Registration is now open for the 2006 Blue Ridge Relay. The 208 mile Blue Ridge Relay, one of the longest relay races in the United States, will take place in the picturesque Blue Ridge and Black Mountains of Virginia and North Carolina.

At almost 5000 feet elevation, the Visitor's Center at Grayson Highlands State Park, Grayson County, VA, sets the stage and is the perfect start to this scenic but challenging event. The course will primarily follow 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 (5964' feet, and Mount Mitchell (6684 feet), the highest peak east of the Mississippi River.

Teams of 6-12 runners will rotate through 36 legs as they cover the approximate 208-mile distance of the race. Each relay team member will run 3 legs (12 runners) of varying lengths and difficulty and will cover an average total distance of ~16.6 miles.

The director of the Blue Ridge Relay, Ken Sevensky, along with the host sponsor, Gum Ridge Mill & Flying Pig Furniture, are very proud to present an event that showcases the hospitality of our unique business community, the beauty of our region, the warmth of the residents, and provides a challenging and rewarding running experience. The Blue Ridge Relay will travel through or near the quaint mountain towns of Jefferson, West Jefferson, Boone, Blowing Rock, Grandfather Mountain, Linville, Newland, Spruce Pine, and Burnsville, on to its finish in Asheville (you can see the entire course map at www.BlueRidgeRelay.com).

Team spaces are still available but applications must be received by August 1, 2006. If you wish to join a team or need an additional runner to complete your team, checkout the "forum" section of the website.

The 2006 Blue Ridge Relaylay is being sponsored by Gum Ridge Mill & Flying Pig Furniture, HomeTrust Bank, Carolina West Wireless, Pride Built Construction, and HP Investments.

The Blue Ridge Relaywill take place on September 8 and 9th, 2006. Please visit their web site, www.BlueRidgeRelay.com), to learn more about this exciting event or call 336-877-8888.