Mt Charleston Marathon

Location: Las Vegas, Nevada
Country: United States
Website: https://www.runrevel.com/rmc
2025 Marathon Date: 05/04/2025
2026 Marathon Date: 28/03/2026
Winning Time 2025: 02:22:37
% Sub-3s: 10–15%
# Sub-3s: 100–499
Total Runners: 1k–3k

Mt Charleston is a spring marathon held just outside Las Vegas, Nevada, designed to maximise speed through a long, continuous descent. Starting high in the Spring Mountains and finishing in the Las Vegas valley, the race is a favourite among runners targeting Boston Qualifiers or sub-3-hour finishes.

The course features a steady downhill profile, dropping over 1,500 metres from start to finish. The gradient is consistent and runnable, avoiding sharp declines or technical turns. Much of the route follows quiet mountain roads, allowing for uninterrupted pacing and focus.

Weather conditions in early April are typically cool and dry, with chilly air at the mountain start giving way to mild desert warmth near the finish. The combination of altitude, descent and climate makes for a performance-enhancing setup if approached with care.

Organisation is a major strength, with precise kilometre marking, reliable aid stations and an efficient shuttle system to the remote start line. While crowd support is minimal along the course, the finish area in the valley provides a welcome boost of energy and atmosphere.

Mt Charleston is particularly well-suited to experienced runners who have prepared for the specific demands of downhill racing. The course profile supports fast times, but it also places extra load on the legs, especially in the second half. For sub-3 hopefuls seeking a strategic, time-oriented race, Mt Charleston consistently delivers.