WHO
Foot Levelers Blue Ridge Marathon
WHAT
The Foot Levelers Blue Ridge Marathon, known as the toughest road race in America, is back this weekend. Thousands of runners will come to Roanoke to take on intense elevation and big fun in the race that encourages participants to ‘complete, not compete’ and to enjoy the scenery along the way!
The event offers a variety of distance options, including a 1 miler, 5K, 10K, half marathon, full marathon, and a double marathon. Some participants will also be completing The Full Goat – combining all distances for a 101-mile road run featuring 26,280 ft of elevation change.
Race day is wrapped up with a lively finishers festival in downtown Roanoke, featuring local craft beer, live music, food trucks, and recovery-focused vendors! The event also offers America’s Slowest 5K presented by Altra on the Sunday following race day, where the last person to finish is the winner!
This year, the event has partnered with the Freedom First Down by Downtown Music Festival to bring their runners live music all weekend long. The multi-day festival features live performances at 14 venues throughout downtown Roanoke, and culminates with a Saturday headliner at Elmwood Park Amphitheater following the marathon. In addition to the free live music throughout race day at the finish line, there’s also a free concert on Friday night at Elmwood Park Amphitheater.
WHEN
Friday, April 17, 2026
3 – 8 p.m.: Packet Pickup and Welcome Party
Saturday, April 18, 2026
1 a.m. or 2:30 a.m.: Double marathon first lap start time
7:35 a.m.: 10K, Half marathon, marathon, and double marathon second lap start time
7:45 a.m.: 1 miler start time
8:06 a.m. – First 10K finisher expected
8:53 a.m. – First half marathon finisher expected
9:30 a.m. – First marathon finisher expected
10:30 a.m. – Anthem Star 10K award ceremony
12 p.m. – Foot Levelers Half Marathon award ceremony
2 p.m. – Foot Levelers Full Marathon, Double and Relay award ceremonies
Sunday, April 19, 2026
9 a.m.: Slow 5K Recovery Run start time
WHERE
Marathon, Half Marathon, 10K Start Line
Elmwood Park & Amphitheater
Double Marathon and 1-Miler Start Line
In Front of The Patrick Henry Hotel
611 S Jefferson St Roanoke, VA
Double Marathon, Marathon, Half Marathon, 10K, 1-Miler Finish Line
Elmwood Park & Amphitheater
Finish Festival & Award Ceremonies
Elmwood Park & Amphitheater
America’s Slowest 5K Presented by Altra Start and Finish Line
Black Dog Salvage
902 13th St SW, Roanoke, VA 24016
INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITIES
- Kait Pedigo, event organizer of the Foot Levelers Blue Ridge Marathon
- Winners across all distances and divisions
PHOTO OPPORTUNITIES
- Participants checking out gear, interacting with vendors and picking up their race packets at the Packet Pickup and Welcome Party
- Runners taking off onto the course and journeying through the scenic course
- Volunteers providing support to participants
- Spectators cheering on runners and displaying both inspiring and cheeky signs
- Participants victoriously crossing the finish line
- Participants and attendees enjoying the post-race festival