Hoover Dam 1/2 and Full Marathon

Positives:
1. The course — scenic is an understatement. Beautiful views of the lake, cool running through the tunnels and a treat to see Hoover Dam.
2. Really nice post-​race spread. Everything you could ask for to eat and drink.
Negatives:
1. Course runs ½ mile north of the finish line to make up the full 13.1 at the end of the race. This should be done at the start of the race so you shoot right to the finish line rather than running past it and coming back.
2. The switchbacks getting down to the dam are a pain (and there are tourists on them at the same time), but there’s no other way to get down there, I suppose.
3. Have to pay the park entrance fee just to get to the race.
Its a tough run but I would do it again — really fun.

I’ve run the marathon for the past several years. The organization for this race has always been good. The race is held on a Saturday. If you’re unable to make it to the expo to pick up your race packet, the race is small enough that you can even get there early on race day and pick it up then.
The race course is challenging and pretty scenic. Except for a few road crossings, the race course is held entirely away any vehicular traffic. Don’t about those road crossings, they station a volunteer at those points to stop and direct traffic. If the weather gets a bit sunny, you are pretty much exposed to the sun since there is very little covering except for the tunnels. The full marathon course is just the half marathon course run twice.
If you’re looking to set a personal best, you might want to look elsewhere. There are some steep climbs in this races especially near the Hoover Dam that will definitely slow you down. The switchbacks are literally a pain in the butt to climb up and down!
Last but not least, the race shirts and medals are not bad.