Looking for a marathon that'll put a feather in your cap? Then the Blue Ridge Marathon on April 16th in Roanoke, VA is just the marathon for you!
Local runners have crafted one of the most challenging and beautiful marathons on the east coast. In 2010 the full marathon course included 3,076 feet of total elevation gain and 6,140 feet of total elevation change, but that just wasn’t enough. The 2011 course includes 3,620 feet of total elevation gain and 7,234 feet of total elevation change. Kind of gives new meaning to runner’s high.
The uphill portions will test each runner’s strength and endurance while the equally challenging downhill sections are sure to weed out those who are unprepared. The breathtaking views and stunning Blue Ridge Mountain scenery will offer some reprieve to runners as they persevere to the finish line! Are you up for the challenge of America’s Toughest Road Marathon?
Check out what Ronny Angell, race director of the Blue Ridge Marathon, had to say about this unique spring marathon.
Blue Ridge Marathon: America's Toughest Road Marathon from Pete Eshelman on Vimeo.
Not only will running the Blue Ridge Marathon give you an awesome marathon experience it will also benefit a great cause. Proceeds from the Blue Ridge Marathon will benefit the FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge Parkway. FRIENDS is a non-profit, volunteer organization that is dedicated to preserving and protecting the Blue Ridge Parkway, a national treasure. FRIENDS programs focus on preservation, protection and education.
Contest!
RunnerDude's Blog has great news! Race Chair-Pete Eshelman-has again graciously offered a free race entry to be given away on the blog! To Enter for a chance to win the free entry, simply email RunnerDude at runnerdudeblog@yahoo.com. Be sure to put "Blue Ridge" in the subject line of the email and include your full name in the body of the email. Deadline for entries is Thanksgiving Day! Each email entry will be assigned a number in the order that it's received. The numbers will be entered into the True Random Number Generator to select the winner. The winner will be posted on the blog on November 26th. Good luck to everyone and thanks Pete for providing RunnerDude's Blog with such a great giveaway!
You've got a great video which really shows the challenge and the beauty of the course. Indeed, there are lots of flat marathon courses (since everyone's so focused on a BQ or a PR) but one of the most memorable races I've done was similarly hilly and challenging.
ReplyDeleteThanks Mark! Can't take credit for the video, though. That was done by Pete Eshelman and the Blue Ridge Marathon. I agree, though. Sometimes it's not the time that's so rewarding, it just the accomplishment of a challenging race.
ReplyDeletewow! that looks tough... I'm used to Texas races that usually have 100-300 ft of elevation change, at most... this would kill me!!! maybe someday...
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