RoanokeOutsideGetOutsideNewsletterphoto 
in this issue
Weekend Update
Pete's Pick
Explore Your Limits 5K & 10K Trail Race
Time for the Canoe to Get Back on Top
Garmont Masterlite - Gear Review
New National Park Gun Law
YMCA Kids Marathon
Upcoming Events to Keep your Eye On
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WeekenD UpdaTE        
pete's picks                             
What's my recommendation?Pete Eshelman
  • Pete is on vacation this week - He said something about taking advantage of all this snow before it melts. He'll be back next week with some more recommendations.
Got an idea? Send it to pete@roanoke.org

Get OUTSIDE!
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Pete Eshelman (friend me on Facebook)
Director of Outdoor Branding
Roanoke Regional Partnership


Explore Your Limits 5k & 10k Trail Races    
The 5k is a great race to introduce runners to trail running. The race course will take runners through some of the trails and gravel roads of the Explore Park. The 5k is 1/3 trail and 2/3 gravel road and asphalt. The 10k continues on into the single track biking trails for the remainder of the race. Get Outside newsletter header

Race Age Groups: 11 male and female age groups. with medals given to the top 3 in each age group. The top 3 male and female winners of each race will receive unique awards. Age brackets for the races include, for both male and female: 14 and under; 15-19; 20-24; 25-29; 30-34; 35-39; 40-44; 45-49; 50-54; 55-59; 60 & up.

Entry Fees: 5k = $25, 10k = $30.  Visit www.MountainJunkies.net for more information and to register.



Time for the Canoe to Get Back on Top      Get Outside newsletter header
Let's face it: the canoe does not get the respect it deserves...especially in the whitewater world.  The kayak boasts of its ease of maneuvering, light weight and cool factor.  How can the old canoe, who's only claim to fame is the movie 'Deliverance', begin to compete?

To a dedicated group of canoeing enthusiasts, the kayak doesn't hold a candle to what the canoe can offer.  Now myself, having spent over 20 years sitting in the cockpit of a kayak, I was a little hesitant about taking on the project of making a canoeing movie. These concerns were eased by our office mate here, Will Lyons, who let me know just how rad the canoe can be.  A month and plane ticket later to Mexico, I am now a believer.  Seeing guys like Eli Helbert, Jim Coffey and Dooley Tombras style 40 foot tall waterfalls one after another, a new found respect for the canoe has been had.  Not only do I think of the canoe as a performance oriented craft now, but I am blown away by the passions of those who call themselves a canoeist. Stay tuned to The Canoe Movie Website as we work our way into the mind of the canoeist.

In the mean time, check out this great kayak and canoeing info.



Garmont Masterlite- Gear Review      
Garmont's minimalist alpine touring (AT) boot is said to be one of the lightest on the market. The MGet Outside newsletter headerasterlite is a to-be-released 2.4-pound ski mountaineering boot.

With only two buckles, and an optional power strap, the boot is designed for minimalists that still want a solid boot. And its Pebax resin shell helps keep weight to a minimum - without hindering performance, the company says.

Instead of a flex point in the forefoot, the Masterlite has a rockered (imagine a less-curved rocking chair rail) outsole. The lack of hinge or accordion-style flex point makes the boot stiffer when skiing and allows for more energy transfer when you need. And the rocker sole gives you the range of motion you need when touring up the mountain.

The Masterlite will be available in September for $819. www.garmont.com

-Ryan Dionne (ExploreItOutdoors.com)



New Gun Law for National Parks        
Last week it became legal to carry firearms in National Parks. The controversial law, first introduced by the Bush administration, was slipped into a massive credit cards bill in 2009 and signed by President Obama. The law allows citizens to carry concealed weapons as well as hunting rifles and shotguns in all national parks. A few states are trying to pass bills that would block the law in their park units. Hunting is still illegal in most national parks and the majority of park visitors won't notice a difference.



YMCA KIDS MARATHON        
The Blue Ridge Marathon is excited to announce a joint partnership with the Chick-fil-A YMCA Kids Marathon. The YMCA Kids Marathon is an opportunity for young runners + walkers + active youth in grades K-5 to participate in a marathon - modified just for kids!

BlueRidgeMarathon logo           YMCAChick-fil-A logos
 
The YMCA Kids Marathon is a non-timed and non-competitive event. By participating in this program, we hope to instill in each child a love and understanding of running and a chance to develop a healthy lifestyle when it is most important. Each young athlete will learn to set and achieve an attainable goal and enjoy the pride of accomplishment. The YMCA is inviting all area elementary schools to build a team!

Participants complete 25.2 miles on their own or with family, friends or classmates prior to race day. On Race Day (April 24) - with a team of volunteers cheering them on - all participants will complete the last mile together beginning at the Kirk Family YMCA; through the streets of downtown Roanoke (the roads will be closed to all traffic); and finishing at the Blue Ridge Marathon finish line behind the Taubman Museum. Each YMCA Kids Marathon participant will cross the same finish line as the elite athletes participating in the Blue Ridge Marathon later that morning.

In the hopes of encouraging team spirit, the t-shirts provided for Race Day will be color coded to represent each individual school.  For more information or tips for building a team visit the YMCA Kids Marathon website.

Note - The Blue Ridge Marathon is actively seeking volunteers. Please click here if you are interested.



Upcoming events to keep your eye oN                               
Visit The RoanokeOutside.com Calendar of Events for details on these upcoming events!
  • Weekly bike rides throughout Roanoke & NRV Valleys
  • Group Trainer Rides & Movies every Tuesday
  • Explore Your Limits (5 & 10K) 3/6
  • 25th Annual Blacksburg Classic 10 miler & 5K 3/6
  • Montvale 5 & 10 Mile Trail Run 3/27
  • Susan G. Komen Greater Roanoke Race for the Cure 5K 4/10
  • ESPN Bassmasters Blue Ridge Brawl at SML 4/16-19
  • Mill Mountain Mayhem 10K 4/17
  • Blue Ridge Marathon (full & half) 4/24
  • Angels Race Triathlon 4/25
  • Smith Mountain Lake Triathlon - early May
  • Middle Mountain Momma mtn. bike race - 5/2
  • Gallop 4 the Greenways 5/8
  • Appalachian Power Festival 5K & 10K - mid May
  • Alleghany Highlands Triathlon - 5/22
  • Mountains of Misery - 5/30
  • Trail Nut 10K and Half Marathon 6/5
  • Fat Tire Frenzy & Bike Festival - 6/18-19
  • New River Valley Triathlon 7/11
Roanoke Regional Partnership

Roanoke Regional Partnership · 111 Franklin Plaza, Suite 333 · Roanoke, VA 24011

540.343.1550 X 104 · www.roanoke.org