Rock 'n' Roll Las Vegas Half-Marathon (Clark County, Nevada)

*Photo courtesy of Google

We've all seen the glitz and glamour of the Las Vegas Strip on television and over my years working in the casino gaming industry, I was able to visit and party on the strip numerous times. It's an adult playground and lives up to it's reputation. When I learned of a half-marathon that run the length of the strip, I was instantly interested. Add to that prospect, the fact that the Las Vegas Boulevard (the strip) is closed to car traffic during the race and that it is held in the evening when all of the neon and splendor are at their peak visually, and I was looking for the sign-up.

I flew into Las Vegas yesterday in the early afternoon. I picked up my race packet as soon as I landed and then checked into my hotel room at New York New York. Last night I had a spectacular three course dinner complete with wine pairings at Gordon Ramsey's Pub and Grill. And this morning, I got up early and did a scenic paddle on the Colorado River through Black Canyon. Now, I'm quickly trying to change clothes, get my running shoes on, and make my way to the starting village behind Paris. Along the way, I consumed a couple of granola bars, but I fear that I may not have taken in enough calories to power my body for 13.1 miles. We'll see. 

The event is truly massive. I've heard estimates of 25,000 runners participating in tonight's run and from the size of the crowd I'm now part of, I can believe it. As they load the runners into our respective corrals, we wait for the signal and then begin the march down Las Vegas Blvd. to the starting line. The race started at 4:30 PM, but with thousands of runners ahead of me, I'm not actually able start the course until nearly 5:00 PM. With a green light, a nod from the guy separating the waves, and a puff of smoke from the cannons above the start line, I'm off and running.

We first head south past MGM Grand, New York New York (where I just walked from) and the Luxor. The field is wide and everyone seems to have party attitude. It's still light out, but as we round the turn a bit south of the famous "Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas" sign, the sun begins to set and night rolls in. It's actually pretty funny to me. I've been coming to Las Vegas pretty regularly for the better part of thirty years now and in the pre-social media days, this sign was not really a big deal. With the advent of Instagram and TikTok, it seems everyone wants to have their selfie with the sign in the background now. Ah well, times change.

Running back past the starting line, but now in the northbound traffic lane, I run past the same hotels once again and then proceed towards Paris, the Bellagio, and Caesar's Palace. There are still tons of runners and every half-mile or mile, we are treated to live bands and other entertainment, including the NHL's Golden Knight's cheer-leading squad and a KISS tribute band, complete with makeup. It's all one big party.

That said, I think not having time to get much of meal in between kayaking and running is now starting to hit me. I'm not really hurting so much, but I can sense my energy levels are depleted and I'm only about five miles into the race. I'm forced to walk a bit. It's okay though, I wasn't really planning on being competitive here. This race is more about taking in the magnificent venue. I mean who would have thought they would close down one of the most famous strips of real estate in the world for a race? 

As we move towards the northern end of the strip, the intricate neon signs are now lighting our way in the absence of the sun overhead. The race continues past the Stratosphere and then goes around a couple of blocks of old Las Vegas before heading directly toward the Fremont Experience and turning left just before we hit it. I grab a gel pack from one of the water stops and the quick calorie intake helps me get motivated again, at least for a little while. 

I spend the next few miles alternating between a light jog and a fast walk, with priority for the walk. I can also feel a hot spot on the big toe of my left foot, which is starting to cause a small amount of pain. I ignore it the best I can and continue the march towards the finish line just north of Caesar's Palace. 

The setting of this race and the general party attitude are just amazing and I'm thankful I decided to run it, even with my current woes. I am starved though. With only a couple more miles to go, I give it some effort and try to run further. My foot hurts and my tank is empty. I don't make it far before I have to walk some more. This whole routine repeats a couple of times before I finally reach the finish line.

With tall towers of Caesar's Palace just behind it, I finally cross the finish line with a time of 3:06:17. That's a terrible time, but as I said, this was more about the even than the time. I'm immediately handed my finisher's medal, a mylar blanket to put over my shoulders and a small celebratory bottle of sparkling wine. I found it funny that they weren't carding anyone for the wine, but this is Las Vegas after all. 

I'm glad it's over with, but it was truly amazing. Now it's time to get some food. I had made a reservation at Wolfgang Puck's Bar and Grill inside the MGM and now I'm fighting my way through the crowd to get there in a reasonable time. Once I arrive, I enjoy a nice cold beer and a smoked salmon and cavier pizza . . . delicious. When I alter get back to the hotel, I find that I actually have a large blood blister on my big toe. Well, that explains the pain. Ah well, no pain, no gain.