I run the half-marathon portion each year and think it's a great race - flat, fast, and includes some interesting parts of town.

This year, 2006, was memorable for a couple reasons: 1) The proceeds went to relief for Hurricane Katrina. It was announced that a check for over 27K was being sent to Habitat for Humanity 2) It was the first major sporting event in New Orleans since the storm and 3) The race finished outside the SuperDome instead of inside.

The finish was a major perk for me. If you haven't run the race before, finishing in the SuperDome is fun. But the "false finish" is a killer. The distance involved in running back around the building to get to the entrance is an unwelcome surprise after 12.5 miles. I much preferred the outdoor finish - when we made the final turn towards the Dome, we had a straight shot to the finish line.

One of these years, I may pony up and run the whole marathon, but until then, the half marathon is a very fun race. The race is well-organized and water & Gatorade are plentiful. I'll be back annually so long as I'm around.

I was at the Mardi Gras Marathon, 2006, and I have to say this was *the* best organized race I've ever been to. And I've been to the large (Chicago) and the small (Shiprock). I just wanted everyone to know how great a job the NOTC and City of New Orleans did! Packet pick-up was easy, with enough vendors that I could pick up what I needed. The race started on time, outside the now infamous Superdome. They had someone calling out the time at every mile (which I've never seen in a race before and it *really* helped keep me on pace). They had power gel at every water stop, the stations were well-manned and enthusiastic, the later ones had cookies and candy. They announced my name twice in the race (entering Audobon Park and at the finish) which never happens to me since my name is "Kazumi"). There weren't many spectators, but they made up for it in enthusiasm! I even got Mardi Gras beads (and didn't have to show my sports bra). And the real kicker - they had the race results up online the very next day! As for the course, it's flat and fast, the weather is perfect at that time of year, and it goes through the best parts of the city. I PR'd, taking 20 minutes off my last best time, and was absolutely shocked.

All proceeds go to rebuilding efforts of this great city. I know there was a lot of speculation and trepidation (on my part as well) about how they'd pull off this first major athletic event since Katrina, but it was flawless.

I will be back for the Mardi Gras Marathon next year, and so should you!

The first major event for the Post-Katrina New Orleans was great. The aid stations were great, fans were great, but my MAJOR problem is the advertised course limit of 7 hours. The course was closed on a 5-hour-and-30-minute pace. I finish in 5 hours and 40 minutes, but there were about 65 people behind me without police protection from the traffic. Having the course closed on me took away the excitement of setting a PR (I took off 30 mins). I am not from New Orleans so I had no idea how to get to the finish line. Thank goodness a fellow runner told me where to go. The last aid station (Runners in Red Dresses) was a lifesaver and pointed the way. It is the job of the race to provide protection and directions for the advertised course limit.

I am not sure what happened but after reading some of the comments from last year (2005) this seems to be the start of a tradition for New Orleans. If they don't want us out there for 7 hours, that's fine - just give us the correct time limit. Also, they say they are "walker friendly" and I am not sure about that. The end police car, official race vehicle, and two ambulances would follow a runner and as soon as the runner would walk, the end group would move up to the next runner. To anyone wanting to run New Orleans, either just do the half or make sure you can finish in 5 hours. Do not believe the course limit.

I chose the Mardi Gras Marathon over Mercedes & others for the cause (of recovery) & to be part of the first post-Katrina convention. My only disappointment was that other out-of-state runners weren't of the same thinking, as the attendance was small-ish (698 finishers for the full, and something like 3,800 for all events, including the 5K & half). The organizers, including the local track club (NOTC), the police, & city could not have been any more accommodating or efficient. The local runners carried the message to "get your butts back to New Orleans" & "run hard, live easy."

The layout let runners see the good (2 beautiful parks; stately mansions; quaint neighborhoods; & the quarter) & the bad (the flood destruction). And can a course be any flatter? Only a 7' differential in mile maker elevations. Fans were few but were creative & fun, offering everything from chili dogs & cigarettes to cocktails. I finally accepted a beer (just to say I did it) at mile 9 (& of course at 26.3). Never heard so many "thank you's" per capita, mostly directed to the police. The weather was absolutely gorgeous.

Yesterday I participated in the Mardi Gras Marathon and it was a GREAT experience. In spite of the lack of a prime sponser and with limited operating funds, the organization put together a fantantic race experience. The water stops were well staffed and stocked, the traffic control was first-rate, the finish line was on par with much larger races I have run and the after-race feed was wonderful. The course was flat and toured some of the flooded areas of the city as well as the French Quarter and neighborhood parks. The gracious Lady of New Orleans still lives and is waiting for you to come visit. You will not be disappointed with this marathon!!

I ran the half-marathon this year (2006). This is the first major sporting event in New Orleans since Hurricane Katrina. At some mile markers, there was a ruler of how high the water levels had gotten in that particular area. I am a resident of New Orleans proper, and was used to the pictures of the devastation that happened here. There wasn't anything too saddening or gruesome. There was a lot of support from residents of the areas of the run, and from a local running store (Phedippiddes). The after party was located outside of the infamous Superdome, which looked quite normal (of course, we did not have access to the inside). Actually the city looked cleaner than it ever did before the storm.

I LOVE N.O.!

This is one great race! The course was flat and very scenic. We got to see areas of the city that were underwater during the hurricane. Some local runners were nice enough to give us a grand tour along the way. The finish line outside the Superdome was very nice. The walk up the steep ramp to get to the festivities hurt slightly but was probably good for me. Snacks and entertainment were great. Comments about lack of police were incorrect this year. They were stationed at every cross street. I applaud the NOTC for their effort and the race that they put together. I enjoyed the run and even PR'd.

Overall I really enjoyed this marathon. It was flat and the food and bathrooms plentiful. The course was also very beautiful and interesting. Though I got harassed by some men because the police were nonexistent. Which brings me to my one problem with this race. It was advertised as a 7-hour race, but way before that time the police were on their bullhorns telling us our time was up and to get off the course. Very demoralizing to slower and first-time marathoners. Then when I reached the 1/2 mark back at the Superdome some organizers were yelling for me to go inside because I wasn't going to finish. Not having run a marathon before I started to listen to them but thank God I didn't and like Forrest I kept running. If I had listened to them I wouldn't have accomplished my goal of finishing a full marathon. I hope they don't do this to other people.

Ending in the Superdome was a treat! The post-race food was much better than most races. The awards were ready in a timely manner. The GrandMaster's Division was a nice surprise. I will encourage my friends to run in 2006, to support the News Orleans economy.

If the weather cooperates and you run a smart race, you can run a fast race here. The course is FLAT...Chicago, eat your heart out. A nice mix of urban and rural running as well as crowd support and quiet to collect your thoughts.

A hidden gem.