text: My last run of the year and I went out in style I ran the k on Saturday night as my warm up and the half on Sunday night Race packet pick up was located at the Convention Center OH MAN I have never been in such a crowd We went right at am and there was already a long line to get in I have not never been to an expo with this many people at a RNR event I wanted so much to walk the booths but it was so crowded we left after mins The booths were so packed and it was so hard to maneuver through the crowds One positive is that parking was free however good luck getting in and out of the parking lot NO TRAFFIC CONTROLnnKnLocated at the new SLS casino Fiancee and I drove to SLS early to ensure we got a parking space before the roads closed We walked over to the start of the race parking lot next to SLS and took pics and waited for the start The weather was perfect In fact it was pretty warm I wore a tank and booty shorts There were so many people that the fiancee did not even see me at the start line to take my photo passing through It was p and dark mind you We ran a bit of the strip and on the side roads There were a couple of potholes so had to be mindful where you were running Quick run easy peasy We opted to stay and eat at SLS for dinner and ended up at the bar There was an afterparty in the lot where the finish was but we wanted real grub and beer nnHalf marathon nOverall it was a good experience to fun the Strip It was weird not seeing traffic on the strip or cars for that matter First of all it was cold Blistering cold Total change in weather from the night before Disappointed that Snoop bailed as the opening act and even though I like Macklemore it was just too cold to watch We parked at MGM Grand so that we can park close to the start line and carb load Bad choice We should have parked closer to the end of the strip by Mandalay Oh well We walked a ways to get to the start So many corrals I think I saw about This is the largest race I have ever been in Crazy So the first several miles were cool LV lights the crowds the cheers awesomeness Then you get to the real downtown and you see a lot of wedding chapels pawn shops and liquor stores When I thought that was the worst of it we ended up on some weird and dark side streets I was actually scared running through the area for a minute More lights needed Then we get back on the strip and by mile my fingers were frozen It had gotten so cold that people were slowing down It was horrible Perhaps the race should start a little earlier At the finish you would have to walk down about a quarter miles just to get out of the finishing area to meet up with your friends and family Pretty crazy The finish was at the Mirage but to leave the area you would need to go all the way past Cesars Palace We stayed at Treasure Island and so we had to walk all the way back up from Cesars I was miserable My joints and bones were frozen by the end of the race and all I wanted to do is eat shower and sleepnnAgain great experience and awesome to do it once but would I do it again Probably NOT