REVEL’s newest event in its portfolio of remarkable races, REVEL Mt Charleston in Las Vegas, is one of the premiere destination races of the year. Combining breathtaking scenery, an incredibly fast downhill course, and an exciting destination for your race weekend, REVEL Mt Charleston offers a marathon and half marathon experience for runners looking for a spring getaway, a PR or Boston Qualifying time on a blazing fast course, and a memorable race full of spectacular beauty.

REVEL Mt Charleston will debut on Saturday, May 7, 2016, in Las Vegas, Nevada.

If it is a FAST course that you want – whether a marathon or half-marathon – this is the race you want to book on your 2016 calendar.

If it is a BEAUTIFUL course that you’re looking for, with striking desert mountains as a backdrop to your marathon or half-marathon, this is the race for you in 2016.

If it is a FUN and EXCITING “destination” race for you, your family, and your running pals, this is the race that you won’t want to miss in 2016.

The Marathon Course

The REVEL Mt Charleston Marathon course begins near the base of the stunning Cathedral Rock at the top of Kyle Canyon in the Spring Mountains National Recreation Area. Surrounded by forests of white fir, aspen, ponderosa pine, mountain mahogany, and Gambel oak, the start of the race at the Mount Charleston Lodge is an inspiring location to begin the 26.2-mile journey through Red Rock Canyon Nation Conservation Area into the northwestern suburbs of Las Vegas.

With a total elevation loss of 5,210 feet, the certified marathon course -- and Boston Qualifier -- is a gradual downhill that is unmatched by any other marathon course in the late spring/early summer. At almost 200 feet per mile of elevation loss, REVEL Mt Charleston is one of the most “gravity friendly” races around.

REVEL Mt Charleston is certain to be unlike any other downhill marathon that most runners have ever encountered. With over 20 miles on one road, and no sharp turns, the entire marathon course has a total elevation gain of only 186 feet, with 33 of those feet in the second half of the race. A “long, sweeping, and gentle downhill” is the description that best fits the course. PRs and BQs will abound!

The Half Marathon Course

The REVEL Mt Charleston Half Marathon course begins in the middle of Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, deep in the middle of the colorful escarpments surrounding the eastern side of the Spring Mountains. As runners toe the line of the half-marathon start, they will be surrounded by the peace, serenity, and beauty of the northern Mojave Desert.

The half marathon course drops a total of 2,100 feet, with a mere 33 feet of elevation gain over the entire 13.1 miles. At over 160 feet of elevation loss per mile, the 13.1 mile course is perfect for a half marathon PR.

The Weather

The average early morning temperature for Mount Charleston and Las Vegas in early May is the low 60s. With average humidity in the 20s, the conditions are ideal for a fast marathon or half marathon: cool and dry.

The Finish Area

Both courses end at the spacious 120-acre Centennial Hills Park in the northwestern area of Las Vegas. The park boasts extensive open areas with an amphitheater, playground, picnic areas, dog runs, and more for runners and families to enjoy the post-race festivities. As with all REVEL events, the finisher’s area will be loaded with food, music, vendor booths, massages, and plenty of post-race activities.

Travel and Sightseeing

Traveling to REVEL Mount Charleston will be an attraction for many runners and their families looking for a vacation marathon or half marathon. McCarran International Airport, only 10 minutes from the famed Las Vegas Strip, serves every major U.S. and international airline. In addition to the well-known hotel and casino attractions, Las Vegas offers thousands of affordable options for lodging for the REVEL Mt Charleston Marathon & Half Marathon. With dozens of entertainment options – ranging from full musical productions to magic shows to world-class concerts – the list of things to do in Las Vegas makes REVEL Mount Charleston an unmatched option for a spring marathon or half marathon destination race.

If the beauty and serenity of the REVEL Mt Charleston Marathon & Half Marathon courses is more to your liking, the areas surrounding Las Vegas are full of state and national parks, conservation areas, and major sightseeing attractions such as the Hoover Dam, Valley of Fire State Park, Mojave National Preserve, and Lake Mead National Recreation Area. If a day trip before or after your race is your choice, you can complete your destination marathon or half marathon with trips to Zion National Park, Death Valley National Park, or the Grand Canyon National Park.

Elevation Profile

Marathon Net Drop: -5,211 ft
Half Net Drop: -2,100 ft