May 14, 2024
Current Year Results
Results Search
Biggest/Best Boston Qualifier
2024 Results
2023 Results
2022 Results
2021 Results
2020 Results
2019 Results
2018 Results
2017 Results
2016 Results
2015 Results
2014 Results
2013 Results
2012 Results
2011 Results
2010 Results
2009 Results
2008 Results
2007 Results
2006 Results
2005 Results
2004 Results
2003 Results
2002 Results
2001 Results
2000 Results
☰
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 291 to 301]
|
B. C. from Houma, Louisiana
(2/20/2003)
 "Good Marathon with a Few Minor Flaws" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 4 The Mardi Gras Marathon has a lot of positives--great host city, flat and interesting course, good weather, and enthusiastic crowds. The only negatives I saw were that the race started 20 minutes late, no real effort to stop walkers and slow runners from lining up in the front row, and only Pepsi and Beer to drink with the post-race food. There were a few bad spots in the roads, but overall I thought the concerns over the potholes and crowned roads were overblown. | |
|
R. F. from New York, NY
(2/19/2003)
 "A Flat Course - A Huge Plus" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 The Mardi Gras Marathon has the potential of drawing more runners - but curiously doesn't. With a flat course (with the exception of the overpass at miles 5 & 8) and a great city to explore, I don't understand why there were only 1700 marathoners. I appreciate reading the comments from the 2002 Mardi Gras marathon - so I wasn't too surprised by the roads. If it was only potholes then it wouldn't be so bad, but when the whole street is torn up it really does a number on your feet (thankfully, only between miles 17 - 22). This is why I gave the course 3 stars. The spectators were great - much better than I had anticipated. My recommendation is to memorize the water stations on the map at the expo so you can plan your gu/gel intake. | |
|
b. r. from Florida
(2/17/2003)
 "Holes R Us Marathon" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 1 Three words for New Orleans: Pave Your Streets. My only view of New Orleans were the cracks and potholes. Friendly volunteers, so-so expo, no entertainment, good post-race refreshments. Was there a reason for starting 30 minutes late in 2003? Glad to have run the Mardi Gras but I doubt if I'll ever encounter worse roads. I don't think they've been resurfaced since the French occupied the territory. Thank goodness for two parks. | |
|
A Runner from Opelousas, LA
(10/21/2002)
"Excellent for a 1st time marathoner" (about: 2000)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Ran in yr 2000 - -- 1st marathon. Weather was excellent. Course is flat except for around mile 6 and 8. Water stops every mile. Really expected more entainment such as in the New Orleans Crescent City 10K. Will do again. I broke 4 hours. | |
|
A Runner from south bend
(4/26/2002)
 "a runner from the past" (General Comments)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I have done several Mardi Gras Marathons, always in costume, and swore I would return every year....as a lover of cheetos I am thrilled that chee wees is a race sponsor... Kirk Eisert | |
|
Gumbo Boy from Atlanta, GA
(4/16/2002)
"Home town kid disappointed overall" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 2 I'm originally from New Orleans, so maybe I had higher expectations for a homecoming marathon. Simply visiting New Orleans was not enough to make this race an overall positive experience. The course consists, basically, of two out and backs. I think the course could benefit from a non-repetative course. Working in the lakefront and additional areas of uptown would be positive course changes. I was also shocked at the lack of publicity about the event. Family members had no idea that there was a marathon happening intown - zero news coverage beyond a small article on race day about road closures. Lame. On the course, I found water to be sparse given the temparature. Some of the water tables were poorly manned causing lines to form for a cup of water. Others have noted the pot hole situation. I was also annoyed that there was little crowd control in Audubon Park. Runners were forced to dodge roller bladers, dogs on leashes, and other park goers who had little idea that there was a race going on. Positives - New Orleans Police are masters of traffic control and the course is flat, flat, flat. Also, the Red Dress Water Stop is a classic. Anyway, I hate to bash the hometown race, but I am reluctant to recommend the race, unless you are looking for a good excuse to visit the city. But that's just my opinion. | |
|
A Runner from Plainfield, IL
(4/10/2002)
"2 Down, 10 to go--26.2 in the Big Easy" (General Comments)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 This was my second marathon this year in my quest to run 12 marathons in 12 months. My comments are similar to other runners. My 2 biggest complaints are like the other runners': potholes on the back half of the race, and not finishing in the SuperDome. The potholes forced concentration (tough to do after 20 + miles) and could have easily injured somebody if stumbled upon. Overall, I had a great experience. I love New Orleans--it's great fun to visit, and I was able to get very good deals on airfare and hotel. The expo for the marathon was decent, the course (aside from the potholes) was flat and fast. Crowd support was ok in downtown area, but sparse in the outlying areas. Post-race food was unique and pretty good, although the walk up and down the ramp was difficult. A bonus: The Marine Corps. Marathon had a booth at the expo, and had a drawing for 250 guaranteed spots. My wife and I both got in, so that will be my October marathon. I was beginning to think I would never get into it, but I did! I would rate this marathon as one notch below some of the other big-city marathons I have run (Chicago, Houston), but it's a race that holds its own in a great, fun town to visit. I would recommend it to anyone who lives in the SE United States, but hard to say whether I would spend a lot of money to travel to it. Next up: Martian Marathon in March. | |
|
(Jon Beasley) from Ft. Wayne, IN
(3/24/2002)
 "One-of-a-kind race in a one-of-a-kind place!" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 This marathon has my heart. Nicely organized, VERY FAST course, and they have beer at the finish (although it remained as Budlight versus the advertised Heineken...what happened??). This is a PR course for sure. The weather in Nawlins in Jan./Feb. is typically 40 degrees at the start(8AM) and 65 by the finish. Mile splits appeared to be accurate. I have run the marathon every year since '98. The marathon course has changed over the years, but I hope the organizers stay with the present (2002) course. The course takes in many cool areas of this scenic and historic city. The road surface is rough in some places, but it didn't detract from my performance at all. I will certainly be more aware of the crowned roads (run in the middle as much as possible!) for next year. I was pleased with the aid stations and didn't mind grabbing cups off of tables, although it was only necessary once or twice. There were plenty of stations(more than 1 every 2 miles), and they had a nice variety of drinks and appropriate foods. The volunteers were great...animated, some wore costumes, and all were very supportive. This race MUST have more porta potties for next year's race...my only true complaint. Major positives...police/traffic control, wide variety of everything (even beer!) at aid stations, nice expo the day before, FAST and beautiful course, after-race beer and food(food was better in previous years), very efficient pre-race clothes check-in, and, of course, the post-race limitless beer(did I already mention this?). I highly recommend this marathon to anyone who likes a fast course and wants to party their pants off after the race. Can't beat this place for fun. | |
|
A Runner from Southaven, Mississippi
(2/25/2002)
"Great course with a wide array of scenery changes" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This was a great race if you wanted to run a PR. The many different changes in scenery kept me interested and not so worried about my time. The potholes on the 2nd half were bad, but the men dressed in red drag made you forget about them. The organization was great, down to the lady that took off my chip for me. The hard part was not only walking up the superdome ramp after the race for refreshments, but walking down! The beer and oysters the night before was not a bad way to carbo-load either! | |
|
A Runner from Alabama
(2/21/2002)
"Flat and fast but some disappointments" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 2 The good things: The course was flat and fast, most of the water stations were well organized, the medal on mardi gras beads was really neat, the people were fun and friendly. The bad things: It didn't end in the superdome, no water after leaving the chute at the finish line (only beer and soft drinks - not good for dehydrated runners!), Needed more volunteers at the finish and some of the water stations. Overall it was a good race, but I think it must have been better other years based on the comments below! |
Quick Links
Marathon Search
Upcoming US Marathons
Upcoming International Marathons
Search Marathon Results
Latest Running News
Recent Newsletters
Race Director Tools
© 2000-2024, All Rights Reserved by MarathonGuide.com LLC
