The Foot Levelers Blue Ridge Marathon is looking for community partners.

 

In its fourth year, the event managed by the Roanoke Regional Partnership, is making its mark as a well-known footrace. The marathon was recently named to The Weather Channel's list of the World's 15 Toughest Marathons and this year three legendary runners have signed up to take part. The race is scheduled for April 20 and registration is underway.

On the world's toughest list, the Foot Levelers Blue Ridge Marathon was mentioned alongside races such as the Lake Tahoe Marathon, the Great Wall Marathon in China, the North Pole Marathon, and the Pikes Peak Marathon in Colorado.

This year runners also have an added treat as three legendary marathoners join the race. Bart Yasso, known as the "Mayor or Running;" Frank Shorter, a gold-medalist in the 1972 Olympics; and Bill Rodgers, a former Boston and New York marathon winner, will join a relay team with two lucky winners. Learn more about the contest and enter today!

But none of that would be possible without community support. The marathon is a community event created by a great group of volunteers and to continue that success it needs the help of community business.

 

And it is easy to get involved. From sponsoring a mile marker sign to having your office team staff a water station - sponsorship packages start at just $150. Email us to learn more.

It's not too late to make good on the New Year's resolution.

 

You can still walk, run, pedal or paddle 100 miles in 100 days as part of the Roanoke 100 Miler. Registration continues through Monday.

The challenge is easy and you can do it at your own pace. Just get active for one mile every day and record your results. (You only have a few days worth of miles to make up, so why not get started today?) The challenge began Sunday and ends on April 15. But you need to register (as an individual or with a team) to take part.

 

Learn more about the event and sign up today >>> 

Biking is not just an after-work activity.

More and more communities are learning that bike-friendly communities are helping business attract more jobs and top talent.

 

Minneapolis, rated as one of America's best bike cities, is leading the way. The city has created a set of off-street trails through the city, it has added 180 miles of bike lanes, and launched a bikeshare program.

 

The plan mirrors some of the bike-friendly activity happening here in the Roanoke Region.

 

The Roanoke River Greenway offers more than 5 miles of trails from Wasena Park to Bennington Road through downtown Roanoke.

 

Roanoke also painted shared line markings in downtown locations, making it easier for bikers to use the road. The city also earned recognition from the League of American Bicyclists in 2012 as a Bronze Bicycle Community.