Aila Boyd
aboyd@mainstreetnewspapers.com
Runners from across the region will lace up their shoes this Saturday, Oct. 11, for the annual LewisGale Salem Half Marathon, Virginia’s Blue Ridge 8K, and G&H Contracting Kids Fun Run in downtown Salem.
The event, which starts and finishes at the Salem Farmers Market, takes participants on a scenic route through city neighborhoods, the Roanoke College campus, and the downtown business district.
Known as Virginia’s Championship City, Salem has hosted numerous NCAA national championships and major sports tournaments. In 2016, city leaders expanded that championship spirit into distance running, creating what has become one of the area’s most popular fall race weekends.
The City of Salem partners with Blue Ridge Racing, the region’s leading road race management organization, to produce the event. Blue Ridge Racing also manages the Foot Levelers Blue Ridge Marathon and other well-known regional races.
Runners completing the LewisGale Salem Half Marathon will have the opportunity to earn the Virginia’s Blue Ridge Triple Crown medal by also finishing the Foot Levelers Blue Ridge Full or Half Marathon in April and the Star City Half Marathon in November.
For those who prefer shorter distances, the Triple Crown Sprint Series offers another challenge. Participants who complete the Blue Ridge Star-K (or Relay), Salem 8K, and Star City 10K within the same year will receive the Sprint Series medal — and plenty of bragging rights.
More information about race registration and event details is available at salemhalfmarathon.com.
