We found this on the SO Salem blog – thanks!

National College will have a large presence in the National College Blue Ridge Marathon on the Parkway with 40 employees from Kentucky, Ohio, Tennessee, and Virginia participating in the event. In addition to signing on as the title sponsor for the event, the College agreed to pay the entry fees ($80 – $100) for employees participating in the event.

Salem resident Jodie Terry is the Director of Repayment Success and he is participating on a relay team with four of his co-workers. The College has about 40 total employees participating in either the half marathon, full marathon, or a marathon relay

“Any great challenge-whether running a marathon or pursuing a college education-takes concerted effort and dedication in order to accomplish a goal,” said National College President Frank Longaker. “That’s what makes our involvement with the Blue Ridge Marathon a great fit.”

The College plans to be very involved during the event with participants, cheerleaders, and volunteers. As many as 20 students in the emergency medical technology and paramedic programs will provide medical support at the rest stops along the route.

Students in the emergency medical technology programs will not only be of great service to marathon participants on the day of the event; they will also get valuable hands-on experience as they apply what they learned in the classroom. National’s two emergency medical technology programs-the Emergency Medical Technology diploma program and the Paramedic associate degree program-exceed the standards and curriculum established by the US Department of Transportation and the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration.

National College has a history of creating programs for employees to promote activity levels and healthy nutrition choices. “In addition to being an important regional event, the National College Blue Ridge Marathon also ties in nicely with our new college-wide wellness program,” adds Longaker. Recently, the College launched a wellness program for all full-time employees, which offers a discount on health insurance premiums for those who participate in a plan to improve their overall health and fitness levels.

Previously, the College organized the National Challenge, a system-wide wellness program encouraging employees to record their daily exercise or sporting activities online. This program also provided employees materials and resources on healthy nutrition options. In an effort to raise money for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, the college donated money as employees earned points for their logged activities. As a result, the National Challenge raised more than $10,000 through employee participation.

The inaugural National College Blue Ridge Marathon begins and ends in downtown Roanoke. Marathon runners will ascend Mill Mountain and later Roanoke Mountain before returning to the Valley for the final 10 miles on rolling terrain. A substantial portion of the run is on the Blue Ridge Parkway or Parkway property.

Proceeds from the National College Blue Ridge Marathon will benefit Friends of Blue Ridge Parkway (http://www.blueridgefriends.org/), the official non-profit membership organization of the Parkway. The organization works to protect, preserve, and enhance the Blue Ridge Parkway, one of our national treasures.