2021 Race Day Information

America’s Toughest Road Marathon is challenging enough, make planning easy by reading the information below carefully. There have been a lot of changes to the 2021 race due to COVID protocols, so don’t assume you know anything.

HELPFUL LINKS:

FULL WEEKEND SCHEDULE

INCLEMENT WEATHER POLICY

COVID SAFETY PROTOCOLS

FRIDAY PACKET PICK-UP & EXPO DETAILS

DOWNLOAD THE APP


RACE DAY INFO:

Know Your Bib Number

To keep the line moving quickly, please know your BIB NUMBER when you show up at the race expo. You can look up your bib by downloading the Blue Ridge Marathon race app (see details below), or by searching for your name on Run Sign Up.

Race Day (Saturday) Packet Pick-Up:

We strongly suggest you or someone you know pick up your packet at the Berglund Center from 12-8pm on Friday, April 16. If you absolutely cannot make that happen we will have packet pick-up on race day. Come to the Williamson Rd. and Bullitt Ave. amphitheater entrance and tell the security person you need to pick-up your packet. Please arrive within the 30 minute window prior to your staggered start time or you will not be allowed to enter.

There will be NO EXPO or RACE DAY REGISTRATION, this is for packet pick up only. Don’t forget to leave time for parking!

Staggered Start Times (NEW FOR 2021):

Due to COVID modifications all races will have a staggered start times. Full/Double/Relay marathoners will all report directly to their corrals between 7-7:35am, the remaining distances will enter the amphitheater at the corner of Elm and Williamson and then be called up by corrals. Please arrive 30 minutes prior to your start time, you will not be allowed to enter the amphitheater early for social distancing purposes. Click for corral and staging maps.

  • 7:35am: Full/Double Lap 2/Relay Marathon Start Time -Report directly to your corrals starting at 6:45am
  • 8:00am: Half Marathon Start Time- Enter the amphitheater starting at 7:30am
  • 8:30am: 10k Start Time- Enter the amphitheater starting at 8am

Assigned Corrals (NEW FOR 2021):

Printed on your bib will be an alphabetic corral assignment from A-Z. Corral A being assigned to the fastest runners and Corral Z to the slower corrals (or late registrants). Full/Double/Relay marathoners will report directly to their corrals between 6:45am until their start time at 7:35am. The remaining distances will report to the Elmwood Amphitheater (entering from the corner of Elm and Williamson) within 30 minutes prior to their start time. Click for corral and staging maps.

Spectators:

No spectators will be allowed to congregate along the starting line, finish chute or in the amphitheater. The amphitheater, which has a 30% COVID capacity mandated by state ordinance, will be needed for staging of corrals and recovery of the runners. There will be gates with security at all entrance points, we appreciate your understanding and compliance so we may host an in-person event.

Spectators can cheer runners on along the course. We also have live-runner tracking and live results in our race app. The app also will have a link to our live stream of the finish line. Click to download app.

Parking:

For parking we recommend the free Elmwood Garage off of Williamson Rd. That being said there is plenty of parking within a few blocks of the start/finish area, so don’t stress.  Follow the link for exact parking lots and garages nearby.

Maps:

You can view the entire course online (Full, Half, or 10K).

Race App:

Download the race app now! The race app allows you track runners in real-time, so even if you are out of town you can see where your family & friends are on the course. There will be other useful links like parking maps, expo details, schedules, links to the finish line live stream and more.

Road Markings & Signage:

This color coding will correspond with all signage throughout race day including bibs, mile markers and arrows along the course.  Only follow signs and arrows that match your bib color.

  • Half Marathon=Yellow Signs & Mile Markers
  • Full Marathon= Red Signs & White Mile Markers (Double & Relay follow these same signs)
  • Star 10k= Green Signs & Mile Markers

There will also be cones and race fencing along  your course.  For your safety on busy city streets, please stay INSIDE the cones and markers. Runners should also be advised that many roads along the course are OPEN to traffic during the race.  For your safety, obey signage, course marshal instructions, traffic laws, and stay to the side of the road when possible.

ALL RUNNERS MUST YIELD TO EMERGENCY VEHICLES THAT HAVE LIGHTS AND/OR SIRENS ON.

Aid Stations:

Aid stations sponsored by local businesses have generously donated supplies and volunteer time to help make your experience at the Foot Levelers Blue Ridge Marathon a great one.  All aid stations will have SKRATCH Labs Hydration to help power you up those hills. As you approach an aid station- Skratch hydration drink will be at the 1st table and water will be at the 2nd table.

  • COVID CHANGES: Aid stations will be self serve. Just grab a cup off the table and go. Please do not loiter near the tables. If you plan to stop and take a break, then distance yourself from others away from the table.
  • Bananas, oranges, and other snacks will be available (3rd table) for full marathoners at miles 7.0, 12.7, 17, and 22.9 and at miles 3.5 and 7.8 for those running the half marathon.
  • GU Gel will be available at mile 7.0, 16.8, 22.8 for full marathoners, and at mile 7.5 for those running the half marathon.
  • Of course there will be other treats along the way, but we don’t want to ruin the surprise!

Bathrooms:

Port-a-toilets are located at start & finish areas, as well as at every aid stationPlease wear your masks in line and while using the restrooms. The bulk of the start line toilets are located at the top of the amphitheater near the library breezeway. The rest will be in groups along Jefferson St. & Franklin Rd. beside the corrals.

Bag Drop at Start/Finish Area:

We’re pleased to provide a complimentary bag drop for all runners.  The “bag drop” will be located on the Elmwood Amphitheater stage and “pick up” will be just past the finish chute at the start of the fountain walk. Runners are asked to place their items in a clear plastic bag with your bib number written on it. Free bags are available at the packet pick-up on Friday as well as at bag drop.  All bags are subject to search.

Severe Weather:

Sometimes, there are weather events beyond our control. (A little rain in the forecast won’t stop us.) But if there is a threat of more severe weather, the Blue Ridge Marathon is dedicated to ensuring the safety of all participants, volunteers, and spectators. Race officials may cancel, delay, or change the event in case of extreme weather or other conditions that may affect the safety and health of participants. READ THE FULL POLICY HERE.

Road Closures:

If you live on or near the race course you have already received a notification of when and where closures along the race course will occur.  For racers, please notify your friends and family of where road closures and no parking zones will be so they can easily navigate around the city.

First Aid brought to you by Carilion Clinic Sports Medicine:

Medical personnel will be located at each water station should you need assistance. They will also be at the finish line, below the Roanoke City Public Library (right along the finish line swath).  Please take the race at your own pace, and modify your race day plan accordingly based on temperature, weather and course elevation.

Time Cutoffs:

There is a 7.5 hour time limit for the race course. Since we will be operating off of chip time, your time will start when you cross the first timing mat. So don’t worry about which corral you’re in, you’ll have the same amount of time. A minimum pace of 17:10 min/mi must be maintained for the race. Racers may be pulled from the course at any point if time cutoffs are not met or minimum paces are not maintained. The following cutoff points will be strictly enforced (with your time based on your corral):

  • 11:00 AM at mile 11.8 (Mill Mtn Spur/Fishburn Parkway)
  • 11:45 AM at mile 14.4 (Walnut Ave/Sylvan Rd)
  • 12:25 PM at mile 16.9 (Somerset/Clydesdale)
  • 1:15 PM at mile 19.7 (27th/Crystal Spring)
  • 1:55 PM at mile 22 (Jefferson St/Highland Ave)

SATURDAY- POST RACE:

Post-Race Recovery:

  • You can stay in the amphitheater for about 30 minutes to take some time to eat, drink, walk and stretch. Please remain at least six feet from anyone not in your party, and if you’re moving around the amphitheater wear a mask. We have a Fleet Feet and Foot Levelers Virtual Recovery Zone set up to give you advice, stretches and videos to consider post-race.
  • CORA Physical Therapy will serve runners’ rehabilitation and recovery needs all weekend long. CORA’s sports medicine experts will be in the amphitheater for kinesiotaping, complimentary injury screenings, muscle roll-out, post-race stretching, ice massage and more.   

Live Music & Other Festivities:

  • Freedom First Federal Credit Union Scoops ice cream truck will be at the finish line and Saturday concert in Elmwood handing out FREE ice cream while supplies last all day inside the amphitheater.
  • Girl Scouts will be there selling cookies.
  • Canned beer bars by Starr Hill and Three Notch’d will allow for fast and safe service. All runners check your packets for a free beer ticket.
  • Freedom First Down by Downtown Music Festival is back April 15-18 with thirteen live music acts throughout downtown Roanoke at seven venues and breweries. Most of the events are FREE and outdoors, making it a perfect way to socially-distance and enjoy the springtime in Roanoke. There is a featured post-race concert in Elmwood Park on April 17 featuring three regional bands from 6 to 10 p.m. Ticket sales close on April 17 at 2pm (or until sold out).

Food:

  • Each runner will receive water, soda/chocolate milk and a food bag to go at the finish line to allow for social distancing. If you have food allergies please let the food tent staff know as there may be items with peanut, gluten, etc.  
  • Family 1 Milers will have snacks at the Family Service tent inside the amphitheater.
  • The start/finish line is also one block from the heart of downtown Roanoke which features to great restaurants, bars, breweries and shops. Click here for a full list of downtown restaurants.

Awards Ceremonies:

We will be hosting a socially-distanced award ceremony on the Elmwood Stage. To avoid congregating these will be done faster than usual, if you miss your ceremony please report to the stage to pick up your award after you finish.

  • 10:30am:  Anthem Star 10K Awards
  • 11:30am:  Foot Levelers Half Marathon Awards
  • 12:30pm:  Foot Levelers Full Marathon, Double Marathon, and Team Relay Awards

Post- Race Concert in Elmwood Park (April 17):

Sit in the sun at the all-outdoor venue where you and up to a small group of friends can snag space in the grass to yourselves. Pods can have up to four people and hillside grass seating can have up to 10 people (All groups must maintain at least 6-feet of separation). Picnics are allowed, and one food truck will be onsite. Beer and cider available in cans, no outside alcohol.

Abbey Road LIVE! headlines the Saturday concert and has been rocking the music of The Beatles since 2002. Initially, a tribute to the monumental “Abbey Road” album, the band has expanded its repertoire to include more than 150 Beatles tunes, from all eras of the Fab Four’s career.