Foot Levelers Blue Ridge Marathon
Elmwood Park, Roanoke, VA, VA
The most elevation change of any certified road marathon in the US — come to conquer, not to PR.
- When
- April 17, 2027
- Distances
- Full Marathon · Half Marathon · Anthem Star 10K · Blue Ridge Double Marathon · Freedom First Marathon Relay
- Surface
- Road
- Course
- Loop
- Elevation gain
- 3,715 ft
- Altitude
- —
- Weather
- Cool
- Nearest airport
- ROA
- Suggested trip
- 2 nights
Score breakdown
8.5/10Standout. Worth building a whole trip around.
Also worth knowing (not weighted)
Editorial score (v0.1) — full method on How we score. Never affected by sponsorships.
Weather
| Month | Avg high / low | Band |
|---|---|---|
| April | 43–65°F | Cool |
Historical averages for planning — not a forecast. Always check conditions before race week.
Route & course
Full Marathon
Loop · Road · starts 7:35 AM- Elev gain
- 3,715 ft
- Elev loss
- 3,715 ft
- High point
- —
- Low point
- 936 ft
- Start and finish in the same area
- Easier spectating and repeated aid access
Starts on Jefferson Street above Elmwood Park amphitheater. Gentle rolling miles through downtown, then a steady 2-mile climb up Mill Mountain to the Star, south along the Blue Ridge Parkway, ascent of Roanoke Mountain (~780 ft gain in 2 miles with switchbacks) starting around mile 5.5, descent, return Parkway segment, and final climb back to Mill Mountain Star before descending to the finish. 7:30 overall cutoff; hard 6-hour cutoff at mile 22 (16:20 min/mile pace required). Field capped at 750. USATF certified since 2014.
Half Marathon
Loop · Road- Elev gain
- 1,895 ft
- Elev loss
- 1,895 ft
- High point
- —
- Low point
- 936 ft
- Start and finish in the same area
- Easier spectating and repeated aid access
3,790 ft total elevation change (gain + loss). One mile of rolling hills, then 2-mile climb up Mill Mountain to the Star, major 2-mile descent down Prospect Avenue, second climb on Peakwood Drive (~mile 8) through historic South Roanoke neighborhoods. 6-hour cutoff (27:30 min/mile). Named Best Half Marathon in Virginia by Half Marathon Guide.
Anthem Star 10K
Loop · Road- Elev gain
- —
- Elev loss
- —
- High point
- —
- Low point
- 936 ft
- Start and finish in the same area
- Easier spectating and repeated aid access
Shares the first ~6.2 miles of the marathon course, taking runners toward the Mill Mountain Star area.
Blue Ridge Double Marathon
Multi-loop · Road- Elev gain
- 7,430 ft
- Elev loss
- 7,430 ft
- High point
- —
- Low point
- 936 ft
- Repeated loops from a basecamp
- Easy crew and drop-bag access
Two full loops of the marathon course. Runners must check in and clock an official start time at either 1:00 AM or 2:30 AM. All runners must carry a phone with service. Second lap follows regular marathon cutoffs plus a 7.5-hour overall limit. Sells out every year.
Freedom First Marathon Relay
Loop · Road- Elev gain
- —
- Elev loss
- —
- High point
- —
- Low point
- —
- Start and finish in the same area
- Easier spectating and repeated aid access
4-person relay on the full marathon course: Runner 1 ~7 mi, Runner 2 ~9.3 mi, Runner 3 ~6.1 mi, Runner 4 ~3.8 mi.
Travel
- Base town
- Roanoke
- Nearest airport
- ROA · 15 min
- Rental car
- Maybe
- Rideshare
- Good
- Lodging
- Good
- Facilities
- Good
- Trip length
- 2 nights
- Travel complexity
- 3/10
Roanoke has a regional airport with connections through Charlotte, Atlanta, and D.C. The start/finish is walkable from downtown hotels, reducing logistics. Rideshare is limited in Roanoke; a rental car helps for exploring the Parkway pre-race.
Downtown Roanoke hotels are within easy walking distance of Elmwood Park start/finish. Flying into ROA is convenient; driving from D.C. (~3.5 hrs) or Charlotte (~2.5 hrs) is a viable alternative.
Best for / avoid if
Best for
- Elevation-seeking road runners
- Runners who want a bucket-list challenge on pavement
- People who love mountain scenery without going off-road
- Double-marathon seekers
- experienced marathoners
- runners seeking elevation challenge
- scenic course enthusiasts
Avoid if
- You're chasing a Boston qualifier PR
- Steep, sustained climbs wreck your knees
- You need a flat, predictable road race
- first-time marathoners
- those unprepared for steep climbs
First-timer mistakes
Underestimating the relentless climbing — the course gains nearly 3,800 ft on the way out and loses it all on the way back; runners who go out too fast on the early gentle miles get destroyed on the Roanoke Mountain switchbacks. Also note the hard 6-hour cutoff at mile 22.
Where to stay, eat & explore
Local picks for the weekend.
- Blue Ridge Parkway Activity
The race traverses a section of the Blue Ridge Parkway; drive or walk the Parkway for pre-race course scouting and spectacular scenery.
Historic upscale lodging within walking distance of start/finish.
- The River and Rail Food / restaurant
Southern cuisine, local favorite.
- Billy's Food / restaurant
Classic American eats in downtown Roanoke.
- Roanoke City Market Activity
Browse local shops and farmers market in downtown.
- Taubman Museum of Art Activity
Modern art museum near Elmwood Park.
Happening nearby
- Friends of the Blue Ridge Parkway Partner / festival
Primary race beneficiary; race proceeds support preservation of the Blue Ridge Parkway.
- Freedom First Down by Downtown Music Festival Nearby event
Live music festival during race weekend.
Runner reports
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Race history
Race-trip notes
Roanoke is a compact, walkable city with easy airport access. Stay downtown within walking distance of the Elmwood Park start/finish. The Blue Ridge Parkway and Mill Mountain Star are worth exploring the day before.
About this race
Starting and finishing at Elmwood Park in downtown Roanoke, the full marathon ascends Mill Mountain, traverses the Blue Ridge Parkway, conquers Roanoke Mountain, then loops back past the iconic Mill Mountain Star. The race is owned by the Roanoke Outside Foundation and benefits Friends of the Blue Ridge Parkway and a dozen local charities. Distances range from a Family 1 Miler to the double-loop 52.4-mile Blue Ridge Double Marathon.
Last verified June 23, 2026. Race details can change — always confirm with the official race website.