The 10th anniversary of America’s Toughest Road Race is a milestone for charitable giving and regional economic impact.
The Foot Levelers Blue Ridge Marathon is known as one of the toughest races in the world. (The Weather Channel and Runner’s World have both noted its challenging mountain route and scenic beauty.)
On April 13, Blue Ridge celebrates its 10th anniversary in Roanoke, Virginia. Even if you aren’t a runner, this event makes room for you to participate in a weekend that’s more than “just a race.” In addition to race distances including a double marathon, marathon, half marathon, 10K, relay, and 1-mile fun run, Roanoke hosts a weekend-long music festival. Known as America’s Toughest Road Marathon, the race has earned kudos from runners from all over the country and leverages that to benefit the entire region in several ways:
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- Showcase a Region: The race course shows that there is something special about the beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains and lifestyle of the Roanoke Region. The course features three separate mountain-top vistas, historic homes, an eclectic downtown, and finishes in the open-air amphitheater at Elmwood Park. The race has drawn attention from national media including The Weather Channel, ESPN, USA Today, Conde Nast Traveler, Delta Sky Magazine, and Runner’s World.
- Engage a Healthy, Active Community: The community is involved in every aspect of the race. More than 600 volunteers work to pull off this monster event and race options such as the Carilion Children’s Family 1 Miler and walking options, make America’s Toughest more accessible. There are also tailgating parties in the front yards of spectators along the course; many runners cite these homemade aid stations as what makes the race special.
- Showcase a Region: The race course shows that there is something special about the beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains and lifestyle of the Roanoke Region. The course features three separate mountain-top vistas, historic homes, an eclectic downtown, and finishes in the open-air amphitheater at Elmwood Park. The race has drawn attention from national media including The Weather Channel, ESPN, USA Today, Conde Nast Traveler, Delta Sky Magazine, and Runner’s World.
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- Give Back in a Big Way: The Blue Ridge Marathon, which is put on by the Roanoke Outside Foundation, is a 100 percent nonprofit race. Every dollar earned goes toward dozens of nonprofits throughout the region. To date, the Blue Ridge Marathon has donated $185,000 to community organizations. Benefiting charities run the gambit from groups with a mission to empower girls through running to sexual assault awareness organizations to the preservation of historic buildings to developing trail networks.
- Economic Impact: In addition to supporting nonprofits, the race has had a significant impact on the entire Roanoke Region. Since the inception of the Blue Ridge Marathon, the race has contributed $4.5 million to the regional economy. That’s money that comes into the region from travelers attending the event, hotel stays, eating at restaurants, shopping at local businesses, and visiting regional attractions. The activity supports new jobs (6.9 jobs in 2017) each year.
Whether you are from the Roanoke Region of Virginia or just visiting, being part of the Blue Ridge Marathon is something special. The race is known for a friendly atmosphere, great swag, and an amazing sense of accomplishment when you tackle these mountains. Let’s celebrate 10 years of making a difference in the world and being the healthiest versions of ourselves at America’s Toughest Road Races.
