Maybe you’ve heard of the Blue Ridge Marathon…
Maybe you read my race report from running the half last year…
Maybe you like a little challenge…
Ok, maybe it’s more than a little challenge! There might be a few hills mountains.
From the official Blue Ridge Marathon website:
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 2012 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?
- What: Full & Half Marathon. 5-Person Team Relay. Walking Half. YMCA Kids Marathon
- Where: Roanoke, VA and Blue Ridge Parkway
- Date: April 20, 2013
- Start Time: 7:30 am
- Begins: Taubman Museum of Art
- Ends: Taubman Museum of Art
- Total Elevation Change: ~7,234 ft. (full), ~2,500 ft. (half)
- Most Difficult Section: Roanoke Mountain on Blue Ridge Parkway
- Awards: All runners receive finisher medals. Top male and top female finisher of full marathon receive a Tag Heuer watch courtesy of Fink’s Jewelers
- Beneficiary: Friends of the Blue Ridge Parkway
- Honorary Race Chair: Rep. Bob Goodlatte (Va)
- Magnificent Views: Plenty
Net proceeds from this race will go to Friends of the Blue Ridge Parkway – the official National Park Service Blue Ridge Parkway’s 501(c)(3) membership organization for visitors to the Blue Ridge Parkway. Friends of the Blue Ridge Parkway works tirelessly to protect, preserve, and enhance the Blue Ridge Parkway – a national treasure!
Sounds awesome, right? It is! It was the hardest half I’ve ever done, but it was absolutely one of the best organized and friendliest races I’ve ever run. Assuming I survive my 5 in 5, I plan to go back again this year for the half.
Anyways, I’m taking a moment from my preparation for Hurricane Sandy, AKA the Frankenstorm, to give you a chance to win an entry.
Good luck! And hopefully we’ll continue to have power and I can tell you all about my crazy weekend!
Disclaimer: Blue Ridge Marathon provided me with a free entry for myself and a free entry to give away. All opinions are my own.
this nonrunner is SHARING with her zany runner friends 🙂
Fun giveaway!! My most challenging marathon was the New River Marathon in Boone, NC last May. I clocked 5k feet in elevation change, and it was my first ever full! I should’ve read the course description better, huh? 😛
My most challenging half was the RNRNola race two years ago. The week before the race I had tons of sinus issues going on. I started feeling better and then the day before the race I started feeling pretty yucky. I still got up the next day to run the race. It was so hard though because I felt so bad. I did finish but now where near where I thought I would. The next day I went to the doctor and found out I had the flu. So yes…running a half marathon with the flu was super challenging!
I’m a Marathon Maniac who just ran MCM yesterday. Our flights were cancelled. Trains weren’t running. On a bus now trying to escape Sandy. This sounds like another awesome challenge. 🙂
My most challenging half was a trail half marathon. It was my first trail race, so I wasn’t sure what to expect. I was expecting a technical course, with a few hills, but not all technical, all hills. It’s taught me to prepare a little more for races. :o)
This sounds awesome and amazing! Count me in as an entry! Why the heck not? 🙂
This sounds like a fun challenge. I’d love to win an entry!
This half is on my list of must do’s — I want to be a bad a** half marathoner!
Living less than an hour from the marathon I have heard about it for the last couple of years and I would love to try the challenge.
Yay! I hope I win the entry 🙂
Found you through the BT thread – another running momma here !
So far my toughest half was at Hershey. Rolling hills, but nothing like this one!!
My most challenging half was the Pensacola Half earlier this year. It’s a superflat course, so I was hoping for a PR. I was prepared, physically and mentally, but the heat and lack of shade wore on me, and I wound up with heat exhaustion by mile 10. Worst last 3.1 miles of a half I’ve ever stumbled through…
I’ve only run one half so far, in hilly Charlottesville. Earlier this year I actually started training for the Blue Ridge Marathon to be my first, until I injured my foot. But I’m better now (running the Richmond half next weekend) and have been thinking about trying for the Blue Ridge full again next year!