Scenes from the French Quarter: the Best Moments of the Red Dress Run
By James H. Sterling
Q1: Do men really have to wear a dress to participate?
Yes. The rule applies across the board. Every registered runner, regardless of gender, must wear a red dress or skirt. Running in red athletic shorts or a standard red jersey violates the spirit of the event and invites good-natured ribbing from fellow hashers.
Q2: Can spectators enjoy the event without registering?
Spectators can view the street parade throughout the French Quarter and along downtown sidewalks for free. However, paying the official registration fee is essential if you want entry to the main park staging grounds, live music acts, refreshments, and official swag, as those registration funds support the designated non-profits.
Q3: How physically demanding is the course?
The run measures approximately two miles and maintains an easy, conversational pace. Many participants walk the entire distance. The true physical challenge comes from navigating the high ambient heat and humidity, which makes hydration and sun protection far more critical than athletic conditioning.
James Sterling reports on renewable energy developments, climate policy, ecological conservation, and green tech innovations around the globe.
