NEW ORLEANS (NOLA WEEKEND) - The Caesars Sportsbook Crescent City Classic returns as an in-person event for the first time in two years. The Crescent City Classic 10k race, an annual New Orleans Easter weekend tradition, returns on April 16.
With its return, race officials renew their push to set an unprecedented goal of raising $1 million for local nonprofits. Runners can still choose to help fundraise for nearly two dozen charities through the “Run for It!” program, the Crescent City Classic’s official charity initiative.
Operations director Kristen Stuart says this year marks a new era of race for the Crescent City Classic, especially with the backing of some big-name supporters, such as Caesars Sportsbook, Saints and Pelicans owner Gayle Benson and former Saints head coach Sean Payton.
“This is a part of our community that big names in our city want to get behind, and it’s pretty cool to think that you would be a part of it, too,” Stuart said.
This year, the “Run For It!” program celebrates a milestone of raising more than $5 million to support more than 27 nonprofits since the program was first conceived by race officials Ricky Thomas and Eric Stuart eight years ago.
“The New Orleans community never ceases to amaze us with their generosity when it comes to charitable giving and supporting those in need throughout the area,” race director Eric Stuart said in a release. “All we can hope is to continue to outdo ourselves year after year.”
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For 2022, the race partners with 20 New Orleans-area nonprofits for the ambitious $1 million goal.
As part of the “Run for It!” program, the Crescent City Classic provides charity race bibs/numbers and donates incentives to each participating nonprofit. The nonprofit partners then recruit and organize teams of runners and walkers who commit to raising a minimum of $200 for their charity by race day.
Official charity runners receive various perks and incentives as part of the “Run for It!” program including a commemorative t-shirt only available to charity runners, prime starting position in the charity corral, air-conditioned restrooms, a personal online fundraising page and access to a private tent at the race after party.
All of the money raised will be donated directly to and benefit selected charity partners.
Many local charity partners say the Crescent City Classic has a huge impact on fundraising efforts and creates memorable, heartfelt moments for the communities they serve.
“It’s really grown into much more than just a fundraising event,” Rich Arnold, Covenant House spokesperson, said. “It’s become something that our kids and our staff and our supporters look forward to every year.”
Race participants can run for one of this year’s selected charities when they sign up for the race at www.ccc10k.com.
Here’s the list of participating charities for 2022:
- Ochsner Hospital for Children
- Ochsner Heart & Vascular Institute
- Team Gleason
- Covenant House
- Kelly Gibson Foundation
- Giving Hope
- Youth Run NOLA
- Animal Rescue of New Orleans (ARNO)
- Boys Hope Girls Hope
- Community Center of St. Bernard
- American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
- Kingsley House
- Bastion Community of Resilience
- New Orleans Musicians’ Clinic
- Split Second Foundation
- No Days Offline
- Morris Jeff Community School
- CASA Jefferson
- Junior League of New Orleans
- Girls on the Run
Runners or walkers looking to participate in the virtual race with a charity organization or as a regular participant can register now. Find out more race details and registration information at the website, www.ccc10k.com.
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