What Others Had to Say about BRM
Posted on May 7, 2013
Here are a few blogs we collected post 2013 BRM – enjoy! Did we miss one? Let us know and we’ll get it posted. Email pete @ roanoke.org.
- http://runnersbug.blogspot.com/2013/05/blue-ridge-marathon-race-report.html
- http://www.sweat-junkie.com/2013/04/blue-ridge-marathon-recap.html
- http://www.runningbecauseican.com/epic-im-going-there/
- http://missabbyontherun.blogspot.com/2013/04/blue-ridge-half-marathon-blue-ridge.html
- http://healthyincville.wordpress.com/2013/04/22/blue-ridge-marathon-april-20th-2013/
- http://ecline262.blogspot.com/2013/04/2013-blue-ridge-marathon.html
- http://teaberrytrails.blogspot.com/2013/04/blue-ridge-half-i-did-it.html
- http://japodrunner.blogspot.com/2013/04/the-americas-toughest-road-marathon.html
- http://runningmarathonmom.blogspot.com/2013/04/americas-toughest-road-marathon.html
- http://shiawaselife.wordpress.com/2013/04/20/recap-2013-blue-ridge-half-marathon/
- http://turkeyrunner.blogspot.com/2013/04/blue-ridge-half-marathon-race-review.html
- https://imchasingpavement.wordpress.com/2013/04/27/my-very-1st-full-marathon-experience-its-a-good-one/
- http://www.mywodkitchen.com/conquering-the-blue-ridge-marathon-dh-day-20/
- http://themanyshadesofgray.blogspot.com/2013/04/my-first-marathon.html
- http://mrandmrsmarathon.blogspot.com/2013/04/blue-ridge-marathon-americas-toughest.html
- http://2012milesforlife.blogspot.com/2013/04/i-passed.html?m=1
- http://wvhillrunner.blogspot.com/2013/04/blue-ridge-half-marathon-2013.html
- http://jacysfitnessblog.blogspot.com/2013/04/half-marathon-5-blue-ridge-half-marathon.html
- http://running4fromlife.blogspot.com/2013/04/blue-ridge-marathon-recap-part-1.html
- http://running4fromlife.blogspot.com/2013/04/blue-ridge-marathon-recap-part-2.html
- http://turnerlifearound.blogspot.com/2013/04/blue-ridge-half-marathon-131-13.html
- http://bookladywalker.wordpress.com/2013/04/25/americas-toughest-road-marathon-revisited-foot-levelers-blue-ridge-marathon/
- http://runners.livejournal.com/5471905.html
- http://pandce.proboards.com/thread/168140/long-blue-ridge-half-recap
- http://reactionjackson.wordpress.com/2013/04/24/blue-ridge-half-marathon/
- http://cardioholicsanonymous.blogspot.com/2013/04/2013-blue-ridge-half-marathon.html
Security Concerns Addressed (road closures, bags, etc.)
Posted on April 18, 2013
Race Participants, Volunteers, Sponsors, and Spectators:
In light of the events in Boston, the Roanoke Police Department in partnership with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies will be taking additional security precautions at this year’s Blue Ridge Marathon. The security precautions consist of a highly visible law enforcement presence, use of explosives detection K-9s, implementation of crowd screening stations at various locations, as well as a variety of other safety measures. The enhanced security plan was implemented out of caution in order to create the safest environment possible for the public, volunteers and participants of this event.
The goal of your law enforcement community is to provide an enjoyable experience for all race participants, volunteers, sponsors and spectators. However, in order to maximize the safety of the public we need your support. Please review the following security related items:
- Street Closed Maps – Downtown, South Roanoke and Old Southwest (multiple page document)
- Street Closures and No Parking Map for Downtown
- Other no parking areas
Bags, Back Packs. Large Purses and Packages: Bags and packages may be subject to inspection in certain designated locations in and around the event site. It is recommended that you avoid bringing bags or back packs to the event, which are large, have multiple compartments, or are otherwise difficult to access. If a bag is necessary it should be large enough to hold only the essential items you will need for the event. Do not leave any bags or packages unattended. If you locate an unattended bag or package please report it to your nearest law enforcement officer or race volunteer.
Parking: The no parking zone around the event will be setup Friday afternoon. Any vehicles parked in the no parking zone will be subject to tow at the owner’s expense. Park only in designated areas.
Suspicious Activity: If you observe any suspicious activity along the race route please report it immediately to the nearest law enforcement officer or race volunteer.
Items for Runners: It has been a common practice of some runners to pre-position energy drinks, food, and other comfort items along the race course. We ask that you refrain from this practice since a hidden innocuous item can easily be mistaken for a threat.
Sincerely,
Chris Perkins
Chief of Police
540-853-2203
Route Change Makes BRM Even Tougher
Posted on April 17, 2013
Just when you thought the Foot Levelers Blue Ridge Marathon couldn’t get any harder…Mother Nature shows her devious side and chooses to raise the water level of the Roanoke River.
What this means is that a section of the course (full marathon miles 22.25-25, half miles 9-11) are in accessible due to the tiny detail of needing to cross a low water bridge. As a result, this two mile section is being re-routed.
If you look at the revised Course Map, you will see the new route (we call Flood Route) highlighted in purple. Everything will be well marked and course marshals will be there to keep you on course. In looking at the map you will notice two some-what confusing areas (noted on the map as Figure 8 Turns). Essentially these turns are designed to get you from one traffic side of a main road to the other. You will exit the main road, loop under the bridge, and then get back on the same main road, but in the opposite travel lane. With regards to the first Figure 8 Turn…after you’ve cross under the bridge you will hop a curb and cross through 10 feet of grass, then back onto pavement…please be careful hopping the curb.
This route change does not affect team relay transitions – it only affects the route Leg 5 runs.
Please stop by our Runner Info table at Friday’s registration to talk about the route change in more detail.
So, why does this make the BRM more difficult? Well, this route change adds about 206 feet of elevation change to both the full and half courses. The full marathon will now be 7,440′ of elevation change and the half will be 2,734′ of elevation change.
Statement regarding security precautions at the Blue Ridge Marathon
Posted on April 15, 2013
ROANOKE, Va. – Organizers of the Foot Levelers Blue Ridge Marathon, are carefully following the tragedy at the Boston Marathon. The safety and security of individuals involved at this weekend’s marathon is our first priority. As with previous runnings of the Foot Levelers Blue Ridge Marathon, we continue working with law enforcement and emergency management officials in Roanoke to ensure the safety of marathon participants, volunteers and spectators.
In light of the events in Boston, Roanoke Police are increasing their already strong police and emergency presence to include additional officers, emergency personnel, and assistance from the Virginia State Police.
For additional information please contact Police Chief Perkins (540.853.2203) or the Roanoke Police Department (540.853.2212).
Weather Forecast & How it Affects Race
Posted on April 15, 2013
We know that most of you are already looking at the weather forecast…and so are we. We work closely with local meteorologists, as well as NOAA.
So here is what we’re seeing…
On Friday we’ll have some rain, but it should clear up well before the start of the race, leaving you with a cooler (slightly breezy), dry race day. Temperatures will depend on when the rain front pushes out of the area but should top out around 60 degrees.
With that said…
Many of you have noticed that the low-water bridge along the course (mile 22.5) has been closed due to flooding a few times in the past week. The ground is extremely saturated with water, which means any new rain isn’t soaked up and instead runs off into the river. We’ll be making the decision on whether to alter the course in the next day or so. We’ll post updates here. Right now the bridges are open, but we’re uncertain how the upcoming rain will affect river levels. Any changes will affect miles 9-12 (half) and miles 22-25 (full).
Regardless of which course we use, we will be marking the course pavement on Thursday, which means that any major rain on Friday could affect the course markings…but never fear as we will also have signs marking the course too.
