Mardi Gras Parade-athon Virtual Challenge

Missing Mardi Gras this year? Mardi Gras may not roll in 2021, but it will run! Join us for the Inaugural Mardi Gras Parade-athon Virtual Challenge to celebrate our favorite season.
The Mardi Gras Parade-athon can be completed ANYWHERE ... RUN/WALK IN YOUR OWN NEIGHBORHOOD or USE OUR PARADE ROUTES! As you enter your miles, you will virtually complete six traditional parade routes in the Greater NOLA area for total of 26.2 miles. After each virtual route is completed, you will receive an email with Mardi Gras fun facts! Each virtual route is 3-5 miles long ...keep going until you have completed the entire 26.2 miles! You have from 2/5/21 until 3/31/21 to complete the 26.2 virtual miles and  input your results on the RunSign Up website.

Step 1: Register and invite your friends to the challenge of the Mardi Gras season!
Step 2: Participants will complete 6 virtual parade routes! Parade route courses are located on our website.
Step 3: Complete all 6 virtual parade routes and receive your Mardi Gras Parade-athon gear. Throw me something Mister!

Registration for the Mardi Gras Parade-athon is $50. Participants can choose to have their packets mailed to them for an additional cost of $10 for shipping and handling. Out of United States shipping will incur additional fees.

What do I receive with my registration? Each registrant will receive a Mardi Gras Parade-athon long sleeve T-shirt. Your choice of either a round-neck Men's/Unisex or v-neck Women's sizing. Everyone will also receive an exclusive Mardi Gras Parade-athon Finisher's Gold Glitter Medallion and a Mardi Gras Parade-athon Virtual Bib. 

Who does the Challenge benefit?  Makin' Groceries with Meals for Musicians. Launched in June 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Makin’ Groceries provides weekly, home-delivered care packages containing fresh groceries, healthy prepared meals, and lagniappe to a group of 100+ elderly and immunocompromised musicians, culture bearers and their families to show gratitude and admiration for the profound influence they had on our local culture. The initiative directly addresses the food insecurity needs of an elderly and medically vulnerable segment of the local cultural community, which includes musicians, Mardi Gras Indians, social aid and pleasure club members, visual artists, and dancers, among others. The pandemic shed further light on the overwhelming obstacles to food access faced by this at-risk population, ranging from economic hardship to health issues to technological hurdles to lack of transportation or local grocery options. 

When do I receive my shirt/tank and medal? 

• SHIPPING OPTION: Participants can choose to have their packets shipped during registration for a cost of $10 for shipping and handling. Packets will be mailed after registration has closed.
• LOCAL PICK-UP OPTION: Local participants will have packet pick-up on Saturday 3/6/21 from 9am to 11am at the CCC office located at 320 Metairie Hammond Hwy. Our building is located in Bucktown near R&O's Restaurant and has a bead dog in the front. You will enter the first-floor parking garage located on Seminole Ave.  Drive through the garage/around the horseshoe and your packet will be given to you through the passenger side window to maintain social distancing.

How do I log my miles? You will be able to track progress by logging your daily mileage/times on runsignup.com. As you complete each parade route, you will earn a milestone and email with fun facts about Mardi Gras traditions and parades! CLICK HERE for information on how to log your parade miles!