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Jun 13, 2024

Blue Ridge Marathon Runner Comments

Back to Blue Ridge Marathon Information & Reviews

Course 5.0

Organization 4.9

Spectators 4.7

Number of comments: 187 [displaying comments 111 to 121]

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Matthew Hillmer from Covington,VA (4/21/2013) "Roanoke, you are the Greatest!" (about: 2013) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Blue Ridge Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 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.
D. R. from Cincinnati, OH (4/21/2013) "Awesome Marathon!" (about: 2013) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Blue Ridge Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 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!
Colleen Hebert from Granby, CT (4/28/2012) "Bucket List Marathon!" (about: 2012) 11-50 previous marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 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.
Cecile Wight from Asheville, NC (4/26/2012) "Beautiful tough course wtih top notch organization" (about: 2012) First Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 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.
Dave Munger from Davidson, North Carolina (4/26/2012) "Excellent, challenging race" (about: 2012) 3 previous marathons \| 1 Blue Ridge Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 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.
J. G. from Christiansburg, VA (4/26/2012) "Third year and counting" (about: 2012) 6-10 previous marathons \| 3 Blue Ridge Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 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.
k. G. from Louisville, KY (4/25/2012) "Running uphill over and over and over" (about: 2012) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Blue Ridge Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 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.
Rob Waddell from Richmond, Virginia (4/25/2012) "Great Race, Nice Surprise" (about: 2012) 11-50 previous marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 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!
Rich Mayer from Greensboro, NC (4/24/2012) "Great Race, Great Town, Great Weekend" (about: 2012) 4-5 previous marathons \| 2 Blue Ridge Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 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.
M. C. from Alexandria, VA (4/24/2012) "Awesome Race!!" (about: 2012) 6-10 previous marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 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.

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