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PETE'S PICKS
My recommendation is pretty straightforward this weekend.
Support the Blue Ridge Marathon and all its associated activities.
Dozens of community volunteers have spent the last few months creating what aims to be one of the most unique events of the year.
It's hard to describe the energy that takes over downtown on April 21.
Runners, cyclists, musicians, and spectators are everywhere.
When you come downtown depends on how much time you have on your hands:
- Runners begin crossing the finish line at 9:30am and continue through 1pm.
- The Down by Downtown Music Festival (and beer garden) takes place at the marathon finish line from 11am-5pm.
- Climbing wall and inflatable slide are set up from 8:30am-3pm.
- Twilight Criterium bike race begins at 5pm and continues through 9pm. The professional riders start around 8pm.
If I wasn't going to be shaking the hands of runners as they cross the finish line, here is what I'd do:
- Come down around 9:45am, just in time to see who wins the Blue Ridge Marathon.
- Hang out until 1pm, enjoy the music, beer, food, etc., then go home and take a nap.
- Be back downtown by 8pm to watch the pros compete in the Twilight Criterium. Wander the course and enjoy more live music, and multiple beer gardens.
Have a great one and, Get Outside!
Pete Eshelman
Director of Outdoor Branding
Roanoke Regional Partnership
  
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IT'S GO TIME FOR AMERICA'S TOUGHEST ROAD MARATHON
 Unless you live under a rock, we're pretty sure you know that this weekend marks the 3rd annual National College Blue Ridge Marathon, Half Marathon, and Team Relay.
Don't miss out on this opportunity to be part of something magical. - It's never too late to volunteer! Seven course marshals are still needed (grab a friend, hang out at an intersection, and cheer runners on).
- If you live along the course, or know someone who does, throw a block party. Play music, yell words of encouragement, hand out food, etc.
- Come to the finish line and congratulate runners. And while you're there enjoy live music, climbing wall, inflatable slides, beer, food, and more.
The action doesn't stop at the end of marathon. Just a few blocks away, the first batch of semi- professional and professional cyclists take off at 5pm as part of the Roanoke Twilight Criterium. This is an incredible spectator sport - think NASCAR but on bicycles. Groups of cyclists do lap after lap through the streets of downtown Roanoke.
And if you see someone wearing a medal around their neck, be sure to congratulate them on completing America's Toughest Road Marathon, because it is a serious accomplishment.
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LOCAL BUSINESSES RECEIVE 'BICYCLE FRIENDLY BUSINESS' DESIGNATION
 Roanoke Regional Partnership, Carilion Clinic and Norfolk Southern named Bicycle Friendly Businesses by the League of American Bicyclists.
With Earth Day just around the corner, the League of American Bicyclists has recognized the Roanoke Regional Partnership, Carilion Clinic's Riverside campus and Norfolk Southern as Bicycle Friendly Businesses in the Roanoke Valley.
They join a visionary group of more than 400 local businesses, government agencies and Fortune 500 companies across the United States that are transforming the American workplace.
"Businesses and organizations like the Roanoke Regional Partnership, Carilion Clinic's Riverside campus and Norfolk Southern are at the forefront of a movement to make American businesses more competitive, sustainable and attractive to the best and brightest employees," said Andy Clarke, President of the League of American Bicyclists. "An investment in bicycling enhances employee health, increases sustainability and improves the bottom line."
Bicycle-friendly businesses improve the workplace and contribute to the community. For example, the Roanoke Regional Partnership, which received a bronze award, helps to attract and retain bicycle-centered businesses while promoting bicycling events and races.
Continue reading to learn more>>>
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PADDLING FILMS YOU DON'T WANT TO MISS
If you like rivers, April 20 and April 28 are two dates you'll want to put on your calendar now!
April 20 - National Paddling Film Festival
- Hollins Outdoor Program presents the second annual National Paddling Film Festival (NPFF) Roadshow. You'll be amazed by these "best-of" videos from NPFF's 24 years of festivals in which amateur and professional videographers capture thrilling footage of whitewater canoeing and kayaking adventures.
- Hollins University
- Tickets are $10
April 28 - Premiere of "No Man's Land"
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 AMONGSTiT TV, a company that lets you instantly watch adventure movies on your TV, phone, or computer has just completed its latest film "No Man's Land". The 29-minute film, shot entirely in the Roanoke Region, highlights local whitewater runs while documenting the ongoing legal dispute between land owners and whitewater enthusiasts. - Bonus movie - also watch "Canoe Movie 2: Unchartered Waters"
- Back Country Ski & Sports (Salem location)
- 7pm
- Free (bring a chair)
Continue reading to watch trailer videos and learn more>>>
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OUTDOOR ADVENTURES & FREE FLOYDFEST TICKETS
 There is a reason FloydFest (July 26-29) was voted "Best Outdoor Festival" by Blue Ridge Outdoors magazine - it's simply an incredible experience you don't want to miss. It's much more than just a music festival - four days of camping (if you want to), more than 100 performers on 10 music stages, beer and wine gardens, performance art, global village, kids' universe, craft workshops, trapeze school, disc golf, mountain bike trail, and lots more.
The music acts you'll see are too numerous to list, but here are a few headliners you won't want to miss: Alison Krauss, Michael Franti & Spearhead, Jackson Browne, SOJA, Brandi Carlile, Leftover Salmon, Matisyahu, Bruce Hornsby, Ricky Skaggs, Sam Bush, Galactic, ALO, Punch Brothers, Gary Clark, Toubah Krewe, Locos Por Juana, and many, many more.
And just like Roanoke Outside, FloydFest places a strong emphasis on the outdoors. Here's a little information you'll need to know to make sure you make the most of FloydFest, and all the outdoor opportunities it offers.
- FloydFest Outdoor Adventures tent is open daily (10am-5pm).
- Moonstomper Trail circumnavigates the entire festival grounds. Perfect for hiking and mountain biking.
- Star Light Bicycles will have demo bikes available, or bring your own.
- Events include: disc golf course, naturalist-guided hikes, river float trips, soccer, group road rides, disc golf contest, kickball, ultimate Frisbee, 5K Fun Run, and mountain bike time trials race.
- Download the entire Outdoor Adventures schedule of events.
Continue reading to learn how to win a pair of four-day passes to FloydFest>>>
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UPCOMING EVENTS TO KEEP YOUR EYE ON
Visit The RoanokeOutside.com Calendar of Events for details on these upcoming events!
- Bike Kitchen 5K - 4/28
- Rockin' Brews & BBQ Festival - 4/28
- 2nd Annual Surf the Streets Longboard Competition - 4/28
- Stick-Man Mud Run - 4/28
- Group Trail Run - 5/1
- Jennifer Pharr Davis, Adventures on the Appalachian Trail Talk - 5/2
- Wednesday Night Disco Mountain Bike Race - 5/2
- Mayor's Bike Ride - 5/5
- Trail Nut 10K & Half Marathon Trail Race - 5/5
- Intro to Whitewater Kayaking - 5/5
- Middle Mountain Momma Mtn. Bike Race - 5/6
- Dragon's Tooth Hike - 5/10
- Gallop 4 The Greenways - 5/12
- Cacheing in on the Scenery Geocache Event - 5/12
- Wednesday Night Disco Mountain Bike Race - 5/16
- Pigg River Ramble - 5/18-20
- Big Lick Fat Cat Classic - 5/18
- Youth Shooting Clinic - 5/19
- 9th Annual Grandin Court Baptist 5K Road & Trail Challenge - 5/19
- Alleghany Highlands Triathlon - 5/19
- Cafe 5K Family Fun Run/Walk - 5/19
- Kirk Fest - 5/30-6/2
- Guided Full Moon Canoe Trip - 6/1
- A.T. Hiking Weekend - 6/2-3
- 4th Annual Race for Open Space - 6/2
- Conquer the Cove Trail 25K & Marathon - 6/3
- Run With Grace - 6/9
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Roanoke Regional Partnership · 111 Franklin Plaza, Suite 333 · Roanoke, VA 24011540.343.1550 X 104 · www.roanoke.org
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