Meet the 2020 Blue Ridge Marathon Ambassadors

The countdown is on for America’s Toughest Road Marathon, and a team of runners from around the country is sharing the love for our iconic race.

Ambassadors help generate even more buzz and interest about different aspects of marathon weekend, including variety in race distance options, how to train for elevation, and all the can’t miss activities happening during race weekend.

The Foot Levelers Blue Ridge Marathon is April 18. Registration is open.

Interacting with Foot Levelers Blue Ridge Marathon ambassadors happens in a number of ways:

• You might meet an ambassador at a race or pub run
• You might follow them on social media
• You might read their blog
• You might encounter them through training groups

Blue Ridge Marathon ambassadors are a passionate and dedicated group of runners with fascinating stories. Many have overcome addiction, obesity, or illness. Ambassadors are not all top athletes qualifying for Boston (although some are), they come in all shapes and sizes, and they are living proof that every body is a runner’s body. Anyone can tackle this challenging race with training and a community to support and inspire you.

This program is just one way that the Blue Ridge Marathon, which is put on by the Roanoke Outside Foundation, has a year-round influence across the country. Ambassadors are trusted sources that share unique and positive experiences. Plus, they often bring swag items and have race discounts for in-person and social followers.

You can follow this year’s ambassadors here.

Blue Ridge Marathon Ambassadors by the Numbers

• Ambassadors come from 13 states
• In 2019, ambassadors posted 1,000 stories and photos about the race on social media
• 300 registrations generated from people that used coupon codes from ambassadors
• In 2019, ambassadors attended 50 events in their hometowns, helping spur a 9% increase in out-of-town participation (which creates a ripple effect in terms of economic impact, which was up 21% over 2018)