Foot Levelers Blue Ridge Marathon 2027
Elmwood Park, Roanoke, VA, VA
Registration open
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.
Community reports — 2027
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