BY DANA
 
1. Marathon Name.  Mardi Gras Marathon of New Orleans
2. Location.  New Orleans
3. Website. www.mardigrasmarathon.com
4. Contact information.  info@mardigrasmarathon.com
5. Month.  February
6. Start times.  7:00 AM
7. Time limits.  7 hours full and 4 hours half
8. Course description -----50 to 100 words
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, Farmers 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 (some of the cups were a bit small), 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 (359 had made the trip from California) 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 turnaround. Shouts and waves of encouragement could be heard/seen for quite a while as runners (50-Staters and Marathon Maniacs included) heading toward and returning from the turnaround made their way toward the 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 Michelob Ultra Beer (self-serve with a sign that requested that we drink sensibly), red beans and rice, chips, cake, bananas, and Subway 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 due to the event) but the volunteers and the New Orleans Track Club made every effort that they could to make the event positively memorable. 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 (while wearing bib number "50")!
9. Pasta Dinner. ??
10. Expo.  Yes
11. Support & spectators.  Many along the way
12. Water stations. Every 2 miles
13. Organization.  Good
14. Porta Potties.  Yes
15. Food at finish line.  Yes food and drinks
16. Weather.  60 - 70
17. Metals.  Yes
18. Other races like Half, 10k or 5k.  Half and 5K
19. Airport.  New Orleans
20. Hotel. Many Hotels