You’ve trained for the race, now be prepared for race day by taking time to review these Race Day Details.

FRIDAY & PRE-RACE DETAILS:

Friday Packet Pick-Up & Registration (Friday, 3-7 p.m.):

• Have your QR code ready! It’ll help us get you through packet pick-up faster.
• Packet Pick-Up will be held behind Olde Salem Brewing Company from 3-7 p.m. on Friday, October 9.
• We strongly encourage runners to pick up their own packets so they can verify their race information. If you can't attend, someone else may pick up your packet with a copy of your ID.
• Onsite Registration Prices: $100 for the LewisGale Salem Half Marathon; $70 for the Virginia’s Blue Ridge 8K; $25 for the G&H Kids Fun Runs. 

Olde Salem Brewing Company:

• Your beer coupon is good at Olde Salem Brewing Company anytime Friday–Sunday. Stop by for a pre-race beer, a post-race recovery drink, or come back Sunday!
• Olde Salem Brewing opens at 9 a.m. Saturday morning 

Mill Mountain Coffee & Tea: Looking for your morning coffee? Mill Mountain Coffee & Tea opens at 7:00 a.m. Saturday morning, so stop by and grab a cup before or after the race!

Support the Salem Food Pantry: Bring non-perishable food items or gently used shoes to Packet Pick-Up or the race, or make a donation online. Every donation makes a difference!

🚧 Main Street Construction Update: You may have noticed the ongoing construction on Main Street near the start/finish area. While the road is currently blocked, the construction will be cleared from the race route before Saturday morning. Equipment and materials will be moved off to the side, and open areas in the roadway will be filled with packed gravel so runners can safely pass through. The start/finish area will be ready for race day.

SATURDAY- RACE DAY INFO:

Parking:  Follow this link for parking information. Note: All Roanoke College lots are OFF LIMITS to racer parking this year.

Maps: You can view the entire course online.

Packet Pick-Up: If you can’t make it to the Farmers Market on Friday, we will have race day Packet Pick-Up from 6:30-7:30 am at the Salem Farmers Market right next to the start/finish line. Please leave plenty of time for parking. Packet Pickup will end promptly at 7:30.

Road Markings & Signage:

• Follow the signs and pavement arrows that match your race:
  🟡 Half Marathon: Yellow
  🔵 8K: Blue
  🟠 Kids Fun Run: Orange
• Stay inside cones and course markers. Many roads remain open to traffic, so obey signs, police and course marshals, follow traffic laws, and stay to the side of the road. 
• ALL RUNNERS MUST YIELD TO EMERGENCY VEHICLES THAT HAVE LIGHTS AND/OR SIRENS ON.

Aid Stations:

• Aid stations will have GATORADE in GREEN cups offered at the first table(s), and WATER in WHITE cups offered at the second table(s)
• GU Gel will be available at mile 6.1 just before the aid station for Half Marathoners.

Bathrooms: Port-a-toilets are located at the Farmers Market as well as at every aid station.

Bag Drop at Start/Finish Area: Complimentary bag drop is available inside the Farmers Market near volunteer check-in. Place belongings in a clear plastic bag with your bib number written on it (or use the bag tag on your bib). Bags are available at packet pickup and bag drop. All bags are subject to search.

Weather: The race is rain or shine. The current forecast calls for a high of 69° with a 13% chance of rain, and no severe weather is currently expected. 

Severe Weather: The LewisGale Salem Half Marathon is dedicated to ensuring the safety of all participants, volunteers, and spectators. Race officials may cancel, delay, or change the event in case of extreme weather or other conditions that may affect the safety and health of participants.

A three-flag alert system will be in place:

🟢 Green: All clear; course operating normally.
🟡 Yellow: Severe weather may be approaching; course remains open.
⚫ Black: Course closed due to severe weather. Seek shelter at the nearest aid station and await shuttle pickup. If you choose not to stop, you will be proceeding at your own risk.

For more information, see our Severe Weather Policy page.

Road Closures: If you live on or near the course, you should already have received closure information. Please share the road closure map and parking info with friends and family so they can plan accordingly.

First Aid: Medical personnel will be stationed throughout the course, and aid stations can contact the medical team. The finish-line medical station is at Pinnacle Financial Partners across Main Street from the Farmers Market.

Time Limit: The Half Marathon and 8K have a 3.5-hour time limit. Half Marathon runners must reach the Mile 10.2 checkpoint by 10:45 a.m. and Mile 11.8 by 11:10 a.m. Runners arriving after these checkpoints will be rerouted on a shortened course so roads can reopen on time.

Schedule:

●        7:15 AM            Pre-Race Stretching

●        8:00 AM            LewisGale Salem Half Marathon Start                 

●        8:00 AM            Virginia’s Blue Ridge 8k Start                   

●        8:05 AM            G&H Contracting Kids 2 Mile Start             

●        8:10 AM            G&H Contracting Kids 1 Mile Start             

●        8:30 AM            Recovery Zone Opens   

●        9:30 AM            Virginia’s Blue Ridge 8K Awards               

●        11:00 AM          LewisGale Salem Half Marathon Awards             

●        11:30 AM          Race Course Closes                           

SATURDAY- POST RACE:

Recovery Zone: Stop by the CORA Physical Therapy Recovery Zone after you finish, with massage therapy from Just Breathe Massage Therapy also available.

Post-Race Food: Half Marathon and 8K finishers will receive a Chick-fil-A chicken sandwich, fruit and drinks. Kids Fun Run participants will receive chocolate milk, fruit and pastries.

PR Bell: Set a new PR? Ring the Fleet Feet PR bell!

Free Beer: Don't forget to redeem your free beer at Olde Salem Brewing Company (21+).

●        The start/finish line is also located on Main Street in Salem which features great restaurants, bars, and shops.  Click here for a full list of downtown restaurants.

Awards Ceremonies: Awards ceremonies will take place on the stage at the Farmers Market.

Keep the good times going downtown! Once you’ve crossed the finish line, stick around, grab a bite, do a little shopping, and support Salem’s local businesses.

Results: Live results will be posted at salemhalfmarathon.com. Race photos will be available for free download after the race at salemhalfmarathon.com

Thank A Volunteer: Please thank the volunteers you see along the course, at the finish line and at the Farmers Market. We couldn't put on these races without them. And a special thank-you to the Salem Police Department, Salem Fire & EMS, Salem Rescue Squad and the City of Salem for keeping everyone safe and helping us manage road closures.

Post-Race Survey: We'll email you a brief survey after the race. Please take a few minutes to tell us what you think—your feedback helps us make the event better, and everyone who completes the survey will receive a BIG DISCOUNT on their 2027 entry!