Marathon gets 44,000 Runners

Sunday's Marathon + Half Marathon attracted 44,000 runners on the Strip, and they expect 75,000
next year. This was a great idea to shut down the strip just for the runners, and its early evening start was a much better idea then 6am to get more spectators.

This race will end up being the largest road race in America. When Vegas does something, all of America comes running. Good job. See you on Dec 2nd 2012.

Four women who ran in the race came to Aliante Station this morning. I signed them all up for players' cards. Three of them were from out of state and had never been to Vegas before. The 4th was a local, and she brought her friends to Aliante. They were going to have breakfast and then spend some time gambling. Good news for the Vegas economy if even a locals casino so far from the Strip got some benefit from the race.

Marathons are just spectacular to watch... such a burst of joyous humanity and hope. I love mine (NYC)
I go screaming and yelling and clapping for hours on the sidelines.
My boyfriend has run twice.
People run for cancer, for lost friends,,for causes.. it's thrilling.

Cat is right it was spectacular to see. It was true Vegas style, Rock 'n Roll bands were set-up at least at our end and other attractions. It was called the Rock 'n Roll Las Vegas Marathon. They strip closed down around 2pm-3pm and stayed shut down till midnight or so. Our room faced the strip. It was interesting to see them even close it down- a huge undertaking. Some world class runners showed up for the run- of course they were the first to finish. Around 9pm or so it stared to rain but not hard.

I know someone that has run in it the past few years. Said that this one was a mess. They weren't prepared for this large of a crowd and a lot of runners weren't happy that it took so long to "get out of the gates." They didn't stagger start like most big races do. If they really hope to go from 25K runners last year to 75K runners next year they better figure all of that out...and I hope they do because they aren't too many places that cool for a race.

wow they were sayin there was no food, no place to goin MB and it was dangerous, if someone had health issues EMS could not get to them due to the crowd. Plus the wrong medals were given out

I ran it and it was a nightmare! The morning Vegas run was so much more fun for me, get up, run, enjoy the day. Sunday it was get up, don't do much and go run a jam-packed, poorly executed race. MB was the biggest part of the nightmare. It took an hour to get from Shark Reef to the casino area; we were packed like sardines. There were at least 4-5 people on the floor, passed out, throwing up, etc. I even felt a little light-headed myself!
In the end, I was never so happy to lay on my bed and I am still thankful to finish another race. I heard on the news yesterday morning they are hoping for up to 60 thousand next year. I am sure those expectations were before the race and they heard all the complaints. I am sure, though, this race brought in huge money to the city, and good for Vegas. I don't see a lot of the runners going back next year under the same conditions.

Tammi from N. GA.

Interesting to hear from the runners. I was only a spectator. Sounds like I nightmare.

Think about the logistics of closing down 26.5 miles of 5 bourghoughs of NYC- thru Staten Island, Broooklyn, Queens, Bronx and ending in Manhattan!!! Runs outside my aptment building-- but it's a guarentee that the street gets paved well and cleaned..the logistics of making sure no cars are parked...those blue wooden horses are set up/side streets are blocked..port a pottys..this all happens the night and morning OF.

Vegas will only get better but a city needs to learn from their mistakes..hopefully, it grows.