Thousands take on the challenge of America’s Toughest Road Races

ROANOKE, Va. (WDBJ) - There was no shortage of excitement in Roanoke on Saturday as runners from across the country and beyond gathered in Elmwood Park for the 16th annual Foot Levelers Blue Ridge Marathon.

“It’s our opportunity to roll out the red carpet and welcome people from more than 40 states and multiple countries here to Roanoke to celebrate a challenge and being, you know, well together,” said Kate Pedigo, the Event Organizer for the marathon.

It’s called the “America’s Toughest Road Races,” but it didn’t stop over two-thousand people from lining up along Jefferson St. to compete in 10k (6 miles), half marathon (13 miles) and full marathon (26.2 miles) races.

Three generations of the Lovell family men; Carroll Frank, Alan and Nathan, came back for another year together for the marathon. “We’re so glad to be here, with my Dad, Grandpa for Nathan, and we just enjoy the family atmosphere,” said Alan.

And some of our very own at Your Hometown Station also competed. Weekday producer of the 6 and 6:30 p.m. shows Alex Powell placed second in his age group for the men’s half marathon.

“I’m from Roanoke, and so the Blue Ridge Half Marathon is considered the toughest road race in America. And I thought, why not? Let’s do it, and I did it!” said Powell.

The challenge comes from runners having to endure over 7,000 feet of elevation change as they run up Mill Mountain, across the Blue Ridge Parkway, up Roanoke Mountain, back down into the Roanoke River Greenway, then out to South Roanoke up to Peakwood, back down to the River Greenway back into downtown through Old Southwest and Highland Park, and then back downtown finishing at Elmwood Park,” described Pedigo.

Seasoned runner Eli Roberson from Stuart, Virginia said it’s no easy task. “It’s not that fun, but it’s challenging,” he said.

But Roberson still came out as the big winner for this years’ marathon, running 26.2 miles in just under 3 hours.

“It’s a really, really fun race,” said Roberson. “The community support’s fun and you know, it’s a lot of challenges with the climbs and it’s just a very unique marathon.”

Pedigo recommend anyone who’s interested in participating in the 2026 to start training around the New Year, as organizers are getting ready to start preparing the next Blue Ridge Marathon starting in May.