Trail running event
running event
 
Red Rock Canyon
1/2 Marathon		  
The course traces the edge of the canyon's valley floor.

Over 1.2 million people visit Red Rock Canyon every year—for its peace, serenity, visual beauty, and healing vibrations. Red Rock Canyon may not be as widely known as its famous Mojave Desert cousin, Death Valley, but that’s probably only because the locals don’t want the secret to get out. Although the terrain around Las Vegas is flat, barren, and truly desert-like, just 20 miles away at Red Rock you find yourself immersed in an entirely different high-desert mountain ecosystem where the scenery is grand and dramatic. During the race, the views change constantly—the course hugs the feet of the mountains, while silent, dramatic cliffs soar thousands of feet above. Rock climbers come from all over the world to test their skills on these cliffs and spires; numerous book-length technical guides have been authored about Red Rock’s spectacular climbing routes.
Location:
 Las Vegas, NV
Red Rock Canyon Conservation Area
Date:
Cancelled for 2005
Start 8:00 AM
Entry Fees:
$35, $40, on race day.
(Includes: bus, finisher t-shirts & ribbon. Awards to first three in 5 year age groups.)
 

Course map Profile

Red Rock Canyon is one of the American Southwest’s finest scenic wonders—and it’s only a short, 20-minute drive from downtown Las Vegas. At Red Rock, you’ll enter a world so totally opposite to “Glitter Gulch” that it seems like an alien planet. Make no mistake, though, despite its nearness to the bright lights, this is wild country, with a vast range of peaks like Mt. Wilson soaring above 7000'.

You may be surprised to find Redwood Trails sponsoring a road race—and, well, so are we! But we simply couldn’t resist the scenery. The Red Rock road course winds close around the foot of these towering red rock cliffs through magnificent high-desert landscapes. It isn’t exceptionally fast or slow—just outstandingly scenic. The wide, open loop begins at 3780', climbing to 4736' at the high point, and descending an enjoyably fast 940' to the finish at 3796'. Throughout the race, you’ll experience the silent grandeur of towering mountain peaks, the freshness of the pure desert air, and an amazing variety of natural wonders.

The most spectacular geologic feature of Red Rock Canyon is the striking red stripe that runs horizontally across Rainbow Mountain. About 65 million years ago, two of Earth's crustal plates collided with tremendous force. This thrust contact is stunningly defined by the sharp contrast where the grey limestones of one plate were shoved up over the younger red sandstones of the other.

  
 
Joshua Trees grow only in the Mojave Desert, from 6 to over 40 feet.
 

More than 100 bird and 45 mammal species occupy the area, including red-tailed hawks, golden eagles, Cooper's hawks, desert bighorn sheep (at altitude), bobcats, coyotes, kit fox, kangaroo rats, mule deer, and burros (imported from the Old World by the Spanish). Those pesky burros, thoroughly accustomed to humans, will probably try to steal goodies from one of our six aid stations. They may look like they’re standing by the roadside and cheering you on—but keep an eye on your food!

Plant life along the race route includes typical high-desert varieties such as Joshua Tree, Spanish bayonet, sagebrush, cholla cactus, turpentine brush, cats claw, and manzanita. The Joshua Tree grows only in the Mojave Desert, its height varying from 6 to over 40 feet. Mormon pioneers are said to have named the species after the Old Testament prophet Joshua, waving them on toward the promised land. Just don’t ask them how far to the finish.

This area is notable as a prime habitat of the desert tortoise. (Don’t let them creep ahead while you’re gawking.) Watch out for roadrunners, too—they really look like that famous cartoon character—and the same goes for Wile E. Coyote, another local character.

Temperatures on race day are expected to be quite mild, in the 60s. Early December is a wonderful season in this part of the Mojave Desert—it may not be a place you’d want to race in July, but it’s a perfect winter getaway. The race is on Saturday morning, so you’ll have plenty of time over the weekend to explore the more sophisticated pleasures of the city. (Although we discourage entries from Elvis impersonators, we don’t plan on enforcing the rule.)

Race Day Info

 
Photos Copyright © 2005 - Bonnie Rannald -Redwood Trails 650-364-8256 Entry Form | Contact Us