Mardi Gras season’s favorite road race returns to downtown Mobile on Sunday, March 3, 2019, when the 29th annual Joe Cain Classic steps off at 8 a.m.
Presented by Bay Area Runners, the Joe Cain Classic has drawn steadily growing fields of runners, walkers and wheelchair athletes since the inaugural event in 1991. The 5K and one-mile courses are certified for competitors chasing state records.
The morning is built for families as much as racers: alongside the 5K there’s a one-mile walk/run and a quarter-mile “Moon Pie” dash for kids of all ages. Afterward, a Mardi Gras block party follows with refreshments, music and a visit from Joe Cain’s widows.
Beyond the fun, the race serves a serious purpose — raising financial assistance for adaptive athletic programs in Mobile and Baldwin counties that help handicapped individuals compete in athletic competitions.
Race director Cindy McMillan has been encouraging Gulf Coast runners to sign up early for what has become one of the region’s signature late-Mardi Gras events.