The inaugural National College Blue Ridge Marathon, held last month, generated a lot of excitement, attention, and funds that positively impacted the Roanoke Valley. Things just seemed to come together in ways that even organizers did not necessarily expect when they were in the planning stages. The hope was that the event, highlighting the 75th Anniversary of the Blue Ridge Parkway, would let people outside Roanoke know more about the area as they traversed the rigorous course which took participants up on the Parkway and back into downtown Roanoke, winding up near the impossible-to-miss landmark, the Taubman museum.
The idea of “connecting the dots” of many of Roanoke’s important and beautiful landmarks, while simultaneously designing one of the more difficult marathons in the country turned out to be a success on many levels. And, this past Tuesday, true to the community spirit generated by the cooperative effort, organizers of the Blue Ridge Marathon presented “FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge Parkway” a check for $20,000 which will be used to “further its mission to preserve, promote and enhance the scenic highway” which is considered to be one of the biggest draws in this area.
Accepting the check was FRIENDS Executive Director Susan J. Mills, Ph.D, who said “100 percent of this donation will be used to provide funding for events along the Blue Ridge Parkway and FRIENDS Save Parkway Views Program.” She added that “the money is even more welcome at a time when the economy makes fundraising particularly challenging.”
Many supporters of the Parkway were present for the announcement, along with Marathon sponsors, including the first to sign up, National College President and CEO Frank Longaker, who said “we were lucky to be the title sponsor … the Blue Ridge Parkway is an asset and a jewel – [we need to] support that asset.” Longaker, an avid endurance event participant, ran the Parkway’s 13.1 mile half marathon.
Other sponsors included Carilion Clinic, Valley Bank, Finks Jewelers, and Roanoke Parks and Recreation.
Marathon Co-Chairs John Carlin and Pete Eshelman were both pleased with the positive impact the Marathon had on the community. Eshelman said the “Inaugural event came off without hitches; we needed to have a good first event.” He said that “we got a 99% satisfaction rating from runners,” to which Carlin added, “That rating is almost unheard of.”
Eschelman also said they calculated that $354,202 was infused into the community because of the Marathon, which will serve as a benchmark going forward.
Carlin said that next year “they are looking at adding a significant climb, in order to make sure we have the toughest on-road marathon in the country.” Race Director Ronny Angell relays that, “The runners tell us they loved this course despite the difficulty.” Being able to make the “toughest” claim will continue to help the Blue Ridge Marathon stand out in the eyes of potential participants who come from all over the world.
Regina Desper, Co-Chair Roanoke Valley Chapter of FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge Parkway, is still excited about the Marathon project. She said that “volunteers from chapters all along the parkway” came up to help with the event. They were responsible for “aid stations, and there were guides along the Parkway” who helped point runners in the right direction. There was even a contest amongst volunteers for the “best aid station” which runners voted for. Incidentally, the winner was the Rocky Knob Chapter of FRIENDS who manned the station located on Spur Mountain Road where it intersects the Parkway. They received a $500 prize that they will use to help with their chapter’s activities.
Given the success of the inaugural marathon most have assumed that plans are underway for next year’s event. Dispelling any remaining doubt, John Carlin emphatically said that “YES, we will do it again next year.” The date is currently set for April 16, 2011.
By Cheryl Hodges [email protected]
