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Runners leave the start line for the full marathon during the Zappos.com Rock ‘n’ Roll Las Vegas Marathon Sunday, Dec. 4, 2011. The marathon and half-marathon attracted 44,000 official entrants from all 50 states and 54 countries, organizers said.
Thursday, Dec. 8, 2011 | 2 a.m.
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From the standpoint of sheer numbers, Sunday’s Zappos.com Las Vegas Rock ’n Roll Marathon was a huge success. The sold-out event drew some 44,000 racers who paid between $130 and $179 to run a half or full marathon, a portion of it on the Las Vegas Strip.
Some are calling for the field to expand to 60,000 runners in 2012.
But the event has had a somewhat unwelcome hangover reflected in numerous complaints on a Facebook page dedicated to the race. The participants cited a number of issues, including overcrowding, a lack of water, water that was distributed in garbage cans and other issues.
Some comments from the “Rock ‘n’ Roll Las Vegas Marathon & 1/2 Marathon” page on Facebook are positive, but a majority are complaints similar to these:
• AnnMarie Swanson, of Marinette, Wis.: “I had to withdraw from this race due to injury ... but as a nurse practitioner I am REALLY concerned with comments about getting water from fire hydrants and that people were placing cups with bare hands into the water to get drinks. This has been said by MANY people … I have also seen several people with reports of nausea and vomiting — while this is possible with distance running this seems out of the proportion of usual.”
• Britt Lee S., of Saskatchewan, Canada: “My mom after the race had no medical attention which she needed. She ended up in the hospital. I hope ... the organizers understand that if they have this next year a lot needs to happen — for one ... you need more medical personnel available. This is an epic failure and I would not recommend anyone to participate in this.”
• Michael Muehling: “This race could not have been run more poorly if you tried. Too many runners, not enough staff/volunteers and the facilities for the bag check & start/finish line were absolutely terrible. Go back to a day race and cap of 24,000 runners. You should issue a credit for future RNR races to those that paid for this mess in Vegas.”
Lee Haney, a spokeswoman for the Competitor Group Inc., which organized the race, said filling lined trash cans with fire hydrant water is standard in marathon races. (Instructions for water stations at the Carmel, Calif., marathon state: “Fill one trash can with water from the hose attached to the fire hydrant or nearby building/house.”)
Haney added, however, that a hydrant would need to be well-flushed before any water from it could be used for drinking.
Was that done? Clark County Fire Capt. David Croston said the department had little to do with the race because organizers contracted medical services with a private company. As for the hydrants, Croston said if they were used, race organizers never informed the Fire Department.
A spokesman for Competitor Group said the company is taking the complaints “very, very seriously.” CEO Peter Englehart has been answering some of the Facebook comments personally.
Englehart could not be reached for comment Wednesday.
Some issues appear linked to the near-doubling of the number of race participants from a year ago.
Marathon runners started racing about two hours before the more numerous half-marathoners began their race. When the half-marathoners joined in, the course became so crowded that runners were forced outside the half-marathon lane, some complained online.
If numbers of runners led to some problems, might Clark County commissioners, who govern the Las Vegas Strip, consider holding the race over two days in 2012?
Steve Sisolak, vice chairman of the commission, said “it isn’t likely that we close the Strip on two days.” Instead, he said, perhaps different routes can be configured to cut down on crowding.
Human traffic jams were evident on Fremont Street in front of the El Cortez, where at about 8 p.m., marathoners were seen running off the course and onto sidewalks to avoid bottlenecks. One woman fell after running into someone in front of her. And runners were grousing at each other to “get out of the way.”
“It was like we were animals,” one half-marathoner said after the race. “Did we pay $150 just to get a lousy T-shirt?”
Sounds like a typical marathon to me. I hear the same complaints from all the big marathons (my wife is a runner). Now, that does not mean improvements aren't needed. I think LV will learn from this experience and raise the bar.
I never realized there was this kind of money to be made in organizing a marathon. I am amazed how many people want to run in a group event like this. For the price of the entry fee, I would expect bottled water delivered to me on a tray.
I ran the LV marathon and NYC marathon 4x. This half ass production at the expense of the people is typical for Las Vegas. Profit is the bottom line. Water from pails and hydrants is offensive and rude and just plain dumb. We got the money now lets cut corners...
I can't believe the Fire Dept wasn't notified. And typical low ball privatize big money in fat man wallet medical service. Who's cousin was this? Any idiot would know the hydrants and pipes need to be flushed well. The water could have been sitting in the hydrant and end pipes for months until FD tests them. Pure stupidity.
This is indicative of any Las Vegas event. Organizers are reactive instead of being proactive, no matter if it's a marathon or a car race. Take the money now, figure out the details later. Sad.
Water from fire hydrants in plastic bags?...no thanks. That's typical?
For $4.00 I can buy 24-16oz bottles of water from Albertsons. My $130 entry fee can't cover that?
I really never understood the marathon. It beats the hell out of your knees, your joints, your feet....your body in general.
Because of all the complaints about the race and its disorganizaion I have to believe the problems being reported were real and not "imagined" or "contrived" by the participants. What an embarrassment to our city!
It had Zappo's name associated with, what did you expect?
Sounds like the water caused massive cases of "mud butt"
Greco & Brent, Don't hate on Vegas the organizers are from San Diego, Vegas provided the great scenery that you were stupid enough to pay $179 to run through and San Diego should have provided the Water. Ps. Feel free to stay home Vegas doesn't need you here.
People pay to run... Wow.
You all can run in my neighborhood and i will time you, give you bottled water and a metal for finishing and I only will charge $50.00
Those bashing Vegas are quick to forget the successes of EDC and other events this town pulls off on a weekly basis.
If this was "typical" Vegas, then Vegas wouldn't exist. Disorganization and poor experiences are to be expected in an event this large. They'll learn and correct the issues before next year's event.
Furthermore, people had notice of this thing for a long time. If you failed to take proper action in planning your commutes, that's on you, not the event which was well promoted months in advance.
It'll be interesting to see how much additional revenue this event brought the city. I'm sure you'll all find a way to complain about that though.
Must have only been the marathoners that got sick, I ran the half marathon and there wasn't a single problem...
This type of situation is the norm here. Poor planning and rude people.....been that way since I came to the Valley in 1999. It does sound like the organizers let the $$$ get in the way of running a smooth event. Twice as many runners as last year, and probably the same amount of staff allocated.
And close the strip, are these 44K runners more important to the economy than the 250K visitors to this town that stay in the Strip hotels on any given day. Seems like a lot of inconvenience right on the heels of NASCAR appreciation day, which IS an event worthy of closing the strip for as people came to see the festivities, and am sure that there were not 44,000 dedicated spectators for the marathon (came to town and/or traveled downtown to specifically see the marathon).
Let's keep it small and special....please.