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☰
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 31 to 41]
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B. P. from Easton, MD
(4/19/2016)
"You won't regret it, but your legs might" (about: 2016)
6-10 previous marathons
| 2 Blue Ridge Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Have run the Full twice. This year was my first half here. Live in a very flat area now and my legs did not love the downhills. The course is beautiful and Roanoke, VA is a great little city. Absolutely consider this race. | |
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S. G. from Washing ton DC
(4/19/2016)
"Amazing racing experience" (about: 2016)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Blue Ridge Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I have run 7 marathons, 20+ half and countless sub 13.1 distance races in the past 6 years. By far this was the most challenging course ever. And this is the most well organized event as well, with plenty of hydration stops and availability of gu / bananas / oranges. There was a lot of good energy coming from the spectators and volunteers throughout the race. And there was more than enough enthusiastic volunteers around the whole time. | |
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J. C. from Baltimore, MD
(4/19/2016)
"Challenging and friendly" (about: 2016)
11-50 previous marathons
| 4-5 Blue Ridge Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I absolutely love this marathon, and it gets better every year. I have zero complaints about this race (though my quads might disagree). The race organization is flawless. Logistics are easy. The town and music festival are welcoming. The volunteers are beyond helpful, and also extremely friendly and supportive. The course is beautiful and challenging (which might be an understatement). Due to the tough course, I have never seen another race with such a sense of camaraderie and accomplishment. This race is quickly gaining momentum as an experience that attracts runners from around the country. This is not a typical marathon, and has become my annual favorite race. | |
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M. D. from New York City, NY
(4/28/2015)
"Big mountain course, small town hospitality!!" (about: 2015)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Blue Ridge Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The same way as there is no way to prepare yourself with this tough course, unless you live in Roanoke, there is also no way to prepare yourself for how nice this town is, unless you live there too. The 1000s of volunteers and spectators, to the scores of EMT and Police Officers that help made the 'toughest road marathon in America' feel like a walk in the park. So what if the park happens to be a very hilly Blue Ridge PARKway, the city's sunny southern hospitality made this 'Yankee' feel right at home. I have run dozens of marathons in the east coast from VT to FL, and this marathon is definitely in my top 3. | |
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a. b. from North Carolina
(4/24/2015)
"one of the best" (about: 2015)
50+ previous marathons
| 1 Blue Ridge Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Having run over 90 ultras and 30ish marathons, I must say this was one of the most organized and fun event have participated in. Do yourself a favor and do not wear headphones: the volunteers, spectators and communities provide excellent cheering and music on their own. Very welcoming and fun. Tough? Only because there are hills and it is a marathon. Everything else was fun & easy. (By the way, if you are like me and like hills & this distance, those are fun too). | |
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Patrick Woodford from Roanoke, VA
(4/23/2015)
"Great first marathon experience" (about: 2015)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Blue Ridge Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Coming from someone who is used to racing mostly 5k's and smaller events, the Blue Ridge Marathon was an incredible experience for me. I had never run a marathon before Saturday, but I'm so glad I chose this one as my first. I placed second in the race and must say that one of my favorite things was being right behind the WDBJ7 lead vehicle for the first half when the eventual winner and I were still battling it out. It gave me a rush of adrenaline and made the race feel even more 'big-time' to have that kind of news coverage for the event. I have nothing to compare it to since Blue Ridge was my first marathon, but I really did think the course was very well put together and challenging. Kudos to Pete and everyone else who worked many hours to make this race run as smoothly as it did. Only being in it's 6th year, the Blue Ridge Marathon seems to be a well-oiled machine. My only small complaint is that around mile 22-23 there weren't many spectators around. I'm not sure if they just didn't really know about the race in that specific area or hadn't come out yet, but around Highland Avenue before you cross the bridge to run down to the greenway I was really feeling rough and could've used a little extra support. But like I said, maybe it was just me in 'no-man's land', and they came out after I had already passed by. Also, I heard a couple other runners talking about maybe re-organizing the aid stations more strategically over the last 5-6 miles or so, and I agree with that for the most part. Overall, I thought the spectators were amazing. Other than my little nitpick, I felt an incredible sense of support throughout the race from the crowds, especially in South Roanoke going up Peakwood. Great stuff! Also, the aid stations were awesome in general as well. The GU around mile 20 probably saved my life. Again, I wouldn't have wanted my first marathon experience to go any other way. Thanks to everyone who made the Blue Ridge Marathon a huge success and I look forward to the future of this race. Maybe I'll come back and try to win the overall title next year, pending a decision to run Boston or not. I'll definitely plan on running this race a few more times in my lifetime and will be excited to see how the event continues to grow. | |
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Michelle Bouvier from Roanoke, VA
(4/22/2015)
"A definite must run bucket list marathon!" (about: 2015)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Blue Ridge Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my 5th marathon and 1st Blue Ridge Marathon. I've lived in Roanoke my whole life but it took me 5 years to get up the courage to attempt this race. I'm so glad that I did. Even though it got kind of hot....up to about 85 by the finish......it was a good challenge the entire time. I had trained well and on the course over the past few months which gave me an edge and I felt good. The water stops were well placed and the crowd support was pretty amazing, even on the greenway in places which I found surprising! There is no more elating of a feeling than crossing that finishline knowing you just ran America's toughest road marathon! And, I did it in my goal time of under 5 hours at 4:52!! I was really stoked! Highly recommended for marathoners who enjoy a good challenge, mad bragging rights, and a proud memorable race experience! :-) | |
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C. B. from Salem, Virginia
(4/22/2015)
"One you'll wish you could do more than once a year" (about: 2015)
4-5 previous marathons
| 2 Blue Ridge Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Runners can be gluttons for punishment, and the marketing of this race really feeds in to that. But don't be fooled you will enjoy every moment of this race, despite the continuous climbs and steep down hills. The scenery alone is worth the effort, but you get so much more from this race perfect organization, community involvement, incredible volunteers, great swag, wonderful location, more pre and post race events than you could hope to fit in, pride, and warm fuzzies that will linger for weeks afterward. Yes, the course is challenging, but not undoable with dedicated training, and the atmosphere is totally a one of camaraderie. Official volunteers as well as unofficial neighborhood volunteers and police managing traffic cheer you on and make you feel like an elite runner, encouraging you while eager to meet your every need (sprinklers, food, water, you name it). I've run Richmond twice, billed as America's friendliest marathon, but don't believe it the Blue Ridge far surpasses it. This race leaves you with a definite feel of accomplishment, as well, and great bragging rights. A week after running it for the second time, I feel like I could run it again this week, and the next, and the next...wish it was put on in the fall as well as the spring! You leave this race saying to yourself, 'This is why I run.' | |
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Margaret Smith from Baltimore, Maryland
(4/22/2015)
"Hardest race you'll ever love." (about: 2015)
11-50 previous marathons
| 3 Blue Ridge Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I thought this was a bucket lister - a race that I had to do once, just to say I did it. The difficulty of the course and the fact that I'd climb over 7,400 ft of elevation during the race had me thinking it would be a 'one and done' type of event. Instead, I've kept coming back to Roanoke! I've tackled the mountains three years in a row and fully intend to make it 4, 5, 6, 7... You get the idea! The race is very well organized and the staff are super friendly. The volunteers are second to none - it's always fantastic to see their enthusiasm. The crowds are amazing - Peakwood, I love you. It is my favorite race - this year sealed the deal for me. I've run over 30 marathons to include some international ones and Blue Ridge takes the cake. | |
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T. B. from Roanoke, VA
(4/22/2015)
"Worth it!" (about: 2015)
4-5 previous marathons
| 3 Blue Ridge Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Tough, tough course but awesome experience. Have done over 20 marathons and half-marathons all over the country. Roanoke had the best, quickest and easiest packet pickup. Took me longer to get out of the parking garage than to go thru the packet pickup process. Great race! |
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