Lafayette Races, Runs and Cycling Events Guide

Mark your calendar for March because the Zydeco Marathon is a must-do. It’s one of the largest foot races in the area and draws runners from all over the south to Lafayette. It offers everything from a full marathon (yes, it’s a Boston qualifier!) to a half, a team relay, a 5K, and even a 1 Mile Fun Run for the kids. Not only will you run to the rhythm of live zydeco music, but all proceeds go directly to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Cross the finish line and join the bon temps with food, drinks, and more music.

Ready to run for a cause and snag one of the coolest trophies ever? Locally known as Cajun Country, the run is held in December and offers both road and trail races. This race is famous for its homemade alligator head trophies. This event supports T.R.A.I.L., a non-profit organization working to improve local parks. In 2018, TRAIL teamed up with Joshua Wilson, Boy Scout Troop 271 of the Evangeline Area Council, to install two benches and eight map stands to guide visitors throughout the northern section of the Acadiana Nature Trails. You can choose from a Half Marathon, 10k, or 5k on the road, or opt for a scenic trail 10k or 5k.

For a fall race with heart, check out the Cajun Cup 10K and 1 Mile Fun Run in November. Held in the streets of scenic downtown Lafayette, this race raises money for the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns Cross Country and Track teams, as well as Lafayette Catholic Services. You can grab a unique Cajun Cup mug if you place in your age group and even donate your old running shoes.

Close out the year with a run through scenic Milton, Louisiana, at the Vermillion River 10 Mile Run in December. Organized by the Cajun Road Runners Club, this race also offers a 5-mile option and hands out awards, including a specialty item like customized jackets, if you register early enough.

This is not your average bike ride; it’s a festival on wheels! Cycle Zydeco is a four-day casual cycling festival held the week after Easter annually. The bike ride is about celebrating Acadiana culture on two wheels. You’ll roll through scenic South Louisiana towns like Lafayette and St. Martinville, and wander through cane fields and bayous. Enjoy daily routes averaging 40 to 62 miles, and be rewarded with live music, authentic Cajun food, and even swamp tours. It’s a cultural experience as much as it is a ride!

Another great cycling festival hosted by TRAIL is Bikes, Brews & Omelettes Two (BBOT). This non-competitive, two-day recreational event is the perfect mix of cycling, local craft beer, live music, and amazing food. On Saturday, participants ride as part of the VFW Gumbo & Chili Cook-off in Youngsville; on Sunday, the ride ties into the Giant Omelette Celebration in Abbeville. It is non-competitive. Riders choose their distance and pace. You can choose your distance, from short 10-mile rides to long 100-mile treks. This one is more about South Louisiana hospitality than competition.

For the ultimate endurance challenge, the Cajun Man Triathlon is a Gulf Coast tradition scheduled in September. Test your limits with a half-mile swim in Airport Lake, a 20-mile bike ride through Lafayette Parish, and finish with a 5K run. Whether you're a seasoned triathlete or tackling your first open-water swim, the local community will cheer you on. You can also buddy up for a relay split.

The SugarMan race has various options, including a triathlon, a duathlon, an aquathlon, an aquabike & 5k run/walk. If you love the spectacle of athletes, this is the perfect race for spectators, with a centralized transition area offering a great view of the final 1/2-mile of the run around the lake to the dockside finish. The triathlon is a 500-meter swim in Sugar Mill Pond, a 15-mile bike ride on country roads, and a 3.1-mile run through the Sugar Mill Pond Development. The duathlon is a 2.7-mile run in Sugar Mill Pond neighborhood, a 15-mile bike, then a 3.1-mile run. The Aquabike is a 500-meter swim followed by a 15-mile bike. The 5k run/walk is a 3.1-mile run through Sugar Mill Pond. If you’re tired just from reading all of that, you should be. Proceeds from this event benefit trail projects such as improving and building public recreation facilities, increasing transportation access to trails for pedestrians, cyclists, and paddlers.