2026 New Orleans Marathon - Nov 14

2026 New Orleans Marathon - Nov 14 Countdown

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Race Information

Race2026 New Orleans Marathon - Nov 14
CityNew Orleans
Date2026-11-14 at 07:30
Time Limit7 hours
Cutoff pace9:57/km
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
Official SiteNew Orleans Track Club / New Orleans & Company (Fit Fete)

Race Day Weather

Average Temperature16.9°C / 62°F
Humidity81%
Wind20.1 km/h
Rain Chance26%
Typical ConditionsCool, humid fall morning by Lake Pontchartrain, often overcast

What to Prepare: A 7:30 AM start in mid-November lands near the daily low, around 57°F / 14°C, warming into the upper 60s°F by late morning. Humidity sits near 75%, so dress in a light long-sleeve you can shed and expect the second loop to feel warmer than the first.

Based on historical averages for race week. Use our Weather Score Calculator and What to Wear Guide for personalized advice.

Wind Impact on Race Day

Wind at 20.1 km/h can affect your marathon pace by 5-15 seconds per kilometer. Headwinds slow you down exponentially — a 20 km/h wind costs more than twice a 10 km/h wind.

Calculate your wind-adjusted pace →

Race-Week Climate

Based on 20 years of race-week weather (2005-2024), MERRA-2 reanalysis

Cooler Typical Warmer
Temperature 11.5°C 17.3°C 21.7°C
Dew point 4.8°C 13.9°C 19.8°C
Wet-day chance: 26% Runnability: 70/100

Data: NASA POWER (MERRA-2 reanalysis), NASA Langley Research Center

Course Profile

Course TypeDouble-loop
Elevation Gain45m
TerrainRoad (flat urban park)
ProfileA pancake-flat double-loop entirely within City Park, starting at the New Orleans Museum of Art and finishing on Roosevelt Mall. The course rolls out to the eastern edge of Lakeshore Drive along Lake Pontchartrain and back, with only about 147 ft (45 m) of total climb and a high point of just 15 ft above sea level. USATF-certified (number pending) and listed as a Boston qualifier.
Boston QualifierYes — Check your BQ time

Prepare for 2026 New Orleans Marathon - Nov 14

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do you register for the New Orleans Marathon?

Registration is open, first-come entry through RunSignup — there is no lottery. The full marathon is priced at $130 USD; the half is $110, the 5K $40 and the marathon relay $300. Sign up at the official RunSignup page for the November 14, 2026 race. Because this is the relaunch year, the field is uncapped so far and entries are expected to stay available well into the fall.

Is the New Orleans Marathon a Boston qualifier?

Yes. The course is being built as USATF-certified (certification number pending) and is listed by the organizers as a Boston qualifier. With a pancake-flat profile and a fast, repeatable double-loop, it is well suited to a BQ attempt — just confirm the posted certification number before counting on your time for Boston.

How hard is the New Orleans Marathon course?

It is one of the flattest road marathons in the U.S. The double-loop in City Park has only about 147 ft (45 m) of total elevation gain and tops out at just 15 ft above sea level. The real challenge is the second loop: runners pass the finish area near the halfway point and head back out, and the mid-November sun and ~75% humidity can make lap 2 feel warmer than lap 1.

What is the time limit for the New Orleans Marathon?

The full marathon has a 7-hour time limit that the organizers say is strictly enforced (roughly a 16:00 per mile pace), giving a final course cutoff of about 2:45 PM from the 7:30 AM start. There is also a course cutoff at Henry Thomas Drive around 12:15 PM to begin the second lap, so steady early pacing matters. Runners past the limit may finish but without official course support.

What should I wear for the New Orleans Marathon?

Dress for a cool, humid start that warms quickly. Race morning is typically around 57°F / 14°C, rising into the upper 60s°F. A light long-sleeve or throwaway top over shorts or a singlet works well; the open Lakeshore Drive section can be breezy off Lake Pontchartrain. With ~75% humidity, prioritize hydration and a hat for the second, warmer loop.

When did New Orleans last have a marathon?

This is a true comeback race. The city's previous full marathon was the Rock 'n' Roll New Orleans Marathon, last run in February 2020 before the series went away (2021 was cancelled and the event pulled out of the city in 2022). The 2026 New Orleans Marathon, part of the new Fit Fete festival weekend, restores a 26.2-mile race to New Orleans after roughly a six-and-a-half-year gap.

Where does the New Orleans Marathon start and finish?

Both start and finish are inside City Park. The marathon starts at 7:30 AM at the New Orleans Museum of Art (the 5K goes off earlier, at 6:30 AM), runs out to the eastern edge of Lakeshore Drive along Lake Pontchartrain, and finishes on the park's Roosevelt Mall, where the Fit Fete festival at Tad Gormley Stadium runs through the morning with food, music and sponsor booths.

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