Back in March I ran the Red Rock Canyon Half Marathon (there is also a full). The race has been featured in Runners World a couple of times, and the course is most definitely beautiful; along the scenic loop of the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area just outside of Las Vegas, NV. I believe it is always run in March, but Vegas weather can be so unpredictable in the Spring; sometimes we are already well into the 70s-80s, and other times (like this year) the temps at start time were in the frosty low-30's (the mountains had a light powder of snow).
The course itself is a challenge; the first 5 miles climbs approximately 800ft in elevation, and I heard other runners muttering something about a 5% grade as we slogged through the first 5 miles. I remember looking up and seeing everyone in front of me walking up a steep ascent, which made me feel a little less bad about the amount of walking I was doing. But once I got past the highest point, the final 8 miles were all downhill, but at a much less extreme grade, so it wasn't as hard on the quads as, say, the St. George Full.
It isn't a Disney-sized race; around 500 runners completed the half. So it isn't tiny (I just finished an HM with just 70 runners...that felt very, um, intimate ). I would say it was a good sized field for the course (the course shares the roadway with drivers visiting the loop, so the cones give runners about a 6 ft wide path).
The shirt and medal were nice; they both had the same design, a series of symbols that look like hieroglyphs, and represent different aspects of the area's history. Runners had a choice of a long-sleeved or short-sleeved tech-shirt. I chose the short-sleeve and this has quickly become one of my favorite race shirts!
Packet pick up was easy and convenient; they did a packet pick up on the east side and west side of town, so no racing across town for a bib. Runners were issued a timing chip that was returned at the finish line; the "goody bag" wasn't too full at all, but no big deal.
There is no parking at the start (well, there isn't supposed to be, but I saw some runners parking in the visitor center, tsk tsk). A shuttle was provided from a nearby resort, and we never waited more than 5 minutes, both before and after the race, to board. Honestly, I kind of liked relaxing on the bus on the way back to the car. Kinda reminded me of a WDW race.
The finish line goodies were the best; I don't know if I was just "extra" hungry from the challenging course and the frosty temps, but they had quite a spread for runners, from the usual bagels, bananas and water, to pastries, pita chips and hummus, yogurt, juice, coffee, and fruit.
Will I do it again? Hmm.....I really did enjoy everything about the race except the first 5 miles. Honestly, there are moments when you look around during those first 5 miles and just want to stop and take in all the amazing, huge views. So I will say, It's definitely worth doing once, especially if you wrap it into a long Las Vegas weekend visit.
Course Map: http://calicoracing.squarespace.com/...%20profile.pdf
Info on the Race: http://calicoracing.squarespace.com/...-and-12-marat/
Info on Red Rock Canyon: http://www.blm.gov/nv/st/en/fo/lvfo/..._rock_nca.html
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