COURSE- USATF Certified Courses!

This course is just stunning in more ways than one! You'll start your race at Lake Mead's Boulder Beach, Special Events Beach at the BBQ area. The first 1/4 mile is a steady gradual uphill along a wide roadway, giving plenty of room for runners to find their position among the field before making a left hand turn onto the paved River Mountains Loop Trail. This section of the River Mountains Loop Trail is impeccably paved and about 12' wide, running parallel to Lakeshore Drive. The course is undulating thru the spectacular Mojave Desert and joins up with the Historic Railroad Tunnel Trail just before your mile 3. This section of trail is breathtaking! You'll traverse a hard packed dirt trail leading you thru several old railroad tunnels that were used in the 1930s to transport supplies to the workers in the construction of the then Boulder Dam- now Hoover Dam. The trail is perched atop of a ridge overlooking the crystal blue waters of Lake Mead and the marina.

After passing thru the last tunnel, your next mile is thru an area which is home to power plants- Hoover Dam is the main producer of electricity for Nevada, Arizona, and California. This is just a prelude to the "Money Shot"! You'll zig zag your way down 6 switch backs (see the "Course Safety" tab!) delivering you onto the upper level parking garage at Hoover Dam. Running a counterclockwise loop you'll jump up onto the curb, running along the edge for a killer sweet view of the awe inspiring Hoover Dam. No need to break stride- you get a great view as you run along the course. The only reason to look away is to smile pretty at the photographer to capture this moment on film.

With the Dam now behind you, you'll retrace your steps back up the switch backs, thru the tunnels overlooking Lake Mead, then back on the paved trail. Arriving back at Boulder Beach access road you'll all continue straight continuing along the paved River Mountains Loop Trail. Half Marathoners will continue to their turn around roughly only 0.6 of a mile ahead, and marathoners will turn around less than 7 miles ahead. This section of the course is beautiful as well, covering rolling hills that treat you to Mojave Desert splendor at its finest. The finish line is back at Boulder Beach at the covered BBQ area where the awards and finish line food await!

Notes:
1- Parking is at the water's edge, or as instructed race morning. It is about a 1/4 mile to the start/ finish line.
2- No- we do not go over the Dam! It is still a VERY active roadway
3- You MUST read and abide by the information under the "Course Safety" tab
4- Packed dirt trail accounts for roughly 7 miles of the course, both half marathon and full marathon. The remainder is paved asphalt.
5- Shoe recommendation is a sturdy road running shoe. Trail shoes are definitely not necessary, but I would also recommend against racing flats.

** Lake Mead National Recreation Area is a "fee" area. Vehicles entering the park are subject to a $5 entry fee or display of a National Parks Annual Pass (ID must match the Pass!). This entry fee is not included in the race entry fee. Carpool to save money.

MARATHON COURSE MAP AND PROFILE- CLICK HERE- USATF Certificate #NV09004DCR

1/2 MARATHON COURSE MAP AND PROFILE- CLICK HERE- USATF Certificate #NV09005DCR

* Maps courtesy of Paul Fritz of Langan Engineering and www.racemeasure.com