Blue Ridge Marathon Opens Relay Option for 2017

Want Blue Ridge Marathon bragging rights … maybe without having to run the whole 26.2 miles?

Now you can! The four-person marathon relay option is new for 2017. But there is only enough room for 14 teams, so grab your best running buddies and register right away for the race on April 22.

The only hard part is figuring out which runners will tackle which sections of America’s Toughest Road Marathon. Here’s the quick breakdown:

• Runner #1: The leadoff runner will tally 6.2 miles, including Mill Mountain.
• Runner #2: The “beast leg” includes 9.1 miles, including the Roanoke Mountain Loop along the Blue Ridge Parkway.
• Runner #3: The leg includes the notorious Peakwood Mountain; it’s not the longest leg at 6.1 miles, but is pretty darn tough.
• Runner #4: The final runner will bring it home with 4.8 miles through South Roanoke neighborhoods and downtown Roanoke.

Are you ready for the challenge?

Learn more about the race and register today

So maybe the team relay isn’t your thing. There are plenty of other challenges to help you take part in the Blue Ridge Marathon race weekend. Other race options include:

• Foot Levelers Blue Ridge Marathon: 26.2 miles of mountains, including 7,430 feet of elevation change
• Half Marathon: 13.1 miles of mountains with, 3,790 feet of elevation change
• Double Marathon: Two laps around America’s Toughest Road Marathon course – 52.4 miles – and it is sold out (watch for the double crew as they start Lap 2 with the rest of the pack)
• Anthem Star 10K: The popular option includes 6.2 miles up Mill Mountain and back down the old toll road
• Carilion Children’s Family 1-Miler: A fun run for any ability or age that starts allows participants to cross the official Blue Ridge Marathon finish line

Blue Ridge Marathon Races

• When: Saturday, April 22 at 7:35 a.m.
• Where: Starts and finishes at Elmwood Park
• Register: Online