Hundreds of spectators on St. Charles Avenue usually mean one thing for the city of New Orleans: Mardi Gras. But this weekend, the famous street will host a different event, the Humana Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon series. The series will take place on Feb. 8 and 9, and will include several long-distance races.

The Humana Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series combines the excitement of running through famous locations all over the world with live music from popular artists at the end of every race. Runners in this weekend’s events will see live performances from DJ Fresh, Band Camp and Jon Cleary & The Absolute Monster Gentlemen.

This weekend, the @RunRocknRoll Marathon will fill the streets with music to accompany the pounding of feet along the scenic high points of New Orleans. #RnRNOLA https://t.co/8mPEk95TAZ

— Visit New Orleans (@VisitNewOrleans) February 5, 2020

Members of Tulane’s very own Running Club will get to experience this unique combination of music and exercise. With three members in the half marathon event and one member in the full marathon, the club has prepared for these tough races together.

“We talk about [preparation] a lot, and by just kind of having that dialogue, it gets people out to their runs,” co-president Chase Stockwell said. The Tulane Running Club adds a social element to a very disciplined sport.

“It’s a social club, we’re not trying to compete, so we go on a three to five-mile run, it’s all kind of hanging out and unwinding from going to class and stuff,” Stockwell said. 

In addition to three practices a week, the club hosts social events such as pasta dinners before races and mixers with other club sports teams.

The club is open to runners of all speeds and ages and is always welcoming new members throughout the semester. Like the Humana Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series, the club combines the love of running with a social atmosphere that brings people closer together.

The Humana Marathon is a special way to witness the entirety of New Orleans. The course takes runners from City Park to Lake Pontchartrain, through the French Quarter, and all the way down St. Charles Avenue to Audubon Park.

The next Humana Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon will take place in Medellín, Columbia, on March 8. Other locations within the next few months include Santiago, Chile; Oaxaca, Mexico; and Washington, D.C.