America’s Slowest 5k Presented by Altra.

The only race where the last person to finish is the winner. Join us for an easy Sunday following the Foot Levelers Blue Ridge Marathon. Enjoy a recovery run, goat yoga, live music, and much, much more.

EVENT DETAILS:

• DATE: Sunday, April 21, 2024
• ROUTE: Easy, flat, out-and-back, along Roanoke River Greenway
• START/FINISH: Black Dog Salvage (New Location for 2024!)
• START TIME: Around 9 a.m. – following the ceremonial “biting of the donut.”
• ELIGIBLE PARTICIPANTS: Everyone! Whether you ran America’s Toughest Road Races on Saturday, or you want to stroll with your cup of coffee, a donut, and a great group of people.
• PRICE: $35  Includes: entry, Slow-K coffee mug and a cup of craft coffee, donut, goat yoga, recovery area, live music, and Altra shoe demos.
• REGISTRATION POLICIES
  • Strollers welcome
  • Leashed animals welcome
• PARKING: This is a very popular event. There is limited parking at Black Dog Salvage, but we recommend parking at Wasena Park or taking the shuttle – especially if you are unfamiliar with the area.
  • Nearest Lot: Park at Wasena Park, then walk over the bridge to Black Dog Salvage
  • Shuttle from Downtown: Meet at the Slow K Shuttle Stop at Elmwood Park. Park at Elmwood Park Garage (same as race-day parking)
    • 7:30 AM: First shuttle from Elmwood Park , running every ~15 mins til race start
    • The shuttle will run continuously back and forth; the next is one always ~15 mins away.
    • 12:15 PM: Last shuttle from Black Dog.
  • Uber, bike, or rideshare to Black Dog Salvage – 902 13th Street SW, Roanoke, VA (Limited parking available at Black Dog Salvage, Vic Thomas Park, and surrounding city streets.)

EVENT DESCRIPTION

America’s Slowest 5k presented by Altra will give runners one more opportunity to run with America’s Toughest community in an event that’s designed to help celebrate everyone’s accomplishments and get some well-deserved recovery. We’ve dubbed the Blue Ridge Slow-K, America’s Slowest 5K, and after running on the Blue Ridge course, you’ll understand why.

This fun run will be un-timed and have a leisurely start of 9 a.m. This is a 5k where everyone isn’t looking at their watches, but instead slowing down and connecting with other runners and race organizers. In lieu of the standard race shirt, every runner will receive a Slow-K coffee mug, free coffee, and well-earned donuts. The 5K course along the Roanoke River Greenway will also include a few other surprises to keep participants from overexerting after running mountains the day before.

Arrive early for free goat yoga! That’s right, the goat is the unofficial mascot of the Foot Levelers Blue Ridge Marathon, and you can get in some yoga with some adorable goat friends if you arrive and check-in by 7:45; yoga starts at 8!

At the finish, finishers will find donuts, as well a festive brunch-market style event. Offerings will include the Fleet Feet Recovery Zone (massage guns, foam rollers, etc.), mimosas and Roanoke’s best biscuits available for purchase, goat photo ops and a second goat yoga sesh, and a selection of local craft and culinary artisans so you can pick up a piece of Roanoke before you go!

SLOW K SCHEDULE:

• 7:30 AM: Registration/Check-in Opens
• 8:00-8:45 AM: Pre-race goat yoga starts, coffee, and donuts available for registered runners. Altra shoe demos available. Biscuits & mimosas on sale.
• Around 9:00 AM: Ceremonial biting-of-the-donut and Slow-K Start!
• 9:30 AM -12:00 PM: As you return from the Slow-K, enjoy yourself in the shady Dog Bowl market with all of the Slow-K offerings:
  • Altra Shoes – Be sure to catch up with our friends from Altra to demo a pair of their state-of-the-art road runners. Also a great time to pick up your next pair of shoes!
  • Scratch Biscuit Co. – Enjoy one of the best breakfasts in town. A Slow-K tradition, 8am to 11am.
  • Recovery area – Compression boots, rollers, massagers, and more available to all participants at the Fleet Feet recovery tent.
• 10:00 AM : Post-race goat yoga for registered Slow-K runners.
• 9:30 AM – 4:00 PM: DOG BOWL MARKET & LIVE MUSIC:
  • Enjoy guest vendors, plus over 100 local artisans and vendors located inside The Marketplace at Black Dog Salvage. All items for sale are either handmade locally or vintage.
  • Live Music will be:
    • 10AM – 11:30AM: Foster Burton & PJ George
    • 12:00PM – 1:30 PM: Brian Mesko & Andrew Winn
    • 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM: GAK
  • Food & Drink Options:
    • Rock n Roll Diner Food Truck
    • Craft Beer by Parkway Brewing
    • Mimosas