Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home and Cemeteries to Hold “Run/Walk Through History” Road Race
Nation’s Largest Cemetery Race to Draw Several Hundred Participants to Historic Metairie Cemetery in its 23rd Year
NEW ORLEANS – (Mar. 11, 2024) – Registration is now open for the Run/Walk Through History, hosted by Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home & Cemeteries in partnership with New Orleans Running Systems, Inc. (NORSI). On Sunday, Mar. 24, runners, power walkers and leisure walkers will participate in the nation’s largest cemetery race. With Ricca’s Architectural serving as the presenting sponsor, this year will mark the event’s 23rd anniversary on the grounds of historic Metairie Cemetery at 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd. The property was formerly the site of a premier horse-racing track, Metairie Race Course, until the cemetery was constructed in 1872.
“This event is something we look forward to every year,” said Jerry Schoen, funeral director and director of community relations at Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home. “After 23 years, it has become a community tradition for our local families and race enthusiasts. And the best part is that all the fun is for a good cause. Proceeds from the race will go to our friends at Save Our Cemeteries to help continue their mission to preserve New Orleans’ historic cemeteries for future generations.”
“It is such a joy to be part of an event that celebrates health, fitness and community,” said NORSI race director Chuck George. “It’s the perfect combination: a beautiful setting, dedicated partners and sponsors, and a little healthy competition — all benefitting an important local cause.”
Following the races, participants can enjoy festivities next to the funeral home with an awards ceremony, music, food and beverages provided by local sponsors Kentwood Springs Water, Crescent Crown Distributors, Zea Rotisserie & Bar, Capitol City Produce, Elmer’s Chee Wees, Baker Maid and others. All race finishers will receive a commemorative race T-shirt and pin.
For race details and online registration, visit nolarunning.com or call (504) 884-7565. Entry fees start at $35 and increase leading up to race day, with discounted pricing available for youth and seniors. Registration will be available on race day starting at 7:30 a.m. All race registrants will receive a 25% discount towards a Save Our Cemeteries tour of Metairie Cemetery.
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About Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home
Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home is a proud Dignity Memorial® provider in New Orleans. The Dignity Memorial network of more than 2,000 funeral, cremation and cemetery service providers is North America’s most trusted resource for funeral and memorialization services. Dignity Memorial providers offer an unmatched combination of products and locations serving families with care, integrity, respect and service excellence to celebrate each life like no other. For more information, visit www.DignityMemorial.com.
About Save Our Cemeteries
Save Our Cemeteries, Inc., a non-profit 501(c)3 organization, was founded in 1974 to promote, preserve, protect and restore the historic cemeteries of New Orleans through restoration, education, and advocacy. Save Our Cemeteries works to address the issues facing the cemeteries through a multi-layered approach that addresses both the immediate needs of the historic sites, as well as the systemic issues that contribute to their deterioration. For more information, visit www.saveourcemeteries.org.
About New Orleans Running Systems, Inc. (NORSI)
New Orleans Running Systems, Inc. specializes in the quality production of run/walk endurance events in the metro New Orleans area since 1982. A leader in run/walk event production, NORSI is a proud member of multiple national running associations and provides counseling and assistance to other race event directors. For more information, visit www.nolarunning.com.
Nation’s Largest Cemetery Race to Draw Several Hundred Participants to Historic Metairie Cemetery in its 23rd Year
NEW ORLEANS – (Mar. 11, 2024) – Registration is now open for the Run/Walk Through History, hosted by Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home & Cemeteries in partnership with New Orleans Running Systems, Inc. (NORSI). On Sunday, Mar. 24, runners, power walkers and leisure walkers will participate in the nation’s largest cemetery race. With Ricca’s Architectural serving as the presenting sponsor, this year will mark the event’s 23rd anniversary on the grounds of historic Metairie Cemetery at 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd. The property was formerly the site of a premier horse-racing track, Metairie Race Course, until the cemetery was constructed in 1872.
Typically drawing more than 700 participants, the Run/Walk Through History 5K and 1K races are open to people of all ages. Race proceeds benefit Save Our Cemeteries, a local non-profit dedicated to the preservation, promotion, and protection of New Orleans’ historic cemeteries through restoration, education and advocacy.
“This event is something we look forward to every year,” said Jerry Schoen, funeral director and director of community relations at Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home. “After 23 years, it has become a community tradition for our local families and race enthusiasts. And the best part is that all the fun is for a good cause. Proceeds from the race will go to our friends at Save Our Cemeteries to help continue their mission to preserve New Orleans’ historic cemeteries for future generations.”
Sally Asher, Save Our Cemeteries board president, added “We are so grateful to Metairie Cemetery, NORSI and our sponsors for everything they do to make this race happen. Money raised at this event provides essential funding to help us continue the restoration, education, and preservation of our city’s cemeteries.”
“It is such a joy to be part of an event that celebrates health, fitness and community,” said NORSI race director Chuck George. “It’s the perfect combination: a beautiful setting, dedicated partners and sponsors, and a little healthy competition — all benefitting an important local cause.”
Following the races, participants can enjoy festivities next to the funeral home with an awards ceremony, music, food and beverages provided by local sponsors Kentwood Springs Water, Crescent Crown Distributors, Zea Rotisserie & Bar, Capitol City Produce, Elmer’s Chee Wees, Baker Maid and others. All race finishers will receive a commemorative race T-shirt and pin.
For race details and online registration, visit nolarunning.com or call (504) 884-7565. Entry fees start at $35 and increase leading up to race day, with discounted pricing available for youth and seniors. Registration will be available on race day starting at 7:30 a.m. All race registrants will receive a 25% discount towards a Save Our Cemeteries tour of Metairie Cemetery.
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About Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home
Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home is a proud Dignity Memorial® provider in New Orleans. The Dignity Memorial network of more than 2,000 funeral, cremation and cemetery service providers is North America’s most trusted resource for funeral and memorialization services. Dignity Memorial providers offer an unmatched combination of products and locations serving families with care, integrity, respect and service excellence to celebrate each life like no other. For more information, visit www.DignityMemorial.com.
About Save Our Cemeteries
Save Our Cemeteries, Inc., a non-profit 501(c)3 organization, was founded in 1974 to promote, preserve, protect and restore the historic cemeteries of New Orleans through restoration, education, and advocacy. Save Our Cemeteries works to address the issues facing the cemeteries through a multi-layered approach that addresses both the immediate needs of the historic sites, as well as the systemic issues that contribute to their deterioration. For more information, visit www.saveourcemeteries.org.
About New Orleans Running Systems, Inc. (NORSI)
New Orleans Running Systems, Inc. specializes in the quality production of run/walk endurance events in the metro New Orleans area since 1982. A leader in run/walk event production, NORSI is a proud member of multiple national running associations and provides counseling and assistance to other race event directors. For more information, visit www.nolarunning.com.