This race is put on by a non-profit to benefit a local Parkinson's community center and features a great after party, complete with live band and food vendors. The course itself features a few great rolling hills before circling a lake - very peaceful course. While there's nothing very exciting about the event, 100% of the proceeds go to this non-profit which is rare in the racing world!

The Huey P. Long Bridge Run is the 2nd in a three race bridge series. The initial elevation climb is pretty brutal, given May in New Orleans is hot and humid, but the view from the top of the bridge as you cross the Mississippi is spectacular!

There wasn't much as far as an expo goes. We actually picked up our bag right before the race and there weren't sponsor booths or anything to see pre-race. There was a decent crowd in attendance, but I wouldn't call it a major race - maybe 1,000 people at best. The course included two aid stations, however, they were not given enough time to set up before the race due to traffic concerns. When I reached the first station, volunteers were struggling to fill cups fast enough for parched runners so I skipped water and continued on the long descent to the finish. At the second and final aid station, the volunteers were hurriedly scooping water but, again, there was a line.
As I rounded the final turn into the finish chute, I was greeted by a crowd of spectators cheering and was immediately given a cold bottle of water and a finisher's pint glass. Great swag item - which was quickly filled with complimentary beer from a local brewery.
The finish area contained a row of sponsor tents while a band played on stage. I quickly toured the sponsor booths and found several race discounts for upcoming events as well as free beans and rice (this is New Orleans, after all), watermelon, and free-flowing Abita beer. The swag from the race included the pint glass and a basic t-shirt. Given the season and weather down here I would've liked to see a tech shirt or tank top but the design included an adorable orangutan with a hat and my friend and I were equally disappointed the same was not printed on our finisher's glass. Other than that, it was a great race with a fun point-to-point course and I would run it again in a heartbeat.

This race was amazing! Let's start with the gear - a nice tech shirt and beautiful copper-toned medal.
The expo - plenty of vendors.
The course was awesome - you circled a large scenic lake with lots of southern period homes to gauk at while passing some great spectator-provided aid stations, such as fresh cooked bacon and pancakes, mimosas, and shots (courtesy of a local frat) complete with a gong for every shot taken. You also circle LSU's stadium, with a pass by of Mike the Tiger, finishing in my absolute favorite post-race celebration ever. The food was to die for - shrimp tacos, gumbo, beans and rice, and some fabulous duck and sausage jambalaya I would love to discover all over again. Top it off with an outdoor concert and free flowing beer to make one hell of a good time!

I greatly enjoy OCR (obstacle course races) because they challenge me with different obstacles. I'm very afraid of heights and facing those fears at these races gives me a sense of empowerment. The only thing I hate about OCR is the clean up afterwards. Getting mud out of strange places and cleaning your shoes/clothes is not. fun. at. all.
That being said, this is a great OCR for the beginner and a fun one for those who are well-seasoned in mud. It's only a 5k and includes such obstacles as an open swim, some great forest terrain, and the giant cargo net mud slide, Goliath, among other obstacles. I had the pleasure of taking my 14 year old son with me who is a newbie to races. While he found it challenging, he completed (almost) all the obstacles. I couldn't have been prouder and for this mom (who has earned her Spartan trifecta) this was just as much fun, but I felt like a beast compared to many of the other participants.