This incredibly fast and remarkably beautiful road race takes runners from the forests of Kyle Canyon on Mt Charleston to Las Vegas, Nevada. Featuring a smooth downhill slope and spectacular scenery in the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, this race will be sure to help you set your PR and finally hit that Boston Qualifying time as it is the fastest marathon and half marathon in Nevada.
The marathon begins roughly 21 miles up Kyle Canyon Rd near the original Mt Charleston Lodge. Standing at 7,600 ft above sea level. The course meanders through the Cathedral Rock area for the first mile before reaching the main stretch of Kyle Canyon Rd. Once on the main highway, the route begins a 20-mile stretch of pure running bliss as the course heads downhill towards Las Vegas at a nearly steady 4% grade. The final five miles take runners through the beautiful palm-lined roads of the Centennial Hills neighborhood. Continuing its downhill slope the course ends at the Thunderbird Family Sports Complex.
*Weather data is from the finish line. Temperatures will be much cooler (15-25° F cooler) at the start and gets warmer as runners travel down the mountain.
The REVEL Mt. Charleston Marathon was the 44th largest marathon in the U.S. last year and was the 35th largest in 2022.
This year 41.4% of finishers qualified for the Boston Marathon and 36.7% of runners qualified for Boston in 2023.
This gives the REVEL Mt. Charleston Marathon the 11th highest percentage of Boston Marathon qualifiers in the U.S. last year and the 11th highest percentage so far in 2024.
Its Course Score of 107.03 ranks it as the 2nd fastest marathon course in the U.S. and the 1st fastest course in Nevada.
The typical race time temperature and humidity levels are within the ideal range for optimal marathon performance. This, coupled with the Course Score, gives the REVEL Mt. Charleston Marathon a PR Score of 107.03. This PR Score ranks it as the 1st fastest marathon in the U.S. and the 1st fastest in Nevada.
Learn more about PR Scores and Course Scores on the FAQ page.
REVEL Mt. Charleston Marathon Elevation Chart
Max Elevation: 7651 feet (2332m) Min Elevation: 2502 feet (762m)
Hotel & VRBO Accommodations for the REVEL Mt. Charleston Marathon
View available accomodations around the REVEL Mt. Charleston Marathon Finish Line and Course. Book your Reservation now before the best places are sold out.
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If you ran the REVEL Mt. Charleston Marathon in 4:59:00, what would your time in other marathons be?
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Steven Rein's review of 2024 REVEL Mt. Charleston Marathon.
5 /
5 Stars
Review
Well run race and great expo explaining how best to run the race. Not much crowd support but beautiful scenery. It is very cold 12 degrees wind chill and you have an hour or more wait, Bring clothes for the drop bag. They did have heaters that helped.
Race Tips
Train running many long downhills or repeats because it is extremely fast. Run at 70% effort and let gravity do the work because you need to save it for later when your legs are tired.
Stayed at the host resort and bought the bus ticket to make it convenient. Try to get as late a bus as you can so your wait is the least.
Cheryl Spano's review of 2023 REVEL Mt. Charleston Marathon.
5 /
5 Stars
Review
I run almost 100 marathons. Revel marathon - especially Mount Charleston. It's an early bus ride, but very organized, and the volunteers always make sure everyone makes it to the start (even if you are rushing trying to find a parking spot, looking for the bus, and at the tail end of the line).
The course is fast!!!! beautiful and full of water, electrolyte and gel stations. I've never carried my own.
I have never got lost (which is a horrible deal) The crowds and volume of cheers is awesome at the finish!
No better race!!
Race Tips
This year (I've run it 3 times), I paid attention to the suggestions about running downhill - very helpful on getting me through last 6 with more leg energy
jh's review of 2022 REVEL Mt. Charleston Marathon.
5 /
5 Stars
Review
All around great race! I'm in pain now, but very proud of my performance.
Race Tips
There were warnings not to go too fast the first half. I ignored these, banked as much time as I could, and by the time I hit the harder last 10K I could have almost walked and still BQ'd, which is a great feeling.
Strip bus was convenient. You have to get up early so if you are traveling from the East Coast, DONT ACCLIMATE; I went to bed at 6 PDT pre race, up at 130AM.
AH's review of 2022 REVEL Mt. Charleston Marathon.
5 /
5 Stars
Review
The race course and race organization are both top-notch. The race start was cold (30s), the race finish was hot (70s). Bring throw away layers! Study the race course, 4% downhill is steep, there are some hidden hills you can't see on the elevation map because of it. I came from sea level one day prior, and had no issues with acclimating to the higher elevation.
The only issue I had was too few people handing out water/nuun. After I missed water at the first station, I made sure to stop and grab my own for most of the rest of the aid stations.
Race Tips
I read many race recaps of this race & everyone blew up in the last 10k. Therefore I ran off of heart rate and made sure the first half felt easy. Using this strategy, I was able to negative split, BQ and get a 6 minute PR. The last 10k was still brutal, but I was able to run the whole time and finish strong. Strength training for runners definitely helped me with this course! This was my 18th marathon and I have never been more sore because of all the downhill.
I took the shuttle from the Vegas strip with no issue (stayed at the nearby Holiday Inn, which has a full kitchen). You can grab a coffee/banana at the gas station in front of the platinum hotel before boarding. The space blanket and throw away gloves from packet pick-up are so useful! Plenty of port-a-potties at the start line. Took a very long time after the race to grab gear check, so if you don't need to use it, you'll save some time.
EAC's review of 2022 REVEL Mt. Charleston Marathon.
5 /
5 Stars
Review
Well organized, and a great race if you are a strong hill runner. Strength training (leg day), and training on hills will help. Fight the temptation to bank time - the first half is 3000 ft down, making it tempting to get greedy. I broke 3 hours (2:58:15), setting a 5 minute PR.
Race Tips
Be sure you know how your shoes fit with downhill running! I sacrificed a toe nail and attempted "surgery" around mile 20 (blood blister under my big toe, used a pin from my bib), which cost me time, but was worth it - it felt like someone was taking a hammer to that toe with every step! Also, be prepared for temperature to rise by 20+ degrees from start to finish. With the dry heat, you won't feel your sweat, so going by feel will backfire in those late miles.
Stayed on the strip and had a rental car. Smooth getting to and on the bus and to the starting line. I wish this race started 30 minutes earlier (or a month earlier). It would have made a big difference with the heat - there's no shade or clouds, so if it's warming up, you just bake.
