Blue Ridge Marathon

by Justin Nostrala

A running club, Asheville Runners, in Asheville, North Carolina serves as the meeting point for a mixture of people who love to run. Although they are of various ages and economic backgrounds and have been shaped by a variety of life experiences, their love for running brings them all together. But although their sense of community is quite strong, personality conflicts develop that threaten the continuation of...

A running club, Asheville Runners, in Asheville, North Carolina serves as the meeting point for a mixture of people who love to run. Although they are of various ages and economic backgrounds and have been shaped by a variety of life experiences, their love for running brings them all together. But although their sense of community is quite strong, personality conflicts develop that threaten the continuation of the club's all-important, annual marathon. Amid running injuries, quests for self-discovery, and romantic endeavors, the community searches for a way to stay together and continue holding the Blue Ridge Marathon.

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Blue Ridge Marathon

Character Information

The "Runner" character, who is a kind of narrator, can be played by the actor who plays Corey, or any other actor in the play.
One of the running store customers and the waitress can be double cast.
The third graders in the play can be recorded voices or other cast members speaking lines from the audience as children.
  • Aki
    23 years old. She is moderate in her wear and political outlook.
    Aki presents and lives what some would consider a hip lifestyle, but Aki isn't interested in being perceived in this way. Her "coolness" comes more from a habit of making choices independent of what others are doing. Running is something she found all on her own.
    23
    Any Race/Ethnicity
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • Luna
    Very outspoken, wild, and sometimes abrasive. Never been to college.
    Luna has two older brothers. Rough playing and general obnoxiousness were the way of her childhood. She would have been considered a tomboy for many years in her childhood. As an older person, 24, she's come more into her feminine side, but doesn't let that side of her hinder a desire to be outspoken and sometimes brash.
    24
    Any Race/Ethnicity
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • Billy
    Billy prefers dirt trails to running on pavement.
    He loves the trail running culture. The sport and style of the sport (trucker hats, plaid-button-down-short sleeve shirts) fit him very well. He works to live life to the fullest and feels most alive when he is in extreme situations.
    26
    Any Race/Ethnicity
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • Chris
    Chris, cross-country star, is fresh out of college. Although he has a college degree in business, Chris isn't quite ready to take on a lot of responsibility. He is more conservative in his ways and approach to running; dedication, extreme fitness and healthy eating earned him a spotlight in college cross country. He loves being around runners, and so he doesn't worry about the future - right now he just wants to be able to do what he loves: run.
    23
    Any Race/Ethnicity
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • Tina
    Tina is an avid runner. Although she is younger than her friend, Elise, she has had more exotic life-experiences.
    Tina is a rough woman. Often tan from being out in the sun. Tough without being obnoxious. She's had experiences of being pushed around and will have no more of that. She used to smoke cigarettes and she's single unlike most of her running friends.
    Although she is younger than her friend, Elise, she has experienced a great deal more, including traveling, experimenting with drugs, physical abuse, and divorce. Tina is a single mother of two.
    40
    Any Race/Ethnicity
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s,
      40s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • Elise
    Elise is an avid runner. She played a variety of sports when she was younger: tennis, soccer, and volleyball. She has always been quite fit. 42 years old, Elise and her husband Paul have a 16 year old daughter.
    42
    Any Race/Ethnicity
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s,
      40s,
      50s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • Jeremy
    Jeremy is a dedicated runner. He's generally nice, but very strong-headed. He tries to be humble but can't help feeling sorry for most people due to their "ignorance." Jeremy works hard to treat people with respect, but doesn't always succeed.
    45
    Any Race/Ethnicity
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      40s,
      50s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • Corey
    Corey is very competitive, with himself - but mostly with other runners. He isn't obnoxious about it, but it's always important to him that he is a better runner than most people around him.
    45
    Any Race/Ethnicity
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      40s,
      50s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • Eric
    Runner and de facto chair of Asheville Runners, plus Blue Ridge Marathon planning committee. Eric is a very seasoned runner and has witnessed many changes in the Asheville running scene. He has mostly come to accept being in charge of things.
    73
    Any Race/Ethnicity
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      60s,
      70s+
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • Irene
    A dedicated runner, Irene is a determined woman. She has had many life challenges, including psychological abuse. Now in her later years she has made an agreement with herself that no one else gets to determine how she feels. Irene has trained herself to quietly persevere.
    72
    Any Race/Ethnicity
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      60s,
      70s+
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • Runner
    Runner in the play is a kind of narrator. Their lines are read like poetry and are intended to remind the audience that the overarching theme of the play is running.
    Runner is a generic representative of all runners. They can be played by the actor who plays Corey, or any other actor in the play.
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+

Development History

  • Workshop, Blue Ridge Marathon was read with a group of 12 runners on May 19. Enhancements to the play have been made based on the reading., 2024