Foot Levelers Blue Ridge Marathon

Foot Levelers Blue Ridge Marathon

Race Date

Apr 18, 2026

Location

Roanoke, VA

The Experience

The Foot Levelers Blue Ridge Marathon Series has earned its title as “America’s Toughest Road Marathon” by challenging runners with over 7,430 ft. in elevation change, more than any other road marathon in the U.S.  This race is the ONLY marathon that runs along the famously scenic Blue Ridge Parkway, and proceeds from this non-profit event benefit the parkway and a dozen local charities every year.  The full, half, relay and 10k all prove equally challenging yet rewarding on this mountainous course, and all runners are rewarded with a unique finishers’ medals, shirts and local craft beer at the festival-like finish in downtown Roanoke. For those who need even more than just extreme elevation change can run the course twice with the official Blue Ridge Double (sells out annually). This race would not be possible without the support of our title sponsor, Foot Levelers. This event is owned and operated by the Roanoke Outside Foundation whose mission to make outdoor activity and environmental stewardship a core component of our community’s lifestyle by promoting a “conservation through recreation” philosophy.

Logistics

Race Day

Saturday, April 18, 2026

Start Time

7:35 AM

Giveaway

Race Shirt

Start Location

111 FRANKLIN RD SE STE 333, Roanoke, VA, 24011

Directions

Course Info

USATF Certified

Course Type

Loop Course

Terrain

road

Difficulty

Ultra-Flat

Net Drop/km

+0.14 m

Separation

0.4%

Also Offers

26.2 Miles10K52.4 Miles1 Miles5K101 Miles13.1 Miles6.2 Miles

USATF Certified Course

VA24009RT · Expires 2034 · Blue Ridge Half Marathon

Relatively flat with minimal net elevation change. Loop course — start and finish are close together.

View USATF Course Map (PDF)

Historical Performance

Median Finish

2:34:40

11:48/mi

Winning Time

1:21:01

6:11/mi

Finishers (2025)

747

States Represented

29 / 50

Gender Split

50% Female50% Male

Finish Time Distribution

1:205:20

FASTER 25%

2:11:29

MEDIAN

2:34:40

SLOWER 25%

3:04:33

Average runner age: 40

Race Day Weather

5-year historical avg

Start (Low)

47°

Afternoon (High)

71°

Warm — hydration strategy is key, start conservatively

0.1"

Precipitation

11 mph

Wind

59%

Humidity

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