I returned to conquer the Blue Ridge Mountains for a 2nd time. Packed the car and took the 14 hour road trip to Virginia. I am not crazy, I just hate flying. Madden cruiser anyone?

We arrived late Thursday (4-24-14) evening. Checked into Hotel Roanoke (which was walking distance to all activities), claimed our hot chocolate chip cookies, and rested up for the festivities.

Bright & early Friday morning we met up with a small group for the shake -out run. It was a sunny morning as we jogged along the greenway.

The expo & packet-pick up wouldn’t start until 3pm and the pasta party at 6:30. We had time to explore the city, Roanoke makes a tourist feel at home. We checked out the many shops and settled to eat lunch at 202 Market, which had a great GF menu. At that time the skies opened up and the rain flooded the streets.

We managed to wait out the rain & waste enough time until the expo opened. The packet pickup was held in a tent outside the City Market building. There was a line for each race event, full, half, 10k. Shirts were to be picked up on the 2nd level inside the City Market where the actual expo was happening. Lots of free samples, stickers, , you could buy custom made shirts. Foot levelers was measuring feet in the center of the room. Also on the 2nd level was Fleet Feet Sports Roanoke, where we took advantage of some rolling.

The pasta dinner featured guest speaker Zoe Romano. A buffet of pastas, salad, meatballs, bread & desserts. Tickets could be purchased ahead of time for $25, there was also limited availability at the door. A friend still needed to buy a ticket, when we approached the “list keeper” she informed us that the Chesapeake Running Club had purchased her a ticket. After a round of thanks, we discovered some were originally from Iowa.

The pasta dinner included an overview of the course, 7400 feet of elevation gain anyone? Then the featured speaker Zoe Romano told us of her trek across the Tour De France route, via her feet. Inspirational story about the ability to accomplish anything you set out to do.

Saturday morning, race day. It was sunny, about 55 degrees. Iinstead of making coffee in the hotel room, left the room at 6:20 ish in search of a fresh brewed cup. Imagine our surprise when no business is open before 7 am in downtown Roanoke. Coffee is liquid gold to us, the race started at 7:35. It was a stressful start, but we found a shop & grabbed a cup at 7:01 am.

Just before the race we meet up with the others and cheered the unofficial double runners across the starting line. This course is tough, but there is a small group that runs the full marathon course twice, waking up at 2:30 am. Once all doublers are in, the 2 hand cyclists are on their way. Our group disbands, with “good lucks” all around, we proceed to our corrals. Which were new this year and based on the honor system. The singing of the National Anthem was performed and the gun went off.

All three races started at the same time.

Full Marathon Course: This race is tagged “America’s Toughest Road Marathon” It definitely lives up to that name. This is only the 5th year, and each year organizers add more elevation. The start of this race takes you up Mill Mountain, on the paved asphalt road. The half and 10k split at the turn for the top of Mill Mountain. The full continues to do a loop up and down Roanoke Mountain, the steepest climbs of the race. However the view from this peak was spectacular, complete with a bagpiper, bananas, oranges, water, gummi bears, pretzels & a purple sports drink. (I was told it was Gatorade and told it was Gu Brew)

We were running the Blue Ridge Parkway. There were port-o-potties and a few spectators on this section of the course. However all the volunteers, law enforcement personal, & other runners were excellent support. At this time the temperature had started to climb.

When the full course joined back up with the peak of Mill Mountain, we were greeted with another fuel stop & a spectacular view of Roanoke. Volunteers couldn’t take your picture quick enough, they were so kind! I caught a course photographer on the decent, all race photos are free! At about the midway point of the way down a lady was serving “Moo-mosas” I recalled her from the prior year, when she only had glass serving ware. This year she was prepared, with a cow theme, plastic glasses & high end champagne.

After accomplishing 2 peaks, there is still one more to go. Taking a tour through parts of the city, where there were more enthusiastic spectators, & a portion of the greenway, we ascend Peakwood. Oh Peakwood…it’s not the steepest, but at mile 17 your legs are tired! This climb has many housing developments, which brings out some fun spectators. Spectators who cheer, but also think they are helping by informing you of a flat section, or you’re almost to the top.

Once I had snaked through the neighborhood, eating some more bananas and gummi bears, I had made it to the party on Peakwood. They had tents set up with food & champagne. After the “moo-mosa” stop, some heart burn, & increasing temps, I snagged a paper cup of water, noticed the “no alcohol past this point” sign, and made my way down.

This is where I like to use the phrase “Pain of Peakwood” the down hill is no joke, your quads are on fire, and you have no control. When I passed mile marker 20, I took a photo & let my friends know where I was, as race tracking was an additional charge. I also glanced at my watch, I thought with the heat I wasn’t doing so well, but it wasn’t the case a race PR was possible.

I continued on, I really hadn’t hit a wall, I was just being smart. The last 6 miles were tough, mentally you are thinking you are done with the mountains, but the sneaky organizers decided the added elevation would be in these miles. It was also getting too hot, temps reaching 80 degrees with minimal shade. I hit all the water stops and carried on.

Mile 25, I was going to run the rest of the way. My legs were tired, but the Hanson marathon method had us run so many miles on tired legs, I knew I could do it. Then there it was, the finish line! I heard some “GO ANG’s!” from the side and jumped across the finish line. I PR’d this race. Officially by 23 minutes from the previous year. I hope the race organizers don’t read this, they’ll make it harder, lol.

I proceed to walk the chute and to the food tent. The one area that could use some improvement. It seemed like it was crowded into it’s spot. The only food left for me was oranges, bananas, bagels, water, pop, chocolate milk. When I run a marathon I need some food, preferably something I don’t have to go find my money to buy. Maybe the one free post race craft beer prohibited me from going off the deep end. Or maybe it was the second beer, it was tasty.

The finish area was nice, there was an amphitheater where the awards were presented. In between awards there was live music. There could have been more shade. There was local food vendors set up along side the local beer vendors. The group of us had all met back up, discussing everyone’s race.

There was a concert going on put on by the race, G. Love & Special Sauce. Runners could buy discounted tickets, but we passed.

I will run this race again someday, but not sure if it will be next year. It was this race last year where I realized the fun & adventure that comes along with the joy of running, so it holds a special place for me.

I do respect the focus & training it takes to run your best, but this race is where the fun & discipline come together.

Registration: Available online and at the expo. Price increased from $30 to $50 at packet pick up. Included as part of entry, long sleeve tech shirt, chip timing, medal at the finish, swag bag with flyers & samples.

Expo: day before race from 10-5. I did not attend this, as it was possible to have someone else to pick up your packet. I do know that it was not near the start/finish of the race, but at a completely different location. After the expo the site hosted a pasta dinner.

Pre-Race: The start / finish was near a high school, so there was plenty of free parking for everyone. Port-o-potties were few, but available. The start was a couple blocks from the parking lot. Once to the starting area there were pacers for the full only and no corrals. The national anthem was played, and the race was underway.

Race: The course was on paved surfaces, combination of cement & asphalt. It went out through the county, passing farms, where you could see for miles, then snaked through some residential neighborhoods. Spectators were few & far between. Each mile was marked. The full marathon split was easily identified. Water & Gatorade stops were abundant, served in paper cups, each drink in same color cup. Volunteers shouted which beverage they had. The volunteers at each stop were very encouraging. One orange slice stop. The course had some hills, but nothing steep. There was a timing mat for the half way point split. Port-o-potties on the course. I did not see any photographers on the course. No course entertainment. No time limit for the half, encouraged to finish in 4 hours. Finish on the high school track marked with inflatable arch and clock. After across the finish line a medal was handed to you, then a bottle of water and a mylar blanket. Checked my Garmin, 13.36 miles.

Post Race: After finishing, the chute was a 200 meter walk on the back side of the track, then you had to cross the runners path into the food tents. Bananas, oranges, cookies, water, Gatorade & chocolate milk. Massage was available at no cost. Finishers could see times posted on concourse of the stadium. Could also join spectators in the stands to watch finishers.

Overall: My judgement of this race is clouded by the fact that I ran the entire course with one of my best friends. I had a great time talking and laughing the whole way, it didn't feel like a race to me. However after talking with my husband, he says he will never run a long race in Marion again because it was so boring. Looking back if I had to run it alone, I would agree that the scenery and course was boring. I couldn't imagine running the full. The race is organized well, could have had a few more port-o-potties near the start, great running surface, well supported, and not too hilly. I like to run local races, so if you haven't run Marion I would recommend doing it at least once, maybe with a friend.

Registration: Online registration available or snail mail. Price started at $35, and increased to $40. Could still register on site at the race. Price was high for a 5k, but this is what was included: chip timing, long sleeve shirt, candy, post race breakfast, and a medal! Was also a $1000 prize to the winner. Kids could register for a smaller race which included a post race egg hunt.

Packet pickup: Packets were available for pick up the day before the race at a nearby Clinic, or prior to the race near the start. Others could pick up your stuff. The day before pick up also had more swag to grab, drawstring back pack and candy.

Pre-race: The kids races were held at 8:30. Divided into 2 categories, those 6 & under, and then those over. Plenty of free parking in nearby lots or on the street. There were also port-o-potties near the start. Live music playing.

Race / Course: The race started after a moment of silence for Boston, and then the band sang the National Anthem. The start was congested, and no announcement was made to line up according to pace. Course was on cement and asphalt surfaces, no major potholes. Each mile was marked with a sign. No water stops. Volunteer or law enforcement official at every intersection. The course was still open to traffic, some sections could have had more cones. One major uphill, with one rolling downhill. Few encouraging spectators. Finish marked with banner and clock.

Post Race: After finishing a volunteer handed you a medal & a towel. Proceeded to tents where they served scrambled eggs, sausage, candy, bananas, bagels, Gatorade chews, flavored water, & bottles of water. Live music continued to play. Easter egg hunt held at 10 am. Isabel Bloom awards to winners, ceremony after the egg hunt.

Overall: I will run this race again. The price is high, but you get what you pay for and the course is challenging. The medal is also a bottle opener and a magnet.