Rock 'n' Roll Las Vegas Marathon : Official Thread

Probably do the 1/2 again this year.  They are trying to go from the 44 thousand runners last year to over 60 thousand this year, so just be aware.

Also keep in mind that this is a carnival.  So many of the marathoners last year were down right angry that people were in their way.  Remember, there are runners in Elvis costumes, running in wedding garb, and other outfits having fun.

It is what it is.   Just saying.

Chicago is my A race for the year.  I just wanted to do this as a fun experiment.... I could care less about my time.  That being said I'll make sure I'm not going to get in the way of anyone who's trying to set a record.  Of course, I don't think most serious runners would take this as a "serious" race anyway.

I hear they have run-through weddings?

They're offering discounts all over the place, so I'm guessing they are nowhere near capacity yet.  I'd be perfectly content if they didn't get more than 30K.

Anyone have an elevation profile of the full course?  This is my backup race to try and BQ this fall if I can;t at KC(which is darn hilly) and just wanted to get an idea what I am getting into.

I plan on getting into one of the first waves/corrals to avoid as much of the craziness I can...

Thanks!

I believe it's virtually flat.  I have been to Vegas before and I recall the city being flat.  It's surrounded by mountains, but the city itself has little to no elevation change.

Can you get a BQ at this?  

I'm with you on starting early- I am not super fast, but I am a serious athlete.

http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/126842789

Ok, found it, 390 ft of elevation gain....thats pretty flat.

I certainly hope I can BQ at Vegas!!! I assumed it was a USATF certified or whatever, but I might be wrong.  On that note, when I did Rock n Roll Seattle, they let you change corrals at the expo, just needed to tell them your expected run time.

I'm in for this and looking forward to it.  Talking to a person from Competitor Group several months back, she said they were capping the entries at 60k.  No idea if they're anywhere near that, but that's the potential.

I'll be shooting for sub-3:30 at least.  Depending on how the next several weeks go, I may even shoot for a BQ 3:25.  

I'm not concerned about the crowds at all.  The marathon and half marathon start at completely different times so you'll have only other marathoners at the start and the slower runners will almost all be behind you from the beginning.  Sure, there will be people that intentionally put themselves in the wrong corral, but that's a minority.  With the way they stagger the corrals, if you're planning on going fast even the first few miles are okay.  I did the Country Music Marathon in April and they had almost 30k where the half and mary started at the same time.  I was up in the 3:30 corral and never had a problem.

Where the courses merge (mile 24) won't be a problem this year.  I'll hit that spot at about 6:15 pm.  Anyone in the half that's doing 9:30 miles or better will get there about the same time, so there's a lot of much slower people right next to me.  However, they've stated clearly that there will be a marathon-only lane for those last 2 miles with fixed barricades.  This is a total win: you get the energy and party atmosphere of the slower 1/2 marathoners finishing up right next to you without them slowing you down in the least.

Yeah, thats the way RnR Seattle was, separate lanes for 1/2 and full.  I ran a 3:16 there, and by that time most of the people finishing the 1/2 were walk/joggers, so I got quite a bit of cheering.  It was pretty cool to say the least, hopefully vegas will be the same way.

By the way, in case anyone is curious, I emailed competitor and they did say it will be USATF certified course.

I updated the mapmyrun route.  With the course change the elevation gain is down to 351.  The new route does make for a steeper climb between about 14.25 and 16, but that's absurdly relative: it's still only a 100 foot climb over nearly 2 miles, or barely even 1% grade.

I really appreciate the update (and the original!).  I'm running the KC Marathon on oct 20th and it has at least twice the elevation gain, so this race will be a nice backup attempt at a BQ if I can;t get it done next weekend.

I don't know what I would have done 10 years ago if I was running and couldn't look these things up.... what would I have had to freak out about then?  Guess I would have had to train more or something, eww.

On another note, whats everyone plan for how to do race day preps for this one?  The 4pm start is throwing me for a loop, not sure how to eat the day before and day of.  Ideas? Last thing I would want is a bathroom break ruining a BQ....

Yeah, planning on carb loading a bit the day before, then I'm thinking early AM breakfast.  I'll get a nap after breakfast so the calories are stored away.  I'll definitely skip lunch and live on GU from 2:30 until I finish.  

My normal schedule is:

Lunch day before:  Lots of carbs, some protein, very little fat

Dinner day before (min 12 hours before race): Smaller meal with lots of carbs

3 hours before race: Coffee x2 or espresso x 2 (black), bagel w/PB and banana and two cups water.  GU and 5 hour energy 10 min before race start.

So.... if I move that to the 4 pm start....

Dinner night before is the big carbo meal

Wake up at 3 am and eat a small meal, go back to sleep and sleep as long as possible.  Eat a meal at about 1 pm.  This seems silly, but about the only way I can see doing it to avoid GI issues....

It will make for a boring morning in the hotel, but thats ok I suppose.

They're still looking for pacers for this race, by the way.  You get a free entry if you can run as fast as the below...

Marathon pacers: 3:05:00, 3:10:00, 3:15:00, 3:25:00, 3:30:00, 3:35:00, 3:40:00, 3:50:00

Well, looks like your in luck, they showed the pace groups and 3:25 is one of em. 3:05 did not show up however. Anyone else going for 3:05?

I'll probably just have to be friendly in my corral at the start and see who else is going for that time and find some informal pacers.... grrr.

Less than 4 weeks!

I saw ya'll were talking about the nutrition piece. I'm still trying to work that one out. the 4pm start is throwing me off. I might just be taking that one as it comes with friends and family joining for the weekend. Big Dinner the night before shouldn't be a problem. Eating the day of might be weird. Figured a light breakfast in the morning and then munchies through the day might work out.

Thankfully I'm pacing my wife to stay under 5 hours on this one, I got my sub 4 couple days ago in Denver. Still want to help her get this one right. Anyone else out there going to be bringing the rear up with us?