Ochsner Lafayette General Zydeco Marathon and Half Marathon events are USATF sanctioned.  The courses are USATF certified for accuracy and the race is a qualifying event for Boston Marathon and other events requiring an official qualifying time! 

The Ochsner Lafayette General Zydeco Planning Team strives to provide participants with a fun, safe, and memorable event.  Courses are well marked with signage and cones.  The routes are heavily staffed with volunteers and traffic control officers.  Hydration stations are well staffed and regularly spaced at approximately 1.5 mile intervals.  Medical staff are located at the finish line and EMS services notified of the race in advance for quick service if needed. 

-GENERAL INFORMATION-

FULL MARATHON:

• All Participants receive Race Bib, Race Bag, Sunday's Race Shirt, Finisher's Medal (upon completion of the race) & Food, Drinks & Music at the Finish Line Festival on Sunday, March 10th, 2024
• Must be 16 years or older on Race Day to Participate
• This event will be Chip Timed by Cajun Timing

HALF MARATHON:

• All Participants receive Race Bib, Race Bag, Sunday's Race Shirt, Finisher's Medal (upon completion of the race) & Food, Drinks & Music at the Finish Line Festival on Sunday, March 10th, 2024
• Must be 13 years or older on Race Day to Participate
• This event will be Chip Timed by Cajun Timing

TEAM RELAY:

• All Participants receive Race Bib, Race Bag, Sunday's Race Shirt, Finisher's Medal (upon completion of the race) & Food, Drinks & Music at the Finish Line Festival on Sunday, March 10th, 2024
• Must be 13 years or older on Race Day to Participate
• This event will be Chip Timed by Cajun Timing

5K:

• All Participants receive Race Bib, 5k Race Shirt, Finisher's Medal (upon completion of the race) & Food, Drinks & Music on Saturday, March 9th, 2024
• Runners Registering for the Full, Half or Relay sign up for the 5K Race at a discounted combo rate. Runners registered for a Sunday event & the 5K event will receive a separate Race Bib & Race Shirt for Saturday & Sunday. 
• This event will be Chip Timed by Cajun Timing

1 Mile:

• All Participants receive Race Bib, Finisher's Ribbon (upon completion of the race) on Saturday, March 9th, 2024
• This Race is reserved for children 12 years & under.
• If an adult is registered for any other Zydeco event on Saturday or Sunday, their children under the age of 12 may run for $10. 
• This event will not be timed.

LATE REGISTRATION – Late Registration will be offered at Packet Pick-Up.  NO RACE DAY REGISTRATION ON SUNDAY.

DEADLINE– Packet pickup is the last chance for registration. The deadline is February 9, 2024 to be guaranteed a t-shirt with your registration.

CONFIRMATION– There will be confirmation support through the RunSignUp website once registration has started.

DEFERRAL POLICY– There will be a $25 fee to defer registration to the next year's race. The deadline for deferral is March 9, 2024 at midnight. Once deferred, the registrant is ineligible for the following year's early registration promos, and the items (Shirt, Bib, etc) from the deferred year's race are forfeited. Registrants may only defer one consecutive year. Instructions on how to defer your registration.  Click on Manage Registration in your confirmation email.  Choose Defer Registration at the top of the page and follow instructions.

NO REFUND POLICY - Entry fees are non-refundable and non-transferable. No exceptions. Once we receive and accept your entry, you will not receive a refund if you cannot participate, you may not give or sell your race number to anyone else. 

-DISTANCE SWITCHES-

UPGRADE from the Half Marathon to the Full Marathon – There will be a fee to upgrade from the Half Marathon to the Full Marathon to make up for the cost difference between the two distances. The deadline to upgrade is March 9, 2024. Instructions on how to defer your registration. Click on Manage Registration in your confirmation email. Choose Transfer Event at the top of the page and follow instructions.

DOWNGRADE for the Full Marathon to the Half Marathon – There are no refunds given to downgrade from the Full Marathon to the Half Marathon. There may be a fee if the cost difference is greater for the Half than you paid for the Full at the time of the original registration.  The deadline to downgrade is March 9, 2024.  Instructions on how to defer your registration. Click on Manage Registration in your confirmation email. Choose Transfer Event at the top of the page and follow instructions. 

THERE WILL BE NO DISTANCE SWITCHED BETWEEN SATURDAY EVENTS & SUNDAY EVENTS!

-RACE RULES-

Age Requirements- On the day of the race participants must meet the minimum age requirements. Half Marathon Participants must be at least 13 years old on the day of the race to participate. Full Marathon participants must be at least 16 years old on race day to participate
No Refund Policy- Entry fees are non-refundable and non-transferable. No exceptions. Once we receive and accept your entry, you will not receive a refund if you cannot participate, you may not give or sell your race number to anyone else, and you may not transfer your entry fee to future races.
Readiness- You must be in good health and physically prepared to take on the challenge of a Marathon or Half Marathon. Each runner is responsible for knowing their capabilities and limitations.  The weather is south Louisiana in March can vary from 40 F and rainy to 80 F and near 100% humidity. 
Identification- You must show a photo ID to receive your race number and timing chip. You must pick up your own race packet and race number.
Packet Pickup-  All items must be picked up at Packet Pick-Up.  We can not mail your items to you.
Race Numbers- Race numbers are required to participate.
Effort- The effort must be your own. No coaches, handcycles, bikes, in-line skates, skateboards, baby joggers, or dogs will be allowed on the course.

Secure Zone There is a secure, sectioned-off area, located immediately after the finish line where runners get their photos taken & receive their medals. No Spectators or Family Members are allowed in this area!