REVEL Mt Charleston
Saturday, April 18, 2026
Elevation Gain
400m
Elevation Range
1558m
Avg Temperature
55°F / 13°C
Course Profile
downhill
Course Map & Elevation
Course Overview
The steepest net-downhill marathon in the REVEL series, dropping 1635m from Mt Charleston (2305m) to the northwest Las Vegas valley (670m). The extreme 5-8% grades through Kyle Canyon make this an exceptional BQ course, but the relentless pounding will destroy unprepared legs. Your quads absorb roughly 50,000 high-impact footstrikes on declining grade.
Key Segments
Upper Kyle Canyon
Terrain: Steep descent from 2305m to 1652m through ponderosa pine forest. Sustained 5-8% grade with tight switchbacks. Exposed mountain road
Challenge: The combination of thin air at 2305m and steep grade creates a dangerous trap — you feel fast but you are accumulating invisible quad damage and oxygen debt
Tactic: Run 10-15 sec/km faster than flat goal pace, absolutely no faster. Short stride, high cadence. Resist the temptation to fly. The altitude compounds every mistake.
Lower Canyon to Canyon Mouth
Terrain: Continued steep descent from 1652m to 1125m through the transition zone from pine forest to desert scrub. Grade moderates slightly to 4-6%
Challenge: This is where quad fatigue first becomes visible. The grade is still steep but the altitude effect diminishes. Many runners feel a false confidence here
Tactic: Maintain controlled pace. Do not accelerate even though the air is thicker. The canyon mouth around km 18-21 is the transition point — prepare for the grade change.
Desert Highway Descent
Terrain: Gentler descent from 1125m to 810m along the highway corridor through open desert. Grade moderates to 2-4%
Challenge: The open desert is exposed to crosswinds and sun. The loss of steep gravitational assist makes your tired legs feel suddenly heavy
Tactic: Settle into goal pace. Tuck behind other runners in crosswinds if possible. Hydrate aggressively — the dry desert air strips moisture even in cool temps.
Suburban Las Vegas to Finish
Terrain: Nearly flat through suburban streets (810m to 670m). Only 1-2% grade remaining. Finish near Floyd Lamb Park
Challenge: Your quads are destroyed from 30km of downhill. The flat terrain provides no gravitational assist. Temperature has risen 10-15°C since the start
Tactic: This is where eccentric training pays off. Break it into 3km chunks. The finish near Floyd Lamb Park builds with crowds. Maintain steady effort.
Race-Specific Training
- •Begin dedicated downhill training at least 12 weeks out: long downhill repeats of 6-10km at 5-8% grade, heavy eccentric squats and lunges, and weekly runs on sustained steep descents. This is more eccentric demand than any other marathon
- •Run a long run that simulates the canyon-to-flat transition: 15km of steep sustained downhill followed by 10-15km of flat running at marathon pace to learn how destroyed quads feel on level ground
- •Taper more aggressively than usual — consider reducing volume an extra 10-15% in the final two weeks to ensure your legs are completely fresh for the extreme eccentric demands of race day
Conditions & Environment
Altitude
Start at 2305m (7560 ft), finish at 670m (2200 ft). The thin air at the start significantly affects the first 8-10km even though you are descending. Arrive in Las Vegas 2-3 days early.
Weather
November. Start temps 0-8°C (32-46°F) at the mountain. Finish temps 15-22°C (60-72°F) in the valley. A dramatic 15-20°C temperature swing from mountain to desert.
Sun & Wind
The canyon provides some shade early. Desert highway section (km 22-35) is fully exposed to sun and crosswinds. Dry desert air makes dehydration a serious risk even in cool temperatures.
What to Wear
Heavy throwaway layers at the mountain start — gloves, hat, old jacket. Dress for the desert finish underneath: light singlet and shorts. Arm sleeves for the canyon transition.
Pacing Strategy
| Segment | Pace | Note |
|---|---|---|
| km 0-12 | 10-15 sec/km faster than flat goal pace | Steep canyon descent. Take the gravity, do not exceed this limit. Respect the altitude at 2300m. |
| km 12-21 | 10-15 sec/km faster than flat goal pace | Lower canyon. Maintain controlled pace even as air gets thicker. Canyon mouth transition at km 18-21. |
| km 21-30 | Goal pace | Desert highway. Settle into flat effort. Hydrate at every station. Tuck behind runners in crosswinds. |
| km 30-42.195 | Goal pace, steady effort | Flat suburban finish. If your quads survived, maintain pace. If they are failing, shorten stride and grind it out. |
Race Day Tip
Do not try to bank time on the mountain. The course gives you free time through gravity, but only if your legs survive to use it. Every experienced REVEL runner will tell you: the race starts at mile 18 when the canyon ends. Everything before that is just getting to the starting line.
Race details subject to change. Verify with the official race website.
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