WILLIAMSBURG— The Foot Levelers Blue Ridge Marathon saw high demand at its 17th annual event on April 18, with thousands of participants from around the country taking part in America’s Toughest Road Race. Rob Perkinson, from Williamsburg, topped the men’s category.
The event offers a variety of distance options, including a 1 miler, 5K, 10K, half marathon, full marathon, double marathon and The Full Goat, a sold out challenge combining all distances for a 101-mile road run featuring 26,280 ft of elevation change.
Perkinson, the men’s marathon champion and overall first-place finisher, completed the 26.2 miles in 2:49:11, an impressive feat at the road race with the most elevation change in the U.S.
“This race is considered one of the most difficult in the country so it was a bucket list event for me. The camaraderie among everyone out on the course was unlike anything I’ve experienced in other races. I guess there’s something about completing a difficult challenge
together that creates instant connection. It was an incredible day, but I’m still a little sore,” Perkinson said.
The Foot Levelers Blue Ridge Marathon is recognized nationally for its unique offerings, with Runner’s World Magazine listing it as one of ‘The World’s Toughest Races’, and its half marathon distance being named the ‘Best Half Marathon’ in Virginia by Half Marathon Guide.
To learn more, visit blueridgemarathon.com.