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Louisiana Marathon
Race Details:
- Location: Baton Rouge, LA, USA
- Race Date: 01/17/2027
- Race Distances: Full Marathon, Half Marathon
What This Race Counts Toward:
Boston: Yes
World Marathon Majors: Yes
Louisiana Marathon Description
The Louisiana Marathon is a fast, flat, Boston qualifying race held each January through the heart of Baton Rouge. The mostly flat, mostly-loop course tours the city’s downtown, the LSU campus, and neighborhoods along the Mississippi River, showcasing Louisiana’s unique architecture and Southern charm. Minimal elevation change makes this a favorite for runners chasing a personal record or Boston Qualifying time. A half marathon and shorter distances run the same weekend, drawing thousands of runners for one of the region’s biggest winter race celebrations.
Always check the official race website for the most accurate and up-to-date race information and logistics.
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Louisiana Marathon Additional Details:
Somewhere around mile 20, don’t be surprised to find a rogue aid station pouring mimosas, Bloody Marys, or beer instead of Gatorade, a Louisiana Marathon tradition locals take seriously. Official aid stations show up every 1.5 miles with water, Powerade, and Gu at several stops, but it’s the unofficial ones serving up king cake that runners talk about afterward. The post-race Finish Fest leans fully into Louisiana’s culinary reputation, with gumbo, jambalaya, and Abita beer replacing the usual bananas and bagels, plus live music to keep the celebration going. It’s a marathon that treats the finish line less like the end of a race and more like the start of a proper Louisiana party.
Course Information
Profile: Mostly Flat
Type: Mostly Loop
Surface: Road/Pavement
Pace Groups: Yes
Time Limit: 6 hours
# of Finishers
Half Marathon: 1,700
Marathon: 1,224
Elevation Details
Elevation Gain: 373 ft (113 m)
Elevation Loss: 373 ft (113 m)
Average Temperature
- Low: 41°F
- High: 62°F
Train Smarter for Race Day
A great race starts long before the starting line. Whether you’re chasing your first finish or hunting a new PR, a structured training plan takes the guesswork out of race prep — building your fitness, your confidence, and your mileage at the right pace for you.
Explore plans for every distance and experience level, from your first 5K to your next ultra.
Things to Do in Baton Rouge, LA, USA
Make the most of race weekend — here’s how to fill the time before and after you cross the finish line.
Museums & History
Louisiana’s Old State Capitol
Tour the gothic-style Old State Capitol, now home to the Museum of Political History, one of Baton Rouge’s most photographed landmarks — an easy, air-conditioned stop.
Zoos, Aquariums & Gardens
Baton Rouge Zoo
Spend an easy, shaded day at the Baton Rouge Zoo, the city’s number-one year-round family attraction — a flat, self-paced walk that’s gentle on tired legs.
Scenic Drives & Viewpoints
Bluebonnet Swamp Nature Center
Cross more than a mile of boardwalks through cypress-tupelo swamp and beech-magnolia forest at the Bluebonnet Swamp Nature Center — a flat, shaded, low-impact walk.
Arts & Culture
Capitol Park Museum
See the ‘We the People: America in the 21st Century’ exhibit at the Capitol Park Museum, part of the Louisiana State Museum system — a relaxed, indoor rest-day visit.
Shopping
Perkins Rowe
Browse well-known brands and tree-lined streets at Perkins Rowe, a walkable mixed-use center blending shopping, dining, and entertainment — an easy, flat outing for recovering legs.
Sports & Entertainment
Mike the Tiger’s Habitat
Visit Mike the Tiger’s Habitat on the LSU campus to see the university’s live tiger mascot up close — an easy, low-impact stop for tired legs.
Landmark
Louisiana State Capitol
Ride to the observation deck of the Louisiana State Capitol, the tallest state capitol building in the country, for sweeping views — a mostly seated, low-impact outing.
Food & Drink
Rouj Creole Restaurant
Sample globally inspired Creole dishes at Rouj Creole Restaurant in Perkins Rowe’s walkable retail district — a relaxed, sit-down way to refuel after race weekend.
Outdoors & Trails
Frenchtown Road Conservation Area
Hike three miles of hardwood forest trails at the Frenchtown Road Conservation Area, considered some of the best hiking in the state — an easy option for tapering legs.
Hotels & Lodging Near the Louisiana Marathon
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Boston Qualifier: Yes