Jeff Duncan: The Crescent City Classic is on the upswing after post-pandemic struggles
The Crescent City Classis is on the rebound. The Crescent City Classic, New Orleans' premier road race, is on the rise after a three-year dip in participation and sponsorship support. The race's charity participation is at an all-time high. Race director Eric Stuart, who bought the race in 2011, has been working to preserve its unique charm while upgrading it to modern road race standards. He also added staggered starts and a larger kids’ zone and expanded food options at the popular post-race after party at City Park. The Classic, which began in 1979, has become a family affair with many local volunteers and its 6.2-mile route attracting scores of costumed participants. While the Classic will probably not attract fields of 30,000 as it did decades ago, organizers are optimistic this year's turnout will reach 14,000-15,000.
게시됨 : 4주 전 ~에 의해 Jeff Duncan ~에 Sports
The Crescent City Classis is on the rebound. After a three-year dip in participation and sponsorship support, New Orleans’ premier road race is trending upward again. The COVID-19 pandemic is in the rearview mirror. A struggle to attract a title sponsor has been rectified, at least temporarily. The race's charity participation is at an all-time. Finally, things are looking up for the Classic. “We’re trending in an excellent direction right now,” race director Eric Stuart said by phone this week while overseeing last-minute logistical details for Saturday’s race. The Classic has been Stuart’s baby since he and brother-in-law Ricky Thomas bought the race in 2011. Stuart, a New Orleans native, grew up running the race and harbors a deep appreciation for its history and legacy.
Since its inception in 1979, the CCC has been recognized as the premier road race in the Gulf Coast and one of the most popular 10Ks in the country. During its heyday in the late 1980s and early 1990s, the race drew fields as large as 32,000 and attracted world-class athletes like Frank Shorter, Bill Rodgers, Sammy Kipketer, William Segei, Mark Decker, Joan Benoit and Grete Waitz to its fast, flat course. But what’s made the Classic a beloved, uniquely New Orleans event has been its color and pageantry. The race annually draws scores of costumed participants, many carrying props as they trudge along the iconic 6.2-mile route from downtown New Orleans to its traditional finish in City Park. It’s common to see runners in Easter Bunny, superhero and nun outfits running alongside the elite runners, a veritable Mardi Gras in sneakers and singlets.
Since taking over the race, Stuart, a former LSU track athlete, has worked to preserve the Classic’s unique charms while upgrading it to modern road race standards. Organizers added staggered starts so competitive runners no longer have dart and dodge around walkers and recreational participants. They fixed the shuttle bus system, so runners don’t have to fish in their glove compartments to find $1.25 for the RTA fare on race-day morning. They even changed the course. The race now starts at the Superdome, but organizers were careful to maintain the highlights of the popular downtown route: the run through the French Quarter; the scenic stretch under the Oaks along Esplanade Avenue; and the historic finish at City Park.
As has been the case in recent years, the elite runners program has been eliminated to help defray costs. Consequently, the champions of both the men’s and women’s divisions are expected to be local runners, although Stuart said there will be greater out-of-town competition this year than a year ago. “Our budget is tighter these days, so we can’t be quite as extravagant as we used to be,” Stuart said. “We always get our serious runners, but 60 percent of our field just wants to have a nice walk or jog and get some exercise with friends.” Among the enhancements to this year’s race: more live entertainment on the course; and a larger kids’ zone and expanded food options at the popular post-race after party at City Park. An idyllic weather forecast for Saturday morning has resulted in a surge in entries, Stuart said. While the Classic will probably never attract fields of 30,000 as it did decades ago, organizers are optimistic this year’s field will reach 14,000-15,000, which would make it the largest turnout since 2019. The 2023 CCC had a field of 12,700.
“That would be a big boost for us,” Stuart said. “This is New Orleans. We always have a lot of people who wait to the last few days to register.” The race has become a family affair for Stuart. His wife, Terry, is the registration director. Daughter-in-law Kristen is the operations director. Other friends and family members work the race in various capacities. The vast majority of volunteers are locals, as well, making it a true family-run local event. “We love it, and we’re very optimistic about this year,” Stuart said. “Registration is up. The weather looks great. Everything is pointing in the right direction.”
주제: Coronavirus