The Blue Ridge Relay (BRR), which is one of the longest running relay races in the United States, takes place in the picturesque Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia and North Carolina. BRR consists of maximum 12 person (4 person minimum) teams that rotate through 36 legs/segments as they cover the …
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The Blue Ridge Relay (BRR), which is one of the longest running relay races in the United States, takes place in the picturesque Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia and North Carolina. BRR consists of maximum 12 person (4 person minimum) teams that rotate through 36 legs/segments as they cover the approximate 208 mile distance of the race.
BRR starts in Grayson Highlands State Park, VA at an elevation of 4920′, near the base of Mount Rogers (5729′), the highest peak in Virginia. The Highlands’ defining feature are the high elevation balds that are spotted with stands of native Fraser Fir, boulder fields and a herd of wild ponies. In addition, the Highlands feature the Appalachian Trail and the Virginia Highlands Horse Trail.
After leaving Grayson Highlands, BRR primarily follows scenic, country roads as it winds its way through North Carolina’s High Country. In addition to the balds of Grayson Highlands, the course features some of the region’s most spectacular scenery.
After an epic 208 miles of running and 20-36 hours in a van with some of your closest friends, what better way to finish than at Highland Brewing Company in Asheville, NC. Highland Brewing Company will once again be hosting the BRR Finish in their Meadow, with a variety of food trucks, it’s big lawn, plenty of shade, picnic tables and of course, Highland Brewing Company.
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Before the storm, most fun running.
I ran this race in 2024 with 10 other F3 men. I had just started getting back into running, and this was so much fun. I took a lighter load, … MORE
I ran this race in 2024 with 10 other F3 men. I had just started getting back into running, and this was so much fun. I took a lighter load, but it was still very tough—some of those legs were insane. This was before the 2024 hurricane, so I don’t know how the 2025 race compared. I know many areas we ran through, especially Asheville, got hit pretty hard. I’m curious how different the course would have been in 2025.
I loved this race. This is my favorite part of the country, though I’m biased since I grew up around these mountains. I just loved being able to run through them. Relay races hit different than any other type of race—you aren’t running for yourself but for your team.
The race was managed well in terms of keeping runners on course and handling the logistics of so many teams with their support vans. However, there was miscommunication on one leg where our runner was left stranded. This was the race logistics’ fault, not ours. We lost about 10-15 minutes because they didn’t communicate well with us, and this happened to many teams.
This is also a limited support race. There were a spot or two with free food like bananas, but then there were spots where local people were selling food—it was confusing.
The merch was okay. The shirt was a long-sleeve tee that my wife wears now, so maybe I should rank it higher. Instead of a medal, they gave a magnet. I’m not sure how I feel about this. Part of me doesn’t like it, but I also have a box full of medals that I never look at, so I’m on the fence.
Overall, this was my favorite relay (1 out of 2) and I would do it again if there weren’t other relays to try.
Must run relay!
My first relay, and such a perfect experience, if you're considering it, do it!! This small relay from the VA/NC Border to Asheville, NC along a good part of the … MORE
My first relay, and such a perfect experience, if you’re considering it, do it!!
This small relay from the VA/NC Border to Asheville, NC along a good part of the Blue Ridge Parkway is an amazing experience with breathtaking views and camaraderie between the teams. The relay is run in the beginning of September each year. There isn’t much support on the course, but the exchanges were all well planned and stocked. Also, the community in the mountains welcomes to you to the area with multiple fundraisers (church pancake breakfasts, firemen with potato bars).
After running other relays, I think one of the things that I loved about the BRR (besides the history and the fact that teams run in consecutively year after year) is that they give you a start time with the goal of everyone finishing at the same time. This has the effect of placing you with other teams that are your exact same pace, AND making the finish line a big party where we all come in together. Did I mention that you finish in downtown Asheville?? You definitely have to take advantage and stay there overnight.
Love, love, love this race, and you will too!