If there is one marathon I am glad I did before I died it was Blue Ridge. The hills(mountains)are no joke, but are worth the climb to the breath-taking views. The spectators were hugely supportive. I was impressed with the numerous tables of goodies set aside for runners at the end of driveways as we made our way through beautiful neighborhoods (miles 16-21).

I highly recommend training properly for this race. I focused on steep hills for my long runs (your legs need to get used to the ups and downs), in combination with plyometrics,core and leg strengthening. The result was an awesome medal and award for first place in my division.

This is a small scale race with only 300 full marathoners. The runners made conversation as we made our way up the mountains. I arrived at the start an hour before the race to find no evidence of a start line. There was a concession stand to purchace water and breakfast and a total of 10 porta potties. I gave the race a 4 for organization because I felt the start could have been more organized and should have free water for runners. The finish also required a license and $5 to get a beer, neither of which a runner typically carries.

Roanoke is a beautiful city with many ameneties to enjoy while you visit.

The Course: Gorgeous. The first half is mostly on the parkway. It's quiet, little spectators but beautiful views and mostly closed off to traffic.
The second half gets you in the neighborhoods of Roanoke with a little more spectators (not too many until the finish line) and a section on the Greenway.
Mountain or hills training is a necessity.
Organization: Top Notch. Great logistics and amenities. Plenty of aid stations with great volunteers, food and drink for every one. Each with porta potties. Course was easy to follow and police did a great job with the traffic.
Finish line food and massage were great.
Finisher's medal and awards are beautiful. The race is still small, I expect that will change, but it's a good way to place in age groups.
Could have done with women size shirts (they said they will in 2013).
I will do it again. Oh yes and first marathon for me but with the right training and no fear of walking, it's totally doable.

I don't know if this is really America's Toughest, but it is most certainly one tough marathon. I took a walk-run approach on the uphills, but there's no getting away from the pounding you get on the downhills. When it finally flattens out at mile 21, it's just a fight to hang on to the finish.

Beautiful course, weather was nearly perfect, and there were fans even on the isolated parts of the course. Great to see the whole community get behind this race.

I've run this race every year so far...I hope I can still say that in 10 years or more. Love the course, love the spectators and volunteers. So well-organized and tons of support. This was my 7th marathon and I took 10 minutes off last year's time. But, as I say every year, what's up with the shirts? My medium is HUGE! Love the design this year - just wish I could actually wear it to advertise the race.

I enjoyed everything I did to train and race in this marathon. It was my first marathon. I was fine until the sun burnt through the cloud cover and the temperature spiked beyond the forecast by 8-10 degrees. I was not ready for that, at all.

The course was incredibly challenging, but beautiful and fun. The two starting mountains are difficult, but Peakwood Dr. (mile 17) is the killer because of the long gentle hill before it (Avenham Ave.) The hills are steep up and down.

I do not recommend this for a first-timer. I did it, but I grew up in Roanoke and was aware of the course. I trained for over a year on hills in Louisville, but a steep 2 mile climb is hard to train for in the mid-west.

The expo was a little sparse and weak, but the run makes up for it. I did suffer heat exhaustion and was cared for well. The stations were spaced well along the course and there was at least a couple trained medical people traveling the course between stations.

I will run it again despite my wife's protests.

I was so disappointed to have to pull out of Boston this year after training hard to be ready for heartbreak. Then, I discovered this race close by and only one week later. It was a great challenge for even the fittest and I had an awesome experience. Even got a laugh out of the spectators going up hills around mile 18 with a Tour de France comment. Had a wonderful experience running on the parkway and to have Bill Rodgers supporting the race was extra special! With the shake of his hand in the awards, I told him it was much tougher than Boston and I think he agreed. Thanks to all of the volunteers who really took care of us during and after the race. Job well done!

I just completed the Blue Ridge Marathon for the second time. It's not just a uniquely beautiful and challenging race course, its held in the charming town of Roanoke in conjunction with a music festival (Down by Downtown) and the Roanoke Twilight Criterium (bike) races. I had such a great time in 2011 despite the rainy and windy conditions during race that year, that I made it a point to sign up again this year. This year I was rewarded with beautiful weather and breathtaking views from the top of Roanoke and Mill Mountains. So sign up, train hard, and bring your family and/or friends to Roanoke next year for a great weekend.

This race is tough and challenging. I did the 1/2 and the organization is great, support phenominal, and the course one of the best.

I simply cannot put into words how awesome this race is and what a GREAT experience it has been the past two years! Love the city of Roanoke, race is VERY well organized, volunteers and race coordinators are super friendly, and all the runners seem to be out there just having a fun time despite the challenging course. Aid stations are well stocked and well placed (I don't think we go more than 1.5mi without an aid station in the full). The spectators are super and stay out there cheering until the last runner comes home. The race director is very passionate about this event and shakes EVERYONE'S hand as they come across the finish line. The finish line festival and weekend activities in downtown Roanoke were great!! Overall a fun, FUN race in a beautiful area! The course is very challenging, but absolutely worth every mile!!

The hardest of all my 112 marathons and ultras. Lots and lots of long and neverending mountains but we were rewarded with beautiful vistas, wonderful people, great volunteers, and terrific organization. Cannot find fault with anything, really, plus we had wonderful weather as well. Not for the faint of heart but great for those wanting a challenge. Unique awards (railroad ties made into the shapes of runners)for age group winners.