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Foot Levelers Blue Ridge Marathon logo

Foot Levelers Blue Ridge Marathon

Sat, Apr 18, 2026, 1:00 AM EDT

Location
Roanoke, VA
111 FRANKLIN RD SE STE 333, 24011
Type
VIRTUAL

Sign up and verify details on the organizer’s official page.

At a glance

Conquer America's Toughest Road Marathon, featuring extreme elevation, stunning Blue Ridge Parkway views, and a mission to support local causes.

  • Fun
  • Scenic
  • Competitive
  • Festive
  • For a Cause

Great for: cause-driven runners, runners who like a competitive edge

Known as “America’s Toughest Road Marathon,” the Foot Levelers Blue Ridge Marathon Series offers an exceptionally challenging course through the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway. Runners face over 7,430 feet in elevation change, making it a truly demanding experience. This non-profit event supports the parkway and local charities, blending a significant athletic feat with community benefit. A festive finish in downtown Roanoke awaits all participants.

What to expect

  • Experience a mountainous course with over 7,430 feet of elevation change.
  • Enjoy famously scenic views along the Blue Ridge Parkway.
  • Celebrate your finish with unique medals, shirts, and local craft beer at a festival-like downtown gathering.

Standout details

  • America’s Toughest Road Marathon
  • Over 7,430 ft. in elevation change
  • Runs along the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway
  • Benefits the parkway and a dozen local charities

Perks & features

  • Food & Drink

From the public listing — confirm on the official site.

Auto-drafted from the public listing — confirm details on the official event page before signing up.

Distances & registration

14 options

Registration for all distances is through the official signup link above.

  • 1 Miles

    Sat, Apr 18, 7:45 AM EDT · From $16.90

    Opens Apr 18, 2025, 8:00 AM EDT · Closes Apr 17, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT

  • 5K

    Sun, Apr 19, 9:00 AM EDT · From $32.80

    Opens Apr 18, 2025, 8:00 AM EDT · Closes Apr 12, 2026, 7:59 PM EDT

  • 6.2 Miles

    Sat, Apr 18, 1:00 AM EDT · From $80.50

    Opens Apr 18, 2025, 8:00 AM EDT · Closes May 26, 2025, 7:59 PM EDT

+ 11 more options
  • 10K

    Sat, Apr 18, 7:35 AM EDT · From $48.70

    Opens Apr 18, 2025, 8:00 AM EDT · Closes May 26, 2025, 7:59 PM EDT

  • 10K

    Sat, Apr 18, 1:00 AM EDT · From $38.10

    Opens Apr 18, 2025, 8:00 AM EDT · Closes May 26, 2025, 7:59 PM EDT

  • 13.1 Miles

    Sat, Apr 18, 7:35 AM EDT · From $92.16

    Opens Apr 18, 2025, 8:00 AM EDT · Closes May 25, 2025, 7:59 PM EDT

  • 13.1 Miles

    Sat, Apr 18, 1:00 AM EDT · From $80.50

    Opens Apr 18, 2025, 8:00 AM EDT · Closes May 26, 2025, 7:59 PM EDT

  • 13.1 Miles

    Sat, Apr 18, 1:00 AM EDT · From $38.10

    Opens Apr 18, 2025, 8:00 AM EDT · Closes May 26, 2025, 7:59 PM EDT

  • 26.2 Miles

    Sat, Apr 18, 7:35 AM EDT · From $105.94

    Opens Apr 18, 2025, 8:00 AM EDT · Closes May 25, 2025, 7:59 PM EDT

  • 26.2 Miles

    Sat, Apr 18, 7:35 AM EDT · From $274.00

    Opens Apr 18, 2025, 8:00 AM EDT · Closes May 26, 2025, 7:59 PM EDT

  • 26.2 Miles

    Sat, Apr 18, 1:00 AM EDT · From $80.50

    Opens Apr 18, 2025, 8:00 AM EDT · Closes May 26, 2025, 7:59 PM EDT

  • 26.2 Miles

    Sat, Apr 18, 1:00 AM EDT · From $38.10

    Opens Apr 18, 2025, 8:00 AM EDT · Closes May 26, 2025, 7:59 PM EDT

  • 52.4 Miles

    Sat, Apr 18, 1:00 AM EDT · From $107.00

    Opens Apr 18, 2025, 8:00 AM EDT · Closes May 26, 2025, 7:59 PM EDT

  • 101 Miles

    Sat, Apr 18, 1:00 AM EDT · From $352.75

    Opens Sep 30, 2025, 8:00 PM EDT · Closes Apr 17, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT

Vibe Check

Push Potential

Based on terrain, weather, and distance data.

The course

  • Hilly
  • Timed race
From the organizer

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.

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