Runners continue under Strip lights, finishers turn attention to Rock ‘n’ Roll party

The Rock 'n' Roll Las Vegas Marathon continued into the night, hours after the winners completed the course in both the full- and half-marathon events. Finishers turned their attention to celebrations at bars and restaurants on the Strip.

Peter Omae of Kenya won the marathon in a time of 2:29:13. Hungary's Zsofia Erdelyi won the women's portion of the marathon in a time of 2:48:59.

Roads that were closed to accommodate the race were scheduled to begin reopening about 8:30 p.m. Most of the Strip was expected to be open by 11 p.m., but southbound lanes between Hacienda Avenue and Russell Road could be closed as late as 2 a.m. Monday.

-- Review-Journal staff

7:25 p.m.

In a three-minute run through wedding ceremony, 41 newlywed couples said "I do" and more than 60 other couples renewed their vows at the Rock 'n' Roll Las Vegas marathon. Just as the couples kissed as husband and wife, the volcano at The Mirage fired off before the group headed back to the boulevard to finish the race.

The wedding took place at Mile 2 of the half marathon in the first-ever nighttime race on the Strip. Some brides wore white dresses over running leggings, some grooms donned tuxedo T-Shirts, but all sported tennis shoes for the special occasion.

"Marriage is the real marathon," said 31-year-old Samantha Vu who eloped with Tony Smith at the event. Both have run several half marathons before, but this time they were in no hurry to make it to the finish line ... as long as they crossed it together.

-- Jessica Fryman

7:10 p.m.

Sean Houseworth of Colorado Springs, Colo., won the men's half-marathon Sunday night at the Rock 'n' Roll Las Vegas Marathon, finishing in 1:03:12 (unofficial), a personal record by more than 2 minutes. Women's winner Benita Willis, from Australia, finished in 1:10:40 (unofficial).

-- Patrick Everson

5:40 p.m.

Pearl Jam guitarist Mike McCready played a rousing rendition of the national anthem as the start of the half-marathon approached on the Las Vegas Strip. About 38,000 runners are taking part in the half-marathon, which will be contested almost entirely on the Strip/Las Vegas Boulevard. It heads north from the Mandalay Bay start line all the way to downtown, then turning around and coming back to the finish, also at Mandalay Bay. Weather: 49 degrees, winds from southwest at 6 mph.

-- Review-Journal staff

5:25 p.m.:

As the half-marathoners neared their start, Twitter traffic was picking up. Here are a few of our favorites:

"Just me and 44 thousand other people going for a night time run #stripatnight #RnRLV http://4sq.com/vbaa49" -- runnerjon ... "There is a caged tiger, showgirls, and a couple getting married. And we're only at the start line. Love Vegas! #RnRLV #fb" -- WonderLilly ... " "The difference in winning and losing is most often... not quitting." -Walt Disney #runchat #RnRLV #stripatnight" -- amaravp ... "OMG Vegas. The marathon has roads STOPPED all over town. Be safe and use @waze to get around. #RnRLV #Vegas #Traffic #LasVegas" -- JohnMischief

4:35 p.m.

"May they go the distance," one spectator wishes her brother and soon-to-be sister-in-law well for their run through wedding at #rnrlv

-- JessicaFryman

4:30 p.m.

More fun tweets from the Strip:

"Just occcurred to me: No way I don't set a personal record today! Unless I die. #RnRLV." -- creativereactor ... Day of shopping is probably not the best way to prep for a night race. #FYI #RnRLV #StripAtNight -- Kim_Clark ... #rnrlv runners. Don't accept drinks from stranger! Remember, what happens in Vegas may not have a remedy ... -- smplefy646

Review-Journal staff

4:16 p.m.

With Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run" blaring on the speakers, the Rock 'n' Roll Las Vegas Marathon has begun on the Strip. All full marathoners are on the course now and half-marathoners will start in waves beginning at about 5:30.

Race time temperature, 51 degrees. Winds from the northwest at 5 mph. Temperatures expected to fall into the low 40s later tonight.

4:00 p.m.

Tourists are confused at why the road is closed. Apparently even with the third largest marathon, some people didn't get the memo. #rnrlv

-- Jessica Fryman

3:54 p.m.

Kelly's Lot performing at stage in front of Caesar's. Ziv up next. #rnrlv

-- Jessica Fryman

3:48 p.m.

The Boulevard is closed, and runners are hustling down to the start line for #rnrlv. Full marathoners will be off in about 10 minutes.

-- Jessica Fryman

3:46 p.m.

The Boulevard is closed, and runners are hustling down to the start line for #rnrlv. Full marathoners will be off in about 10 minutes.

-- Jessica Fryman

3:45 p.m.:

Among the observations coming in from the Las Vegas Strip on Twitter as the race approaches:

"I refuse to apply makeup before a race. Sorry Vegas. I know that is illegal here. #RnRLV #sqlrun" -- datachick ... "20 minutes to the start. Headed outside. Going to kick this marathon in the teeth. #rnrlv #fb" -- benjizimmerman ... "All glittered out and ready to rock with @sembretson and @MCrosby09 at #rnrlv! #vivalasvegas" -- ohfivephoenix

-- Review-Journal staff

Pre-race:

The Rock 'n' Roll Las Vegas Marathon and Half-Marathon takes to the Strip tonight, with 44,000 runners entered as the event is held at night for the first time ever.

The marathon starts at 4 p.m., with 6,000 participants. At 5:30 p.m., after Pearl Jam guitarist Mike McCready plays the national anthem, 38,000 runners will get rolling for the half-marathon.

The half-marathon will be contested almost entirely on the Strip/Las Vegas Boulevard, heading north from the Mandalay Bay start line all the way to downtown, then turning around and coming back to the finish, also at Mandalay Bay. Marathon participants will start at Mandalay Bay and head west for the first half of the race before returning to the Strip. They'll then follow the half-marathon route for the second half of the race.