Fried Chicken Festival 5K Run
Always double-check with the organizer's website! This page may contain affiliate links.
The National Fried Chicken Festival 5K Run/Walk : New Orleans Lakefront
The FCF 5K Run/Walk takes place during the National Fried Chicken Festival on October 3, 2026, at the New Orleans Lakefront. The race starts and finishes in front of the festival gates behind the UNO Lakefront Arena and follows Lakeshore Drive along Lake Pontchartrain.
The certified course runs westbound along Lakeshore Drive with a turnaround at the Bayou St. John marker and returns to the finish line. Water stations are provided along the route. The event is USATF certified and timed by Grounded Running. A post-race party is held at the festival with food available on site.
Distances:
- 5K (3.1 miles)
- Kids 1-Mile Fun Run for children 12 and under with an accompanying adult
Two registration options are offered: race entry with Saturday festival admission (includes one re-entry) or race entry only. Registrations include a race bib, finisher medal, race shirt, and access to the post-race party. Team registration and multi-person pricing are available; the team with the most participants wins a $1,000 prize. Cash awards of $250 are offered for first male, first female, first male student, and first female student.
Strollers are allowed but should start at the back and remain occupied for safety. Dogs are not permitted. ADA and accessibility accommodations are available. T-shirts are distributed at packet pick-up and size availability may be limited for late registrations. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
