Since the big move, I really had no set-in-stone plans for 2012, other than focusing on the Ultra in March. So imagine my excitement when I received and email with an offer to run what is thought to be THE toughest road marathon in the WORLD, with three mountains to ascend and descend, totaling 7,234 feet of elevation change.
That sounds disgustingly painful...
So obviously, I accept that offer.
The Blue Ridge Marathon in Roanoke Virginia. April 21, 2012.
Watch this video, "ooh and ahh" at the pretty sights while simultaneously wondering if you are experiencing sympathy D.O.M.S...
Blue Ridge Marathon: America's Toughest Road Marathon from Pete Eshelman on Vimeo.
So there's this other race, the Mount Lemmon Marathon in Tuscon Arizona. 6,000 foot elevation GAIN, straight uphill. Sounds equally as horrible, so much so that I think I'll put that on my race "to do" list! As you can imagine, THEY also consider themselves the "Toughest Marathon in the World". So here's what the race directors from the Blue Ridge Marathon had to say:
"when organizers of the Blue Ridge Marathon learned about Mount Lemmon’s claim they issued a challenge to “let the runners decide which is tougher”, and they backed their challenge by offering free entries into their race to anyone who had just completed the Mount Lemmon Marathon. About 20 runners accepted the offer and hit the pavement this past April. After the race, organizers showed some southern hospitality by treating the Mount Lemmon runners to breakfast at Thelma’s Chicken and Waffles. Those who know Thelma’s would argue this was a bribe…and that may be the case. Regardless after experiencing 26.2 miles of elevation change, pounding rain and hail, and a course that trekked through the downtown area, followed a river, climbed the mountain, and took runners back down the mountain, runners were asked to share their experience. Here’s what they had to say:
(Heather note: Listen to the dude at minute 2:31 "Mile 6 is probably when I started cramping in my calves". Mile 6? SIX?!?! )
I am clearly an absolute glutton for punishment, so this sounds right up my alley. I can't WAIT to check Virginia off of my 50+1 states marathon list (I am counting Marine Corps Marathon as the +1, for the record) and it sounds to me like I'm really going to have to EARN this finish.
So....are you interested? Here are the details:
- What: Full & Half Marathon. 5-Person Team Relay. Walking Half. YMCA Kids Marathon
- Where: Roanoke, VA and Blue Ridge Parkway
- Date: April 21, 2012
- Start Time: 7:30 am
- Total Elevation Change: ~7,234 ft. (full), ~2,500 ft. (half)
- Most Difficult Section: Roanoke Mountain on Blue Ridge Parkway
- Beneficiary: Friends of the Blue Ridge Parkway
- Magnificent Views: Plenty
I'll be there... will you? Register before December 31st for the National College Blue Ridge Marathon and receive 15 percent off the registration fee, just use the code “Tough”
OR....
Enter here for a chance to win free registration!
****ALL you have to do to enter is leave a comment below, telling me why YOU want to take the challenge of the Toughest Road Marathon in the WORLD!****
If you really, REALLY want to win, here are a few bonus entries. Do one, do all, whatever you like, but PLEASE leave a separate comment for each! Thank you!
- become a follower of my blog or let me know that you already are
- follow Blue Ridge Marathon on twitter here: http://www.twitter.com/BRM26pt2
- "like" Blue Ridge Marathon on facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/BlueRidgeMarathon
- Share this contest. Twitter. Facebook. Dailymile. Whatever floats your boat. Leave a comment for each.
I'm leaving this one up for two weeks, winner will be drawn via random.org on Sunday December 4th.
Good luck! And start icing your legs NOW!
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50 comments:
Always love a challenge so definately would love to run this one.
Iam a follower of your blog
I've been following, liked it on facebook, following on twitter, and shared on Google+. I'm in the military. I've done 1 full and 5 halves in Va, SC, and Fl. I'm looking for a great challenge. I'd love a chance at the BRM.
Wow, not a lot of comments here yet. Are people scared or am I just early.
That is my birthday. It would be an awesome way to ring in my 35th year. I drove on the Blue Ridge Parkway this past summer and it was beautiful (and hilly, OMG!).
I already have a marathon paid for, hotel booked, for April 16th, so I would already sort of be trained anyway, right?
I'm a follwer of your blog.
I follow your blog
ummm...why wouldn't I? (that is my reason for wanting to try)
I "liked" them on facebook
I shared on facebook
I follow your blog
I'm a follwer!
I definitely don't want to take that challenge...I'm a newbie and I'm training for my first half. I just completed my first 10K and am about to do my next. The race sounds awesome though, hopefully some day I'll be ready for something so crazy. :) Jessica
runningtobeskinny.com
Because at 52 years old I have finally learned what crazy fun is.
Ok, I'm a glutton for punishment too -- and now you've peeked my interest!!! :-)
I liked them on FB too. :-)
Just shared your contest with my Pacers Amabassador peeps. Hopefully some of them will mosey on over here! :-)
This seems like the best marathon to reignite that fire in my belly!! I hope you pick me, it would be rad to run it together :)
Wow this seems intense. I'm not quite marathon ready but it sounds like a good one!
Sounds spectacular! I am already committed for the following weekend otherwise I'd totally enter the giveaway!
I want to do this so that I can say I did.
Looks like a gorgeous place to experience. I could probably do a 5 person relay or the walk half. Tweeting for you too!
I have my first Full Marathon scheduled for April 7th, so I would totally be trained! This looks awesome. Flat out awesome. I love a good challenge and this race is on my "bucket list"...free entry would make that even better!
I follow your blog.
I am now following Blue Ridge Marathon on Twitter...
...and Like them on Facebook!
I ran the Blue Ridge Half last April and the spouse did the full marathon. Of the 12 halfs I've done this year, Blue Ridge is at the top of the heap. Gorgeous, challenging course, tons of good post-race food and drinks (chocolate milk!), cool medal and AG trophies, organized to a T. When you consider we had monsoon-like rains during the race and I still put Blue Ridge at the top of the list, you know it's an excellent event!
That is an incredibly challenging marathon. I have a friend in Roanoke who has been trying to talk me into running that one for a while now. Good luck! I would love to win the free entry.
Do I really want to punish myself with this race? let's let fate decided this one...
For those of you who are not sure about running the full marathon (or have spring committed to another marathon), remember you can do a 5 person team relay or walk the half. I look forward to seeing all of your smiling faces cross the finish line!
-Molly Bullington, Assistant Race Director
I want to run this race because, apparently, I'm CRAZY.
I'm a follower.
Follow the marathon on Twitter.
Like the marathon on FB!
Posted about the giveaway on FB! *fingers crossed*
I survived cancer. How hard could this road race be?
You're so evil with your temptations!!!
haha
I would love to do this, but unless I fly there, it's a bit far for me to drive in April with school going on.
But DARN. That sounds so awesome. I'm bookmarking the race link regardless. BADASS.
I just started following you, and I'm a glutton for punishment- point me towards the starting line and I'll tell you how bad it was at the finish.
I am all masochisitic and shit, love a good challenge
I would love to challenge myself with this one.
I am a follower.
I follow BRM on twitter.
I like BRM on FB.
Hey I'm running Boston 5 days before this, so it sounds like an extra challenge to give this a try! Put my name in the hat and let's see what fate has in store! :)
This year I did the Half for the second time - in weather that was crazy! It was still a great run and I'd like to give the Full a try in 2010!
NICE! i live near roanoke, these hills are no joke...but the star city is beautiful :)
I would LOVE to run the BRM! I have relatives in Roanoke, VA, so what better excuse to visit them again?! Plus, I'll have just run Boston, so I'll be ready to take on the challenge of another marathon. My friend, Lecia, just won an entry to the BRM, so she needs a travel buddy & running partner! It's fate - I need to run this marathon!
Next, I'm doing what's billed as the toughest obstacle course on the planet. I got the Tough Mudder in May I'll be crawling up and down MT. Snow. Between that and Manchester...I'll have my fill of hills.
I'll be looking for a nice flat marathon next.
But, at some point this looks like a great challenge for the future.
so...who won?
Would love to run the BRM!! I've only ever ran 1 half (the Myrtle Beach one actually) and that was this past October! Looking for my next race, and after hiking / driving along the Blue Ridge Parkway on Thanksgiving, now I want to run in the Mountains!
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