New Orleans Rock 'n' Roll Marathon
March 4, 2012

Some of the world's top distance runners will be rockin' and rollin' into New Orleans on Sunday, March 4 as the Annual Rock 'n' Roll New Orleans Marathon hits the streets of the Crescent City. Marathoning's biggest party is on its mark, set and ready to go, as The Competitor Network clears the streets from the Mississippi River to Lake Pontchartrain for an anticipated several thousand runners over a 26-mile course.

Cash prizes ranging from $1,000 to $250 will be awarded to the top three men and women in the full marathon and half-marathon.

And, in true New Orleans style, a post-race party will be held in City Park featuring top-name entertainment. Although no announcement has been made yet of this year's entertainers, runners and other partygoers can expect it to be of the highest caliber. Recent performers have included such big name bands as Cowboy Mouth and Sister Hazel.

Race Details

The race offers a full 26-mile marathon, plus a 13-mile half-marathon over a course that takes in many of New Orleans's most scenic and historic sites and landmarks. Several route changes have been made since last year's race.

The race begins at Poydras and Camp streets in the heart of downtown New Orleans, then goes down Poydras to South Rampart Street, then turns left and left again a few blocks later on Howard Avenue. Passing Lee Circle, the race then follows St. Charles Avenue all the way to Audubon Park and back toward downtown. When the runners reach Melpomene Street, they will turn right and, at Magazine Street they will turn left and head toward South Peters and Decatur streets, skirting the edge of the French Quarter.

At the end of the French Quarter, the runners will turn left on Esplanade Avenue and head toward City Park. The half-marathon will end at the Roosevelt Mall in City Park, in the vicinity of the New Orleans Museum of Art, and the full marathon will continue up Marconi Drive along the western edge of City Park. Arriving at the Lakefront along Lakeshore Drive, the runners will go west toward West End Park, then turn around and head east on Lakeshore to the University of New Orleans campus. At that point they will turn around and head west again on Lakeshore to Marconi, turn left and finish at City Park, just in time for the post-race party.

All along the way will be refreshment stops where runners will have access to water and beverages to keep them hydrated. Bands will also be providing entertainment at various points along the route.

Participants must be able to complete the half-marathon in four hours or the full marathon in seven hours. Other race guidelines can be found by clicking here.  

Click here for a more detailed, downloadable map of the course.

Awards

Cash prizes and trophies will be given out to the top three finishers in each of a wide range of categories. The 15 separate age ranges go from the oldest (80+) to the youngest (12-14) participants of both genders. First place finishers, both men and women in the full and half marathons, receive $1,000. Second place finishers receive $500 and third placers get $250.

All age group awards will be mailed within 4 to 6 weeks after the event. In accordance with USATF Rules, overall and cash awards will be determined by gun time, while age-group awards will be determined by ChronoTrack time.

Health & Fitness Expo

Also in conjunction with the marathon will be a Health & Fitness Expo at the Ernest N. Morial New Orleans Convention Center, Halls G and H, on Friday, March 2 and Saturday, March 3. Hours on Friday are 12 noon-7 p.m., and on Saturday from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Admission to the Expo is free and open to the public.

Before the race all runners MUST report to the Expo to pick up their race numbers, swag bag and T-shirt. Each participant must pick up his or her own materials only. Race packets will not be given to friends or family members. Click here for full registration details.

More than 60 exhibitors will feature free samples of running and fitness products, fitness seminars and health screenings, plus info on the latest running shoes, sports apparel and health & nutrition products. Click here for more detailed info about the Expo.

This year's marathon benefits the American Cancer Society, the ASPCA, Team Challenge, Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Team Activities for Special Kids (TASK), National Multiple Sclerosis Society, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Cure Mito and the Prostate Cancer Foundation.

Those interested in participating in the race or just spectating and taking part in the blowout party after the race can get more information from the race's website. The website's home page also includes valuable training tips for runners and other marathon participants.