This was my first half marathon, and I don't think I could have chosen a better one. The organization was top notch, nothing was left to chance and they kept runners updated right up until the day of the race. The course was beautiful and varied, with lots of uphills and downhills, flats, and picturesque views up the mountain, down the mountain, and through neighborhoods, parks, and the downtown areas. The entire community, not just the race organizers make you feel so welcome and are so encouraging - I was amazed at the volunteers and community who came out to cheer us on along the entire course. There were more than enough water stations and pit stops, well placed. The police presence was strong, but in no way dampened the race. Kudos to the officers who maintained security and directed traffic, they truly made the runners their top priority. The finish line was a celebration, with Fleet Feet sports providing lots of great food and drinks for recovery, massages and foam rollers to imediately address any aches or pains. I love the finishers medal, it is beautiful and of high quality. Overall, a great race, and as tired as my legs are a day after finishing it, I am ready to do it again!

Obviously I don't have anything to compare this course to as it was my first, but I decided to take on the toughest so that every other race would seem easy. The pasta dinner was amazing, the guest speakers were inspiring and gave me more of a sense of purpose for being there. The course was very difficult, I'm enlisted Active Duty in the Army, and throughout all of my training this was so much harder than anything I have been put through so far. The volunteers were amazing and the crowd was very motivating and helped to get through to each mile. The outpour of love for running and the tragedy of the Boston Marathon was overwhelming, it really made me feel like I was part of a very compassionate and loving community. I look forward to my next race wherever that may be :)

Amazing course and the most water stops I've ever seen on a course. Can't wait until next year!

2013 was my third years running it. Great crowd, great organization, and spectacular course. I am from Roanoke, and it still catches my breath each time I run the course. I improved my time by 13 minutes this year. Beautiful weather, with the colors of Dog Wood trees and Red Bud trees along with all the shades of greens over these beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains was just 'awesome.' As we all know, running a marathon is about the experience of running. You can't beat spending a weekend in Roanoke and running these beautiful mountains. Hopefully, I can continue to do this race for the next 20 years.

This year we had 1,700 runners. This race has grown from 300 runners to 1,700 in 3 years. Great turn out and everyone wore shirts, caps, or wrist bands supporting the Boston tragedy. Hats off to the organizers for supporting Boston on such a short notice, and thanks to all the runners for their support. Tragedy has brought us all closer together. Go runners all around the world.

Love this race and hope it continues to be the 'star' race of all the marathon races in the United States. I have raced in Singapore, Toronto Canada, Nashville, Baltimore, Philadelphia, etc, and this is still my favorite. Please come and run with us.

We have run this race every year since it's inauguration, and yesterday STILL managed to top expectations. Race staff, volunteers, police support, -the PEOPLE of this race are without parallel in their happy, energetic dedication to the runners. Many thanks to each and every one!

The mountainous course is unrelenting, but rewards your efforts with glorious views, lovely neighborhoods and local residents that come out in droves to cheer, feed and make us feel welcome.

Finish line is festive and well-stocked with food and drink and the only race we run with CHOCOLATE MILK! Don't ever stop the chocolate milk!

Run this race!

Overall a great, well-run half. Plenty of well-stocked aid stations, decent spectator support, and a gorgeous but challenging course. The course is difficult, but if you train for it, it isn't unmanageable. My only complaint was that the finish area didn't really seem ready for the half marathon finishers. Food was there, but massages, music, etc. weren't. I waited around for a while, but it didn't seem like it was going to happen any time soon. The event is definitely geared towards the full marathon runners, but I'd still highly recommend it as a half.

This race was awesome. Everything was well done. The views on this race is unreal!

To categorize this marathon as difficult is the epitome of understatement. The challenges it offers are difficult and continuous ... which makes its completion all the sweeter.

Thanks to the spectators,neighbors,children,fans,police, fire, and EMS personnel on the ground at the Blue Ridge Marathon today. Roanoke is one of the greatest places in the World to run. If I took something from everyplace someone offered, I would have gained 5 pounds and not needed to eat for a week. This race belongs to Roanoke and her people, with Landmarks proudly and beautifully displayed. The crowds gave me love, power, joy, strength, and some awesome frozen grapes at mile 20 when the collective downhill weighed on my IT bands. Thanks for all the high fives, I collected a little over 1,000 and only scared 3 people, this demonstrates that we are not victims of fear. My first Marathon, appropriately America's hardest road version, no longer the Green Manaleshi with the Two Prong Crown.(except Peakwood) Blue Ridge Marathon 2013 is now a good memory of how thousands of people helped one person achieve his worthy goal.

This marathon is a must-do for every marathoner. The course is extremely difficult (many hills are steep) but is equally beautiful. I took my camera!

The organization is top notch. I was very surprised all that was available along the course for runners. The usual water/gatorade/gel but also lots of candy, fruit, etc. for those who like having these items available.

I ran the full and my sister ran the half. The half marathon runners are also treated very well.

Spectators were awesome...LOTS of neighborhood support. Roanoke really comes out for this race.

Race shirt and medal for both full and half marathoners were great!

My name and hometown were announced on my finish and the race director shook my hand! Actually, the race director had a video online talking about the race and that was one of the reasons I ran it!

Run the Blue Ridge...you will NOT be sorry!