Rock & Roll Las Vegas backlash

I ran the half, and finished in the top 0.2% so maybe my experience would be more relevant for the letsrun crowd.

*Pre-race was a zoo. But if I run the race again next year I would probably either stay somewhere closer so I don't have to check my postrace clothing or just get there an hour early.

*Yes, there were people in the first corral that didn't belong there. Including family members and people with really high bib numbers.

*I didn't take any water during the race, so I didn't get sick.

*I finished when there were still plenty of refreshments. I got a bottle of water, a bottle of cytomax, a banana, and a couple of snack bars. (oh, and a blanket)

*I had to hop 2-3 fences and got into the first corral about 2-3 minutes before the race started, but couldn't push my way up any closer to the front. I probably passed 200-300 people in the first 2 minutes of the race but it didn't slow me down much (if at all).

*I plan on running the race again next year, get there a bit earlier so I have time to warm-up and stretch out. The race conditions were perfect and the race had one of the deepest fields. (I can only think of two other races where the top 50-100 ran faster, the national championships and Philadelphia Distance Run)

Hopkinton wrote:

Englehart's money making operation disgusts me -- he does NOT have the chops to manage a road race.

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2009390759_marathon27m.html

Fortunately, the word is getting out there. RnR Vegas Marathon is drawing fewer and fewer runners.

2009 - 5,852

2010 - 5,154

2011 - 3,766

At $175, stay away from this train wreck and any other "running" events the Competitor Group stages. I also think Zappo's would be wise to sever their sponsorship immediately.

The half marathon had 14,000 MORE RUNNERS than last year. While they put emphasis on the full marathon, they know the money is to be made on the half.

Columbus (not owned by competitor) added a half marathon a few years ago and went from 8,000 to 10,000 just last year. The marathon has stayed between 4 and 5 thousand.

Before that, they had a relay that got about 1,500 runners.

Facebook group is up: I'm tired of Rock 'n' Roll and Competitor ruining our sport....

http://www.facebook.com/groups/137608653015922/

Please join the group, and join the conversation!

By the way I would not dream of running the marathon here unless they give the marathoners a 2-hour head start or if I am in 2:30 shape. I was passing marathoners that were running 6:00-6:20 pace the last few miles of the race and I can only imagine how disheartening it is to have someone fly by you as you're just trying to hang on. (even if they are in another race)

I ran the full, and I do agree that the race was pretty bad. I'm far from elite not even competitive but I'm also not exactly a waddler. I went through the half at 1:26 flat and I ran right into a sea of half marathoners. It was a bitch trying to weave through these people as they jumped and cheered and took up the entire street including the 8 ft wide section designated for the full.

I'm sure the top men got through before the half went off but the top women weren't that far in front of me. I ended up getting a major cramp, stopped to pee, and got sick so it really didn't matter. I still finished limping in just under 3. For a race more expensive than Boston or Chicago, I expected a lot more. It was my first and last RnR event. At least Vegas itself was a blast.

I have heard that the Chicago Marathon is in negotiations to sell to Competitor Group. If it happens, kiss any chance of a WR on US soil ever happening again (at least a legal one).

and i don't know if it was just my personal experince but if a marathon "changes your life" you're not a real runner. your first marathon should only change your training plans not set you on some course for world domination

this guy said it best

In response to the runners looking for the "experience" as opposed to other racers out there....funny video

https://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=2585658574668&oid=53641483459

In response to the runners looking for the "experience" as opposed to other racers out there....funny video

https://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=2585658574668&oid=53641483459

Why would I want to pay a bunch more money to have to listen to the races crappy music about 1 minute every mile when I can load my ipod with the songs I like?

Let's talk about the marathon experience. North America.

Historic Tradition: Boston

Big City: New York, Chicago

Middle America: Grandma's

Scenic & City: Portland, Vancouver B.C.

Natural Beauty: Avenue of the Giants

Red Rock Desert (fast): St. George

Glitz: Orlando Disney World

Trash: Las Vegas

I've done these (except Disney) & would do them all again EXCEPT Vegas.

Las Vegas is a gambling junket with a sh***y race thrown in.

A FB page could be started about "Change of Pace" out of Davis also. All, and I do mean all the races they put on is s c r e w e d-up somehow. You name the problem - it has happened.

A FB page could be started about "Change of Pace" out of Davis also. All, and I do mean all the races they put on is s c r e w e d-up somehow. You name the problem - it has happened.

Competitior is starting to make Devine look like he knew what he was doing.