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New Orleans Mardi Gras Marathon Runner Comments
Back to New Orleans Mardi Gras Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.2 
Organization 4.2 
Spectators 3.5
Number of comments: 315 [displaying comments 231 to 241]
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D. C. from Hamilton, Ontario
(3/16/2005)
"Great for a first-timer" (about: 1999)
1 previous marathon
| 1 New Orleans Mardi Gras Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 This is an excellent course for a first-timer. It's completely flat and the winter temperature in New Orleans is great. The view is nice through City Park and the Garden District. My only advice is stay away from the free beer while running (not the ideal way to replenish carbs during a race). | |
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Dana M. from Walnut, California
(3/12/2005)
"Friendly Faces of N'Awlins" (about: 2005)
50+ previous marathons
| 1 New Orleans Mardi Gras Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 The Mardi Gras Marathon of New Orleans consumed for its expo and race day activities those resources that the Louisiana Superdome so handily provided. The starting line was on Sugar Bowl Drive and was accessible from the Dome's east entrance; this allowed the runners to use the indoor restroom facilities and take shelter from the chill and rain until 10-15 minutes before the start. We staged ourselves in rain gear as the light rain lessened gradually to only a light mist when the starter's pistol was fired (the temperature at that time was in the upper-forties with a bit of a wind chill). We ran first toward the Mississippi River between the tall modern business buildings and hotels of Poydras Street before turning toward the French Quarter and its drastically different architecture via St. Peters Street. Andrew Jackson waved his sword to salute the 4,400 running the full and half marathons as we ran by the St. Louis Cathedral and Jackson Square. The run continued on past the French Market, Farmer's Market, and the old U.S. mint before ducking onto residential streets for a while and then turning for a few miles of running next to Bayou St. John and City Park. At mile 5 (and mile 9 on the return), the only major hill on the course crossed over Interstate-610 to allow us to see some of the taller buildings of the New Orleans skyline for a few moments. The waterstations had water, Gatorade, and smiling volunteers all morning long; cookies, candy, bananas, oranges, and Go-gel were offered at a few points on the course. The course wound its way through Mid-City to the New Orleans Arena where those running the half were directed into the Superdome for their finish; the 1,968 runners that would finish the full marathon continued on. We ran past the historic homes (and Lafayette Cemetery) of the Garden District out to Audubon Park. The trees overhanging the bike/pedestrian path made a very picturesque umbrella as runners circled the park first counter-clockwise and then clockwise after the turn-around. Shouts and waves of encouragement could be heard/seen for quite a while as runners heading toward and returning from the turn-around progressed toward their Superdome destination. The finish line was inside the Dome where the beautiful finisher's medal (in Mardi Gras colors) and comforts of post-race were offered. The grub provided included beer, red beans and rice, chips, cake, bananas, and sandwiches. A jazz quartet added New Orleans flavor to the recovery. The spectators had been pretty sparse on the course except for several main intersections (probably due to damp mid-sixties weather plus transportation disruption caused by the event) but the volunteers and the New Orleans Track Club made every effort that they could to make the event a memorable positive. The morning had taken us for a run past many of the scenic attractions and friendly faces of N'Awlins. What a fabulous way to collect a marathon in Louisiana and become a 50-States Finisher! | |
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Theresa Porter-Salzarulo from Indianapolis
(3/8/2005)
"What a fun race!" (about: 2005)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 New Orleans Mardi Gras Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This is a great marathon, especially for a first-timer. Great traffic control, scenic course, friendly crowd, and energetic volunteers. Definitely stay a few extra days to enjoy New Orleans. | |
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T. T. from Easton, PA
(3/8/2005)
"Fast and flat, but bumpy" (about: 2005)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 New Orleans Mardi Gras Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 The course is exactly as the organizers describe it. Flat and fast, but watch out for the potholes and uneven roads. Only inclines are approaching miles 5 and 8. Good organization, but not as festive along the course as I would expect for New Orleans. | |
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J. D. from Fayetteville, GA
(3/8/2005)
"Great Organization, Fun Race" (about: 2005)
1 previous marathon
| 1 New Orleans Mardi Gras Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was my first marathon and it was a great experience. The streets were a little rough, but the fans were great and the race organization was outstanding. Loved the self-serve beer at the end. I had a hard time in the park (miles 16-20) but I guess that is to be expected during your first marathon. Thanks to New Orleans Police and Fire, they did a great job. | |
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P. A. from Denton, Texas
(3/7/2005)
"Goin' back to New Orleans" (about: 2005)
4-5 previous marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 My third half marathon since December. (White Rock, PF Chang, and, yes, Mardi Gras.) What an outstanding event! With the rain holding off (must have been my gris gris dance for sure), about 6 thousand people starting ON TIME, a course that winds through most of historical New Orleans, very well organized water aid stations, and a finish in the Superdome. I was also very impressed with the fans along the course. I have never seen that many people out in New Orleans on a Sunday morning in cool and wet conditions. As a person who is involved in large event productions, I had the opportunity to meet and talk with Mike Cambre, race director, Chuck George and Ken Vicknair of the New Orleans Track Club. What a personal touch. Easily accessible and always willing to go the extra mile to accommodate. Where else can you go to run a race and have a pre-race evening including crawfish etouffee and a brass band or anything else this rich city has to offer? I realize the MGM does not have the huge financial backings other races have, but they make up for it with their hard work, attention to detail, and the distinctive southern hospitality that is so prevalent to this city and its people. I am agreeing with my favorite Dr. John album, 'Goin' back to New Orleans.' | |
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M. D. from Eaton, Colorado
(3/6/2005)
"Quality Marathon Fun and a Fast Time" (about: 2005)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 New Orleans Mardi Gras Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This was my tenth marathon and I enjoyed it very much. The organization was good, the course was fast, and the water and food stops were well stocked. Starting and finishing in the Superdome allowed for protection from the weather before the start and after the finish. If you are considering this as a destination marathon, it was easy to get from the airport to one of many large downtown hotels by taxi or by airport shuttle. New Orleans seems to be convention central with plenty of hotel rooms within easy walking distance of the Superdome and many of the attractions in New Orleans. My only complaint was that they did not have any additional marathon clothing to purchase. | |
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L. P. from Michigan
(3/5/2005)
"Beautiful course - great city" (about: 2005)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 New Orleans Mardi Gras Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 What a blast! The course was awesome, especially through the French Quarter. We didn't plan to have so much fun in the city afterward - don't go unless you plan to spend at least 3 days. I went with 3 other people, and 3 of the 4 of us had the wrong times recorded. It appeared to be gun time instead of chip time. Not certain about the 4th person in our party since he started within seconds of the start line, but it made more than a 2-minute difference for the rest of us. We're not lamenting over it, since we're not qualifying for anything but it could have made a difference to some poor soul. I'd still recommend it to anyone! | |
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M. P. from USA
(3/5/2005)
"scenery was OK, spectators were great" (about: 2005)
1 previous marathon
| 1 New Orleans Mardi Gras Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 4 The course was monotonous during the park section, which stretched for 4 miles; and the cheering section should have been spread over longer distance. There was no food provided/sold for the families and friends waiting at the Super Dome. But the medal looks great. | |
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Rob Myette from Green Bay, WI
(3/4/2005)
"One of the best events I have ever attended" (about: 2005)
50+ previous marathons
| 3 New Orleans Mardi Gras Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 From registration to course support to post-race Southern hospitality... definitely one of the top ten U.S. events. Starting with registration and a runners expo in the New Orleans Superdome, staffed by the N.O. Track Club members and guest speaker Jeff Galloway, and culminating with a post-race party featuring Subway sandwiches and Blue Runner cajun beans and rice... the event would be hard-pressed to offer more. Like last year, crowd support and traffic control were tremendous. Hats off to New Orleans Police and Fire Department volunteers... barely weeks after Mardi Gras and they are out there again insuring the safety and well being of 6,000-plus runners. No questions went unanswered, and no reasonable requests were refused by the marathon staff. If you have never experienced New Orleans and its great cuisine and hospitality, not to mention its history... then you should plan on the Mardi Gras Marathon in 2006. I know I am already marking my running calendar for next year's event. |
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