I first did this in 2015 when about a dozen of us from my running club went. Then I did it again in 2017 when my girlfriend and I went.

They hold a 5k on Saturday evening which takes place between Circus Circus and the Stratosphere. It's very lively and very fun!

Then on Sunday teatime I ran the half. It starts at the bottom of the Strip and then basically runs aaaall the way to the top of the Strip where you round a corner and then head most of the way back down, and end outside Mirage Mirage.

In all honesty, the route is quite boring. But... you're running the Las Vegas Strip! At night, among the neon! It doesn't get a great deal cooler than that! lol

I completely recommend this event. It's very expensive, but I repeat, you get to run the world famous Strip!! Do it! :)

For those that don’t know my story about Vegas (where have you been) here is my blog for the full details:

https://pickupthepacepaul.com/2017/11/18/hungry-for-vegas

I ran both the 5k and marathon, and my wife did the half marathon so I can give a brief about all, and have a full review of each in my blog.

As an overview, Vegas is amazing, Rock and Roll do a fantastic job here and I would 100% recommend this event. 

If I was to do this again I would do the half marathon, held entirely on the strip it has probably the best atmosphere I have ever experienced. Hands down I have not found a half that has come close.

The marathon takes in the half route, the the second half is in back roads. Hands down one of the worst half experiences I have ever done. An event of two half’s, the first is bright and loud, a great experience, the second is dark and boring. You get a free jacket for doing the full, they have to offer more to get me back again, two laps would be perfect. Overall though, it’s amazing and the bling is awesome.

The 5 k itself is pretty boring on the back road, but again amazing medal and you end at a concert, can’t go far wrong with this. You also get a third marathon for doing both events... win win

If you get the opportunity take it, if you aren’t fussed about marathons then do the half. Make sure you take plenty of money to make the most of Vegas, it’s awesome.

The Vegas rock n roll series is unusual and unique in so many ways.. it is one of those races that attracts lots of tourists, because the idea of running along that strip sells this race! What I didn't consider when I agreed to run this race was that the race was in the evening which requires a whole different fuelling strategy! Being on holiday, it also meant rest pre-race was impossible, unless you want to 'waste' a day doing nothing so you are rested. As you can probably tell, I'm not a competitive runner, so I was never going to rest and my pre race fuel ended up being McDonald's!! Despite the unusual lead up to the race, the atmosphere when I arrived at the starting area was electric and I soon got in The spirit of things! The journey there was a little stressful, of course the main strip was closed so getting a taxi took slightly longer, something to build into your plans if running this event in the future! Although the atmosphere was great, unfortunately the organisation of the start area left a lot to be desired, with conflicting info being given on pre-race instructions in comparison to the set up on the day. There was also very little signage to show you where the pens were, meaning i nearly started many waves behind where I should have been! 

Now onto the positives..  the atmosphere during the event was, for the most part, awesome. The provision of toilets after only a mile or so made me extremely happy, as I'm one of those people who drinks too much whilst waiting in the start pen! The first part of the race incorporates the famous 'welcome to Vegas' sign and it was a great touch having an official photographer there to snap you with the sign. The first half of the race is all on the strip which makes for a fabulously entertaining run with great views and energetic crowd support..  unfortunately once you head off the strip into downtown Vegas the course becomes spectatorless, dark and somewhat bleak. The aid stations become the highlight during this section, and I found myself running quite a few miles wondering when I was going to eventually then around or if I was going to end up in another state of america. To say that section dragged a bit is an understatement, but I'm still glad that downtown Vegas was incorporated as I wouldn' have seen all the Vegas chapels otherwise! 

As the course heads back onto the strip the marathoners join the course next to you, and because of the layout there is no space for spectators along the last part of the course. I had no-one spectating for me anyway but I did feel this took away from the final mile a little.

The finish line was right by the mirage hotel, and as I ran towards the hotel.. and ran..  and ran..  I actually wondered if it really was a mirage. Because the hotels are all so big and well lit, you can see them from miles away which means you feel like they are close and you never seem to make progress in reaching them! 

When I finally neared the finish line the noise and music boosted me into a little sprint and I was so relieved to get my beautiful casino themed medal. Then I walked.. and walked..  and picked up more goodies than I could actually hold (a bag would have been handy!).. and I walked and walked some more. The finishers funnel was SO long I thought I was going to do another half marathon Just to get out of it. But when I finally got out I was pleased to find the baggage van right there and my bag collection was the quickest of any race ever. Overall, I loved this event, but I'm not a fan of running at night. That being said, I would recommend this event and would definitely do it again if I got the chance.

This is just an amazing weekend to be a runner. It starts with a huge expo and so you are guaranteed to come away with lots of new running kit.

The 5k on the Saturday night is an out  and back course which runs down the road behind the Strip and so you can see the casino hotels but won’t be actually on the Strip. The route had changed slightly for this year which meant the start of the course was wider and so it was less congested easier to get into race pace quicker; the turnaround point was also wider. At the end of the race there is a band and this year it included the main headliner of the weekend. The start and finish is in a festival ground and so well equipped including flushing toilets with no queue!!

The half marathon is on the Sunday evening and this year the start was on the Strip which meant a much improved route with less mileage off the Strip. The route is amazing along the Las Vegas Strip at night and the spectator support was incredible. The finish line is particularly spectacular with lasers and next to the Mirage volcano. There are regular water stations along the course however these are cups rather than bottles and given that you’re running is a desert it’s worth having your own water rather than relying on these stations. 

The medals from all both races are fab and there is the remix challenge medal for those running the  5k and a Sunday race. 

Overall this is an amazing weekend and the atmosphere at the races and in the City is awesome. From the flight over you are surrounded by other runners (spot the Garmins!) and so it is a very social experience. Vegas is also an amazing city and so for a running holiday I can’t recommend it enough. 

This an amazing race - I ran the 5k and the half marathon.

The 5k is good fun although not really an PB opportunity as there are a number of pinch points along the route. The start and finish in the festival grounds is excellent - plenty of space to wait and relax before/after and flushing toilets with no queues! At end of the race runners get a free beer, water and pretzels which we enjoyed listening to the band.

The half marathon started at the south end of the Strip with the headliner - Snoop Dog in 2016. Runners then join their corrals in waves however the corrals could have been more organised. The start is amazing with flames, music etc. The route then takes runners south on the Strip before running north again although the Strip taking in all the sights of the hotels. There is an off strip loop downtown which is quieter but then it’s back heading south to the finish line by the Mirage volcano. Overall an amazing run and unbeatable atmosphere. 

Worth noting: the water stations are cups (not bottles) and so you will probably want to carry your own water. The atmosphere is arid and so lose fluid easily irrespective of the temperature. 

Las Vegas strip is closed on two nights a year - New Year's Eve and for the Half / Marathon, and there was something very special about running along the Las Vegas strip at night.

The course along the strip was excellent but the bit through Downtown and beyond was in a rundown, dodgy area and wasn't what I was expecting. I was glad I didn't do the marathon as the marathon course included a lot of off strip running, much of it in loops around a deserted market area.

I loved the Las Vegas strip running and the whole event. The medals were excellent - I received the half medal, but also did the 5k, so received a medal for that, plus one for doing 2 events in the same weekend, a "World Rocker" medal for doing RocknRoll events in two different coutries in the same year, plus a "Double Beat" medal for two RocknRoll events in the same calendar year.

As well as the off-strip running, the other downside was that Americans obviously lie about their expected finish time, so a lot of time was spent weaving around people who had put a fast time on their entry but who were walking or running slowly (even in the first half mile).

I'd love to do it again.

This race lived up to its motto- great atmosphere with bands along the way, at the start line, in the registration area. Tons of people along the strip cheering you on, plus the lights of Vegas. After the Strip though the route goes through some dark areas with little support and I can imagine the marathon might be a bit dull. The half was great though and loved the free entry to clubs to party till dawn. This was my 1st half and a great one for newbies.