2026 Run Through The Decades 6KM Race Recap - Las Vegas, NV

Starting Line Arches

Official Time: 27:56
Placement: 7th overall, 3rd male overall
Results:  Here
Race Website: Here
Weather: Mid 60s. breeze from the north
Garmin Dump: Here
Previous Years: First Year for Me

Mile	Time	Comments
1	9:09	First .4 of a mile was slightly downhill, then a slow grind
2	10:10	Got a lot harder here. A lot of climbing. Finally hit the turn around
3	8:51	Took a bit to get going again, but slightly downhill.
3.66	8:45	Cruising here. Nice, gently downhill. Felt faster than I was going.
	Total Miles: 3.66- 33:58

Introduction

With a nice race streak going on and wanting to do something on the weekend following my last race, I decided I wanted to run something for Easter.  There were a few Easter themed races on Saturday but they sort of seemed to be "fun" runs.  I was looking for a race.  

I opted in for the Run Through the Decades Race.  This race is run by the same organizers as the race I did in January -- the Chilly Willy 5K.  It was even held at the same park, so I knew the course.  The race organizer had a well organized race and gave away age group awards.  It was something to do and a chance to make friends.

Moments before the race started

The Race

I arrived at the race site -- Bill Braire Park a little after 7 AM for the 8 AM start.  I recalled that there wasn't a lot of parking at the park and while there was plenty when I got there, I didn't want to get hemmed in. I found a nice parking spot on a residential street and made the short walk to the park.

Packet pickup was a snap and I made some small talk with other runners before running about a mile to warm-up.  It was already warm and by the time I made it back to the starting line, I had worked up a decent sweat.  I probably did too much of a warm-up but it felt good and I made the trip to the Kellogg Zaher Park where I used the toilets (MUCH cleaner than the ones at the Braire Park).

The race offered 4 distances to runners.  A 6K, 7K, 8K and if you wanted to run all three, a half marathon.  Each race distance was a celebration of the 60's, 70s and 80s.  The actual theme was loosely tied in, in that you were kind of supposed to dress up for the race distance you were representing.

Normally, I'd have jumped into the 8KM race given that is the generation I feel I represent but given I had just run a half marathon the weekend before, I decided 6KM was good enough.  I was tempted to dress up in neon pink to represent the 80s, but I actually just put on my Chick 'n Legs Easter bunny shorts on.

The race was lightly attended.  There had been a few Easter themed races the day before and it was Sunday and it was Easter. In over 2 decades of racing, I don't think I've ever raced on Easter.

After some instructions, the race started at 8 AM and we were off.  

Looking okay at mile .5

The first 1.55 miles were identical to the 5KM race I ran in January:  we made a loop around the backside of Braire Park before heading out onto the Bonanza trail and headed westward.  The first .4 of a mile or so was slightly downhill and I felt fast and eased into a comfortable pace.

I had lined up near the front (everyone was shy) and I quickly found myself passed up by at least a dozen runners. I wasn't too concerned about it.  I was running my own race.  There were a few people my age in the race but it was hard to tell who was running what distance.

I still had some residual fatigue in my legs from the week leading up to the race.  And while I was running / racing hard, I hadn't exactly tapered for the race.  If anything, I was using it as a hard effort and maybe I'd have a great race like I did in January.

Typical stretch of race route.

The first mile came in at 9:09.  Not exactly where I was hoping to be.  Given the heat and the fatigue, I wasn't too surprised.  There was also over 50 feet of gradual climbing here.  I knew, however, that there were more hills to come.

At this point, there wasn't anyone really behind me and it seemed like I was bringing  up the rear in terms of those racing a hard pace.  I was working with a younger teenager who happened to be wearing Chick 'n Legs shorts.  I was using her to pace me along and give me something to work towards.

The course had been well marked and my previous experience with the route gave me confidence  I wasn't going to get lost.

Heading out at about mile 1

However, I did have some apprehension when I got to 3 kilometers in the race. I had figured we were running an out-and-back thing and I kept looking for the turn around. No one else was coming back towards me yet.  Panic began to creep in that the course was going to be a lot longer or that had forgotten to put in a marker for the 6KM runners.

To compound my panic, the race was suddenly a lot harder.  It was a gradual uphill (nearly a 100 feet according to my Garmin) and I knew I was struggling.  I didn't get a sense if anyone else was in the same boat, as I felt like I was running solo.

Finally, I reached the west end of the park and I was at my wit's end as to how I was going to run a 6KM being this far out.  They had an aid station at this point and a couple of course marshals.  I blissfully saw the 6KM turn marker.  This would take us north and then down the other side of the park.

It was at this point that I hit about 2 miles.  I don't think I even looked at my time; I knew it was slow.

Kellogg Zaher Park

I was doing math in my head -- was I going to be running a 4 mile race?  A 6KM race is around 3.72 miles, and I was figuring I'd be running over 4.  

Finally, it dawned on me. I bet we weren't going to run the backside of Braire park and that would put the race around 6 KM.  I recalled the lead organizer's early start messages (which I had missed most of) and the math finally added up.

My spirits lifted and no longer was I running uphill, but I had a nice downhill.  My pace quickened and I was now in race mode.  The teenager finally came into view and I was gaining ground.

The mile went by quickly and while my split wasn't exactly awe inspiring, it was a nice rebound.  Perhaps there was time to salvage the race.

By the time I made it to the east end of the park, I roughly knew how much further I needed to run.  And the distance was now going to be correct.  I wasn't exactly having massive downhill running, but my pace was quick and I was getting closer to passing my one and only target.

I was still running solo and there wasn't anyone behind me, but my goal was to crush the final mile.  I had been passed by the winner of the 8KM race and I saw a handful of half marathoners starting on their next lap.  

The teen that I had been working with, and who had taken quite a few walk breaks in the second half of the race, clearly had another gear in the final quarter mile and left me running solo.  It was nice to have someone to work with though.

The bike trail finally gave way to Braire park and just as I expected, we had to hang a tight left turn and cross under the arches.  The course was going to be accurate after all.

Smiles at the finish line.

Conclusion

So I had mixed feelings upon crossing.  I hadn't really obsessed about my splits while I was running but I wouldn't describe my race as a success or a trend in the right direction.  My time was about where I've been racing shorter distances at.  8:45 - 9:15 mile efforts.  Looking at some of the details, there were glimmers of promise: an 8:15 paced section and sections where I was moving pretty well. But overall, my time was pedestrian.

Not too bad at the finish line.

So some factors did play into my race result:

• I am still recovering from the Mt Charleston Half Marathon.
• I came into the race putting in what I'd best describe as a regular week of running (i.e. not much of a taper).
• The course was hilly, particularly miles .5 to 2.

Still though, I managed to place 3rd overall male and in the top 10 for the 6 KM race.  Granted, there were only 40 other runners in the race.

The medal was a nice one and this race organizer gives me you a bunch of pins to attach to the lanyard.  It is a nice tough and they are generous with the bling.  

I didn't get poked in the eye.

The race had a really cool shirt.  It is cotton though, which means it probably won't be worn much.  

They did have some refreshments at the finish line, but the pickings seemed pretty slim.  I think given the race size the perks where a little more limited, which was unfortunate, as the half marathoners definitely got left out.

Overall, I had a good time.  The people were friendly there and it was just a nice, warm day to run.  The event seemed a little informal, but it was a race.  Also the race organizer offers quick awards, so I could quickly claim anything that was due to me and head on home.

Medals and shirt

I'd be up for doing this one next year.  I would think it would do better, though, if it wasn't on Easter.

Upcoming Races

04/18: 2026 Signs of Hope 5K - Las Vegas, NV (Confirmed)
02/21: 2027 Las Vegas Half Marathon - Las Vegas, NV (Confirmed)