Organizers expect biggest, best race yet

Mike Sims

Friday, Jan. 28, 2005 | 10:18 a.m.

Sunday marks the 39th running of the Las Vegas Marathon, a 26.2-mile race that starts a half-mile north of the Gold Strike Hotel in Jean and ends at Sunset Park,

It is a run or walk race that expected to be completed around 10 a.m. There will also be a half-marathon, a five-person relay and a wheelchair sports division.

Public relations coordinator Karen Boe of Devine Racing said she expects to have about 9,000 participants from all over the United States and 30 countries in the race. She also hinted that a 10 a.m. finish would be a bit late for the elite runner.

"We have several elite runners in this race," Boe said. "We are expecting to see the course records broken this weekend."

The male record holder is Frank Plasso Jr., who ran the course in 2 hours, 12 minutes, 37 seconds 19 years ago. The women's record is held by Marzena Helbik at a time of 2:32:22 in 1997.

"The elite pack is expected to run this in about 2:09 or 2:10," Boe said.

Which means these elite runners will be running consistent five-minute miles.

"Many people come to this marathon because it's a fast and flat course, and they can achieve their personal best," Boe said.

The top 10 men's and women's finishers will share in the $100,000 purse.

A 5K fitness run starts at 6 a.m. Saturday and heads down Las Vegas Boulvard.

Boe said anyone can participate. There are registation fees on the Las Vegas Marathon Web site at lvmarathon.com. Online registration is closed, so those interested in running should go to the Health and Fitness Expo this weekend in the Nile Chambers of the Luxor.