Race Recap: 2025 Greek Fest 5K
May 24, 2025 – New Orleans, LA
The 35th Annual Greek Fest 5K Run & Walk brought its signature blend of running and revelry back to the banks of Bayou St. John this Memorial Day weekend. Hosted by the New Orleans Track Club in partnership with Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral, the event kicked off the city’s beloved Greek Festival with a sun-soaked, ouzo-tinged celebration of community, culture, and cardio.
Runners, walkers, stroller pushers, and kids filled the starting line on Saturday morning, eager to log 3.1 miles before diving headfirst into gyros and Greek dancing. With staggered corral starts based on expected pace (from sub-7:00 runners to walkers), the race maintained a relaxed, inclusive vibe while still showcasing some serious speed at the front.
Though official podium results for the 5K hadn’t been posted at time of publication, age group finishes hovered around the 30-minute mark for many participants. Regardless of time, every finisher earned a custom race medal, commemorative shirt, chip-timed bib, and—perhaps most importantly—two free passes to the Greek Fest itself.
Runners didn’t just earn bling—they got early access to the Greek Festival, complete with music, dancing, and free beer (yes, while supplies lasted). Participants who crossed the finish line were greeted not only with cheers but with the savory scent of lamb skewers and sweet loukoumades drifting over from the fest grounds.
And for families? The morning also featured a 1-mile Kids’ Run and a NOTC Family 5K division, further cementing this event’s rep as one of the most family-friendly races on the calendar.
Whether you were gunning for a PR or just cruising toward your next baklava, the energy was undeniable. Smiles outnumbered mile markers, and the crowd buzzed with that rare mix of athletic effort and party-mode ease. By 10 a.m., awards were handed out, sweat had dried, and the day seamlessly shifted into fest mode—Greek flags waving, folk music echoing, and everyone moving a little more joyfully.
In a city that knows how to mix celebration with everything, the 2025 Greek Fest 5K proved once again that running and reveling can go hand in hand (preferably with a spanakopita in the other). Whether you came for the race or stayed for the souvlaki, it was a perfect New Orleans morning—equal parts fitness and feta.
See you next year on the bayou. Opa!
