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Nevada > Red Rock Canyon Marathon & Half Marathon
Las Vegas, NV
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Date

Saturday, March 7, 2009



Event Details

Seemingly every hue of red, orange and burnt earth colors surround you as you run along the Scenic Canyon Road for the Red Rock Canyon Marathon & Half Marathon, which takes place in the national conservation area by the same name about a half-hour's drive to the west of Las Vegas, Nev. Encompassing more than 179,000 acres, the Red Rock Canyon area is one of Nevada's (and the Southwest's) true geological treasures, with majestic red sandstone formations, sheer 1,800-ft. cliffs and several mountains, including Mount Wilson, Rainbow Mountain and Indecision Peak.

The park, which sees more than a million visitors each year, is set up perfectly for a half-marathon as its Scenic Canyon Road, which begins at the Red Rock Canyon visitor center, follows a 13-mile course through many of the park's most scenic and memorable vistas. The course is paved throughout the entire race, and features some fairly big changes in elevation -- it starts at 3,880 feet above sea level and reaches a peak of 4,771 feet around the half-way point in the race, before descending again in the second half of the race toward the finish.

The half marathon starts about 2 miles from the visitor center and follows a gradual uphill in its first 6 miles toward the summit overlook area, between White Rock Hills and Turtlehead Mountain. After the half-way point, the race begins a steep downhill (what race organizers say is a "screaming downhill") along the scenic road toward the finish line.

Because no parking is available at the race start & finish line areas, runners will be transported by bus from a pickup area in Las Vegas (the Boca Park shopping village, across the street from the event's host hotel, the Suncoast Hotel and Casino). The course will remain open to car traffic during the race, and the lane for runners will be marked by cones.


Race Weather & Climate

Set in the sands of Nevada's Mojave Desert and surrounded by mountains, Las Vegas is well-known for its arid climate with plenty of summer heat and little to no rain. The early weeks of spring, however, bring much milder and cooler weather. In March, temperatures average between 73°F and 39°F, while precipitation averages just over half an inch for the month.


Fees

$60 if registered for the half-marathon by December 31, 2008
$70 from January 1 - February 21, 2009
$75 after Feb. 21


Registration

To sign up for the 2009 running of the Red Rock Marathon or Half Marathon, register online at the event website or print out and mail in this downloadable form.


Website

calicoracing.squarespace.com


Course Map


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