2026 9/11 Heroes 5K Race Recap - Las Vegas, NV

Official Time: 29:03
Placement: 31st overall
Results: Here
Race Website: Here
Weather:  upper 80's strong breeze from the west
Garmin Dump: Here
Previous Years: First Year for me.

Mile	Time	Comments
1	9:01	Legs felt a little tired. So hot and a breeze coming in at me.
2	8:52	Rebounded nicely here.  Took out some competitors.
3	9:53	Just dying here.  So hot and nothing left.
3.13	0:17	Finishing strong, I guess.
	Total Miles: 3.13 - 28:59

Introduction

Race day on Saturday in Las Vegas.  Finally, we have races!  I hadn't done a race since Mother's Day in the Las Vegas area and when I saw that there were two races this weekend, I was tempted to run both of them.  Fortunately, I only registered for one -- it was a hot weekend.  

I decided to sign up for the 9/11 Heroes %K Race in Las Vegas a the Mountain's Edge Park on the south west side of Las Vegas.  I've raced here before, for the Friday the 13th night race.  It is a multiuse park with soccer and baseball fields, but also has a wonderful nature path that meanders into the desert.  It is just a nice, flat place to run and hold a race at.

So with high hopes, I pulled the trigger and decided to see where all my summer training has led me to.

Race starting line.

The Race

I showed up at the race start at 7 AM for an 8 AM start.  It took a bit to find the location but it was in the same place as the starting line at the Friday the 13th race. I managed to get my t-shirt and bib in a few minutes.  

I had parked on the surface streets figuring that was the easiest way to get out of the race site after the race.  So I tucked my bag into the bushes and did some warm-ups.  

Park Amenities

First thing I realized was that it was breezy and hot; my car had read 88 or 89 on the way in.  I didn't realize how windy it was until the race started. I think I was so concerned about the heat that I forget to check in with the wind.

I did about a 20 minute warm-up.  Some strides, easy jogging and drills.  The heat was sapping my strength.  

I was ready to race at the start time of 8 AM.  However, it wasn't until 8:08 or so before the organizer started to explain why we were running, course instructions and the National Anthem.  By the time we assembled onto the start line, the temperature had probably gone up another degree or two and it was now after 8:20.

Stretch of Trail to run on.

The race was held on a side walk / bike trail and I was expecting the worst as far as being hemmed in and not being able to run at my own pace.  Fortunately, I think most people were fairly respectful and the race was chip timed so I never really ran into any problems.

We left the starting area and dashed towards the main road and jumped on a sidewalk.  By the time I had gotten to the sidewalk, the front runners were well ahead of me and honestly, I could run my own race.  Although the wind from the west was taking its toll and the heat intensity ramped up a notch.

My legs felt tired too, which surprised me given that I had taken the week pretty light.  The group of 20 people or so ahead of me were making ground on me and soon enough, I found myself running more or less solo.  They had gapped me and there was a small group behind me.

Views of the desert

The first mile yielded a 9:00 minute per mile.  Slow.  But looking at the gain of elevation, I had run up about 60 feet, which is substantial.

The start of mile 2 though, gave me some momentum.  We were on the bike trail that meanders through the desert and I was actually picking off people . One by one, I get behind someone, turn on the jets and move forward.  I had been scoping for people in my age group and most of the group were well under my age -- until a guy with gray hair pulled aside me and then cruised past.  Judging by his appearance he was in my age group.  My goal was to hang with him or break him.  

My competitive nature only lasted for a while and slowly the guy gained ground on me and left me in his dust.

Mile 2 came in at a respectful 8:50. Slower than I would've liked but the heat and wind were taking its toll.  Even with the wind at my back, it just seemed to blowing in my face. 

One of the quirks about the race was that we had to run to the finish line, which would be around mile 2.20, go under the arches, turn around, go out for about .45 of a mile and come back.  This seemed really complicated and I saw a few people go under the arch and disappear for quite a bit longer than a turn around.  Fortunately I had gotten the message and went back out.  Mentally, it was taxing to do this.

My pace was ruined at this point.  There weren't any aid stations on the course and my mouth was dry.  My head felt a little swimmy too.  It was just so hot. At this point, I was in survival mode as I shuffled along.  

The lead pack were already coming back to their finish (the winning time was around 19:30).  

I was worried about the turn around -- would it be clear as to where I was to turn around -- the short answer was yes.  The organizer had done a wonderful job at making sure the course was absolutely clear and more or less the distance was accurate.

I rebounded a little on the way in but more or less the race was over for me.  I lurched over the finish line just under 29 minutes.

Waiting for Awards

Conclusion

Well, this race didn't exactly go to plan.  I had put in a solid summer of work for this one and going in, I had reasonable expectations that if the weather was good, I'd have a shot at an improvement.  The weather on this one was dreadful (and no fault of the organizer's).

With the temperature just hovering close to 90F and with a stiff breeze that seemed to offer a headwind for most of the race, the day was going to be more about survival than PRs.

So a part of me is very frustrated with my experience.  I wanted to see a glimmer of hope that I had improved and it just wasn't there today.

The course was accurate and despite some of the initial confusion about an out-and-back, I didn't have anything to worry about in regards to missing a turn.  I knew the course and it is a scenic and fun one.  The organization that this race supports is also worthy and I was fun to be there.

Post race refreshments were pretty simple. They had a lot of post race beverages and snacks, but after the race I didn't really take advantage of them.  It took a while for me to feel well enough.  I had brought my own post race beverages as well.  I managed to grab a granola bar and a can of an energy drink.

Officer we were running for

The t-shirt was cool with a nice design.  It is cotton though, so one I probably won't wear too much other than bumming around the house.  The finisher's medal was nice as well.  Those supporting the race were friendly enough and there was a friendly vibe about the race.

Sadly, there weren't any aid stations (that I saw) on the course. As hot as the day was, it probably would've been nice to have at least one.  I am trained well enough to get through a 5K without needing one, but today was definitely one I probably would've grabbed a beverage -- at least to rinse out my mouth.  The age group awards were also too wide.  I was in the 41 to 60 age group, and the winners looked to be just over 40 and not closer to my age.  I think I would've placed 2nd in the 50 - 59 had they had 10 year increments and I think I was the only one in a 55 - 59 age group.

I had a good time at this race.  I love Mountain's Edge Park and I enjoyed the course and supporting a worthwhile event. As a competitive runner, it just wasn't my day.  It was nice to toe the line again and push it, but I was left with more questions than answers.

Upcoming Races

01/10: 2027 Las Vegas Half Marathon - Las Vegas, NV (Confirmed)

01/23: 2027 Sun Half Marathon - St George, UT (Confirmed)

02/21: 2027 Las Vegas Half Marathon - Las Vegas, NV (Confirmed) 

04/03: 2027 Mount Charleston Half Marathon - Las Vegas, NV (Canceled)