2026 Skye Canyon Fit Fest 5K Race Recap - Las Vegas, NV

All smiles at the finish line

Official Time: 29:56
Placement: 18th overall, 3rd in the 50 - 59
Results:  Soon
Race Website: Here
Weather: Mid 50s. Strong winds from the north and west (13+mph)
Garmin Dump: Here
Previous Years: First Year for Me

Mile	Time	Comments
1	10:03	After a fast start, had to make a climb uphill and into the wind.
2	9:51	I smashed it at the turn around but this was worst of the uphill section.
3	8:08	Wish the entire race had been like this. Screamer downhill
3.20	1:52	Uphill and into the wind but did better here.
	Total Miles: 3.20- 29:56

Too much wind to put up the arches

Introduction

So I wanted to a race this past weekend; looking to stay sharp and test my 5K speed.  It had been since January since I had raced at my fastest.  

The only one I could find that was close, was the Skye Canyon Fit Fest 5K (and 8K).  It was located about 3 miles from my house, so it was convenient and it would give me a chance to see a new area.

I didn't do a whole lot of research into other than it was a 5K, had medals and t-shirts and looked like something cool to do.

8K runners off and running

  

The Race

The race started at 9:30 and I arrived a good 75 minutes early.  Parking was a bit rough. There was limited parking at the actual park so I had to park on the main street.

The race caused a bit of a road closure.  The police had already closed off many of the streets so as someone who didn't know the area, it offered a little extra anxiety.  

Slight uphill to the turn around

I found packet pickup, which was in the fitness center.  I was able to get my bib in short order and a goodie bag, before walking back a good third of a mile (or more) back to my car.  There were ample bathrooms here -- the health club served as the toilets, so it was nice to be able to wash my hands afterwards.

Start of the climb

The race was definitely a community event, geared towards giving families an opportunity to check out the health center as well as be entertained and do something health orientated.  They had inflatable devices and plenty of activities for the younger folks.  They also had a smattering of food trucks.

30 minutes before the race I wound up doing about a mile warm-up.  I immediately determined it was windy and the route that we'd be running would definitely be impacted.  I also scoped out the course and saw that we'd be running uphill and into the wind for the first half of the race. I am not sure if the photos I took do justice but I knew immediately it wasn't likely to be any sort of a personal record day.

About a third of the way up.

The race started off in the park and we had a very quick exit before heading out to the street.  The race started off with the 8K runners and about 60 - 90 seconds later, we started.  It seemed like the great majority of runners were quite run and the event seemed very family friendly.

It wasn't long before I caught up to the slower 8K runners.  Getting to the street docked me a few seconds as I had to leap over curbs and such, and for the first .4 of a mile, I settled into a decent pace.  I was running slightly downhill and had a gentle breeze pushing me.  But when I had scoped out the course before the race, I knew this advantage was going to be short-lived.

Half mile to go.

After about .4 of a mile, we hung a right and had to make a 1.25 mile climb up Grand Teton Avenue.  It was a relentless hill and involved at least 220 feet of climbing (according to my Garmin).  To make matter worse, there was a howling wind.  My pace immediately declined.  

I didn't get worked up about my pace or the effort.  I just soldiered on.  I had already set up expectations on the race: this wasn't going to be a personal record day.  

Mile 1 came in at just over 10 minutes. I wasn't really surprised and to be honest, I am not even sure I was paying attention to my watch's splits. I was there to cover the distance and try and place in my age group. I had noticed one person who was probably in my age group but there was no way I could catch him -- he was way ahead of me in no time at all.

Finish line festivities

I was never running solo and was surrounded by people of all abilities and ages -- mostly younger.  I was still overtaking some of the 8K runners, but at this point, we were all running about the same pace.

I saw the flashing of a police car way up at the top of the hill and I figured that was going to be our turn around point. It was so close, yet so far away.  And the wind wasn't letting up at all.

The course was on city streets and to be honest, it wasn't the sexiest course I've ever run.  Just typical, walled off Las Vegas HOA communities.  It was just a 5K though.

Finally the top of Grand Teton arrived and I figured that was our turn around.  At least on the course maps it seemed to be.  But for whatever reason, we had to hang a right.  The hill continued but the wind settled down.  I wound up getting a bit of extra energy here. I knew now was the time to try and make up some time.

Back to the starting line.

Finally we hit the turn around and it came in at 1.6 miles.  The half mile marker was spot on, so I knew we'd be running at least a 3.2 mile 5K.

Once I hit the turn around, I turned on the jets.  There was a sense of urgency and I flew by a few people and began to pick off more. I was in race mode.

For next mile, I was cruising.  A wind at my back and a steady decline.

Mile 2 came in at just under 10 minutes.  But to be honest, I didn't care.  This was all about attrition and getting it done.

Finally, I got to the bottom of the hill, sailed by the .5 mile to go sign, and hung a left.  It was a steady grind back to the finish line and while the wind wasn't as intense as it was going west, it was still a factor.  Any pep in my step was lost, but my head was still in the game.

I glanced behind me and only a woman was tailing me.  2 guys probably half my age were in front of me and putting distance on me.  I hadn't seen anyone that looked to be in my age group.  And while I had had plenty of company on the way out on the race, the runners had thinned out as I had lost the 8K runners and was with the speedier 5K runners.

I wound up working with the woman and out kicked her at the end.  I wasn't surprised to see a 29:56 on the timer's clock. 

Awards Stage

Conclusion

So it is hard to measure any sort of success on this race.  It was just a race under difficult conditions and it was probably my slowest 5K in a very long time.

I actually felt good at the end. I figured that I had run a 7:45 mile between 1.6 and 2.6 miles.  My final half mile, while slow, was still solid given the uphill and breeze.  Mentally I was strong and didn't give up on myself.

After the race I found out one of the lead runners was indeed in my age group and the age divisions were 10-year increments.  I am not sure who else was in my age group, but I was 3rd.  Unfortunately, only top 3 overall were given medals.

Shirt and finisher's medal

I got a decent swag bag.  It had flyers and a few things I could use in it.  The t-shirt was a nice design and fit nicely, but it is cotton.  Sadly, I probably will never use it except to bum around the house.  The medal was nice though.

Post race refreshments included bottled water, bananas, oranges and granola bars.  You could buy coffee and donuts from vendors and they did have a coffee shop on the premises as well.

I think this race is more geared towards family.  With your race entry, your children would get to use the inflatable jumping things and enjoy the park.  Post race, it was nice to watch everyone and relax in the sun.

I suspect a lot of your entry fee is used for road closures and police presence.  It was about $40 a week or two before the race started.

The course was a tough one.  I just wish they had had age group awards (even first overall in the age groups).  It would give me something to shoot for and compete for.  Let's face it, as a middle of the packer, over 50 runner, I am very unlikely to take a top 3 overall.  The race did have over 300 runners though and I again, I enjoyed myself at this one.

Upcoming Races

03/26: 2026 Mount Charleston Half Marathon - Las Vegas, NV (Confirmed)

2026 Rock 'n Roll Las Vegas Half Marathon Race Recap - Las Vegas, NV

At the runner's expo at Resorts World

Official Time: 2:11:15
Placement: 3673th overall, 2475th  male, 122nd in my age group
Results:  Here
Race Website: Here
Weather: Low 60's / mid 50's.  Slight breeze from the north
Garmin Dump: Here
Previous Years: [2025] [2024] [2023] [2022] [2019] [2018] [2017] [2016] [2015] [2014] [2013] [2012] [2011] [2010] [2009]

Mile	Time	Comments
1	9:08	Nicely paced. Exactly where I want to be.
2	9:14	Still feeling good. Pace feels a little "hot" but hanging in there.
3	9:07	Very consistent
4	9:17	Back to the crowds.  Just chugging along. I love my paces.
5	9:03
6	9:09	Heading out of town now.  Crowd gets light and it is getting darker.
7	9:17	Just about all the way downtown.
8	9:33	When is the turn around? I just want to get there.
9	9:37	When did this race get hard? It seemed like as soon as I saw mile 9, my pace plummeted
10	10:23	What happened?
11	11:04	Gosh, I hate running.
12	11:43	Please just let me finish. Debating on just walking.
13	12:30	I can see the finish line - yet so far away.
13.19	2:11	Horrible final mile.  So glad to be done.
Total Miles: 13.19 2:11:21

Introduction

So first off, I am a legacy runner.  That means I've run this race every year since its inception, which was 2009.  I started off doing the marathon until the marathon was a distance I wasn't capable of running anymore.  Now, I am doing the half marathon (and the marathon distance is now not offered).

This was not an optional race for me.  For as long as I am a legacy runner, I am going to try and show up.  It is my ego that plays a part and just a streak of being one of about 60 people who have done it every year.

I was coming off of a 2:01 half marathon for the Sun Half Marathon, and I had hopes to turn in a decent time at this one, with a goal of 2 hours, or probably 2:05.  I am definitely not as fast as I was in 2025 but I figured with better temperatures I had a shot of the low 2's.

The race is also a night race, starting at 4:30 PM.  The sun starts to set around 5:30 - 6 PM and for a good portion of the race, you are running at night. Fortunately, the race runs along Las Vegas Blvd and it is well lit by casino lights.  And that is what makes the race a unique and incredible experience: the organizers close down the Strip and you get to run down the middle of one of the most iconic roads in the United States and be the center of attention.

Pre-Race

With packet pickup going on from Thursday until Saturday evening, and now being a resident of the Las Vegas area, I opted to go on my lunch hour down to Resorts World, where the expo was being held, to get my bib.  Normally, I get it on Saturday when I arrive, but this saved me some time and hassle.

I was able to make it on my lunch hour, avoid a lot of the crowds at the expo, and make it back home in a respectable amount of time.  Being a Nevada resident also got me free parking.  

I was also able to do a little shopping and got a pair of Saucony Endorphin Speed 4's for $125. A little more than what I wanted to spend, but it is another pair of shoes I'll definitely use.

I also signed up for 2027, netting me another cotton t-shirt.

I will probably rethink my plans for next year as far as lodging goes (now that I am a resident) but I got two nights at the New York hotel.  This hotel is a gem for the race, since the starting line is right outside the entrance.  I basically stayed in my room until 3:35 PM before making my way down to the starting corrals, which allowed me to load at about 3:50 PM.

Either way, I did arrive in Vegas on late Saturday afternoon, had some fun on Saturday night and then on Sunday woke up, ate, did a little sports betting, and then pretty much hibernated in my room for the day.  My goal was to stay off my feet as much as possible. It is amazing how much leg fatigue you can rack up simply by wandering around a casino.  In this regard, I was VERY successful in arriving to the race start feeling good.

I also spent the morning / afternoon, hydrating, watching TV, eating simple carbs and just getting everything ready.  It really helped reduce my anxiety. Plus, I had a bathroom and shower at my disposal.

Having a room - at least for Sunday night -- also was beneficial.  I was exhausted when I finished, and I had a room to shower, rest a bit and some recovery snacks to eat. I also didn't stress out about fighting traffic or trying to navigate my way off the Strip.

All smiles at the start

The Race

We were blessed with half way decent weather for the race.  Low 60's, sunny, a slight breeze but otherwise very pleasant.  I had about a 30 minute wait after arriving in my starting corral, before the race started for the elites and first corral.  I was running in less than 10 minutes after that.

It was crowded but I don't think I ever really felt I was hemmed in.  Given the size of the race (over 10K runners) you are never running alone.  But I will break down the race in mile segments below:

And we are off!

Miles 0 to 3

I felt really good at the race and I had a fair amount of confidence in actually running a 2 hour half marathon.  

The race starts in front of the New York hotel and begins a straightaway south on the Strip towards the airport.  There are some crowds to cheer you on. You pass by the Excalibur, Luxor and finally the Mandalay Bay.  It feels a bit surreal and the time flies by in an instant.

The pace felt strong but not out of control.  I was hitting my splits and while I had some concern about crashing and burning, especially with it being a little warmer than I wanted it to be, I knew the race would get cooler.

About a half mile past the Las Vegas welcome sign (and a little over 2 miles into the race), we made the first turn of the race -- a 180 turn. 

At about Mile 2.5

We were still on the iconic Las Vegas Blvd but now we were heading north. I was greeted by a little breeze but after a while I forget I even had it.  At least at the end of the race, I should have a tailwind.

I hit the mile 3 marker in 27:30 -- exactly where I wanted to be.

Cruising by the Wynn / Encore

Miles 3 to 6

Finally, I passed by the starting line. Runners were who in placed in the latter corrals were just getting started but I want to say most runners had already begun the race.  

The crowds grew strong and the next few miles are the best of the race.  People were on the pedestrian bridges or on the sidewalks cheering us on with signs.  It buoyed my confidence and I kept knocking down the miles.  I was debating if it was "go" time but it was still way too early in the race to bump up the pace. I was doing okay and while the sun was setting, resulting in cooler temperatures, it wasn't time yet.

This part of the race is also the most exciting. This was the heart of the Strip and the most iconic casinos were on display.  I loved this section.

For a brief moment when I passed by the 10K exit lane, I thought briefly about going into it.  My pace for the half was still good, but I could save myself a lot of tiredness and effort and just do the 10K.  While my pace was for the half marathon, it would've been a halfway decent 10K.  It was just a thought, I didn't take up on it.

My paces were still spot on and I was still feeling decent.  This might be my day!

Still feeling good! Getting darker

Miles 6 - 9

As we headed north, the crowds thinned out and it got darker.  The fans that did line the side watched in silence, or just continued on their way.  There were a few rowdy folks but the energy from the crowd had dwindled.

The DJs along the route kept things lively though and the music put a bit of pep in my step.

I had been toying with taking a gel at this point -- and I knew I should have.  But my stomach had been just slightly off and a gel just didn't sound good.  In the past, I've managed to get through a half marathon without an energy source but as I've gotten older and slower, I've found the need. I was hoping the sports drink along the course would suffice.

My legs were getting heavier and I knew things were going to get dicey.  When I hit mile 7, I had run a 9:37 -- the first sign of problems.  I knew I had slowed down a little but I was still okay.  

I grabbed a gel that the race was handing out. To be honest, I don't remember the brand and I am not sure what flavor it was supposed to be.  I know better than to try anything new but I was hoping it would perk me up.  It was more fluid than a Gu and the taste was okay. I ate about a third of it.  Enough to give me a little sugar, but hopefully not enough to upset my system.  Fortunately, it didn't do any damage.

The trek northward was a bit monotonous.  The big casinos were gone and now we had more small motels, dark alleys, and small shops.  It wasn't the worst running experience, but I definitely wanted some sort of change.  I kept trying to figure out when we made a turn. I knew it was coming up and to me, it means we are in the final home stretch despite it still being over 4 miles away.

At about mile 8.5 the turn came up.  We had a slightly new pattern to run this year.  Normally we run around the block and head back, but this year, we did an out and back section. I do believe this made the race a bit longer than usual (last year it came in at 13.14 -- this year just about everyone clocked 13.19 and above).

Mile 8 and finally mile 9 had come up at 9:33.  It looked like there wasn't going to be a final kick to close it out.  And my 2 hour race was looking to be around 2:05, assuming I could hold what I was running. While mentally I felt strong, I knew I was starting to struggle.

Just Over the finish line.

Miles 9 - 13.1

So things didn't get any prettier.  Now that we were heading back, I briefly rebounded with the knowledge I was in the home stretch.  However, it was very short lived.  

Around mile 9.5 or so, another runner pulled up to me and asked if I was okay.  I was taken aback by that.  Was it that obvious?  I explained that I was okay and he sped off.  But it sort of put a bug in the back of my mind. Maybe I wasn't.

Every now and then I'd get a little sputter of energy but it wasn't there. I kept thinking to myself that the paces I was currently running were still an easy pace that I'd normally do on an average day. My 9:30's suddenly turned into 10:30's and beyond.  Each mile was 30 seconds slower than the previous.

In the far distance, I could see the Bellagio, where the finish line should be.  It seemed so close, but looking at my watch, I knew it was miles away.

As we approached the finish line, the crowds grew a little stronger.  I was being passed by people left and right now. The only folks I was passing were those walking or the stragglers doing the 10KM race.

Self-defeating thoughts crossed my mind: what happened? It was going so well...  Maybe I am just done with running half marathons. This sucks.  I am so embarrassed.  What will people say / think when they see my time?  I hate running. If you've had a difficult time with a race and you care about your time, you probably have been there too.

I don't remember that much about the final 5K other than I wanted to finish, walk and just end.

Fortunately, every race has an end and while I hoped to rebound, I tried to put on a brave smile at the finish and cross the finish like I had just PR'd.  Behind the scenes though, I was exhausted and angry.  Not with anyone or any organization -- just myself.  

I am better than this.

Okay I finished

Conclusion

After crossing the finish line, I grabbed a bottle of water (or two) and made sure I wasn't going to be sick or pass out.  There really wasn't much of an area to sit down and the organizers wanted you to clear the finish line as soon as possible, as more runners were behind me and they wanted people to be able to cross the line.  I honestly didn't get a chance to sit down until I was on the tram from the Bellagio to the Park MGM.

So this race didn't go to plan; at all. I knew it was going to be very iffy to hit 2 hours but I figured I had 2:05, at worst case 2:07 in the bag.  The fact that I came in at 2:11 and was hating the last 3 miles, just made this a miserable experience.  And it wasn't the race organizers, I had to own this one.

I did the following things wrong:

• I knew 2:00 hours was going to be a stretch. I should've at least tried to start off at 2:03 - 2:05 pace and picked it up if I felt good.
• I should've gotten in a gel at mile 5. I didn't want to chance it as my stomach was a smidge "off" but I should've at least nursed one down. The partial one I got in at mile 7.5 wasn't enough and it was too late.

Things I did right:

• I nailed the taper. I was well rested coming in.
• I stayed off my feet all day Sunday. I wasn't coming in dead-legged or feeling tired.
• I was well hydrated and had enough to eat before hand, but not too much that I was bloated.
• Assuming I had the fitness to hold a 2 hour pace, I did in fact run a 2 hour pace for the first 8 miles or so.

The organization was much better this year.  I was able to get in my starting corral in less than 10 minutes, the bathrooms appeared to be okay in the starting corral.  There were plenty of aid stations with water, Mortal Sports Drink, and gels.  I didn't need to use a toilet on the course, but there were bathrooms.  There was also plenty of music and DJs.

The finish line exit, as usual, was congested and once again they did NOT have bathrooms immediately after you finished. Fortunately, I didn't have to go.  But this was a major issue one year. In fact, if you needed to go, you had at least a 15 to 20 minute walk to one.

The expo was well done and easy to navigate.  I got my bib in under 2 minutes by a friendly volunteer.  The shirt was solid -- a nice long-sleeved one, with a hoodie.  It will probably go down as the year's best.  I was shocked at how good it was.

The medal seemed a little small and not very heavy.  I am not a medal freak, but it seemed a little on the after thought side.

Post race refreshments included sports drink, water, bananas, and a bag of goodies.  They had some chips they were handing out and if you were so inclined, a caffeinated beverage and adult drinks (wine and beer).

The finish line was definitely decked out to celebrate your run.  There were a ton of people and you were in the middle of Strip with the Bellagio fountains going off.  It is always a surreal experience.

Other than my race performance, I really thought this year went well.  This race is a one-of-a-kind experience and even though my race was difficult, you'd be mistaken if I wasn't grateful for finishing and putting another notch on my legacy runner belt.

Upcoming Races

03/07: 2026 Skye Canyon Events Fit Fest - Las Vegas, NV (Confirmed)

03/28: 2026 Mount Charleston Half Marathon - Las Vegas, NV (Confirmed)

02/21: 2027 Las Vegas Half Marathon - Las Vegas, NV (Confirmed)

2026 Sun Half Marathon Race Recap - Santa Clara, UT

Sun half marathon start line

Official Time: 2:01:47
Placement: 2nd in the 55-59 age division, 108th out of 216 runners
Results:  Here
Race Website: Here
Weather: Low 40's windy at the start
Garmin Dump: Here
Previous Years: [2025] [2024] [2020]

Mile	Time	Comments
1	9:09	Just getting warmed up.  Right on target though.
2	8:57	Feeling good and settling into a pace
3	8:47	Nice mile.
4	9:00	Crisp breeze at my back. Mostly downhill running.
5	8:57
6	10:08	Long hill here and the wind changed direction so it was no longer at my back
7	8:40	Nice downhill.  Heading back into the inhabited area.
8	9:32	Another hill but settling back into pace
9	9:08	Getting into a groove
10	9:06	Let's close this race out.
11	10:37	Long mile hill here.  It didn't that steep but it was never ending
12	9:21	Running into the outgoing 5K / 10K runners. Got cheers and motivation
13	9:02	This mile felt faster than I ran it. Solid though.
13.12	0:58	Cruise through the finish line.
Total Miles: 13.12 2:01:27

Introduction

I like to kick off the year with the Sun Half Marathon.  It has been in my race schedule in January for a few years now.  

When I lived in Salt Lake, it was a treat to drive to St George (4 hours each way) and run a race in hopefully warmer weather than the northern part of the state.  I'd usually make a weekend of it and go to Mesquite and eat and gamble.

Now that I live in Las Vegas, this race is less exotic.  It is still an overnighter -- having to get your bib on Friday night and not having to drive nearly 2 hours to the race's location on Saturday morning.  Also, with casinos and food choices where I live, there isn't a need to make the most of the weekend in regards to casino activities.

I definitely wanted to run this race though.  I've had solid race performances the last few years and it would be a nice opportunity to see some of my Salt Lake friends who come down to partake in the race.

Looking at where the full marathoners come from

Pre-Race / Goals

So I made the journey from Las Vegas to St George on Friday night - leaving the Las Vegas area around 3 PM.  It was an easy and relaxing drive and I made the journey in under 2 hours.  

Packet pickup was held at St George Running Center.  I think the initial rush of people was over with, having gotten there at 6 PM.  I had my bib, shirt and a few product samples in short order.  I also caught up with race organizer Joe.  I felt really good and my legs weren't sore.  I didn't plan on running and using the Friday as a rest day.

I made my way to the Red Lion and checked in, unpacked and made sure I hadn't forgotten anything.  I was armed with just about every thing I could possibly need for any weather condition that Saturday morning might dish out.

Starving, I walked over to the local Mexican joint and ate there.  I don't like a lot of fiber before a race and stuck to easily digestible things.

I usually have pre-race anxiety so I made sure all my gear was setup and ready to go.  I made the room cool and just worked on relaxing.  I actually slept pretty well (turns out I had had the room I was in before).

My goal for the race was 1:55 to 2:00 hours. Given the nature of the course (a generous, but not all out downhill race) I figured I'd have a decent shot at it, despite being quite a bit slower than previous times.  I had put in a solid training block and some of the paces I was hitting during training indicated I should be able to hit a sub 2 hour half marathon.

Getting ready to run!

The Race

The race's headquarters was at Archie Gubler park.  I got there around 6:30 to be on a bus by 7 AM.  Parking was a little limited there and I am glad I got there when I did. There is plenty of street parking, but in the darkness it is a little hard to tell where it is okay and where it isn't.  

The bus left promptly at 7 AM and made the 13 mile drive to the starting line in short order.  The bus drive was kind enough to let us sit on the bus until 8:15 (8:30 AM start time for the race). It was very breezy at the race start and I saw that the people who did get off the bus were bouncing around and trying to keep warm.

After exiting the bus, I felt that I'd quickly warm-up. I saw a number of the full marathoners running past us not wearing a lot, so I figured I'd be okay.  I wound up dressing in short-shorts, t-shirt, running sleeves, and thin gloves.  After about 3 miles I wound up tossing the sleeves in my pocket. I also had tossed a 30-gallon bag in my back pocket to work as a poncho, in case it wound up raining -- which it was threatening to do.

One of the race's selling point is starting just below Gunlock Reservoir.  The first 5 miles or so is probably the race's best features in that you are running down a canyon road (closed to traffic).  It is mostly a downhill portion of the race, although there are periods of some slight uphills.

With a goal of 2 hours I wound up hanging around with the 2-hour pacer.  For the first 2 miles or so it was largely going to plan. However, I did notice that she was running a little faster, perhaps 8:45's.  I let her go figuring I'd reel her in later in the race.

Typical stretch of mid-miles running

I had spotted another runner who I knew was in my age group and he quickly sped ahead of me.  I knew that this was going to be a battle for at best 2nd place.  Either way, I just wanted to hit my goal time; if I won an age group award, even better.  Throughout the race's progress, I was monitoring anyone who seemed to be in my age group.

The race did have several hundred runners. I never felt blocked in or congested and there was always someone to work off of.  

Around mile 5, just before the first really big hill, I opened a vanilla Gu and started to work on it.  It gave me a much needed boost.  I wasn't screaming down the canyon by any means, but I felt like I was running comfortably hard.  Part of me was wondering when I should increase my pace, but I was hoping to start that at about the halfway point.

The hill at mile 6 is definitely the hardest.  The 2-hour pacer was still within my reach and I was doing math to indicate I was still solidly on pace for 2 hours.  But the wind that was gently pushing me along, was now blowing at me.  Could I catch a break?

Fortunately, it was short-lived.  The wind throughout the race would either be coming at my side, or behind me or even at my face.  It kind of depended how the canyon walls moved it.

It was also at this point we were out of the canyon (more or less) and onto the bike trail.  Still, it was scenic with St George's iconic red rock walls in the distance.  The runners had thinned out, but I had plenty of people to pass and be passed by.  I was still holding a solid pace, however, I'd slow down on some of the hills if they were significant enough.  Normally, runners would pass me on the hills, as I dialed it back, only for me to pick it back up on the flatter sections.  I still felt solid, but I wasn't hitting that 10K pace I was hoping to.  But the race was definitely "on".

Around mile 9 I opened another gel. I knew there was a long hill coming up and I wanted a little caffeine boost to help me.  Sadly, I don't use gels that much anymore and I think the one I had brought may have been expired. It felt "chewy".  I ate some of it, but was really worried it was going to throw my digestive system under the bus.

I was still knocking down 2-hour paced miles, but I couldn't find that extra gear to make up some of the time I lost.  I was also banking energy for the 10th to 11th mile, which always ruins my race.

After running several miles on the bike trail, we finally hung a left and I was greeted by the never ending hill.  It isn't terribly steep -- it just seems to never end.  It is over a mile long and at the end of a half marathon, it isn't really what you want.  But you bear down on it, knowing you are in the final miles of getting it done.

Cruising along - mile 7-ish?

Try as I might, I couldn't get anything here.  My pace was agonizingly slow and I was working way too hard to just get that.  I couldn't wait to get to the top.

There were a handful of people cheering us on here (and throughout the race there were some families following their loved ones and cheering people on).  Every little bit helped.

After making it to the top, I was just gassed however.  In the past, I was able to really smash the final 2 miles, but today.  the best I could do was get back onto 2-hour half marathon pace.  It wasn't going to be a enough though unless I banked a miracle final mile.

I did get a lot of benefit getting "hey Eddie's" and nice works from the outgoing 5K and 10K runners.  They were headed in the opposite direction and it only spurred me on.

The final mile is slightly downhill and I was really hoping to crush it.  But once again, my mind was willing but my legs just didn't have the turnover.  I knew if I didn't have an incredible mile that it was game over for my goal.

As I made my way down the subdivision, the park's entrance came into view.  I wasn't going to make it, but it didn't stop me from running as hard as I could. There was no one behind me and no one to catch up to, even though I had been passed by a few runners.  

I crossed under the finish line in 2:01:27 on my watch.  I suspect my official time is my gun time however.

On the podium

Conclusion

When I normally finish a half marathon, I am pretty spent and not feeling great.  I actually felt really good -- I think I could've done another mile or two at the current 2-hour pace.  Despite saying this though, I was definitely tired and glad to be done running.

I sat down for a while and sipped on the Tailwind I had packed in my drop-off bag.  I checked the results and was happy to see I had placed 2nd.  At the time I checked, there were 4 runners in my age group but only 3, I think, actually finished.

Showing off the bling

So 2:01 was close enough to my goals but I didn't really hit my goal.  Still, I felt really good about this one.  I ran what I would describe as a well-paced race.  I slowed down in portions of the race I knew I was going to slow down at, banked the downhills, and pushed the pace on the flats.  I just didn't have enough extra strength, however, to make up for the time I lost on the downhills.  I suspect I may have been too cautious in the early miles.

The finish line weather was perfect.  Just enough sun to feel warm and a nice breeze.  It was also nice to see friends and make some new ones.  There was definitely a good crowd there and everyone seemed to be in a good mood.

Post race refreshments were fairly typical: Ice cream sandwiches, granola bars, fruit, candy and sports drink.  There were aid stations at about every 2 miles.  I only wound up taking water and once Powerade at them.  The Gus kept me properly fueled and I never dipped into dehydration levels thanks to the cooler temperatures.

The medals were definitely cool.  The shirt is simple but again, not a fan of the non 100% polyester ones. Still, it proudly displays that I ran the Sun Marathon.

Shirts + Medals

Again, I am sad I missed my goal time. For the last 2 years, the Sun Half Marathon, has been the most successful race of the year that I've run.  I am hoping that this isn't a year that I am going to struggle in.

On the plus side though. My pacing and endurance were spot on.  I never felt like I was dying in this race and I ran on my own race without getting worked up about being passed or running too slow.  There were moments of the race, particularly after the half way point where I had definitely felt like I was racing, rather than just moving along.

View of the final stretch

I do think this is some to build off of.  I am hoping to do this race again next year.  The course is really beautiful and it is just a nice environment to race hard and fast.

Upcoming Races

02/22: 2026 Las Vegas Half Marathon - Las Vegas, NV (Confirmed)

03/07: 2026 Skye Canyon Events Fit Fest - Las Vegas, NV (Confirmed)

03/28: 2026 Mount Charleston Half Marathon - Las Vegas, NV (Confirmed)