The red building on the southwest corner of Gurley and Montezuma is the Hotel St. Michaels, the historical hotel that serves as race headquarters. There are tourist shops in the storefront spaces with the green awnings. All down the street the block is filled with western style bars, which is why the strip is called Whiskey Row, from whence the race gets its name. There are a lot more of these bars throughout the downtown area.

The race starting line is set up right outside the hotel, just beyond where the hotel ends. On a cold morning (it has been known to snow on race day), runners can wait inside the door. No buses to the starting line, no rows of portapotties to wait in line for. For $20 you can't get a much better deal.