Twelve Asheville firefighters participated in a grueling challenge last weekend: the Blue Ridge Relay.
Happening Sept. 11-12, the 208-mile Blue Ridge Relay (BRR208) is one of the longest-running relay races in the United States. Members of Asheville’s 12-man team will rotate through 36 transition areas as they cover the 208-mile distance of the race.
The scenery couldn’t be better. Racers will run along the picturesque Blue Ridge and Black Mountains of Virginia and North Carolina. The BRR208 starts at Grayson Highlands State Park, Grayson County, Va., which is near the base of Mount Rogers (5729 feet in elevation), the highest peak in Virginia. The course follows scenic, country roads as it winds its way through North Carolina’s High Country to the finish in Asheville. The course features some of the region’s most spectacular scenery including the balds of Grayson Highlands State Park, the New River, the Blue Ridge Parkway, Grandfather Mountain and Mount Mitchell, at 6684 feet, the highest peak east of the Mississippi River.
Asheville firefighters participating include Mark Jameson, Luke Miller, Eric Wardwell, Matthew Pride, Paul Walker, Dave Sauer, Steve Wickham, Jason Gunn, Chris Holroyd, Bill Bernath, Matt Ballance, Rich Rauschenbach.
This is the fourth year members of the Asheville Fire Department have participated in the race. Hats off and good luck to all of these guys!
For more information, visit blueridgerelay.com.
Photo above:
Last year’s Asheville firefighter Blue Ridge Relay team.