14 Things To Know About Rock ‘n’ Roll Las Vegas

Get ready for this weekend’s events on the famed Las Vegas Boulevard.

Nov. 12  kicks off the GEICO Rock ‘n’ Roll Las Vegas weekend in Sin City, when thousands of runners will descend upon the adult playground for a weekend of running, music and gambling. This year’s event will offer participants a full weekend of activities in addition to the marquee half and full marathons on Sunday, Nov. 15, making it the biggest show in running. We rounded up 14 Did-You-Knows for this year’s Strip at Night weekend:

1. Sunday Evening Shuts Down All Lanes Of Las Vegas Boulevard

Two weekends before Turkey Day is typically one of the five slowest weekends in Sin City, so it’s a prime time to close one of the country’s most famous streets for thousands of runners. The only other time the city blocks the streets is New Year’s Eve.

2. The Mirage—Aka The Finish Line—Ups The Volcano Eruption Frequency On Sunday

Usually exploding every 30 minutes, the city’s iconic volcano will blow up a few extra times over the course of Sunday evening as runners blow by it to the finish line.

3. There’s A 10K Race Now

If a 5K is too short and a half marathon is too far, runners in 2015 have a new option: the 10K, which starts at the SLS Las Vegas and finishes at the Mirage. The 10K starts 30 minutes before the marathon and half marathon.

4. The Race Is At Night

And it has been since 2011, making it the first nighttime event in the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series. Together with the city of Las Vegas, race weekend gives runners the unique opportunity to hang up their dress shoes and tour Sin City under the neon lights.

RELATED: Hidden Running Treasures In Sin City

5. The Half And Full Marathon Medals Are Awesome

With a unique casino-inspired design only appropriate for Las Vegas, these two medals will shine as bright as those finish line lights.

6. Runners Are Keeping The Economy Moving

Race weekend gives the city a $178 million boost between the race, provided entertainment, booked hotel rooms and everything that makes Vegas, well, Vegas.

7. Run With Meb!

Meb Keflezighi, the only man to win the Boston Marathon, the New York City Marathon and an Olympic medal, will be on hand to pace the 5K on Saturday and also be the 1:45 pacer for the half marathon.

8. The Run-Thru Wedding Is Back!

Several couples will tie the knot at the renovated Monte Carlo Blvd. pavilion at mile 3 this year.

9. Expo Hours Are Set Vegas Style

Doors open later in the morning to give time to nurse last night’s aftermath, and they remain open past 5 p.m. on all three days.

10. Kid Rock is Performing

The famed rocker will be the Sunday headliner, getting runners pumped up before they hit the course.

11. Race Wristbands Come With Sin City Discounts

New in 2014, all runners will receive a wristband. With each band comes a list of goodies around Vegas, including free entry into top clubs and restaurants, and spa, entertainment and shopping discounts around The Strip.

12. Some Runners Can Add a 5K—And Extra Loot—To Their Race-Weekend Agenda

The Remix Challenge has hit several Rock ‘n’ Roll events, including Sin City. Runners can tackle the Rock ‘n’ Roll 5K on Saturday and hit The Strip for a second time during the full or half marathon or 10K on Sunday. Participants who run on both days receive exclusive Remix Challenge hardware in addition to their individual 5K and half or full marathon medals. Better pack an extra carry-on!

13. Runners Hail From All Sorts Of Backgrounds

Nearly 90 percent of runners come from outside of Nevada, with 66 countries represented over event weekend. Almost 25 percent are first-time half marathoners, with nearly half the runners in the field running their first Rock ‘n’ Roll event ever this year in Las Vegas. Women runners will also dominate The Strip this year, making up more than 60 percent of the field on Sunday.

14. Runners Can Score An Extra Heavy Medal In 2016

The Desert Double Down medal is available to anyone who tackles Rock ‘n’ Roll Las Vegas and then Rock ‘n’ Roll Arizona in January 2016.