ROANOKE, Va. – Friday race preview:
Runners arriving in Roanoke say the event is as much about the experience as it is the challenge.
“It’s going to be fun. I had about a three-hour drive up here. Think about the 52 miles I’m going to be doing tomorrow, so definitely excited,” said Ryan Dant, a marathon particpiant. “It’s going to be a lot of fun. It’s going to be a lot of work. The last lap is going to hurt, but I’m super excited. It’s going to be fun.”
Dant planned to participate in not just the main event starting at 7:35am, but the early morning run of the marathon starting at 2:30am. He said the atmosphere leading up to race day has already stood out.
“Seems like the energy is really, really high, so I’m excited to see that on the course tomorrow and in the after party,” he said.
Race organizers say that energy is part of what keeps runners coming back year after year.
“We have amazing mountains. We have great food — the restaurants get to have all these visitors come. We have amazing music venues,” said Kait Pedigo, event organizer for the marathon. “The Freedom First Down by Downtown Festival is going on at the same time.”
Pedigo said the marathon continues to draw participants from across the country, many of whom return after their first race.
“We get people from at least 40 states every year to come out here and try it,” she said. “It’s kind of a bucket list race, which a lot of people think you would just do it once and then never again, but I do really think the experience is something special.”
She added that community support along the course plays a major role in that experience.
“The people here who are cheering them on and then all the fun that we have at the finish line and all the events — I think that’s what keeps them here,” Pedigo said. “I think they like the community a lot.”
Road Closures
Thousands are set to lace up their running shoes and hit the pavement for this weekend’s Blue Ridge Marathon.
Touted as America’s toughest road race, the competition will kick off on Saturday and bring people from 40 different states to the Star City.
[RELATED: Blue Ridge Marathon brings in runners from over 40 states]
That said, several road closures will be in place to ensure the safety of all runners.
Here’s a look at some of the road closures you should be aware of. The following road closures will be in place on Saturday, with some starting as early as 5 a.m.
JEFFERSON STREET
- 5:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.: Jefferson Street (from Church Ave to Franklin Rd.)
- 5 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Jefferson Street (from Franklin Rd. to Elm Ave):
- 7 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.: Jefferson Street, from Elm to Walnut Ave
FRANKLIN ROAD
- 5:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.: Franklin Road (2nd St to Jefferson St.)
- 5:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.: Franklin Road (Jefferson St to Williamson Rd.)
WALNUT AVENUE
7 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.: Walnut Avenue (from Jefferson to JB Fishburn Parkway) - all lanes closed
JB FISHBURN PARKWAY
7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. (or when last runner clears the road): JB Fishburn Parkway (road up to Star)
MILL MOUNTAIN PARKWAY
7 a.m. to ~11:30 a.m. (or when last runner clears the road): Mill Mountain Parkway
WILEY DRIVE
8 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Wiley Drive (next to Rivers Edge Sports Complex)
LUCK AVENUE
9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.: Luck Avenue (Eastbound, from 6th Street to 1st Street)
BULLITT AVENUE
5:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Bullitt Avenue (Eastbound lane, 1st St to Jefferson St)
ELM AVENUE
7 a.m. to 8:15 a.m.: Elm Avenue (1st St to Williamson Rd)
LAUREL STREET
- 7 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.: Laurel Street (Southbound lane, Riverland Road to Walnut Avenue)
- 7 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.: Laurel Street (Northbound lane, Camilla to Walnut)
IVY STREET
- 7 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.: Ivy Street (Northbound lane, Camilla to Walnut Avenue)
- 7 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.: Ivy Street (Southbound lane, Riverland Rd to Walnut Ave)
CAMILLA STREET
7 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.: Camilla Street (Eastbound lane, Ivy Street to Sylvan Avenue)
PEAKWOOD DRIVE
8 a.m. to 2 p.m.: Peakwood Drive (The “Uphill” Lane, entire length)
WEST RIDGE ROAD
8 a.m. to 2 p.m.: West Ridge Road (The “Downhill” Lane, Peakwood Dr. to Rosalind Ave)
Note: Cars will be allowed to travel UP West Ridge/Rosalind and DOWN Peakwood. West Ridge from Peakwood to the top will be open.
ALLEYS
9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.: Alleys between Elm and Luck
MILL MOUNTAIN ZOO
The Zoo will open at 12 p.m.
NO PARKING ZONES
- Avenham Avenue (Northbound side from Clydesdale to Broadway)
- S. Jefferson Street (Southbound side from 24th Street to McClanahan)
- Highland Avenue (Eastbound side from Franklin to 5th)
- Highland Avenue (Westbound side from 1st to Franklin)
- Walnut Avenue (Eastbound side from Belleview Ave to Sylvan Rd)
- Several areas downtown
Runners arriving in Roanoke say the event is as much about the experience as it is the challenge.
“It’s going to be fun. I had about a three-hour drive up here. Think about the 52 miles I’m going to be doing tomorrow, so definitely excited,” said Ryan Dant, a marathon particpiant. “It’s going to be a lot of fun. It’s going to be a lot of work. The last lap is going to hurt, but I’m super excited. It’s going to be fun.”
Dant planned to participate in not just the main event starting at 7:35am, but the early morning run of the marathon starting at 2:30am. He said the atmosphere leading up to race day has already stood out.
“Seems like the energy is really, really high, so I’m excited to see that on the course tomorrow and in the after party,” he said.
Race organizers say that energy is part of what keeps runners coming back year after year.
“We have amazing mountains. We have great food — the restaurants get to have all these visitors come. We have amazing music venues,” said Kait Pedigo, event organizer for the marathon. “The Freedom First Down by Downtown Festival is going on at the same time.”
Pedigo said the marathon continues to draw participants from across the country, many of whom return after their first race.
“We get people from at least 40 states every year to come out here and try it,” she said. “It’s kind of a bucket list race, which a lot of people think you would just do it once and then never again, but I do really think the experience is something special.”
She added that community support along the course plays a major role in that experience.
“The people here who are cheering them on and then all the fun that we have at the finish line and all the events — I think that’s what keeps them here,” Pedigo said. “I think they like the community a lot.”