Zydeco Marathon

Zydeco Marathon

Zydeco Marathon is a two day running event in downtown Lafayette, Louisiana, held at Parc International on March 7 and 8, 2026. The weekend includes timed road races and a family focused one mile fun run, plus a Sunday finish line festival with live music, food, and drinks.

Distances and event formats:

• 26.2 mile Full Marathon
• 13.1 mile Half Marathon
• Half Marathon 2-person Relay
• 5K road race
• 1 Mile Fun Run for children

Timed events use chip timing by Pelican Timing. Full marathon, half marathon and relay participants receive a race bib, race bag, Sunday race shirt and a finisher medal upon completion. 5K participants receive a race bib, 5K race shirt and finisher medal. The 1 Mile Fun Run is reserved for children 12 years and under and is not timed; finishers receive a ribbon.

The race is hosted by Funraisers for St Jude Inc and all proceeds will go to St Jude Children's Research Hospital. The organizer reports having sent $970,000 to St Jude since 2020. Zydeco Marathon and Half Marathon are USATF sanctioned and the courses are USATF certified; the event serves as a qualifying race for the Boston Marathon and other events requiring official times.

Course logistics note that routes are marked and heavily staffed, hydration stations are placed at about 1.5 mile intervals, medical staff are located at the finish line, and EMS are notified in advance. Packet pickup is held at Parc International on the days before and during the event. Late registration is offered at packet pickup; there is no race day registration on Sunday. Packet pickup is the last chance to register and February 13, 2026 is the last day to register and be guaranteed a shirt. A $25 fee applies to defer registration to the next year with a deferral deadline of March 7, 2026 at midnight. Entry fees are non-refundable and non-transferable. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.

Events nearby