The Foot Levelers Blue Ridge Marathon, America's Toughest Road Marathon^TM today announced the Run with the Legends contest.  The winners of the contest will join Bill Rodgers, Frank Shorter and Bart Yasso on a marathon relay team competing in the April 20, 2013 event.

"This is a great way to participate in the marathon.  The winners will be able to say they conquered the toughest course in America, while running with three of the biggest names in the history of running," said Pete Eshelman, chair of the marathon.

Frank Shorter won the gold medal in the marathon at the 1972 Olympics. Bill Rodgers is a former American record holder in the marathon and winner of the Boston and New York Marathons.  Bart Yasso is the "Chief Running Officer" at Runner's World and is sometimes referred to as the "mayor" of running.

Foot Levelers, which signed on as the title sponsor beginning in 2013 is underwriting the contest.

"The Blue Ridge Marathon course is both tough and beautiful and we wanted the luminaries of the sport to come and see it for themselves.  The contest allows us to do that and to create a special day for two other runners as well," said Foot Levelers Vice President for Marketing Chuck Carver.

Those interested in entering the contest should go to blueridgemarthon.com/runwiththelegends or wizehive.com/contests/run-with-the-legends for a link to the contest.  Entrants can win in two ways.  They may send an inspirational running photo or a photo with the most creative use or placement of the Foot Levelers Blue Ridge Marathon Logo.  The public will choose the top 20 selections in on-line voting. The marathon committee will narrow the field in each and Shorter, Rodgers and Yasso will select the final winners.

The three legends will also speak at the pasta dinner to be held in Charter hall on the third floor of the City Market Building the evening before the race.

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About BART YASSO: Dubbed the "Mayor of Running," Yasso is one of the best-known figures in the sport. Yasso joined Runner's World in 1987 to develop the groundbreaking Runner's World Race Sponsorship Program, creating a vehicle for Runner's World to work with over 7,000 races representing 4 million runners per year. Inducted into the Running USA Hall of Champions. Visit www.bartyasso.com to learn more...and to purchase his book "Life On The Run".

About FRANK SHORTER: Former American long-distance runner who won the gold medal in the marathon at the 1972 Summer Olympics. His victory is credited with igniting the running boom in the United States of the 1970s. Shorter was featured in the 1998 film "Without Limits". The film follows the life of Shorter's training partner, Olympic teammate and some-time rival Steve Prefontaine. Shorter was inducted into the Olympic Hall of Fame in 1984 and the USA National Track and Field Hall of Fame in 1989. Learn more about Frank Shorter at www.frankshorter.net.

About BILL RODGERS: American runner and former American record holder in the marathon who is best known for his victories in the Boston Marathon and the New York City Marathon in the late 1970s. His victories made him a hero and secondary fuel for the running boom of the 1970s. The Bill Rodgers Running Center in Boston, Massachusetts, is owned and operated by both Bill and his brother Charlie. The family-run business has been going since 1977. Visit www.billrodgersrunningcenter.com to learn more about Bill.

About the Blue Ridge Marathon:  In celebration of the 75th Anniversary of the Blue Ridge Parkway, the inaugural Blue Ridge Marathon was held on April 24, 2010.  Local runners crafted one of the most challenging and beautiful marathons in the country. The full marathon course includes 3,620 feet of total elevation gain and 7,234 feet of total elevation change. The breathtaking views and stunning Blue Ridge Mountain scenery offer some reprieve to runners as they persevere to the finish line.  Proceeds from the inaugural run go to the non-profit, Friends of the Blue Ridge Parkway. Visit www.blueridgemarathon.com to learn more.

About Foot Levelers: Foot Levelers specializes in products that are designed to improve the quality of life.  From individually designed Stabilizing Orthotics, to customized footwear and support pillows-Foot Levelers wants people to live a pain free and healthy life.  By stabilizing and balancing the feet, Foot Levelers' orthotics enhance the body's performance and efficiency, reduce pain, and contributes to total body wellness. Visit www.footlevelers.com to learn more.