MOB Traffic and partners run a marathon behind the marathon. 

For the 27,000 runners attending the Athletic Brewing Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series Las Vegas, there isn’t any other race like it. The entire Las Vegas Strip and portions of Downtown Las Vegas close down for participants from around the world, many of them seeing the Las Vegas race as the ultimate conclusion to their year. 

“Being able to showcase both the city and iconic Las Vegas Strip through a different medium, via running, offers a unique and different perspective with a healthy point of view,” says Brandt Bernat, regional director for The IRONMAN Group, which is the events operator. “The Athletic Brewing Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series Las Vegas culminates a yearlong running program and special limited edition ‘All Roads Lead to Vegas’ medal for any participant who completes the marathon or half marathon distance.” 

To earn the limited edition medal, runners must compete in another Rock ’n’ Roll Running Series event between March 1 of the preceding year and the Athletic Brewing Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series Las Vegas event. Qualifying marathons included ten other cities, some as far away as Madrid, Spain, and Manila, Philippines.

The Vegas event includes three course formats — a 5K race on Saturday, followed by 10k and half marathon race on Sunday. The 5K meanders around Downtown Las Vegas, starting at South 4th Street and Bridger Avenue before turning south down Las Vegas Boulevard, turning at Hoover Avenue, and heading back toward the finish on Fremont Street. The half marathon starts south at New York-New York Hotel & Casino before turning north toward Carson Avenue in Downtown Las Vegas, and then south again until it finishes at the Bellagio Resort & Casino. The 10k race split is designated at Sands Avenue, near the Fashion Show Las Vegas and Treasure Island Las Vegas. 

The weekend-long event has grown to include several other unforgettable activities, including a three-day Health & Fitness Expo, Saturday night runners party, lululemon Yoga on the Strip, and Start Village. But it’s the race itself — with DJs Cable, Mal-Ski, Kelly, Acir, Blaze, Eric Forbes, Lexto, Lolo, Aravi, and Snowden plus Tony Marquez and Not The Killers — that give the race its rock ’n’ roll edge. This year, the Start Fest also included Blue Man Group and cast members of the Vegas Golden Knights and Las Vegas Athletics.

“Events are very important to the City of Las Vegas, specifically the Rock ’n’ Roll marathon,” says Reginald Atkinson, an engineering technician for the City of Las Vegas who assists with the planning. “The City of Las Vegas assists with ensuring runners, both veterans and beginners, feel safe and have a great experience.”

The City of Las Vegas is not alone in the planning. Since the event involves multiple jurisdictions, each with its own set of laws and ordinances, various government entities work together with the event planners like a partnership. 

“When it comes to dialing in the route, we definitely ensure that we improve on how we can make it more and more safe for the participants and public,” explains Atkinson. “We want to ensure a safe event is put on and all people involved have a great experience. MOB Traffic is a partner with City of Las Vegas with this event, and helps ensure a safe event takes place.” 

MOB Traffic, which is contracted by The IRONMAN Group to manage all aspects of traffic control and pedestrian management, works directly with multiple jurisdictions to ensure all laws and ordinances are met. This includes the City of Las Vegas, Clark County, Nevada Department of Transportation, Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD), The IRONMAN Group, and various entities that may be affected. 

“We address everybody’s needs to improve safety and traffic flow,” says Paul Ames, events manager for MOB Traffic. “Since this is a long-standing event, the process is very streamlined. For example, The IRONMAN Group presents the route to various hotel and casino operators and they may request minor adjustments based on last year’s feedback. For instance, we added a few message boards to Frank Sinatra Drive this year to limit the amount of traffic turning onto Park Avenue.”

Along with drafting, finalizing, and submitting plans to various jurisdictions, Ames and his team at MOB Traffic are responsible for the set up and tear down of more than 1,380 28-inch cones, 1,750 42-inch delineators, 31 arrow boards, 24 message boards, 445 signs, and 220 feet of water rail. No other traffic management company has ever attempted to shut down this much of the Las Vegas Strip for a single event in the city’s history. 

“What I love about the event is that I’ve become so very confident in my team to execute it,” said Ames. “We’ve broken the traffic plan into eight sections, and six of my section leaders have been running the same section between two and eight years.”

The sentiment inside The IRONMAN Group is the same. The Athletic Brewing Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series Las Vegas has become such a signature event for this world-class destination that the organizers are committed to working with all the agencies and communities involved to make each successive year even better. 

“With everyone working together, we are able to safely showcase iconic destinations that offer experiential memories for athletes, participants, spectators, families, friends, and supporters,” explains Bernat. “Working alongside Paul Ames and his team at MOB Traffic has been nothing short of incredible. They are great partners in that they understand the complexity of the event business related to traffic, the fluidity and nature of road closures, and the reopening plans, which are even more critical. MOB Traffic makes closing the largest footprint along Las Vegas Boulevard seamless.” 

This year’s main event started at 4:30 p.m., closing the Las Vegas Strip from Carson Avenue to just shy of Sunset Road. Roads will begin to open starting immediately after the event and into the evening. While LVMPD advises to expect some closures to last as late as 2 a.m. on Monday morning, MOB Traffic hopes to open all roads long before then. 

After Las Vegas, The IRONMAN Group will head to Rock ’n’ Roll Washington D.C. on March 15. This will be the first qualifying event for next year’s ‘All Roads Lead to Vegas’ medal at the Athletic Brewing Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series Las Vegas in 2026. While not all details have been finalized, tickets for the 2026 event are available for purchase now. Runners can also host a team, raising funds for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.