Your guide to fun activities that will keep you fit throughout 2013.
Your guide to fun activities that will keep you fit throughout 2013.
Cajun Cyclists Group Ride Saturdays - Lafayette Rides leave from Pack & Paddle every Saturday morning at 8 a.m. Most routes are 35-40 miles, but a beginners' route is available. Open to all levels and ages. Visit cajuncyclists.bicycleracing.com for more info.
Cajun Roadrunners Group Run Wednesdays - Lafayette Runners meet at 6 p.m. at Fresh Market in River Ranch and run a 4-6 mile loop. Visit cajunroadrunners.com for more info.
Critical Mass Second Fridays - Lafayette Starting at Parc Sans Souci downtown at 5:30 p.m., this group bike ride welcomes all riders for a ride around town. A party is usually held after. Visit www.facebook.com/LafayetteCriticialMass for more info. Geaux Run Group Run Sundays - Lafayette Every Sunday evening at 6:30 p.m., this group meets at Corner Bar for a 3-6 mile run. Visit www.geauxrun.com for more info.
Krewe de Velo Biking Club Ride Sundays - Washington This recreational biking club rides every Sunday, departing at 7:30 a.m. from the corner of Dejean and Mayer streets. Beginners, intermediate and advanced riders are welcome. E-mail jcastille@bellsouth.net for more info.
Precision Bikes' Ride Saturdays - Lafayette Rides leave from Red Lerille's at 6:30 a.m., weather permitting. Check www.precisionbikes.com for confirmation.
Pub Running Club Tuesdays - Lafayette Runners meet at Jefferson Street Pub at 6:30 p.m. and run a 2-4 mile course through downtown. Drink specials and food are provided by Tri-Running after the run.
Inaugural Wild Azalea Trail Challenge Jan. 6, 8 a.m. - Kisatchie National Park Woodworth A 25 mile trail run or ride with point to point mountain bike, relay runners and solo runners. The Louisiana Marathon Jan. 20 - Baton Rouge A 26.2-mile course along the lakes, river, through downtown, the university and historic neighborhoods, with half-marathon, 5K and kids marathons also available. Registration is $110 for the marathon, $100 for the half, $35 for the 5K and $15 for kids. Visit www.thelouisianamarathon.com for more info. Beignet Boogie 5K Jan. 27 - Abbeville A 5K and 1-mile run/walk through the streets of Abbeville to benefit Mount Carmel Elementary. Beignets are free for all participants, and an "Anything Over Rice/Pasta" cookoff follows. Registration is $20 before Jan. 11.
Acadiana Runner's Ball Feb. 2 - Opelousas The second-annual 10K, 5K and 1-mile walk/run features live entertainment on stage at the finish line at Evangeline Downs. Register at active.com; cost ranges from $30-$40.
Rouge-Orleans Ultramarathon Feb. 8-10 - Baton Rouge & New Orleans A 100-plus mile ultramarathon and team relay that starts in Baton Rouge and finishes in Audubon Park in New Orleans, this race travels down the Mississippi River levee and ends with a party in the Big Easy for Mardi Gras weekend. Registration ranges from $140 for individuals up to $660 for a six-person team. Visit www.therougeorleans.com for more info.
Carencro Mardi Gras Parade Run Feb. 9 - Carencro A 4-mile run along the Carencro Mardi Gras Parade route. Visit www.LAtrail.org for more info. Lundi Gras Bar-A-Thon Feb. 11 - Lafayette A 5K group fun run with five stops and drinks along the way to benefit T.R.A.I.L. Visit www.LAtrail.org for more info.
King Cake 5K Feb. 16 - Lafayette Race takes place in River Ranch Town Square and is open to men and women of all ages. Funds go to Acadiana Youth, with all-you-can-eat king cake available afterward. Visit www.acadianayouthinc.org/ for more info and to register.
Mardi Gras Mambo 10K Feb. 16 - Baton Rouge Registration starts at 7 a.m. at the Belle of Baton Rouge atrium. One-mile fun run starts at 8 a.m., followed by the 10K at 9 a.m. Food and drinks will be provided. Visit www.brasf.com/mardigrasmambo.cfm for more info.
Rock n' Roll Mardi Gras Marathon Feb. 24 - New Orleans Benefiting the American Cancer Society, this annual full and half marathon starts at 7 a.m. at Poydras and Camp streets, and registration ranges from $115-155. Entertainment is provided along the course, with a concert in City Park following the race. Cash prizes will be given for first, second and third place. Visit runrocknroll.competitor.com/new-orleans for more info.
Louisiana Hiking Club Campfest 2013 March 1 - Ville Platte The club holds its annual event at Chicot State Park with seminars, hiking, paddling, gear demos, food and more. Visit www.hikelouisiana.org for more info.
Bunny Run March 9 - Youngsville Benefiting the ECGC Women's Business Center, this 5K will run through Sugar Mill Pond from 8-9 a.m. Visit www.ecgcwbc.com/ for more info and to register.
Komen Acadiana Race for the Cure March 16 - Lafayette Acadiana's 14th annual Race for the Cure kicks off at 7 a.m. in Girard Park as part of the fight against breast cancer. A survivor ceremony will be held at 8 a.m., with a 1-mile fun run/walk at 8:30 a.m. and a 5K run/walk at 9 a.m. Early registration is $25 for individuals and $20 for kids. Visit komenacadiana.org for more info.
5K Foam Fest March 23 - Denham Springs This 3.1-mile adventure run with foam and obstacles will be held at Tiki Tubing and starts at 9 a.m. Visit www.trifind.com for more info. Girl Power Triathlon March 23 - New Orleans Open to women only, this 300-meter swim, 10-mile bike and 2-mile run will take place at UNO Lakefront Arena Aquatic Center at 7:30 a.m. Registration is $40 on active.com.
Ride for Rox March 23 - Lafayette Memorial ride for Roxanne Richard starts at 8 a.m. at Acadiana Park. Visit www.bikelafayette.org for more info.
Crescent City Classic March 30 - New Orleans A nationally recognized 10K road race, the Crescent City Classic begins at 8:30 a.m. at the corner of Loyola and Poydras streets and finishes in City Park with a post-race party. Registration is $30 by March 1 and $35 after. Visit www.ccc10k.com for more info.
Cycle Zydeco April 3-7 - Acadiana Ride through Cajun Country includes a stop at Bayou Teche Brewery. Visit www.LAtrail.org for more info. FestiVÉLO de Lafayette April 7 - Lafayette More details on this bike festival downtown at Parc Sans Souci will be available closer to the event. Visit www.bikelafayette.com for more info.
Courir du Festival 5K April 27 - Lafayette Festival International de Louisiane's annual 5K run includes a course through downtown, plus live music, food and drinks. Registration opens at 7 a.m. with the race at 8 a.m., and cost is $20 in advance and $25 on race day. Visit festivalinternational.com for more info.
New Orleans Triathlon May 26 - New Orleans This 1,500-meter swim, 24.9-mile bike and 6.2-mile run will be held at South Shore Harbor Marina at 7 a.m. Registration is $75 on active.com. ** New Orleans Red Dress Run** Aug. 10 - New Orleans One of the largest Red Dress runs in the country, New Orleans' event is hosted by Hash House Carriers and contributes to several charities. Runners along the 3- to 4-mile course must wear a red dress to participate, and stops along the way provide food and drinks. Visit www.reddressruns.org for more info. CajunMan Triathlon September date TBA - Lafayette Lafayette's annual Cajun Man includes a 800-meter swim, 20-mile bike ride and 3.1-mile run, beginning at Airport Lake. Applicants must be USA Triathlon members, and online registration in advance is $65 for individuals and $130 for relay teams. Visit www.lafayettefitness.org/cajunmantri for more info.
Cajun Cup November date TBA - Lafayette The Cajun Cup's 10K course starts and finishes in downtown Lafayette; a 1-mile fun run/walk is also available. Registration ranges from $25-$40. Visit www.cajuncup10k.com for more info.