The Roanoke Canal Half Marathon and 8K is a trail race that follows the Roanoke Canal, which was built in 1823. Money raised at the event will aid future programs and events at the Roanoke Canal Museum and Trail and the Roanoke Rapids Parks and Recreation Department. The Half Marathon …
MORE
The Roanoke Canal Half Marathon and 8K is a trail race that follows the Roanoke Canal, which was built in 1823. Money raised at the event will aid future programs and events at the Roanoke Canal Museum and Trail and the Roanoke Rapids Parks and Recreation Department.
The Half Marathon and 8K will both take place on the Roanoke Canal Trail. The natural surface trail is generally flat with a few hills. As runners travel back in time along the historic trail, they will pass over several culverts that were installed during construction of the canal in the 1820s. Runners in both races will also pass by the large bulkhead that diverted water into the canal during the years it was used to generate electricity for the local mills. Those who choose to run the half marathon will actually run through the old aqueduct, which is widely regarded as an engineering feat well before its time. There will be a three hour course limit for the event.
Medals will be provided to all Half Marathon Finishers.
Awards will be presented for Top Overall M/F, as well as M/F in the following Categories: Youth (17 and under), 18-34, 35-49, 50-64, and 65+
LESS
Just OK
Course: You'll run out and back up and down a gravel trail through pine tree lined woods. Views of the canal were nice but industrial areas towards the end we're … MORE
Course: You’ll run out and back up and down a gravel trail through pine tree lined woods. Views of the canal were nice but industrial areas towards the end we’re as pretty (and the smell of sewage was strong at points). Some of the surfaces were hard to run on (e.g., concrete erosion control grating). Biggest beef was with the course marking. I got lost twice due to race management issues. Once I missed a white paint turn marking that was on the back side of a hill (and only turned around because another runner whistled at me). On the way back, there was no marking where the trail split and I got totally lost. Also, the mile markers were way off.
Swag was OK. Nice orange dayglow LS t-shirt. Custom medal was simple (just the race logo). Overall and age group awards looked nice.
Post-race refreshments were pretty good.