Tuesday, June 07, 2005
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal
New Las Vegas Marathon
offers many views of the city
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
The New Las Vegas Marathon promises the lights of the Strip, fireworks, Elvis Presley's "Viva Las Vegas" and big cash prizes for runners in a revamped race this year.
Organizers said Monday the race will funnel 15,000 runners up Las Vegas Boulevard just before dawn Dec. 4 for a fast, flat 26.2 mile course through the city and the Fremont Street Experience.
At a news conference, officials said they'll offer $400,000 in prizes and appearance fees to elite runners, plus a $2.5 million bonus to split between a man and woman if they set a world marathon record.
For the past two decades of its 39-year history, the race has been in January from Jean to Las Vegas on the old Los Angeles Highway.
For its 40th year, it'll begin at 6 a.m. near Mandalay Bay before taking a loop in the city back to the start-finish line.
The promotional changes come after Chicago-based Devine Racing bought the race last year from Al Boka, who directed it for 23 years.
The men's and women's world records are 2 hours, 4 minutes, 55 seconds and 2:15:25, respectively.
