- New downtown start line, increased convenience and parking
- 2-person half-marathon relay, ING KiDS ROCK return
- Registration available at Competitor.com
New Orleans, LA – 2011 – It’s a party on the move, and as the Rock ‘n’ Roll New Orleans Marathon & ½ Marathon benefiting the American Cancer Society returns for a third year, it will debut a revamped course that will increase convenience and improve the experience for both runners and neighbors.
More than 20,000 runners will gather in downtown New Orleans on Sunday, March 4, 2012 at a new start line on Poydras Street. The full and half-marathon will run together for over 12 miles, creating an exciting experience for all participants. Both courses will enjoy the sights along beautiful and historic St. Charles Avenue, running out and back before touring the iconic French Quarter and City Park. In 2012, marathon runners will enjoy even more mileage along Lakeshore Drive and breathtaking views of Lake Ponchartrain as they push through the final miles.
Runners will once again finish on Roosevelt Mall behind the New Orleans Museum of Art, where a finish line festival and post-race concert will cap off the race day celebration.
“The downtown start line will be much more convenient for out-of-town visitors staying in hotels and will provide more parking options for all runners,” said Doug Thurston, Operations Director. “We also worked to reduce community impact along the course and more effectively utilize our volunteers and course support.”
A two-person half-marathon relay is also available for runners looking for an introduction to distance running or a chance to share the race with a friend or family member. The first runner will take on approximately 8 miles before exchanging the baton with their partner, who will finish off the final 5 miles. Registration is limited to 500 teams and is available online at Competitor.com.
Kids have the chance to get fit and have fun at ING KiDS ROCK New Orleans on Saturday, March 3rd. The non-timed, non-competitive fun run for kids in grades K-7 will take place in City Park and all participants receive a T-shirt, goodie bag and finisher’s medal. Registration and more information can be found online at INGKiDSROCK.com.
Race weekend will kick off with the Health & Fitness Expo at the New Orleans Morial Convention Center. The expo is free and open to the public on Friday, March 2nd and Saturday, March 3rd. More than 60 exhibitors and retailers will feature the latest health and nutrition information with a variety of products for sale and sample as well as free fitness related clinics.
For more information on the Rock ‘n’ Roll New Orleans Marathon & ½ Marathon benefiting the American Cancer Society, please visit Competitor.com.
