Mardi Gras Marathon
Yesterday was the 44th Mardi Gras Marathon in New Orleans. The attendance was the best in many years, 5800 for the marathon, half, and 5k combined. The weather was gorgeous, 50's and clear. Everyone was excited about a new course and the great weather.
Autumn Ray of Galveston and FLS scored her first victory in a big race with a 2:58 marathon win among women. She won by over three minutes, after being in fourth at the halfway point. Autumn is a 28-year-old medical school student at UTMB. She wore her FLS tri top, giving our club some nice publicity. It was "one of the most exciting days" of her life. Ironwoman Karen Nelson of Katy was second in her age group of 45-49 with a strong 3:35.
In the half, Mandy Luna, age 26, ran an 11-minute PR of 1:36, placing 21st female overall. My brother Steve also ran the half, and ran a respectable 1:50, on very limited training, an 8:26 pace. Jay Stabler, 70, ran the 13.1 miles in 2:19, which was second in his age group. Jay is making a comeback!
The brand-new course included the French Quarter's Bourbon Street, up and down St Charles Ave, and a full loop around Audubon Park. It was beautiful. Start/finish is the Louisiana Superdome, as in past years. Generous time limits were four hours for the half and seven hours for the marathon, to be walker-friendly.
New Orleans is always a great place to be a tourist, one of the best. We ate at our favorite restaurant, Tony Angelo's, Saturday night. We also listened to jazz on Sunday afternoon in historic Jackson Square.
Next year's date is Sunday, Feb. 1.
Autumn Ray of Galveston and FLS scored her first victory in a big race with a 2:58 marathon win among women. She won by over three minutes, after being in fourth at the halfway point. Autumn is a 28-year-old medical school student at UTMB. She wore her FLS tri top, giving our club some nice publicity. It was "one of the most exciting days" of her life. Ironwoman Karen Nelson of Katy was second in her age group of 45-49 with a strong 3:35.
In the half, Mandy Luna, age 26, ran an 11-minute PR of 1:36, placing 21st female overall. My brother Steve also ran the half, and ran a respectable 1:50, on very limited training, an 8:26 pace. Jay Stabler, 70, ran the 13.1 miles in 2:19, which was second in his age group. Jay is making a comeback!
The brand-new course included the French Quarter's Bourbon Street, up and down St Charles Ave, and a full loop around Audubon Park. It was beautiful. Start/finish is the Louisiana Superdome, as in past years. Generous time limits were four hours for the half and seven hours for the marathon, to be walker-friendly.
New Orleans is always a great place to be a tourist, one of the best. We ate at our favorite restaurant, Tony Angelo's, Saturday night. We also listened to jazz on Sunday afternoon in historic Jackson Square.
Next year's date is Sunday, Feb. 1.
posted by andy at 6:13 PM
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