Sunday, February 5, 2006. As the plane was approaching the airport for landing, roofs with blue tarpaulins did a fine job of reminding me of Hurricane Katrina's devastation. This was the 41st running of the Mardi Gras Marathon. There were also half marathon and 5K races.

Mother Nature had sent us an excellent weather. Temperature ranged from low 40s at the 7:00 a.m. starting time to mid 50s by noon. Sunny. Hardly any wind. All races started and finished outside the Louisiana Superdome. The first two miles were through downtown and the French Quarter; then through residential neighborhoods to mile 4. Shortly after mile 4, we made a right turn and ran an out-and-back route, alongside the city park, which ended at mile 10. Then we went back to the Superdome, where the half-marathoners finished their run and the marathoners continued theirs. With the exception of an approximately 2.5-mile loop around Audubon Park (miles 18.5 to 21), the second half of the route was out-and-back through several residential neighborhoods, which showcased a large number of well-kept old houses. Other than a freeway overpass that we had to climb twice (at miles 5 and 9.5), it was flat. All runners received long-sleeved T-shirts. Finishers received medals. Aid stations were at every 1.5 miles. A large number of volunteers. NOPD officers did a very fine job with traffic control and were present at all intersections. Crowd support was minimal. Plenty of post-race refreshments, and a local band provided live music. I enjoyed running this marathon.

You've gotta love a visit to New Orleans. This is a decent course... mostly flat and through a variety of neighborhoods and sights in a great city. Most participants run the half, so support and spectators are weak in the last 13.1. The water stations in the first several miles were overwhelmed and the workers were not prepared and showed frustration. The start and finish were good. Clocks were plentiful. The stations in the 2nd half were well-staffed. It's a good experience, but it can get warm. Be prepared.

This is a well-organized event on a fast and interesting course. It was a poignant experience, of course, especially on the short loop that took us through the devastated Lakeview neighborhood. But the good humor of the people of New Orleans was on prominent display.

One thing to be aware of among runners who are thinking about doing this marathon next year and leaving on the same day: The Holiday Inn Superdome tells you when you make your reservation that they can stretch the checkout time to 1 p.m. However, when you check in, they insist on noon.

The race itself was a great experience.

This was a bittersweet event, but I was very impressed by all that the organizers did to pull it off, from the national anthem, to the course, to the post-race party. Obviously, the marathon was scaled back this year, but the organizers and volunteers clearly put their hearts and souls into producing a great race! It did get a little lonely in the second half as the majority of the runners were in the half marathon, but the volunteers, NOPD, and citizens put their everything into cheering us on as we continued. A special "thank you" to those in Audobon Park, and the "red dress guys"!

I would call this a well organized event. Perhaps they could work on the parking garage backups. The flat and super fast course was aided by this year's ideal weather. I got a PR, not expecting that at age 45 in my 45th lifetime marathon. Food and post-race entertainment, atmosphere, on the plus side of average. A bit odd in this day of chip timing that there were no results or awards for the marathon. Much of New Orleans will be slow to recover, but as a visitor it is still a great city to run, eat, drink, and be merry.

Well, it was worth the trip. I was stunned by what I saw in New Orleans. The video footage never measures up to what you see. The marathon course took the runners through everything - the good and the bad. Parts of the course made me cry as they were so devastated, while others made me smile for the way they have rebuilt themselves and the way they supported the race. You could see the pride of the locals as you passed their houses and neighborhoods and you could see the pride of the police and security that protected the areas and stopped traffic at the intersections. You could see the patience of the people in the parks who were out walking their dogs or enjoying a nice morning walk. The overall attitude is: We will move on and will survive.

As a New Yorker I felt honored to run this marathon. I have run 33 now and done most of the big ones - I will say this, though, that this one was the most important ones I have done. New Orleans will be back and I was glad to be a small part of the rebuilding effort. I have nothing but praise for the organizers and volunteers for this event. For you guys to pull this off is amazing. Thank you so much for a wonderful experience. If you never did Mardi Gras before - do yourself a favor and run this marathon next year. I am sure it will be better than ever.

This was my first Mardi Gras Marathon. I was really surprised at how fast the course was. I didn't PR or anything, but was running it as a training run and for a chance to see the city. Next year I may decide to race it. The expo was great along with the post-race party. The only downside to the marathon was all the L.S.U. fans down there. HOTTY TOTTY!

The course was flat. The only negative point is that the roads are full of potholes. It's tough to accelerate or look around. No spectators after 13.1.

I would call it a very well organized event. Flat and super fast course aided by this year's ideal weather. I got a PR, was not expecting that at age 45 in my 45th lifetime marathon. Not many spectators, understandably. Perhaps they could work on the parking garage back-ups.

Much of New Orleans will be slow to recover, but as a visitor, it is still a great city to run in, eat in, drink in, and be merry in.

I have run this race twice. I am a Dr. from New York, age 44, and I have run a 3:27 on this course. I think the temps were way too warm for me. I was hoping to run about a 3:10 or better. I would not run it again. I could be 50, or maybe 70. Also, the people for the most part were rude, and prices vary greatly, esp. for cabs, etc. Sort of a rip off.