While New Orleans is not usually known for its good health habits; in fact, it was ranked 47 out of all 50 state health-wise in 2009; there is at least one annual event that tries to whip it into shape. The Crescent City Classic is a 10k race organized by the Crescent City Fitness Foundation open to anyone who is interested.
The race, which is approximately 6.2 miles, starts in Jackson Square and ends in City Park. It has become a favorite of locals and visitors alike since it began in 1979. Each race is followed by a festival in true New Orleans fashion. Weary participants are treated to a variety of food, drinks and music.
In 2008, I started following in the footsteps of my father, who used to run the Classic in the mid-80s, by participating for my first time. After running the race for the past three years, I have decided to run the Classic until I am too old and decrepit to move.
This is one of the events that has become part of the living and breathing entity of New Orleans. Many of the comical and unusual sights that make the city great can be found at this event. There are people who run while in full costume, the guys who race with kegs of beer strapped to their backs, people who hand out hot dogs and jelly doughnuts to participants and most importantly, bass bands that line the race course.
Now with the good, comes the bad.
I was one of the lucky people who received a ticket for parking on the neutral ground during the 2010 Classic. While some people believe these tickets were justified, I have to state my case for why they were not. In 2008, participants were allowed to park in this area on Marconi Drive. Everything was fine. In 2009, the area was roped off, letting people know not to park there. Even this was understandable. The parking situation became shady in 2010 when the area was not roped off. The city claims that there were sufficient signs posted informing people not to park in this spot. However, something I saw with my own eyes led me to believe that this was a clever ploy by the city to cash in on Classic participants.
After parking, I started walking to the bus line that takes runners to the starting line. This is when I witnessed a N.O.P.D. officer helping to push a car stuck in the mud on to the median. It’s funny how there was no discouraging of them parking in this area. There was no warning, such as the previous year, to not park in this area. It also seemed very coordinated to have the police come in like a pack of ninjas, ticket every one of these vehicles in about an hour and disappear without a trace.
The city of New Orleans did agree to drop these fines, but only after they basically extorted the foundation that holds the race to make repairs to the city.
Even though I consider the city to have acted in bad taste in this situation, I don’t plan to let it ruin the race experience for me.
If you decide to run in the Crescent City Classic, just be careful where you park. I think I’ll probably have a cab drop me off next year.
Putting that behind me, I would encourage everybody to come and take part in this tradition. The Crescent City Classic is a day of accomplishment, fun, food and celebration. It is a part of New Orleans heritage that I hope remains for years to come.
You will be sure to run away with many flavorful New Orleans memories.
