Get Outside newsletter header
In this issue
Weekend Update
Pete's Picks
Run the Marathon as a Team
Hiking, Biking, and New Brews in Salem
Group Connects Girls Through Running
Fate of Roanoke Mountain Campground
Upcoming Events To Keep Your Eye On
Line Divider 2
WEEKEND UPDATE         
Line Divider 2
PETE'S PICKS         
Saturday will be an interesting day in downtown Roanoke. The inaugural WazUpWidis race starts at 9 a.m. Hundreds of runners will participate in a rather unique footrace. This race is all about running up and down stairs, more than 660 to be exact. They'll be running up parking garages, across bridges, and finishing with a brutal climb up to the top of the Wells Fargo Tower and then back down to the finish.

So my recommendation for this weekend is to head downtown and watch this race (9-9:45 a.m.). The best place to watch is at the base of the Wells Fargo Tower near the Taubman Museum. After the race, visit the Taubman Museum (free), do a little window shopping, visit some galleries, check out the Transportation Museum, pick up something from the farmer's market, and then grab a bite to eat.

And if you still have energy to burn, take a hike through Read Mountain Preserve. A 1.9 mile trail leads you to the summit. This is a moderately difficult hike that takes about 2.5 hours ... but the view from Buzzards Rock is well worth it.

Get outside!

 Pete Eshelman signature

Pete Eshelman 
Director of Outdoor Branding 

Roanoke Regional Partnership 
Find us on Facebook  Follow us on Twitter  View our profile on LinkedIn  

Line Divider 2
RUN THE MARATHON AS A TEAM (PLUS DISCOUNTED REGISTRATION)     

Not ready for the full 26.2 miles? Tackle America's Toughest Road Marathon as a team. 

 

Round up three or four of your best running buddies and register for the Foot Levelers Blue Ridge Marathon five-person team relay. Each runner is responsible for one leg of the race - ranging from 4.1 to 6.5 miles - for a group marathon time.


And for the next week, teams that sign up with code TeamRoanokeOutside will save $25 off the registration fee. So what are you waiting for? Register today; the code expires on Feb. 14.

Relay teams can be made of men, women or both. Find out more about the team relay and descriptions of each leg of the race and register today (don't forget code TeamRoanokeOutside). 
Line Divider 2
HIKING, BIKING, AND NEW BREWS IN SALEM     

What better way to finish off a day on the trail than with a cool beverage?

 

And for those hiking and biking around Salem, you just got a great new option.

 

Parkway Brewing is now open on Kessler Mill Road. You can stop by (and refill your growlers) from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday and Friday, and from 1 to 6 p.m. on Saturday. You can also sample the brews in the tasting room. The brewmaster currently has four brews for you to check out, including the Get Bent Mountain IPA and Bridge Builder Blonde.

And how about a trail to lead you there?

Hikers and walkers should check out the nearby Hanging Rock Battlefield Trail. This simple historic trail in Salem offers a touch of local and national history, as well as a pleasant place to walk off the carbs.

But if you're looking for something a little longer, head on out to Carvins Cove where 40+ miles of trails await you. 
Line Divider 2
GROUP CONNECTS GIRLS THROUGH RUNING         
Girls on the Run-Roanoke Valley is helping shape healthy and confident lifestyles for area youth.

The group is part of the larger Girls on the Run international organization, which aims to support and encourage healthy lifelong behavior in girls. Girls on the Run is designed for girls ages 8-13 and uses physical activity to jumpstart conversations about healthy living and self-confidence.

"Through fun, conversation-based running games our participants learn crucial life skills, and are ultimately prepared for our celebratory 5K running event at the end of the season," said Nena Rodriguez, program spokesperson.

Find out more about the group and how to get involved >>> 
Line Divider 2
FATE OF ROANOKE MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND       
A little over a year ago the National Park Service (NPS) put the Blue Ridge Parkway general management plan up for public comment. After dozens of meetings with residents, local governments, and businesses, a unified message was sent to the National Park Service about what the residents of the Roanoke Region wanted to see happen with the Blue Ridge Parkway.

There were two key points in the plan that stood out:
  • NPS wanted to close Roanoke Mountain Campground and convert it to a day-use recreation area, however our community didn't want this to happen. Having a campground close to our urban core is important and with its closure the Roanoke Region would lose a great asset that serves to connect the Blue Ridge Parkway with our region.
  • Multiple items that affect trails were discussed including the closure of some connector trails, as well as a proposed one-year trial period permitting mountain biking on the Chestnut Ridge Loop Trail.

On Jan. 15 the Final General Management Plan was released. The 700+ page document is now the guide the Blue Ridge Parkway will use for the next 25 years. 

 

Find out more about the future of the campground and trails >>> 

Line Divider 2



Line Divider 2
UPCOMING EVENTS TO KEEP YOUR EYE ON       

Visit The RoanokeOutside.com Calendar of Events for details on these upcoming events!       

  • International Beer Tasting and Dinner - 2/23 
  • Explore Your Limits 5 & 10K - 3/2
  • Double Dawg Dare Mountain Bike Race - 3/2 
  • Instant Classic Trail Marathon & Half - 3/16
  • Montvale 5 and 10 Mile Trail Runs - 3/23   
  • Tail-Chaser 5K Run/Walk - 3/30 
  • Mill Mountain Mayhem 10K - 4/13  
  • Foot Levelers Blue Ridge Marathon - 4/20   
Line Divider 2
Roanoke Regional Partnership

Roanoke Regional Partnership · 111 Franklin Plaza, Suite 333 · Roanoke, VA 24011
540.343.1550 X 104 · www.roanoke.org