going the distance

Nevada’s marathons range from quirky to flashy and everything in between.

By CHARLIE JOHNSTON | September/October 2010

Photo: Lily Johnston

The air is warmer and heavier than I imagined it would be at midnight in the middle of the Nevada desert. A full moon is rumored to lie somewhere in the sky above, but heavy thunderheads block its light. My body is telling me it’s time to sleep, and I couldn’t agree more. The only problem is, my bed is a 26.2-mile run away.

The E.T. Full Moon Midnight Marathon is quintessentially Nevadan—remote, tough, and a little odd. The small race (the full marathon draws about 100 participants) follows fabled State Route 375—the Extraterrestrial Highway—near the town of Rachel, famous for its proximity to the Nevada Test Site and secrecy-shrouded Area 51. Everyone from serious competitors to alien fanatics attend the mid-August event, which also includes a half marathon and 10K.

While a midnight, alien-themed marathon on a desolate desert road is not for everyone, Nevada is home to nearly a dozen marathons that offer something for every runner. Take the Lake Tahoe Marathon, September 26, perhaps the most strikingly beautiful race in the country. The course runs along California State Route 89 on the west shore from Tahoe City to the lake’s southern end and epitomizes the small, friendly, local-race atmosphere—complete with a beachside awards ceremony. Lake Tahoe Marathon Week features myriad running and outdoor events, including a half marathon, 10K, 72-mile ultra marathon, cycling, and kayaking. Don’t let the scenery lull you into believing this is like other marathons. At more than 6,200 feet above sea level and with two grueling climbs, the Lake Tahoe Marathon is one of the most difficult in the region. “My legs almost fell off!” jokes Truckee’s David Bunker of his experience during the race.

The Hoover Dam Marathon, October 30, lets runners take in some of Lake Mead National Recreation Area’s finest scenery while passing through several historic railroad tunnels. By utilizing the paved River Mountains Loop Trail and packed dirt paths, the route avoids vehicle traffic.

Few marathons cross state lines, especially among the super-sized states of the West. The Mesquite Marathon, November 20 in Southern Nevada, crosses two—the Utah-Arizona and Arizona-Nevada lines. The fast downhill course and cool fall temperatures combine for a great beginner’s race or a potential personal record for veteran runners.

Valley of Fire State Park is home to some of Nevada’s most stunning vistas, and there are few ways to appreciate it more fully than on foot. The Valley of Fire Marathon, November 20, takes in some of the park’s best sights such as Rainbow Vista and Fire Canyon lookout. If you’re not running for a PR (personal record), consider bringing a camera to capture the otherworldly beauty of the park’s red sandstone formations.

If you’ve ever run a marathon, odds are you are familiar with the Rock ’n’ Roll Series. From San Diego to Philadelphia, the races are renowned for their great crowds and live music at practically every mile. In its second year, the Rock ’n’ Roll Las Vegas Marathon, December 5, is Nevada’s largest race and the only way to run the Strip without being locked up for impeding traffic.

Calico Racing’s Running From An Angel Marathon, January 8, 2011, and Running with the Devil Marathon, in late June, follow the same course from Lake Mead’s Boulder Beach along Lakeshore Drive and the northwestern corner of the lake. The first takes place in ideal running conditions during Southern Nevada’s mild winter, the second in summer when course temperatures can soar above 100 degrees, adding an entirely new challenge to an already difficult endeavor. Race director Joyce Forier suggests running both to see how the heat affects your run.

The Red Rock Canyon Marathon, March 5, 2011, was named Runner’s World magazine’s Race of the Month in March 2009. The out-and-back course lives up to the prestigious accolade with breathtaking scenery as it follows the scenic loop through Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area—only minutes from the Las Vegas city limits.

The Labor of Love, April 9-10, 2011, is a two-day running festival that features a marathon, three ultramarathons (any distance greater than 26.2 miles), and more races in Lovell Canyon and the Spring Mountains just west of Las Vegas.

Northern Nevada’s only marathon (the Lake Tahoe Marathon is technically in California) is Reno’s Rock-n-River in early May. The flat, fast course starts and finishes under the Reno Arch and follows the Truckee River through Reno and Sparks.