Race previews

01 July 2016, 7am

Distance Running 2016 Edition 3 > Race previews > Looking ahead

Running down the Strip at night is unparalleled: the race combines a world-class course under dazzling lights with live, non-stop entertainment … and hundreds of runners dressed as Elvis

Looking ahead

Rock ’n’ Roll Las Vegas Marathon & 1/2 Marathon
Sun 13 November 2016

The world’s largest night-time running event lights up the Las Vegas Strip in mid-November each year with over 45,000 runners taking part in one or other of the weekend events. Registration is now open for the marathon, half-marathon, 10km and 5km distances.

Runners of all levels are invited to run down the closed lanes of the famed Las Vegas Boulevard and past iconic Las Vegas sights in a one-of-a-kind experience. Forbes Travel Guide recently named this not-to-be-missed running event as one of the 12 Best ‘destination’ Marathons and 2016 marks the 50th running of the marathon.

The experience of running down the Las Vegas Strip at night is unparalleled in the event industry. The race combines a world-class course under dazzling lights with live, non-stop entertainment from start to finish. It offers an opportunity for participants from around the globe to come together to celebrate their physical achievements in an epic fashion.

Race weekend is the only private event to exclusively shut down the Las Vegas Strip at night. Race highlights include the iconic ‘Welcome to Las Vegas’ sign, the Fountains of the Bellagio, and finishing at the foot of the Mirage volcano. New Year’s Eve is the only other time the Strip is shut down in this way.

The running will start on the night of Saturday 12 November with a 5km race presented by Brooks. This warm-up is followed on the evening of 13 November by the marathon, half marathon and 10km races. Runners can choose to participate in the “Remix Challenge” and earn a bonus third medal by running in both the 5km on Saturday and any distance on Sunday.

Race day begins with a start line festival at the Las Vegas Village pre-race concert for the runners and their friends and family. Past headliners include Kid Rock and Macklemore & Ryan Lewis. In addition to the headliner concerts, live bands and DJs of every kind will play along the race courses entertaining and encouraging runners as they make their way to the finish line.

To add to the live entertainment along the course, the Las Vegas event is renowned for hundreds of runners dressed as Elvis. Every year the event also includes a Run-Thru Wedding Chapel where runners in love can tie the knot or renew their vows on the race route. The finish line venue in front of the Mirage Volcano is conveniently located less than one mile from more than 15 hotels, so runners only have a short walk back after the race.
See: RunRocknRoll.com/Las-Vegas and follow @RunRocknRoll on Twitter and Instagram