Blue Ridge Relay 2025
208 miles, 29 hours, 12 women, 2 vans – an unforgettable relay adventure!
Caption: The Chafing the Dream team celebrates at the finish line of the 2025 Blue Ridge Relay. Front row (left to right): Virginia Quadri, Michelle Atchison, Caroline Williams, Taylor Williams, Annalisa Thompson. Back row (left to right): Caitlyn Parsons, Savannah DeFreese, Michelle Laninga, Haley Duggan, Sophie Blondel, Shannon Andrews, and Meaghan Dullea.
Race Overview
The 2025 Blue Ridge Relay took place September 5-6, 2025. The point-to-point relay began in Grayson Highlands State Park, Virginia, and ran along scenic Appalachian roads to Asheville, North Carolina, ending at the iconic Highland Brewery. The course was divided into 36 relay legs featuring a mix of paved and gravel roads. The distance varied among legs: the shortest leg was less than two miles, while the longest was over 10. Each team member ran approximately 15 total miles across three legs.
Levels of difficulty varied by leg. Nearly all legs saw significant elevation profiles, with some legs toward the end of the race rated “Mountain Goat Hard,” such as one that climbed 1,400 feet in 6.7 miles. Most of the roadways were open to traffic, so safety measures were paramount. We remained vigilant and wore reflective and flashing night gear during the overnight legs.
Our Team
The Chafing the Dream team was an all-women team from Knoxville, Tennessee, united by a passion for running and an eagerness for adventure. This was the first relay-style race for the majority of the team, so we prioritized enjoying the experience rather than pursuing a specific time goal.
Pre-Race Preparation
In terms of race preparation, our team captains Sophie Blondel and Haley Duggan diligently studied the race materials, coordinated team logistics, and established a positive, uplifting tone that would define our race experience. Key logistical details that were especially critical to our success were securing our two team vans, organizing food and other supplies for each van, reserving lodging, confirming individual team member registrations, and preparing binders with printouts of the race handbook and course details.
Race Weekend
Weather conditions on race weekend were sunny, hot, and humid. The team traveled to the region the night before the race and stayed at an Airbnb about an hour away from the start-line.
Van 1
Van 1 kicked off this gorgeous race at Grayson Highlands State Park, home to actual wild ponies! (Tragic plot twist: zero ponies were pet. We grieve.)
Runner 1 flew through perfect fall weather to Runner 2, ended at a beautiful outlook with a perfect view of the mountains. The van jumped ahead and set up at a sweet little church stocked with snacks from local volunteers. Runner 2 rolled in, Runner 3 cruised a flat mid-distance leg, and somewhere along the way we started a group playlist — later discovering every single song was by a female artist. Iconic, unplanned.
Runners 5 and 6 tackled the hills just as the sun fully committed to being hot. Once Van 2 took over at a winery surrounded by Christmas trees, we made sandwiches, napped in the grass, and collected compliments on our speed and vibe as a women's team (Team Miss Congeniality energy, thank you).
Leg two kicked off around 5:30 p.m. in the heat, racing the sunset from Runner 1 to Runner 3. By the time Runner 4 headed out, it was pitch black—headlamps, reflective vests, and winding roads made for the longest leg of the day, finished with a huge smile around 10 p.m. Runner 5 followed down a gravel path to a school stop with soup and coffee, then handed off to Runner 6.
Our parking spot for the next switch was... creative (read: half in a ditch), but the Suburban powered out solo, no drama. Van 2 took over around 11 p.m. in full face paint and excitement, and we finally got a few hours of adrenaline-fueled "rest" at the hotel.
Van 2 moved fast, so getting back for the 3 a.m. handoff was a nail-biter—but that early leg turned out magical, with stars out and energy high. A storm rolled through and soaked our runner, but cleared just in time for Runner 4 to finish under a gorgeous sunrise.
Our last handoff happened in an open field with fresh breakfast and good chats with other vans, before we cheered Van 2 through their final brutal climbs from the car. The race wrapped at Highland Brewing, where we celebrated with hundreds of runners and waited together for Runner 12 to cross the finish line.
Van 2
Since Van 2 had a later start, we got a few more hours of sleep before traveling to the first transition zone, which was located at the gorgeous Old Barn Winery in the hills of West Jefferson, North Carolina. Runner 6 handed off to our Runner 7 (the first runner in our van), and we were off!
Conditions were extremely hot and humid during Van 2’s first shift. Although most of our initial legs were rated “easy” or “moderate”, we were surprised by how challenging they were. Many of our first legs had substantial hills and limited shade. Overall, our first shift went smoothly.
During Van 2’s first break, we went to our reserved motel room to freshen up and attempt to rest for a couple hours. Then, it was time for our night shift. All of us were nervous for the nighttime legs. The rural roads were dark and lonely, as crowds had thinned at this point. However, once we started running, we found that the dark roads were peaceful and the cooler temperatures made these legs feel easier. The course was well-marked with blinking blue lights. The next transition zone was at the Bakersville Fire Department, which was hosting a baked potato bar. A hot baked potato has never been so healing!
Van 2’s final legs were our most challenging. By this point, we were running on limited sleep, an unusual eating schedule, and it was once again the heat of the day. Not to mention these legs were some of the most difficult terrain of the entire race, with two “Hard,” two “Very Hard” and two “Mountain Goat” ratings. We had to dig deep for these legs!
The Finish Line
At the end of the race, all 12 of us triumphantly and gleefully crossed the finish line together. The sense of accomplishment was monumental. Our final time was 29 hours and 23 minutes with an average pace of 8:28. We placed second in the all-women category and 59th overall. The after party at Highland Brewery was a fun and lively celebration. We didn’t last too long though; we soon retreated to our Airbnb to feast and crash.
Takeaways
The Blue Ridge Relay was an unforgettable experience!
Highlights
Race Organization: The race organizers, sponsors, and volunteers were excellent. The way the community came together to support this race was impressive and deeply appreciated. For the most part, the legs and exchange zones were well-marked and easy to follow. The transition zones (hand-off points for team vans) were filled with friendly volunteers, delicious food options, and an uplifting atmosphere.
Positive Energy: We kept the vibes playful and fun, with lots of cheering for fellow runners, jamming to our team playlist, and wearing ample glitter. This helped make even the most challenging moments feel fun. “Smile or you’re doing it wrong” became a team motto!
Recovery: Team members brought recovery tools such as massage guns and foam rollers. We also booked an Airbnb with a hot tub after the race. These were key to a swift recovery after the long race.
Lessons for next time
Navigation: Navigation was a challenge in some areas due to poor cell signal. Although we had printed maps of each exchange zone, we found ourselves wishing we had downloaded the local maps to help with offline navigating. Something to consider for next time.
Driving: We underestimated how exhausting the navigating/driving would be, especially after 20+ hours of being awake and running in the heat. Having an additional dedicated driver who is not running may be something to consider.
Conclusion
Overall, this was a fantastic first-time relay. It was scenic, well-organized, and fun. Together, the Chafing the Dream team pushed our limits, climbed mountains, and proved that we are strongest when we are together.
