Las Vegas Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon adds shorter race, shifts date to Nov. 17

The Rock ‘n’ Roll Las Vegas Marathon, as well as its companion the half-marathon, hasn’t had a problem attracting competitors from all over the country.

Organizers want them to keep coming, and they also want locals more involved.

And recreational runners, too.

So the event has added a third race, what they call a half of a half marathon. Registration for the 6½-mile race will open in July, and 2,500 spots will be available.

“This event has drawn a lot of out-of-town runners, which has made a great economic impact,” event director Adam Zocks said. “Local runners who are interested in the event and don’t want to do a half or run a full race, this is more achievable.”

The slimmed-down race will begin in the usual spot in front of Mandalay Bay on the south end of the Strip and will end in the bright lights of downtown. Race sponsor Zappos wanted such a finish to give runners a chance to experience the changes made downtown.

Also, the event is being moved up from its typical December date to Nov. 17 so runners have more favorable weather and to avoid conflicting with crowds that show up each year for National Finals Rodeo.

“Two years ago is the first year we ran at night,” Zocks said. “The NFR adjusted and did a matinee. They weren’t real excited to do that. Last year, we didn’t have the same dates, and so that freed us. We didn’t have to worry about cowboys going to the Thomas & Mack Center, and we could make the event as successful as we wanted it to be.”

Contact reporter Mark Anderson at manderson@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2914. Follow him on Twitter: @markanderson65.