Please review the details provided on their registration page. If your question is not answered here, email us and we’ll get back to you with an answer!
Deferred and need to claim your registration for this year? Or, need to defer til next year? Click here for what to do.
QUESTIONS:
- Is this a Rain or Shine event? – YES!
- What type of running surfaces on the course?
- Can I register on the day of the race?
- What is the time limit for the Full Marathon and the Half-Marathon?
- What type of liquids/gel do you provide along the course?
- Where will the water stops be?
- Is the Foot Levelers Blue Ridge Marathon a qualifier for the Boston Marathon?
- How do I dress (layers?) for the Blue Ridge Marathon?
- Are there awards for each age group?
- Is it possible to drive the marathon course?
- Will photos be taken along the course and at the finish?
- Can someone pick my packet up for me?
- Can I transfer between races? Is there an additional cost? How can I change my status prior to race day?
- I have read that it sometimes helps if a friend joins you to run for a few miles at the end of the marathon (i.e. miles 22-24) for moral support. What are the marathon rules about this?
- Can a race bib be transferred to someone else?
- What is your policy on refunds or deferments?
- Can I wear headphones while racing on the Blue Ridge Marathon course?
- Will you mail or email confirmation to me?
- Where should I park?
- Are showers available on race day?
- Will I be able to pick up my timing chip at Packet Pick up?
- What is your policy regarding athletes with disabilities? Do you allow hand cycles in the race?
- Will there be massage therapists available?
- Is there a bag check at the start/finish line?
- What are the pace groups available for each race?
- Is there a Race App?
- Are dogs or strollers allowed on the race course?
ANSWERS:
- Is this a Rain or Shine Event?
- YES! However, race officials may cancel, delay or change the event in case of extreme weather or unforeseen conditions that may affect the safety and health of the participants.
- For more details review our Inclement Weather Policy.
- Entry fees are nonrefundable.
- What type of running surfaces on the course?
All of the race is run on paved asphalt, with the exception of a 0.1 mile stretch of gravel path. Back to top - Can I register on the day of the race?
Not this year, sorry. Back to top - What is the time limit for the full marathon, half-marathon and 10K? The Time Limit for the full marathon is 7.5 hours. The time limit for the 10K and half marathon is 6 hours. That makes the required pace for the full marathon a 17:10 min/mile pace, and 27:30 pace for the half. Anyone who cannot maintain the minimum pace will be pulled from the course. This is regulation is for your safety. All walkers will be required to walk on the sidewalks whenever applicable. The following cutoff points will be strictly enforced for the full marathon:
- 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) Back to top
- What type of liquids/gel do you provide along the course?
We provide Tailwind Endurance Fuel and water at all fluid stations along the course. GU Energy Gels will be available at mile 7, 16.8, and 22.8 for the full marathon, and mile 7.5 for the half marathon.
Back to top - Where will the water stops be?
Full Marathon – miles: 1.2, 2.6, 4.0, 4.9, 6.1, 7.0, 8.8, 9.5, 10.6, 11.9, 12.6, 14.1, 15.3, 16.9, 17.6, 18.6, 19.8, 21.3, 22.8, 24.3, and 25.2.
Half Marathon – miles: 1.2, 2.6, 3.3, 5.0, 6.1, 7.8, 8.4, 9.4, 10.5, and 12.1. Back to top
Star 10k — miles: 1.2, 2.6, 3.3, 5.0 - Is the Foot Levelers Blue Ridge Marathon a qualifier for the Boston Marathon?
Technically the answer is yes. But just remember that this is America’s Toughest Road Marathon and most people aren’t setting personal records on this course. We prefer to promote a “complete not compete” mindset, don’t worry so much about your times on this rigorous course. Back to top - How do I dress (layers?) for the Blue Ridge Marathon?
Weather in Roanoke, VA in the Spring can vary dramatically. The weather in mid-April can range from icy and 30s in the morning to mid-70s in the afternoon. We suggest you bring gloves, a hat and long sleeve shirt. Early in the race, you might have to shed some clothes so don’t wear anything too nice in case you want to throw them away (your competitor bib number must be pinned to the front of the clothing you wear since event officials will be inviting unregistered runners to exit the course. You could be mistakenly identified as an unregistered runner if your bib number is not visible). If you want to shed some clothes prior to the race start, you can check them at the Bag Check (beside Elmwood Amphitheater) truck using the tab on your race bib. See the Weather section of the website for historical race day temperatures. Back to top - Are there awards for each age group?
Yes, Awards will be give to the top three males and females in each age group. There will be three separate awards ceremonies. For times and details go to our Awards Page. Back to top - Is it possible to drive the marathon course?
It’s not entirely drivable. You will not be able to drive the back side of Mill Mountain after reaching the Mill Mountain Star and Roanoke Greenway portion. The Roanoke Mountain loop is also currently closed to vehicles due to road damage on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Otherwise, the remainder of the course can be driven. Back to top - Will photos be taken along the course and at the finish?
Yes. There will be exciting photo points along the course that will be clearly identified as well as at the finish. Race photos are provided for FREE. A link will be available on our website 48 hours after race day. You can sign up now to receive an email notifying you that photos are online and ready for viewing. Back to top - Can someone pick my packet up for me?
We strongly encourage all runners to pick up their own race packet at the Packet Pick Up and Expo. It is important for runners to verify their data and make any necessary changes. However, if it is not possible for you to pick-up your own packet, you may have someone pick it up for you. That person will be responsible for verifying personal race information (name, age, birthdate, etc.) and must bring a copy of your driver’s license or government issued ID. This is for special circumstances ONLY. Picking up multiple packets for groups of friends will not be permitted. Back to top - If I sign up for the half and I later decide that I want to run the marathon, can I switch events? Is there an additional cost? How can I change my status prior to race day?
You can transfer between the races. Just follow the instructions here. If you originally registered with Active and it tries to charge you the full amount for the event to transfer email our event manager and they will take care of the transfer for you, and send you a new confirmation email for your records.There are NO refunds awarded if you transfer down a race. If transferring up the difference in cost will be charged to your card on file. Typically any discount that you originally registered under will be honored on a percentage basis. These changes can be made via email through Monday, April 13th at 5pm. After that you must transfer in person at the packet pick-up on Friday prior to race day. If you transfer race categories after the shirt deadline you are NO LONGER GUARANTEED A SHIRT in your size. Back to top
- I have read that it sometimes helps if a friend joins you to run for a few miles at the end of the marathon (i.e. miles 22-24) for moral support. What are the marathon rules about this?
Due to liability considerations, and out of respect for the registered participants, non-registered runners are not permitted to run or walk within the boundaries of the official marathon course. Friends may stand adjacent to the edge of the defined course and cheer the participants on! Friends must NEVER cross the finish line or enter the finish zone which begins approximately 2/10 mile before the finish. Back to top - Can a race bib be transferred to someone else?
You may gift transfer your bib at no fee as long as it’s for an equal or lesser distance. To transfer your entry in RunSignUp follow the instructions here. Deadline is April 13. Back to top - I was injured after registering for the race. Can I get a refund or defer until next year?
Refunds are never allowed, but we now offer $20 deferrals to the following year. The deferral deadline is April 8, 2024 at 8pm. To defer your entry log in to Run Sign Up and follow these instructions. Back to top - Can I wear headphones while racing on the Blue Ridge Marathon and Half Marathon course?
For your safety and the safety of all other runners, we strongly discourage the use of headphones. If you choose to wear headphones, please regulate the volume so that you can be alert and hear instructions from volunteers, course marshals, police officers, race officials, and sirens from emergency vehicles. Back to top - Will you mail or email confirmation to me?
If you register online, you will receive a Confirmation Email immediately. We do advise early registration. Registration fees increase the closer it gets to race day. Back to top - Where should I park?
There are public parking garages throughout the downtown area. We recommend the Elmwood Deck off of Franklin Rd., once that one is full we recommend the one off of Church Ave. in the heart of downtown. Both are within a 5 minute walk of the starting line & festival finish. Click here to view a map of parking garages. Back to top - Are showers available on race day? Yes, shower facilities will be available for free at the Downtown Kirk YMCA located at 520 Church Ave. To use the Y’s facilities, you will show your bib at the front desk. There will be directions in with your Final Instructions. Back to top
- Will I be able to pick up my timing chip at Packet Pick up?
All runners will utilize disposable chips. This means that you can pick your chip up Friday at Packet Pick up. Back to top - Do you allow hand cycles in the race?
Please read our Athletes with Disabilities page. Due to safety concerns and permit regulations we cannot allow hand cycles on any of the courses. Back to top - Will there be massage therapists available?
Yes! They will be at the finish line. There is no official charge but volunteers (licensed professionals) will be accepting tips for their efforts, please compensate accordingly. For runners it is a recovery massage but spectators can get in on the action too. Back to top - Is there a bag check at the start/finish line?
Yes, the bag check is located about 100 yards from the starting line and 20 yards from the finish line across from the entrance to the amphitheater by Williamson Rd. - What are the pace groups available for each race?
Full Marathon Pace Groups (hour:minutes)-3:45; 4:00; 4:15; 4:45; 5:00; 5:30; 6:00
Half Marathon Pace Groups (hour:minutes)- 1:45; 2:00; 2:15; 2:30; 3:00; 3:30 - Is there a Race App?
Yes. Download it here. - Are dogs or strollers allowed on the race course? As a USTAF sanctioned event, they act as our governing body and our racer insurance coverage. The USATF does not cover dogs or strollers on the course, therefore we cannot allow them. We do allow strollers at the Family 1 Miler and the Sunday Slow-K (both un-timed fun runs). Dogs are welcome only at the Sunday Slow-K.
- Is this a Rain or Shine Event?
