The last event of 2011 is done! Las Vegas run the strip at night was a fitting end to the year. Dave and I have done the Rock n roll Las Vegas half for the last three years, 2009 was the inaugural year, started insanely early at something like 6:30, it was cold cold cold, but a great experience. 2010 had a slightly more sensible start time, and we had a wonderful time with friends Ken and Corrine. 2011 had a much later start time, 5:30 p.m. and was a half marathon experience like no other. Thanks to very generous friends, Dave and I had the weekend to ourselves as Michael spent the weekend with his buddy Andrew. We arrived in Vegas Friday early afternoon, checked into the Mirage and headed across the street to the race expo at the Sands convention centre. A Rock n Roll expo is huge, after making our way through the many exhibtors we emerged with new shoes, soxs, and best of all new Gu flavors: peppermint stick and peanut butter - can't wait to try them out.
An advantage to a Sunday evening race is that you have much more time to enjoy the city. We finally got to see a show, and for the first time Beatles Love was not on blackout, Dave has wanted to see this for a number of years and the last two it has been on blackout the first week of December. A disadvantage is you have much more time to contribute to the Vegas economy, the lights won't be dimming anytime soon.
Sunday was such a different experience, to be able to sleep in on race day was a treat. Brunch at noon, and around 2:00 we headed out for the 2 miles trek to Mandalay Bay and the start area. 45 minutes later we arrived, easily checked our gear bag and once again contributed to the flagging US economy. In past years Vegas has had a post-race concert, this year was pre-race featuring Cheap Trick, they may be old but they still put on a good show. It was a chilly evening, so one last trip inside to warm up a little before we headed to our corral (8) around 4:30. This is a huge event, there were 44,000 runners (or walkers) and at least 35 corrals. The corrals were chilly but we warmed up quick, 5:30 saw the elite runners take off and we followed about 7 minutes later.
Running the Vegas strip at night was great, the lights and the spectators made it a very different experience. With 44,000 runners it was a crowded course and since the corrals were not overly well monitored there were people of every pace out there. Dave had a great race - even with stopping for multiple photo ops he came in at 1:58! My 2:27 was just fine for me - happy to be under 2:30 considering multiple porta potty breaks :)
The finish line was super crowded, within minutes of my finish I'm sure people were having to wait to actually across the timing mat! Once past the finishing photo op station, things opened up a bit, grabbed snacks and water and found Dave patiently waiting for me at the P/Q sign. Dave had already retrieved our gear, we headed in to get warm and were very lucky to be on a shuttle headed back to the Mirage by 8:30.
While we had a great time from the reports on facebook it sounds like many others didn't. Apparently the water supplies didn't last, the support on the course was limited, the finish area got completely out of control. Many many people are very unhappy with the race organization - while be interesting to see if they make changes next year. If you are considering Vegas, you may want to take a look at the feedback that's out there.
So that's the end of 2011, only 4 more months to go. What's coming up......
January 14th Nookachamps Winter run in Mount Vernon Washington another little race, Ken Hamilton will be keeping me company on this one, if anyone else is interested in a day trip to Washington, here's the link: Nookachamps Winter Run
February is the Vancouver First Half
March we are considering an inaugural half marathon in Pheonix
April will be the Fool's run in Gibson's - come along to celebrate the conclusion of this adventure!
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