Under clear skies with no wind and temperatures in the mid-40s, approximately 30,000 runners hit the start line around 7 a.m.
The later starting time allowed the runners to start in daylight and temperatures about 20 degrees warmer than last year's 6 a.m. start.
As in years past, the marathon is just as much of an event as a race. Las Vegas Metro Police could be seen parked, with lights flashing, in front of the Venetian where a number of newlyweds and couples stopped to say "I do" before continuing on the course. The wedding took place around 8:00 a.m., between miles two and three of the race.
On the competitive side, 24-year-old Scott Bauhs of Mammoth Lakes, CA won the half-marathon in a time of 1:02:38.26. Three-time Olympian Jen Rhines was the first woman to finish the half-marathon, in a time of 1:14:56.95.
The start line is in the northbound lanes of Las Vegas Boulevard, at the Dewey Street intersection.
The course heads downtown for the first six miles, hits a few side streets, then moves to the southbound lanes of Las Vegas Boulevard on the way to the finish line at Mandalay Bay. Half-marathoners go straight to the finish, while marathoners head west on Hacienda and wind around southwest Las Vegas before returning to the Strip for the finish.