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PETE'S PICKS
 It's time for a little fishing. And paddling. And camping. Plan to spend the weekend at the 3rd Annual New River Paddle Fishing Tournament in McCoy on Saturday. The entry fee is $25 and includes a t-shirt, shuttle service, and two nights of camping. There will also be live music and a BBQ dinner. If you are more of a land-lover, think about giving back by volunteering for Carvins Cove trail work on Sunday or July 28. A group of volunteers will meet at 9 a.m. each day to work on rock armoring muddy areas on the trail at Carvins Cove. Get Outside! 
Pete Eshelman
Director of Outdoor Branding
Roanoke Regional Partnership
  
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SO CLOSE WE CAN TASTE IT -- A CLIMBING GYM THAT IS
 So close we can taste it! Just imagine ... spend a couple of hours climbing with your friends, then kick back and enjoy a cold brew from the next-door tap house. Or go for a run on the greenway, boulder a few routes, then grab a slice of pizza from the wood-fired pizza oven. A few months ago we told you about a developer who had an interest in bringing a climbing gym to Roanoke. We needed your help then, and we need it now. With a couple of clicks, you can help make a world-class indoor climbing and bouldering gym a reality. The River Rock plans feature a mix of climbing walls covering 8,500 square feet and including about 24,000 holds. The gym would also include 30+ top-rope climbs, more than 100 bouldering problems, yoga, weights, cargo, and instruction, making it perfect for all experience levels from beginner to expert (detailed and interactive plans will be added to the website in the next few days). But the project needs your support - fast. The group needs 500 email signups on the website by July 28 to greenlight the project. There is no commitment to join; votes are just a gauge of public support for the project. Here's how you show your support: - Add your name to the list by submitting your email address as a vote
- "Like" the River Rock's Facebook page
- Share all of this information with your friends and encourage them to support the project
Find out more about the project >>>
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GET READY FOR A CHALLENGING 5K
 This is not your ordinary 5k.
The Radical Runabout Sprint Obstacle Race combines distance of a 5k and a whole host of challenges - from steep inclines, a multi-terrain environment, and obstacles designed to actually slow you down. (Seasoned runners will probably finish this event with their worst 5k times ever - and that's ok!)
The unique race, which is Aug. 25 at Fallon Park in Roanoke, will be constructed to test both your mind and body with nine obstacles and four challenges. You can find descriptions of all the obstacles and challenges -- including the Critter Crawl, Log Leaper, and A-maze-ing - on the Radical Runabout website. Check out the course map, but none of the obstacles will be set up in advance so good luck planning for those.
But you need to register today. The race has a 200 runner limit and all runners must register in advance. The fee is $23 and goes toward event costs, such as prizes and setup. Runners register in heats of 10, so make sure to register with a friend if you want to participate together.
Check out the race details >>>
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EAST COASTERS PLANS MOVE TO WASENA
 East Coasters may soon move from its Electric Road location to the former Virginia Transportation Museum along the Roanoke River.
East Coasters Owner Wesley Best plans to buy the property from the city and renovate the building, adding electricity, plumbing and heat and air for the shop. In addition, he hopes to lease part of the large building to a restaurant with outdoor dining.
The building is in a perfect location for bikers with a location in Wasena along the Roanoke River Greenway.
The location "enables us to be more a part of the community," said Best, adding that East Coasters will likely sponsor more clinics and group rides from the new location. "We will be there for people on the greenway who need services."
Best hopes to complete renovations and the move by next spring. The new space will be very different than the current location with 60 to 75 percent more space and a "much more organic look and feel." The structure of the building will remain leaving interior exposed cinder block and timbers
Read more about East Coasters and the revitalization of Wasena >>>
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FLEET FEET OPENS IN NEW LOCATION
Fleet Feet Sports finished its move to the former Play-It-Again Sports location on U.S. 220 (in front of Lowe's) and is open for business.
The new location is bigger and better and contains plenty of gear for running, walking, and getting healthy and fit. The store has a large selection of footwear, apparel and accessories from a variety of brands including Nike, Asics, Brooks, New Balance and The North Face.
Also worth noting, all the photography in the store is of the local running scene (courtesy of Kemper Mills Fant photography).
Check out the new store at 4347 Franklin Road in Roanoke. Fleet Feet's phone number did not change; you can reach the store at 777-1166. Store hours are Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Fleet Feet supports local running events, and is also the host of several of their own events including weekly pub and trail runs. Make sure to check out their calendar to join in on a group run.
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UPCOMING EVENTS TO KEEP YOUR EYE ON
Visit The RoanokeOutside.com Calendar of Events for details on these upcoming events!
- FloydFest 11 - 7/26-29
- Public Forum on Uranium Mining - 7/27
- Shake, Bake & Sprout at the Vinton Farmers' Market - 7/28
- Touch A Truck - 7/28
- Rock Castle Gorge hike - 7/29
- Kayaking 101 - Every Wednesday in August
- Intro. to Caving - 8/4
- TriAdventure Sprint Triathlon - 8/5
- Microfestivus - 8/11
- Celebrate Catawba - 8/11
- Smith River Fest - 8/11
- Intro. to Paddling - 8/11
- Health Focus of Southwest Virginia 38th Annual Distance Run - 8/11
- Radical Reels Film Festival and Get Outside Expo - 9/12
- How to Start an Outdoor Business Workshop - 9/20
- GO Outside Festival - 10/19-21
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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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