2012 Shirt Art Contest Winners
Posted on March 21, 2012
Earlier this year we launched our first T-Shirt Art Contest, and we couldn’t be more pleased with the results.
We partnered with the Arts Council of the Blue Ridge, and had more than 40 entries. We were especially pleased to see so many entries from young, aspiring artists.
In the end, we had to choose three winners…and that wasn’t easy. But a huge congratulations goes out to Adam Harris, Julie Felton, and Megan Johnson.
Adam Harris, 1st place
Julie Felton, 2nd place
Megan Johnson, 3rd place
Get Your Question Answered by a Local Runner
Posted on February 28, 2012
A question was recently posed to us…which got us thinking – why not create a forum for runners to ask questions of local runners who have run the BRM.
If you have a question for a local runner (and it doesn’t even have to be running related), drop us an email or post it in the comment section below and we’ll get it answered pronto!
All questions and answers are also posted to our master FAQs page.
Questions:
Answered by Matt (AKA sage26), owner of Texas Tavern (which you need to visit while here):
I would say on average if you have someone that is a 3hr-4hr marathoner then they should expect our course to add an additional approx 40-70 seconds (as compared to running a flat marathon) per mile. For ex: a 3:00 marathoner should probably expect around a 3:15-3:25 on this course. A 4:00 marathoner probably somewhere in the 4:25-4:35 range.
Specifically I would say when encountering the big climbs they should run approx. as follows:
MILL MTN (1st climb)
Mile 2 – (start of mill mtn) add approx. 1:00-1:15 minute to “flat marathon” race pace (4.2% grade)
Mile 3 – (mill mtn) add approx. 1:30-2:00min (6.3% grade)
ROANOKE MTN (2nd climb)
Mile 6 – (add approx. 2:00-2:30 min) 7.3% grade
Mile 7 – (add approx. 2:00-2:30min) 6.4% grade
PEAKWOOD (3rd climb - mile 17.3-19)
I haven’t done a grade on this but I think it is about in between mill mtn and Roanoke mountain in steepness. I would expect to add about 1:30-2:30 min. per mile on this climb. However, it will “feel” harder than first two because of it being late in the race. These are a ball park estimates. A slower marathoner may want to slow down even more than I have indicated on these specific climbs so as to be a little conservative.
We posed this question to our Facebook page and got several responses worth of sharing:
Via Troy (AKA "I only dink pinot"):
Your half marathon PR is certainly respectful. While there are certainly easier marathons to tackle the BRM is achievable assuming your training has been designed for a marathon. Since most mortal runners struggle getting through the 18-20M wall and this distance falls right smack in the middle of climb #3 I would suggest being extra conservative on your pace. It is not a bad strategy to walk the steep climbs...sure you give up some time but not as much as you might think (besides the time limit is 8 hours!). Leaving some gas in the tank for the last 10K to finish your first 26M would be wise in comparison to having to slog through the final miles. Be wise on hydration and fuel and plan on having fun. You can do it!
Via Patrick:
I was a first time marathoner last year for the Blue Ridge Marathon. The only half marathon I had previously run was the inaugural Blue Ridge Half-Marathon (finished in 2:06). If you go into the marathon with the attitude that you’re going to enjoy the views and the experience first and worry about your pace second then yes I would do this as a first time marathon. If you’re worried about time, find something flat. My goals for last year were 1. Finish 2. Finish in under 5:00 and 3. Finish in under 4:30. I only met two of those goals, but the way I felt crossing underneath the MLK bridge with the finish line two blocks away was incredible. That’s why I’m doing it again!
Via Samantha:
Of course it depends on your goals and expectations, but I ran this marathon in 2010 and think of it as my favorite race ever! I've been running half marathons for decades, and added marathons in the past five years. It was a physically challenging course, the views were breathtakingly scenic, and the two combined made my slowest marathon finish the most rewarding finish. I would highly recommend this race to anyone who seek challenges or just enjoys beautiful vistas!
Via Frank:
The 1:40 half time is impressive. My question for the questioner would be, "Have you run 18 miles or so in practice?"
Via Gretchen:
Yes. You'll find the runner bag check just inside the Taubman Museum foyer. Please place your belongings inside a bag. We'll collect the bottom tear-off number from your runner bib and attach it to your bag. All you need to claim your bag is your race number.
Yes. There are toilets at every water/aid station, as well as the finish and start lines.
Win an iPad2 (for real)
Posted on January 10, 2012
Win an iPad2, This is the best day ever!
Race day is coming up fast and we need all of our runners and supporters to rally and help raise more money than ever for charity.
Give to one of our runners or join the team and fund raise alongside ‘em.
Here’s how this works:
- Click here to check out our fundraiser on CrowdRise
- Press the orange “Donate” button and donate $29 and when you do so, you’ll be signed up to win an iPad2 or better yet, click the “Fundraise for this Event” button and create a project for a cause you care about, donate $29 and then email all of your friends to donate to your project for a chance to win an iPad2
- The contest ends January 15, 2012 (11:59pm EST) so please snap to
- Sorry for saying snap to
Just so you know, in addition to the iPad 2, you also win a drawing of something. CrowdRise is in the process of interviewing 400 influencers from kindergarten classes across the globe to determine what the drawing should be. Needless to say, the drawing will be the best part of the prize.
Click here to check out all the tedious rules.
Blue Ridge Marathon Nominated for FLITE Award
Posted on December 5, 2011
We just learned that the National College Blue Ridge Marathon was nominated for a FLITE award…which were pretty excited about because we get to have lunch with the Governor’s wife. We find out December 16 if we’re inducted into the FLITE Opportunity Hall of Fame. Wish us luck!
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Virginia Governor McDonnell, in his Inaugural Address, called on Virginians to pursue the vision of “A Commonwealth of Opportunity” by seeking opportunities to get involved in the life of our Commonwealth. The FLITE Foundation’s Commonwealth of Opportunity Recognition Program recognizes programs, activities, organizations, or individuals who embody the ideal of “getting involved and giving back.” Its purpose is to bring attention to the great work being done by selfless people around the Commonwealth who are taking the opportunity to leave the Commonwealth a better place than they found it.
The FLITE Foundation’s Opportunity Recognition Program seeks to –
- Recognize and celebrate Virginians who are creating a Commonwealth of Opportunity.
- Establish a publicly accessible bulletin board of community leaders, activists, groups, and individuals involved with successful programs in the four key areas identified.
- Showcase recognized programs on a website designed to provide information to communities that wish to replicate the activities.
- Increase awareness and implementation of successful programs across Virginia.
The program will recognize work in four key areas of opportunity:
- A Commonwealth of Opportunity for Health and Wellness – emphasizing preventive healthcare and healthy living through nutrition and physical activity, the prevention of childhood obesity, and awareness of health prevention strategies.
- A Commonwealth of Opportunity for Economic Development – focusing support for Virginia wine industry products, tourism, and the Virginia Film Office.
- A Commonwealth of Opportunity for Military Families – focusing on getting communities involved in supporting the families of active duty military personnel and on support for women in the military.
- A Commonwealth of Opportunity for Women – emphasizing support for women in business and recognizing women’s achievements across the Commonwealth.
