It almost feels like we are rotating between world class races and music festivals from one weekend to the next.  With French Quarter Fest coming to an end today – it’s time for a race…so next Sunday, New Orleans will host the Ochsner 70.3 Ironman.  Last year, the race broke a world record for being the largest 70.3 in the world. What do we mean by 70.3?!?  Well, this race is definitely not a walk in the park; it’s a grueling combination of a 1.2 mile swim, a 56 mile bike and a 13.1 mile run = 70.3 miles.  The race will start at the UNO Research and Technology Park and end in Jackson Square. The award ceremony will be held at Woldenberg Park.

(Click on images for larger image)

Swim 1.2 Miles

Bike 56 Miles

Run 13.1 Miles

I couldn’t confirm the race was sold out, only 3,000 participants are allowed, but registration for the race is closed. This is the kind of race that requires a lot of preparation.  You don’t wake-up in the morning and decide to run an Ironman.  You need to train properly and invest the money in the right equipment…normally getting a racing bike is the biggest expense.

New Orleans will once again host a list of world class athletes for this event: Last year’s champions, Brent McMahon (a former Canadian Olympian) and Natscha Badmann of Switzerland are returning. Also, Australian Chris McCormack (who has won 11 Ironman titles and been named Triathlete of the Year four times) will make a repeat visit. Other seasoned pros signed on include Rasmus Henning from Denmark and U.S. racers Andy Potts and Joanna Zeiger.

Also, just like the other race events – there is going to be an Expo two days prior to the race.  The Health and Fitness Expo will feature a wide variety of multi-sport products, apparel, as well as healthy lifestyle goods and services. The expo is being held at the Hilton New Orleans on Friday April 16th, 10am-6:30pm and Saturday April 17th, 9am-7pm.

What a day!! What a race!! Today was the 32^nd Crescent City Classic – over 20,000 runners and walkers lined up on Decatur to participate in this world class 10K race.  The gun and canon – yes, canon, promptly went off at 8:30 am after the Marine Corps Color Guards and Marine Corps Band finished the National Anthem.

Although at first rain threaten to make an appearance, not a drop came down before, during or after the race…which is good because everyone was enjoying the after the race festivities at City Park. The cloud coverage was welcomed, since you can work up quite a sweat running 6.2 miles.  The mixture of cloud, sun and the low 70s made for a gorgeous day for the race.

The Crescent City Classic attracts world class athletes who come to New Orleans to set world records but to me, the real heroes of the race are the people of all ages, sexes, shapes and sizes that come out to run and walk.  People really do come out in troves to participate…some dressed up, some pushing baby strollers and some pulling coolers filled with beer and jelly shots.

It really is one of the best races in New Orleans.  The course starts off in the Quarter, down to Poydras…around to Rampart and on Esplanade all the way to City Park.  It’s a very scenic route.

At the end of the race many people enjoyed some delicious jambalaya and a ‘few’ folks enjoyed some Abita beer.  Okay…most folks also enjoyed some Abita beer.  I guess they earned it after running 6.2 miles!

Congratulations to everyone who ran and thank you to the Crescent City Fitness Foundation and Times Picayune for putting this event together for the city each year.  You can get your race results here.

Below are the pictures I took. Also, check-out the Times Picayune Slide Shows.

We are less than two weeks away from the Crescent City Classic which will be taking place on Saturday, April 3^rd at 8:30am. I ran the Crescent City Classic last year – it was without a doubt the biggest race I had ever participated in.  Just like the Rock N’ Roll Mardi Gras ½ & Marathon attracted large crowds and top class athletes…so does the Crescent City Classic.

The CCC 10K is known as one of the world’s greatest 10K races.  It runs on a flat, fast, 6.2 mile course that lends itself to world records, as well as to those who just want to get some exercise.  The run starts at Jackson Square where the Marine Corps Band provides the runners some entertainment (it personally helped settle my stomach, last year). Runners than run to Poydras, up to S.Rampart/N.Rampart to Esplanade and than on to City Park.  In City Park, the runners are welcomed by cheering fans, food and festivities. The weather last year was absolutely perfect.

This is a race for everyone.  I ran it a little under an hour last year and saw people walking, saw military formations, and people in costumes etc.  People were having fun, enjoying the fresh air, and getting some exercise!!

If I didn’t have plantar fasciitis I would be running it again this year. If you are planning to run and have not registered, I HIGHLY recommend you register online. It’s a bit of a mad house the days before the race so it’s best to register ahead of time.  Online registration will close at midnight, Sunday, March 28^th.

Concurrent with the CCC, will be the Crescent City Classic Expo at the Sheraton New Orleans Hotel, 500 Canal Street in downtown New Orleans. Held on Thursday, April 1 and Friday, April 2, the free expo will feature exhibitors showcasing the latest in running apparel, shoes, exercise equipment, nutritional and wellness products, fitness services, and much more.

Race Day Schedule

6:30 a.m. Buses begin running from City Park to start area near Jackson Square
8:15 a.m. Final Announcements, Dignitary Welcome and the National Anthem
8:30 a.m. The Times-Picayune Crescent City Classic Begins!
9:00 a.m. Post-Race Party and Festival begins near finish in Tad Gormley Stadium
10:00 a.m. Complimentary Bus takes participants back to Canal St.
10:30 a.m. Awards Ceremony and Giveaways from stage in Tad Gormley Stadium
11:00 a.m. Festival Bands resume playing
1:00 p.m. Festival officially ends, Complimentary bus transport to Canal St ends

For more information – visit the Crescent City Classic Website. Let us know if you are running by leaving a comment!!

It’s New Orleans…so to ask people to not drink beer – is well, unrealistic and stupid.  What we can expect is that people drink responsibly, in moderation and preferably beer that will have a smaller impact on their mid-section.

Quite honestly, I was pretty taken back last year watching the participants from The Ochsner Ironman 70.3 New Orleans kick back Abita beers after the race.  After seeing that last year – I’m not shocked to find out their will be alcohol consumption this weekend at the Rock N’ Roll Mardi Gras Marathon (1/2) and at the Health and Fitness Expo (this is such an oxymoron).

I received a Press Release on MGD 64, the beer sponsor of the Rock N’ Roll Mardi Gras Marathon (we get nothing for posting this information) and although I debated not posting it – like I stated above, to ask people to not drink beer at all is ludicrous, so I might as well give you information to convince you to choose a light beer.

Again, we do not encourage or promote beer consumption.  This is not the full release.

MGD 64 Lightens Things Up

Brand To Reward 64^th Place Racers with Exclusive Prize Packs at First-Ever

Rock ‘n’ Roll Mardi Gras Marathon & ½ Marathon

As the official beer sponsor of the 2010 Rock ‘n’ Roll Mardi Gras Marathon & ½ Marathon, MGD 64 is adding a little fun and excitement for runners by awarding an exclusive prize pack to the 64^th place marathon finishers.

Proving that everyone can appreciate the reward of an MGD 64, the brand will gift exclusive prize packs to the 64^th place finishers* in each of the thirteen age categories.  Winners will receive a gift pack with branded MGD 64 apparel, a pedometer, a subscription to Triathlete Magazine, Inside Triathlon or VeloNews, and other great items.

“MGD 64 compliments the lifestyle of today’s active consumers,” said Tristi Pfeiffer, MGD 64 marketing manager. “By recognizing the 64^th place finishers, we have the opportunity to show participants that no matter where they finish, the fresh, crisp taste of MGD 64 is always the perfect reward.”

Not limiting the excitement to race participants alone, MGD 64 will be hosting an area at the pre-race Health & Fitness Expo at the New Orleans Morial Convention Center where legal-drinking-age consumers can receive product information and samples of the 64-calorie beer.  MGD 64 also will offer a race-day cheering section located approximately 0.64 miles before the finish line, providing spectators the perfect spot to grab some giveaway items and give that final push of encouragement to runners.

… With just 64 calories and 2.4 grams of carbohydrates, MGD 64 has steadily grown in popularity with calorie-conscious consumers since it launched nationally in the summer of 2008…

Admittedly, the MGD64 Website is kinda cool – they have a calorie counter that lets you see 64 Calories of your favorite drinks.