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LAS VEGAS MARATHON INFORMATION- WEATHER: The average temperature at the start time is 50°F.
- MUSIC: Entertainment will be provided on the course. Check the entertainment site for updates.
- COURSE MAP: To view the course maps of the Las Vegas Marathon, click here. There is a gradual mid-course incline with a downhill sprint finish. Beginning at mile two there will be water stations every mile. Sports drinks will be offered every other mile starting at mile 3. Energy gel will be available at mile 13 and 18.
- RACE DAY SCHEDULE: The marathon and half marathon begin at approximately 6:07 a.m. although times are subject to change.
- NISSAN QUALITY OF LIFE EXPO: Located at the Mandala Bay Convention Center, the two day Expo will host an array of booths with the latest products and information.
Friday - Dec. 5: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Saturday - Dec. 6: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- DID YOU KNOW: The Las Vegas Marathon was the first marathon to make the passage through the Las Vegas Strip.
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A NOTE FROM THE TUMORNATORS
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Alright y'all (enter southern twang here) where do I begin?
I hope this letter finds everyone
loving life as much as we do down here in Tumornator Nation!
My brother Ben and I are signed up to run the Las Vegas Half
Marathon on December 5th and I strongly encourage anyone who enjoys fast times
and loose women to join -- I kid.
Seriously though, it amazes me how memory loss
truly works. I mean it feels like just yesterday I was 16 years old and I had
just finished the Peachtree Road Race in Atlanta, Ga (a 10K ). I swore off
doing any physical exercise again,ever!
Well, then last May, I muttered
the exact same words in the breath that I could muster after barely finishing the
Half Ironman Florida. And now, here we go again. There is truly no substitute
for accomplishment. 5K, 500K -- it doesn't matter when you have set a goal to
finish and it actually happens. There is nothing in this world that can replace
the hours on the road, the dieting, the cheating on the diet, and the smell of
sweat at the end of a day you have worked so hard for. Oh, and did I mention
the lives you touch... the phone calls, the emails, and the downright joy you
feel when you know that all of those hours have added up to something more than
a finisher medal?
To fill you in: our youngest
brother Drew suffers from Schwannomatosis. He would tell you he is blessed
-- blessed with an attitude and a smile that one can only dream of having.
Blessed with a family and a community that is behind him, and blessed with the
knowledge that if you never quit, you cannot be defeated. He is the light of a
room, the goofy smiling kid you just want to hang out with, and we fight for
him and everyone else who has to deal with this every day.
Being a part of the
NF Endurance team is something of a miracle. The leadership, the passion, and
the community is truly unparalleled and inspirational. I know people
can get busy and fall out of touch, but this team is growing in many ways, touching so many lives that you cannot help but get swept up in NFE Fever!
We have been working to keep fund raising fun with events such as
concerts, wine tastings and even a foam party (we're three brothers, what else
are we going to do? ) We have been lucky to have the commitment from
Atlanta Braves outfielder Jeff Francoeur, a friend of mine.
We have
raised something in the neighborhood of $140,000 since the beginning of February of
2007. We have far surpassed any goals we originally set, but we have not
reached THE goal of seeing an end to NF and we will not stop until we do.
For now, I leave you with this:
Be
the Difference...
Be the one who starts a walking team, Be the one who
raises $1, $10, $1,000 a mile, Be the smile at mile 25, Be the one waving the Flag,
Be the Difference, Be the Beginning of the End.
- You Can, We Can.
Chad Leathers
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MEET TEAM REED
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FRONT:Harrison Reed, Helen Reed, Elliott Reed,
BACK: Emily Reed, Frank Bonjione
Elliott Reed was diagnosed with NF1
when he was five years old. "We took annual trips to Indianapolis where he met
with his NF specialist, Dr. Karen Roos," Helen Reed, Elliot's mother said. Elliott
has suffered from chronic neck and shoulder pain, headaches and learning
disabilities. Since Elliott's NF was
spontaneous and first generation, one of the greatest challenges has been the
uncertainty of his prognosis and how it will affect him in years to come.
Elliott has participated in several research projects to assist with NF research including a research study at the National Institute of Health in Washington D.C.
A few years ago Helen received her first NF newsletter from the Children's Tumor
Foundation. "When the Disney Marathon was announced, I suggested to Elliott that
we join the Endurance team," Helen said. "He [Elliott] gladly accepted the
challenge and became our NF hero! Our debut team for the 2006 Disney marathon
consisted of Elliott's family and friends. At the event, we met many NF
families and support people who helped make this first event a memorable one."
Their second race together will be
in Las Vegas where Elliott currently lives and works as a massage therapist. This year, two of Elliott's aunts
have joined Team Reed. "We have raised our goal for research contributions and
look forward to participating in this worthwhile cause," Helen said.
One on One with Elliott Reed
Age: 22
Occupation: Massage Therapist
Q. What are the challenges of living with NF?
A. The pain from the neurofibroma in the nerves of my neck. After I complete activities that put a strain on my neck, it is quite painful. Also, the slight learning disability -- taking a little longer to understand and grasp certain things.
| Q. What are your hobbies and activities?
A. Rock climbing, working out at the gym, yoga, No Limit Texas Hold Em' poker, movies, music
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Where do YOU train?
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 Scrub oaks, rolling dunes and sea oats make up Frank Bonjione's training course. A Las Vegas half marathon participant, Bonjione lives in Florida in New Smyrna Beach, a quaint and old town on the Atlantic coast.
New Smyrna encompasses a barrier island bordered by the
Atlantic ocean and the Indian River. "Our
favorite place to run and walk is Smyrna Dunes Park, a preserve at the tip of the
island where the Halifax and Indian rivers join briefly before flowing through
the Inlet into the sea," Bonjione said.
"We just love to run there,
especially early in the morning when the sun is rising over the ocean, casting
a fiery orange glow that shimmers on the water," Bonjione said.
It's also the home of gopher
turtles, an endangered species that live in burrows in the dunes. Gopher turtles feed in the morning before the heat of the day.
"They can be quite amusing and they often
stare at us when we jog by," Bonjione said. "One morning we counted 22 of them in just one trip
around the boardwalk! It's the record and it's stood for awhile."
After each workout, Bonjione swaps running shoes for swim shorts and takes a swim in the blue-green waters of the Inlet.
Bonjione draws inspiration for his training from a quote that hangs on a wall in his office at Seminole Community College. "I have a quote from Thoreau, given to me by someone I love
and respect," Bonjione said. "Every time I think of Elliott [Reed] and his determination, his
positive, 'can do' attitude, I glance at Thoreau's simple, eloquent
words: Go confidently in the direction of your dreams! Live the life you've
imagined."
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