Blue Ridge Marathon 2024 Race Guide

THE OFFICIAL 2024 FOOT LEVELERS BLUE RIDGE MARATHON RACE GUIDE

WELCOME, RUNNERS!

Dear Foot Levelers Blue Ridge Marathon Participant,

Dear Foot Levelers Blue Ridge Running Par ticipant,

Welcome to “America’s Toughest Road Races”! We’re thrilled you’re participating in this incredible event, and we wish you the best of luck in your race. Foot Levelers is proud to celebrate our eleventh year as the title sponsor of this unique marathon that draws runners worldwide to our community.

Welcome to “America’s Toughest Road Race” We’re glad that you’re par t of the event and wish you all the best on your race. Foot Levelers is proud to celebrate our tenth year as title sponsor of this one-of-a-kind event that draws runners f rom around the world to our community

Par ticipating in races like this is an outstanding way to challenge yourself, stay active and practice proactive health. We want to help you perform at your peak and reduce your risk of injuries.

Participating in races like the Blue Ridge Marathon is a remarkable way to challenge yourself, stay fit, and enhance your overall health. At Foot Levelers, we want to help you perform at your peak and reduce your risk of injuries. We prioritize whole body health by starting at the foundation – the feet. Our custom flexible orthotics are designed to balance and stabilize while supporting all three arches of the foot. We encourage you to find a healthcare provider who offers our custom orthotics and Shoethotics® by visiting FootLevelers.com.

Our custom flexible or thotics are designed to balance and stabilize your entire body f rom its foundation: the feet They ’ re the only ones that suppor t all three of the foot’s arches, for optimal overall health. We encourage you to visit FootLevelers.com to find a healthcare provider who o ers our custom or thotics and or thotic footwear and experience the benefits for yourself

During the event, visit our tents to learn more about our New XP3® Sport Collection – sports-specific, custommade orthotics - and how they can improve your performance and recovery.

Once again, congratulations on your participation; we look forward to seeing you on Race Day!

Once again, we’d like to congratulate you on your par ticipation and look for ward to seeing you on Race Day!

Yours in Health,

Through every mile,

K ent S . G r een a wal t

Foo t L eveler s C h airman a n d C E O

Race WEEKEND EVENT SCHEDULE

FRIDAY, APRIL 19, 2024

WELCOME TO ROANOKE!

3:00-8:00PM WELCOME PARTY!

3-8pm Packet Pick Up begins at the park at 3pm.

• Visit the Foot Levelers Tents: 1st 200 scanned win a T-shirt & XP3™ Recover slide. Valid April 19th.

• Catch up on the new offerings from Altra, the Official Shoe of the Blue Ridge Marathon.

• Peruse race merch and pick up last-minute items from Recover and Fleet Feet Sports Roanoke.

4:30 pm Elmwood Amphitheater gates open for the Freedom First Down by Downtown Music Festival. On stage: Margo Price. Runners and volunteers get discounted tickets: use code RunBlueRidge and show your volunteer tee or race bib.

SATURDAY, APRIL 20, 2024

RACE DAY!

1:00AM/2:30AM: Double Marathon starts! Doublers, see prerace emails for details.

5:30-7:00AM: Packet Pick Up on Elmwood Park Stage for those who didn’t make it Friday. No race day registration.

7:35AM: Race Start! While passing the Mill Mountain Star, capture your achievement with a Foot Levelers photographer. Visit Foot Levelers tents to access your digital photo memories.

7:45AM: Carilion Children’s Family 1 Miler Start!

8:00AM-3:00PM: Finish Festival at Elmwood Park Awards Ceremonies: Elmwood Park Stage.

NEW THIS YEAR: Age group awards will be available as soon as the results have posted. Visit the awards booth to pick up your runner spike and pose for a photo. Awards ceremonies will now award overall and masters winners only, then all present age group winners will be recognized together and invited to down to the stage for a group photo.

Recovery Zone & Food Tent: Massage, physical therapy, ice footbaths, chocolate milk, fresh hot pizza, and more!

• Look for the custom medal engraving area to get your name and time added to the back of your medal!

Earth Day Celebration: Peruse local sustainability exhibitors while you cheer on runners as they turn the final corner to the finish line!

On stage, Live Music & Awards: Grab your free finisher brew from Beales, Parkway, or Athletic and enjoy the show!

• 10:30am: Anthem Star 10K

• 11:00am: War Chile

• 12:00pm: Half Marathon

• 12:00pm: Phat Anchovies

• 2:00pm: Full Marathon, Double Marathon & Relay

• 2:30pm: Lazy Man Dub Band

• 4:00pm: The Judy Chops

Freedom First Down by Downtown has shows going all day!

After things wrap up at Elmwood Park, take a shower, grab Dinner in Downtown Roanoke, and then head out for a show! From acoustic sets to rock n roll, chill outdoor patios to late night party scenes, and everything in between. You’re bound to find at least one show worth a stop.

SUNDAY, APRIL 21, 2024

EPIC RECOVERY DAY

AMERICA’S SLOWEST 5K PRESENTED BY ALTRA:

7:30 AM: Registration/Check-in Opens (Save time, register online now!)

8:00-8:45 AM: Pre-race goat yoga starts, coffee, and donuts available for registered runners. Altra shoe demos available. Biscuits & mimosas on sale.

Around 9:00 AM: Ceremonial biting-of-the-donut and Slow-K Start!

9:30 AM -12:00 PM: As you return from the Slow-K, enjoy

yourself in the shady Dog Bowl market with all of the Slow-K offerings:

• Altra Shoes – Be sure to catch up with our friends from Altra to demo a pair of their state-of-the-art road runners. Also a great time to pick up your next pair of shoes!

• Recovery area – Compression boots, rollers, massagers, and more available to all participants at the Fleet Feet recovery tent.

10:00 AM : Post-race goat yoga for registered Slow-K runners.

9:30 AM – 4:00 PM: DOG BOWL MARKET & LIVE MUSIC: Enjoy guest vendors, plus over 100 local artisans and vendors located inside The Marketplace at Black Dog Salvage. All items for sale are either handmade locally or vintage.

Live Music will be:

• 10AM – 11:30AM: Foster Burton & PJ George

• 12:00PM – 1:30 PM: Winn, Mesko, & Young

• 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM: GAK

Food & Drink Options:

• Rock n Roll Diner Food Truck

• Craft Beer by Parkway Brewing

• Mimosas

spectator zones

For hikers from the Star Trail Parking Lot. Walk up the trail less than a mile to intersect the JB Fisburn Parkway and hit the runners at Mile 2. Continue hiking to the star on the trail for the full runners at Mile 13.

First Presbyterian Parking Lot. Great location for families with kids. After catching the halfers at mile 6.5 walk over to Sweet Donkey Coffee shop for a treat and then head back to Jefferson street (near the church for mile 11.5). The coffee shop and Jefferson are also on the full course at mile 15.5 and 20.5

Street Parking near Wasena Park. For Full marathon spectators only. Walk to Winchester Ave. for mile 23 and then one block over to Winona Ave. for mile 25 and then make a mad dash to the finish (or just run with them).

Street Parking near Highland Park. Full Marathon spectators only. Watch marathoners along mile 22 and then walk over to Luck Ave. to catch them at mile 25.5. Then on to the finish line.

DON’T FORGET TO DOWNLOAD THE RACE APP

Make sure to download “Blue Ridge Marathon 2024.” Features include real-time runner tracking, course and parking maps, expo info, and event schedule. Runner tracking lets spectators “watch” runners on a course map, with optional notifications for crossing timing mats and instant finish line results.

BIB COLORS

MARATHON BIB INFO

Vincent VanGOAT

If you’re a spectator of the event it may help to know who is running what distance. Just check their bibs!

RED — FULL MARATHON YELLOW — HALF MARATHON GREEN — 10K PINK — DOUBLE PURPLE — RELAY

LIVE RESULTS

Download the Run BRM app to follow multiple runners at the same time. Just enter a bib # or name, and you can follow in real time. Runners will also get notifications of their official chip time and place right when they cross the finish line.

LOCAL CRAFT BEER

Thanks to Parkway Brewery and Beale's Brewery, runners are invited to celebrate their accomplishments with a free beer at the Finish Festival. If you’re over the age of 21, look for the Beer Tag on your bib to redeem yours.

15 YEAR RUNNERS GOATS

THESE RUNNERS HAVE RUN EVERY YEAR OF THE BLUE RIDGE MARATHON SINCE THE FIRST RACE IN 2010. IF YOU SEE THEM, GIVE THEM A HIGH FIVE!

Jennifer Gagnon

Alfredo Huerta

That’s five races, for a total of 101 Miles and 26,280’ elevation change! Come to the Slow K to see who makes it to the Full GOAT!

Jerry Ballard

Matthew Bright

Raymond Brown

Jim Casey

Hampton Pasley

Keya Price

Marcus Speaker

Nathaniel Wooden

Matthew Dufraine

ORTHO LIKE NO OTHER

Only at Carilion Clinic will you find the largest team of sports medicine experts in our region. Because whether it’s surgery to restore movement or innovative treatments to speed healing, our real specialty is getting you back to what you love. Make your appointment today and see the difference our difference can make for you.

A Symphony of Venues

UNCOVER ROANOKE’S ART AND MUSIC CULTURE AT THE FREEDOM FIRST DOWN BY DOWNTOWN FESTIVAL

Roanoke bursts with vibrant energy during the Freedom

First Down by Downtown Festival, and the diverse stages serve as stops on this musical odyssey. Each venue offers a unique experience, catering to different tastes and moods. Let's explore some of the festival's highlights:

WANDER THE STREETS OF DOWNTOWN ROANOKE:

• Elmwood Park The city's heart beats in this sprawling park. The iconic amphitheater serves as the festival center. Spread a blanket on the grassy hill, grab some food from local food trucks, and lose yourself in the music. Can’t Miss: Margo Price with Caitlin Krisko & The Broadcast and Corey Hunley.

• Martin's Downtow n This iconic downtown bar and grill holds a special place in Roanoke’s nightlife. Live music, burgers, pickle shots… be sure you end at least one night of the festival here. Can’t Miss: Captain Midnight

• The Spot on Kirk This intimate venue is a musiclistening haven. No bad seats and a chance to connect with artists on a whole new level. Enjoy a diverse lineup of shows ranging from comedy acts to family-friendly

performances. Can’t Miss: DJ Williams

• 5 Points Music Sanctuary A 20’s era church reimagined as a music venue with the power of sound at its core, this is a special venue where live events support programs for hearing loss, music therapy, and music education. Can’t Miss: My Radio

IMMERSE YOURSELF IN THE HISTORIC MARKET AREA:

• The City Market Building : This 130-year-old landmark boasts an open-air market on Campbell Ave downtown. Pop-in for Down by Downtown brunch in the bustling market atmosphere.

• Fork in the Market: A Roanoke staple and a must-stophere venue for any night out in the Market area. They’ll be putting on one heck of show Saturday evening, but sure you stop by!

• Market Square: Lined with shops and restaurants, no trip to Roanoke is complete without wandering the Market. Pause for a spell and soak in the shows and also the sights.

• The Taubman Museum of Art : Art and architecture

collide in this prestigious venue. Wander captivating exhibits before taking in a show.

• Three Notch’d Brewing Company: Perched on the corner of Market Street and Campbell Avenue, this threelevel venue is perfect for people-watching and enjoying a show while also enjoying beer cheese and pretzel bites.

EXPLORE 10 MINUTES FROM ELMWOOD:

• Sweet Donkey Coffee House: This popular coffee spot offers welcoming, family-friendly evenings at their Friday Food Truck and Tunes.

• Starr Hill Brewery and Side Stage: Sip on awardwinning brews while enjoying foot-stomping music. Be sure to give Aaron behind the bar a high-five!

• 3rd Street Coffee House: The basement of Trinity UMC, this hidden gem is for the musical purists. No loud dishes or clanking glasses, folks go to 3rd Street for intimate sets with national songwriters.

• The Village Grill: Head southwest to Grandin Road for

this welcoming neighborhood hub. Enjoy great food, live music on the patio, and a sense that you’re part of the family.

VIBE WITH THE MURALS AND CRAFT BREWS OF WEST STATION:

• Big Lick Brewing Company: Another haven for beer lovers, head to West Station where Big Lick Brewery offers a spacious patio, fire pits, and stages inside and out. Wash down the music with craft brew and enjoy the brewery’s industrial charm.

• Twisted Track Brewpub: Come hungry and ready to be entertained. This meeting place offers upscale pub fare, a gorgeous patio, and creative small batch brews.

• Golden Cactus Brewing Company: Vibes abound at this hub of craft beer, foodie faves, and funky décor. A fully insta-worthy experience: this brewery boasts countless murals, vintage gaming machines, and a completely cozy patio.

EMMYLOU HARRIS CORY WONG BROKE MOUNTAIN BLUEGRASS BAND NORTH MISSISSIPPI ALLSTARS BIG SOMETHING DANIEL DONATO’S COSMIC COUNTRYX2 TAUK MOORE JIM LAUDERDALE & THE GAME CHANGERS DOGS IN A PILE COUCH CAITLIN KRISKO & THE BROADCAST DOGS IN A PILE THE SELDOM SCENE THE MOUNTAIN GRASS UNIT COUCH CAITLIN KRISKO & THE BROADCAST YARN ROOSTER WALK HOUSE BAND ARKANSAUCE SNEEZY MYRON ELKINS AND SO MANY MORE! MAY 23-26, 2024