40 National College Employees, including one Salem resident, to participate in the National College Blue Ridge Marathon
Posted on March 11, 2010
We found this on the SO Salem blog – thanks!
National College will have a large presence in the National College Blue Ridge Marathon on the Parkway with 40 employees from Kentucky, Ohio, Tennessee, and Virginia participating in the event. In addition to signing on as the title sponsor for the event, the College agreed to pay the entry fees ($80 – $100) for employees participating in the event.
Salem resident Jodie Terry is the Director of Repayment Success and he is participating on a relay team with four of his co-workers. The College has about 40 total employees participating in either the half marathon, full marathon, or a marathon relay
“Any great challenge-whether running a marathon or pursuing a college education-takes concerted effort and dedication in order to accomplish a goal,” said National College President Frank Longaker. “That’s what makes our involvement with the Blue Ridge Marathon a great fit.”
The College plans to be very involved during the event with participants, cheerleaders, and volunteers. As many as 20 students in the emergency medical technology and paramedic programs will provide medical support at the rest stops along the route.
Students in the emergency medical technology programs will not only be of great service to marathon participants on the day of the event; they will also get valuable hands-on experience as they apply what they learned in the classroom. National’s two emergency medical technology programs-the Emergency Medical Technology diploma program and the Paramedic associate degree program-exceed the standards and curriculum established by the US Department of Transportation and the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration.
National College has a history of creating programs for employees to promote activity levels and healthy nutrition choices. “In addition to being an important regional event, the National College Blue Ridge Marathon also ties in nicely with our new college-wide wellness program,” adds Longaker. Recently, the College launched a wellness program for all full-time employees, which offers a discount on health insurance premiums for those who participate in a plan to improve their overall health and fitness levels.
Previously, the College organized the National Challenge, a system-wide wellness program encouraging employees to record their daily exercise or sporting activities online. This program also provided employees materials and resources on healthy nutrition options. In an effort to raise money for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, the college donated money as employees earned points for their logged activities. As a result, the National Challenge raised more than $10,000 through employee participation.
The inaugural National College Blue Ridge Marathon begins and ends in downtown Roanoke. Marathon runners will ascend Mill Mountain and later Roanoke Mountain before returning to the Valley for the final 10 miles on rolling terrain. A substantial portion of the run is on the Blue Ridge Parkway or Parkway property.
Proceeds from the National College Blue Ridge Marathon will benefit Friends of Blue Ridge Parkway (http://www.blueridgefriends.org/), the official non-profit membership organization of the Parkway. The organization works to protect, preserve, and enhance the Blue Ridge Parkway, one of our national treasures.
Teaming up with SeriousRunning.com
Posted on January 26, 2010
SeriousRunning.com teaming up with the serious Blue Ridge Marathon!
SeriousRunning.com is excited to partner with one of the most scenic and challenging marathons in the Southeast, the Blue Ridge Marathon! SeriousRunning.com provides training plans and tips for all types of runners, serious and those that strive to be more serious runners. Read some tips for running a marathon so you can enjoy this serious marathon with a strong running performance. SeriousRunning.com provides runners with race listing across the nation, running shoe reviews, mapping tools, and much much more. SeriousRunning.com is your # 1 trail running resource with the largest listing of trail running trails across the nation, with over 1,000 trail runs! No matter how you train or compete, SeriousRunning.com is a great resource to help you reach your goal. Good luck on the Blue Ridge Marathon and reaching your running goals runners!
To learn more visit SeriousRunning.com.
The Sandman Half Marathon
Posted on January 5, 2010
Our neighbors down in Wytheville, VA have a new half marathon coming up for those of you who want a training event leading up to the Blue Ridge Marathon. 
The Sandman Extreme Half Marathon
Extreme for Excellence
Saturday, January 16, 2010 (9:00 a.m.)
Benefiting the Wythe County Public Schools Foundation for Excellence
1st Annual Sandman Extreme for Excellence Half-Marathon up and down Sand Mountain. In the middle of January, rain or shine, runners will begin in the town of Wytheville, Virginia at an elevation of 2,300 feet, descend to Reed Creek at 2,100 and then begin a 4.5 mile climb to 3,100 feet. Atop scenic Sand Mountain the run takes you through the Big Survey Wilderness Management Area on gravel road before reversing course back to Wytheville.
GEM Car – the official electric car of the Blue Ridge Marathon
Posted on December 22, 2009
The National College Blue Ridge Marathon is excited to have GEM Car as the official electric car of the Blue Ridge Marathon.
Thanks to Dominion of Bedford and GEM Car, lead runners will not have to breathe the exhaust from a traditional pace car. The pace car will be an electric GEM Car.
GEM electric vehicles are 100 percent battery-electric and emit zero tailpipe emissions. They have a top speed of 25 mph and a range of up to 30 miles on a charge making them a fun and economical way to run errands, drive to work or school, haul equipment, or transport people around work facilities. GEM cars cost approximately two cents per mile to operate and can be plugged into a standard 110-volt outlet to recharge.
Dominion of Bedford is a franchised Dodge, Chrysler and Jeep dealer serving the Lynchburg and Roanoke markets. Dominion recently added the GEM line to their business. Dominion has been in business in the region since 1976 and, in addition to their sales & service facility in Bedford, also operates an independent vehicle repair shop and GEM warranty and parts center at 1259 E. Main St. in Salem, Va. To learn more visit Gem Car and Dominion of Bedford.
National College Secured as Peak Sponsor
Posted on December 7, 2009
Contact: Pete Eshelman 540.540.1550 (x104)
Blue Ridge Marathon Secures National College as Peak Sponsor
Carilion Clinic, Valley Bank, & Fink’s Jewelers add additional sponsorship support
Roanoke, VA. (December 07, 2009) National College has 
signed on as the Peak sponsor for the Blue Ridge Marathon which will be held on April 24, 2010 in Roanoke, Virginia. Carilion Clinic and Valley Bank are Overlook sponsors, while Fink’s Jewelers in association with TAG Heuer will be the event’s official timekeeper.
“National College didn’t hesitate when presented with the chance to be our Peak sponsor,” said Race Director Ronny Angell, who explained that the sponsorship levels were named after mountain features in honor of the peaks that mark the marathon’s first 16 miles. Angell is President of Odyssey Adventure Racing, and National College has also sponsored a series of Sprint Adventure Races through Odyssey.
“I’m pleased for National College to be a part of something that signifies health and fitness, while showcasing the Roanoke Valley,” said National College President Frank E. Longaker. National’s involvement is in keeping with its ongoing push to promote healthy living among its employees. Recently the college implemented two wellness programs. Now National College is offering to pay the entry fee of its employees at each of its 26 campuses who are interested in participating in the marathon.
Carilion Clinic and Valley Bank have taken two of the three 
available Overlook sponsorships. “We saw this as an opportunity to support wellness in the Valley and the region’s outdoor attractions,” said Dr. Edward Murphy, President and CEO of Carilion Clinic. Murphy said Carilion Clinic employees and others will be encouraged to walk the 13.1-mile half marathon.
Ellis L. Gutshall, President and CEO of Valley Bank echoed those thoughts. “We have a wonderful city nestled in the mountains, and this marathon showcases all of it. We feel like it’s a perfect fit for Valley Bank.”
Roanoke-based Fink’s Jewelers in partnership with Swiss watch maker Tag Heuer will be the official time keeper for the event, and will also provide watches valued at $5,000 to the overall men’s and women’s winners. “The Blue Ridge Marathon is going to be a great thing for Roanoke and I knew Fink’s needed to be a part of it. TAG Heuer is our leading timepiece for the sports enthusiast, so it was a natural fit,” said owner, Marc Fink. Fink’s will also provide a $500 gift certificate toward Tag Heuer merchandise to all participants of the event.
The inaugural National College Blue Ridge Marathon begins and ends in downtown Roanoke. Marathon runners will ascend Mill Mountain and later Roanoke Mountain before returning to the Valley for the final 10 miles on rolling terrain. A substantial portion of the run is on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Organizers felt the best way to attract a national audience was to create an event that stood out.
“We are seeing the desire of runners to come here to match themselves against this course,” said Race Co-Chair Pete Eshelman, who is also director of outdoor branding for the Roanoke Regional Partnership one of the event’s Switchback sponsors. “We are excited that the business community is embracing our vision,” he said. Eshelman pointed out that the committee has many more sponsorships available and hoped to be making more announcements soon.
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