Every year on the third or fourth Monday in April (Patriots’ Day), the city of Boston closes down. Bostonians stop working; they pack up their coolers and lawn chairs and set up tailgates along the historic Boston Marathon route. It’s a special day in Boston, probably up there with St. Patty’s Day and Opening Day.
    Yesterday the Mardi Gras Marathon ran a new route down Bourbon St, Rampart St and St. Charles Ave. The city of New Orleans was trying to replicate this fan-friendly atmosphere of Boston Marathon for the race.

“The 44th annual New Orleans Mardi Gras Marathon on Sunday introduced a new course that for the first time had participants running down Bourbon Street, Rampart Street and St. Charles Avenue. What wasn't new was the winner of the 26.2-mile race.

About 5,800 runners -- the most in the past decade -- participated in one of three races (marathon, half-marathon and 5K) that were part of Sunday's Mardi Gras Marathon.

With temperatures nearing 70 degrees by race's end on a sun-splashed morning, Meyer Friedman, 28, a graduate of Tulane, prevailed for the third time in four years. Friedman, who won in 2005 and 2007, prevailed this time in 2:25:52, besting the field by 2:42.

But the buzz following the race from participants was the new route, a city on the rebound -- and the weather.

With about 5,800 participants -- easily the most in the past decade -- taking to the streets in one of three races (marathon, half-marathon and 5K) put on by the New Orleans Track Club, a carnival atmosphere engulfed the proceedings.

"We've probably done something today that this city has never seen," said race director Mike Cambre. "The runners said they enjoyed the course. The locals who really know the course said that Audubon Park (now an early part of the event) never felt so good, so fast, so inviting."

Following Hurricane Katrina, participation in the event (known for producing Boston Marathon qualifying times) slipped to about 3,000, but with the assistance of City Council President Arnie Fielkow and an aggressive marketing push, the NOTC quickly has gotten the marathon back on track.”

Times-Picayune – “Mardi Gras Marathon a success; runner enjoy new course”

The IGN Georgia Marathon and Half Marathon, which runs through downtown Atlanta on March 30, also is designed for the spectator. www.inggeorgiamarathon.com