We have a room block at The Martha Washington Inn & Spa. The Martha is a historical hotel in the heart of Abingdon! Rooms are available on a first come first serve basis and must be booked before September 20,2023 to receive this rate. Breakfast is included.  Call 276.628.3161 and reference Pink 13.1 to access the room block. 

• Queen Room - $260+
• King Room - $285+

Other options in Abingdon:

• Comfort Suites - 276.698.3040 or click here
• Hampton Inn - pet friendly. 276.619.4600 or click here 
• Creepers End Lodging – walking distance to the start/finish line, colonial style cottages. Click here
• There are also many options on Airbnb and VRBO

Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Southwest Virginia, the town of Abingdon is known for its artsy vibe, historic charm and its proximity to some of the most spectacular outdoor recreation in the state. To make the most of the Pink 13.1, make it a weekend getaway (or staycation) in Abingdon, a food mecca in Southwest Virginia!

Businesses in Bold were 2022 sponsors of the Pink 13.1, we appreciate their support!

Where to Eat

• Bone Fire Smokehouse (260 W Main St, Abingdon, VA 24210) – Our incredible sponsor! Local BBQ joint and live music!
• White Birch Food & Juice (170 E Main St, Abingdon, VA 24210) – healthy bites including smoothies, salads and sandwiches. Delicious breakfast bowl!
• JJ’s Restaurant and Sports Bar (115 Charwood Dr, Abingdon, VA 24210) – Relaxed, unassuming hangout with expansive menu of burgers and draft beer.
• Anthony’s Desserts – homemade desserts, ice cream and pie. The mini cheesecakes are a staff favorite!
• Jack’s 128 Pecan – American cuisine with Southern flair!
• Rain – upmarket American cuisine!  A favorite of past participants.  Be sure to try the wedge salad and butternut squash soup.

• Tavern – the oldest bar in Virginia!  Fine dining with international flair.
• The Girl & The Raven. Open 7:30-2:30, breakfast, lunch and coffee!  Closed Sunday.

Shopping

• Katbird’s Wine and Gourmet Shoppe (230 E Main St, Abingdon, VA 24210) - locally owned wine, beer and gourmet food store.
• Siegner’s LTD. (226 E Main St, Abingdon, VA 24210) – contemporary women’s boutique.
• Abingdon Olive Oil - another Pink 13.1 favorite! Over 86 varieties of Fused & Infused Extra Virgin Olive Oils from around the world and Balsamic Condimentos from Modena, Italy, the combinations are endless!  Free tastings.
• Art Depot – studio with seven working artists.
• Historic Main Street – 20 block historic downtown with unique shopping and dining.

Things to Do

• Abingdon Vineyard - rustic, family and dog friendly winery located in the gorgeous Appalachian Mountains.
• Barter Theatre – the state theatre of Virginia!
• Salt of the Earth - Salt therapy room located in historic Abingdon. Offering salt room, massage, infrared sauna, red light therapy and more.
• Southwest Virginia Cultural Center & Marketplace – Craft shops, American eatery and wine bar.
• Tumbling Creek Cider Co. – heritage-inspired, handcrafted hard cider.
• Virginia Creeper Trail – if you don’t see enough during the Pink 13.1 you can rent bikes and ride from White Top to Damascus.
• William King Museum – visual arts and cultural heritage museum.
• Wolf Hills Brewing Company – hand-crafted brews and live music.

Friday, October 20

• 12:30/1:00pm – Bring your own lunch and meet up with other participants at Abingdon Vineyards
• 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM - Packet Pick-Up Abingdon Visitor’s Center, 133 W. Main Street

Saturday, October 21

• 8:30 AM – Site Opens (Creeper Trail Parking Lot, 300 Green Street) – packet pickup continues. Parking available at 152 Highland Street.
• 8:50 AM – Opening Ceremonies
• 9:00 AM – Pink 13.1 begins! (The entire Pink13.1 route will take place on the Virginia Creeper Trail going out and back.)
• 11:30 AM – 3:30PM – Finish line festivities to include: boxed lunches, mimosas kits and foot soak kits. Feel free to enjoy at the finish line or take these with you.
• 6:00/7:00 PM - Group Dinner (dutch treat) at Foresta, 190 E. Main Street. Advanced RSVP required.

Sunday, October 22

• 10:00 AM - Celebration Brunch (complimentary) at Bone Fire Smokehouse. Advanced RSVP required.

Need help fundraising? See how you can Raise $300 in a Month!

If you have donors that would like to mail in a check, please use our Pink 13.1 donation form.  Click here.

To help you prepare for the 13-mile walk, jog, or run, we have put together some training tips and a training plan. We have a Beginner and Intermediate plan so pick the one that is right for you!  We also provide a 12 week, 9 week or 6 week plan.  Click here to view the plan.

BUILDING YOUR TEAM

• Email your friends and family from your Participation Center, inviting them to join your Team.

  • Participation Center How To

• Change your Facebook status message, send a tweet, or update your personal blog.

• Host a recruitment event and ask your guests to join your Team.

• Host an informational meeting at your workplace.

• Write an article for your company/organization newsletter.

• Put a Pink 13.1 poster up at your office, school, or place of worship.

• Form a Team with your family - it’s a bonding experience like nothing else.

• Start a Team with the people in your area or neighborhood.

• Start a Team with an organization you represent.

How Others Register to Join Your Team

To join a Team, search for the name of the Team you want to join and select it, or contact Catherine to register and indicate that you would like to join a Team. Let us know the Team name, and your Coach will be happy to get you started.

How to Host a Recruitment Party

1. Secure a location: a conference room at work, your neighborhood recreation center, your church, your house, etc.

2. Send out an invitation to the party. Invite people who donated to you last year, your friends, family, neighbors -- anyone you might want on your Team.

3. If you would like someone from VBCF to attend your Team building party, contact us to ask if a Coach/staff member is available to attend.

4. Use social media to promote and remind people about the event and to cast a wider net.

5. Confirm your RSVPs.

6. Set up for the party.

7. During the party:

   1. Start by explaining why you are participating in the Pink 13.1.

   2. Ask everyone to join your Team. For those who are unable to participate, ask them to donate.

   3. If you don’t have an answer to a question, check our FAQ section or contact Catherine for more information.

   4. If possible, set up a computer and have the website available for people to become familiar with all the tools that will be available to them once they register to join your Team.

   5. Have fun! Let others feel the positive energy generated by joining your Team.

8. After the party: Send a thank you email from your Participant Center to everyone who attended your party, asking them to joining your Team if they haven’t already.

TEAM FUNDRAISING

As you know, each individual walker must raise $300. But don’t limit yourself! By working together as a Team, you can raise even more:

Team Fundraising Ideas:

• Make a Team Flag: Hang it proudly in your home, office, or community center and have donors sign it after they make their generous contribution!

• Make (and Sell) Team T-Shirts: You can make your own Team T-shirt, displaying your Team name, fundraising goal, slogan and more. This is a great way to advertise your Team and get people asking questions about the event, thus leading to a donation. You may consider selling your Team T-shirts, and putting those funds towards your fundraising goals.

• Throw a Dinner Party: Each member of the Team can make a dish. Once your guests arrive, start by showing one of our informational videos during cocktails and appetizers. Then talk about why you’re participating in the Pink 13.1 over dinner and hand out donation forms with dessert. Collect the forms and give donors a pink ribbon, and/or have guests sign your Team T-shirt before they leave.

• Set up a Table at a Local “Hot Spot”: Get permission from a local health club, yoga studio, or coffee shop to set up a table inside the establishment, and then ask interested patrons who pass by to support your Team.

• Special Screening: Ask your local movie theater to donate a special screening of a new release to benefit your Team. Invite everyone you know and post flyers. Charge a donation fee at the door.

• Meet the Press: Contact the editor of your local paper, company newsletter --- or both! Ask them to interview you about what your Team has undertaken and why, and include a request for support. Be sure to include instructions in the story for how readers can make a donation to your Team.

• Benefit Night: Throw a fundraising party at a local establishment. Ask that local restaurant, ice cream parlor, etc. to support you with a donation of 10% (or more!) of the night's sales.

• Live/Silent Auction: Ask some local businesses to donate items or gift certificates and hold an auction at your fundraising event, or on payday at work. Good for a large crowd and some big-ticket items: a trip for two, a special bottle of wine, landscape, pool, or house cleaning service --- the list is endless! Set minimum donation limits and allow people to bid them up.

• Team Car Wash: Go to your local car wash and talk to the owner or manager about doing a fundraising event there. Post flyers a week in advance, and then spend a few hours talking with people about what you are doing at the cashier stand. Hand people a flyer and accept donations.

Team Donations

Although each walker is responsible for raising at least $300, there are still ways that Teams can share fundraising dollars. Here a few suggestions:

• As Team members reach their fundraising minimum, ask them to add a note to their Personal Page (the public page you may edit and access via your Participant Center) to encourage donors to contribute to another person on your Team who has not yet made the fundraising minimum. Share your personal fundraising page to your Facebook and make an additional note of this.

• If there are still a few members of your Team struggling to make the minimum as the event approaches, step in and help each other to the goal. Ask donors to mail checks directly to the Team Captain made out to the Virginia Breast Cancer Foundation rather than making donations via individual pages.

  • Be sure to let the donor know that donations will be shared with the Team. As you receive checks, re-attach them to donation forms for Team members who need the funds and send them to the address on the form.

How to conquer your Team members’ fears of fundraising:

• Talk about your fears as a Team. Getting face-to-face with someone who might have anxiety about making the minimum is a great way to assure them that they’re not alone. Remember, it only takes 10 donations of $30 to meet your fundraising minimum.

• Meet with your Team to create a fundraising plan for everyone; brainstorm together and support everyone’s ideas.

• Ask for help from your Pink 13.1 Coach. You may call, e-mail, or set up a meeting for advice.

• Create a timeline for your fundraising. Assign specific launch dates for your emails, fundraising parties, follow-up letters, etc. Then track results online and send messages congratulating Team members on achieving fundraising milestones.

• Plan group fundraising  activities and divide up various tasks according to your Teammate’s skills. If a Team member is shy, let her work on behind-the-scenes logistics. If a Team member is a “people person,” put her front and center, making the fundraising ask.