Vegas anyone?

Feel free to read my RR from 06 for opinions/issues with the race.  It didnt sound like they ironed out too much of the wrinkles last year either.  That said, if I fall short of my BQ attempt in Sept, I am considering going back for some revenge despite the lack of late course aid stations and stuff.

Thanks.

According to the website they are going to allow anyone that can show proof of a 3-4 hour marathon separate corrals. I qualify but I'm hoping to sneak my friend in so we don't get caught in the cluster fcuk that the start appears to have been in the past.

X2, from the 2005 race. Also check the comments on marathonguide.com.

For the price they charge, this could be so much more. At a minimum, get the mile markers to be accurate and have decent food at the finish. Running up the strip and on Freemont Street was cool, the rest of the course was bland and almost devoid of spectators.

Those comments are like reading restaurant reviews on citysearch; from one extreme to the other.  I do see some recurring themes tho. thnx

Ordinarily I wouldn't wear a fuel belt  but this one may be a candidate.

Wear your Garmin, too, if you want to have more than a vague idea of where you are on the course.

x2.  I was loving the cheers of '2 miles to go!' by the volunteers at the condensed aid station at 'mile 24', which the garmin told me was a mile off and i had run 25.  Luckily, they got the total distance in the ballpark.

Absolutely! I think my wife is onto me though. 

I've been there and done that in 06. I did the half. Some thoughts.

The course is flat and fast. It will really open up once you get past Fremont street. Running down the strip was scenic and fun but it is only the first six miles. After that you head out to open desert. The scenery will change dramatically.

I hear that you longer run under the canopy on Fremont street. Bummer. You now run around it.

It was cold and windy at the start. The first six miles where the course splits from the half will be crowded. There is plenty of trash on the street during the first few miles as people shed clothes.

I found the port o'potties to be limited. The start was a complete mess. It was a mass start with fencing along the strip. The only way to enter was from the rear. The race will have over 25,000 in it. I thought the t-shirt and medals were cheap. The food lacking especially for the full marathon and the mile markers were off. I do not normally run for the t-shirts but this race is expensive compared to others and hyped well.

I would try to stay at Mandalay Bay, MGM, New York, Luxor or Excalibar. The traffic is tight when the strip is open, let alone closed for the race.

I have not followed the race to see if improvements have been made. I do know that tech t's and sling backpacks were provided last year.

I live close to Vegas and would run this race again. I might do it this year. With that said, I would not travel from NY just to race (this race). If it is built into a vacation I would do it.

Hope this helps.

Thanks for the info.

Running it with a friend and I'm sure we won't be "just racing" as our wives aren't making this trip With lodging comped and cheap airfare it looks like a great opportunity to make it a marathon/guys weekend!

Are our friends (non Bt'ers) welcome? Since you're asking for permission  

It's a lot like triathlon, not too complicated if you K.I.S.S

The good news is I charge the same amount for my craps advice as do my triathlon advice