them or charging for them as an optional add-on.
That’s all that comes to mind! Anyway, I definitely enjoyed this event and hope to run it again in the future!
Fast and fun is how the 5K goes.
If you are looking for a fun, fast and not too crowded race, then you should check out Run Laughlin Half Marathon, 5K & 10K. From the time I checked … MORE
If you are looking for a fun, fast and not too crowded race, then you should check out Run Laughlin Half Marathon, 5K & 10K. From the time I checked in to the time I drove away from the after party, I was all smiles. The only thing that is personally sad about this race, is that the 5K runners don’t get the experience of running across the dam, across state line, across 2 time zones, but winning 2nd in my division 3 of the 4 years helps make up for that! This is one of my top 3 favorite races and will be back each year!
Great course but prep needs work
Interesting race to do if you happen to be in Laughlin Nevada the first week in December. They offer a 5k, 10k and half. Did the half. For the start … MORE
Interesting race to do if you happen to be in Laughlin Nevada the first week in December. They offer a 5k, 10k and half. Did the half.
For the start they bus you from the Tropicana Casino in Laughlin to about 3 miles north to the start line. Start line is at the local high school. Gym was open and warm and restrooms were open. So good beginnings. But – always the but…
Race was suppose to start at 7 am. So about 6:55 they call us out of the gym to the start line but then tell everybody to go back because the course isn’t finished being set up yet. So after a 20 minute delay we are called back out for the opening ceremony’s. National Anthem and speeches. The interesting part of this was when it was the race directors turn to speak they announced he wasn’t there due to work commitments. Really? The race director couldn’t make his own race? Never heard that before.
So off we go. The first mile and half is around the high school. About a half mile hill straight up from 1 to 1.5. So far pretty unimpressed. But then the saving grace (sort of). The course then heads out into the sothern Nevada desert for 10 or 11 miles of hills and scenery. Views of the desert and sun coming up over the mountains were great. Mile 7.5 to 10 are across the Davis dam with really nice views while crossing from Nevada into Arizona – two different time zones – then turning around and going back.
Then run a couple of miles back to the city / casinos along the Colorado River. Really nice. Last mile is down casino row.
Just when I thought the course had redeemed the technical flaws – Surprise. When crossing the finish line you get a piece of paper saying they didn’t order enough medals. They would ship them later when they got them. I was in the top half so the were short medals for about 50% of the field. The said if you really wanted a medal to hang around until 2 pm and they would give you one from 2016. So much for redemption.
So to recap – run the race for the weather, course and scenery. Very very hilly and challenging course. We had great weather. Sunny and in the upper 50’s to mid 60’s.
LOVE THIS RACE
The organizers of this race are fantastic. Love them. This was the second year for this race and unfortunately the wind was blowing about 30 MPH which made the race … MORE
The organizers of this race are fantastic. Love them. This was the second year for this race and unfortunately the wind was blowing about 30 MPH which made the race very difficult. It was also challenging with a lot of uphills. The course support was awesome and there were plenty of water stops. Overall, we had a great time and we will do this race every year they put it on!
Awesome race!!
This was the inaugural race and let me tell you...they did a fabulous job. They crew sent awesome emails keeping everyone informed. It was a small race, lots of uphills … MORE
This was the inaugural race and let me tell you…they did a fabulous job. They crew sent awesome emails keeping everyone informed. It was a small race, lots of uphills and some trails which we loved! We went over Davis Dam which crossed the Arizona and Nevada line. The course support was wonderful. For their inaugural race, they did a fabulous job. So fabulous, we are leaving tomorrow so we can get to Laughlin in time to do thus race again on Saturday, Dec 3!!