Registration:
The site is really easy to navigate. If you are looking for information or looking to register the blue ridge site is user friendly.
Registration is administered by Active.com which means it has some of your information saved and it makes registration convenient.
The communication from the race directors leading up to the day of the race is great.
not too much and not too little

Expo:
This is a decent sized expo. It was held in the lobby of a hotel and it had a couple of vendors. Foot levelers and Fleet feet were there which makes sense. it gives you the opportunity to grab some last minute race supplies. You're not going to find the depth and breadth of items at a larger big city race, but compared to some other marathons i have run this expo if 'big'.
They lay out everything nicely so you can either breeze through and get your race stuff or take some pre-race photos and shop for some gear.
There are a few additional vendors where the finish line would be, but these are mostly set up for the music fest.

Race:
The elevation definitely messes with your race strategy. You go 13 min/mile up hill and 6 down hill.
The scenery is breathtaking... on Roanoke mountain. The city is...well; the city, but worth it.
The volunteers are fantastic. The community is supportive.

Post Race
The finish line festival rivals that of a rock n roll event.
There are vendors at the finish line.
there is music and beer.
the awards are really cool

I would highly recommend this event to anyone interested in testing their ability and pushing their limits.
While this isn't necessarily a PR course it is something to write home about.

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