Skip to main content
Date:
Sat, Mar 21, 2026 at 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM
Location:
1165 E. McNeese St.
Lake Charles, Louisiana
70607
United States
OpenStreetMap Google Maps
Links:
runsignup.com
Tags:
3.21 Miles 5k Run Walk

The Down Syndrome Association of SWLA invites you and your family to participate the Run your Socks off 5k +, in honor of World Down Syndrome Day! Our run will not be the traditional 5K (3.1 mile) but will be a 3.21-mile walk/run. The 3.21 represents that individuals with Down syndrome carry 3 copies of the 21st chromosome. So, our route will include that “little something extra”. We have also had a small group of individuals with Down syndrome who have been training to run or walk this event , so this will be their moment to shine and show our community their “capABILITIES”

We couldn’t think of a better day to host our run but actually on World Down Syndrome Day. We invite all runners or walkers with varying Abilities to join us.

Race Day Schedule:

  • 6:30-7:30am: Onsite registration and packet Pick up

  • Onsite/Day of registration increases to $45 per runner

  • 8:00: Race Begins

  • 9:15-9:30 appx: Awards

Route Description:

This year we will have a new route due to the construction where I race has been held in the past. We will start and end at Crying Eagle Brewing Company 1165 E. Mcneese St. Lake Charles, LA 70607

Route: From Crying Eagle parking lot turn West/Right onto McNeese St and then turn North/Right onto Louisiana Ave, Turn West/ Left onto Tulane St.,turn south/Left onto Common St., Turn East/Left onto Madeline st., Turn South/Right onto Kirkman St., Turn east/Left onto Cherrydale St., Turn South/Right onto Louisiana Ave., Turn East/Left onto McNeese St to finish in the Crying Eagle Parking Lot where the race started.

Packet Pick up:

Friday, March 20, 2026

12:00PM - 3:00PM

Southern Specialty Products

615 E. Prien Lake Road, Lake Charles, LA 70601

Electronic Timing & Results:

The official timer and scorer for this event is Race Pace Multisport , LLC. Times for this event will be posted:

· Race Registration Website: Runsignup.com

· Near Finish Line

· Through email to participants who provide valid email addresses

· On Facebook Page

Bib Assignments:

● Each Runner will be issued a bib number at Packet Pick up. It is the responsibility of the runner to wear the bib during the race and to wear it in the correct place.

● Race Bibs are to be worn on front of the abdominal area throughout the race.

● Runners without bib numbers while on the course will be removed for security& Liability reasons.

● Please remember to fill out the emergency medical information on the bib number.

Age Group Categories & Awards:

Awards will be issued to the following categories:

  • Overall Male & Female with Down syndrome

  • Overall Male & Female

  • Overall Masters Advocate - ( 40-49 years) Male & Female

  • Overall Grand Masters Advocate ( 60 years and older) Male & Female

  • Top Male & Female runners in each age group: 19 years & younger, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70 +

Registration Questions:

All registration fees are non-refundable. It will considered a donation to a great organization. Registrations cannot be transferred nor deferred to alternate year.

Day of Registration: $45.00

Shirts:

T-shirt sizes are guaranteed if you register by 11:59 pm on 2/23/26. Extended until 2/24 at 12:00pm (Noon) Race day registrants are not guaranteed race shirts. T-shirts will be a soft cotton and will be same style for male and female.

FREE Key Check:

Participants have an opportunity to check their keys race day. Bands will be issued in the packet. Place band through key or chain and return to Registration desk. Pick up keys after race at Finish line.

Lost and Found:

DSASWLA is not responsible for lost or stolen items. Lost items that are found and turned in will be returned to the Registration desk after the event. Contact Race Director via phone(337)540-5992 or by email [email protected] to request your lost item. Items not requested identified or requested by April 1, 2026 will be donated to local non-profit agency.

Weather:

The races will be held rain or shine. If there is lightning in the area, the race will either have a delayed start or depending on the intensity of the weather, be cancelled. The Race Director will make the determination.

If race is cancelled due to inclement weather, or other reasons your registration fee will be considered a tax deductible donation to the Down Syndrome Association of SWLA.

Directions:

From Baton Rouge/Lafayette/Lake Charles:

Travel west on I-10 towards Texas

Take Exit 30A onto N. Lakeshore Dr. which will take you back under I-10 heading east. ( basically a U-Turn)

Turn Right .4 miles into the parking lot.

From Texas & Sulphur:

Travel East on I-10

Take Exit 29 onto Lakeshore Drive toward the civic Center

Take a right .4 miles into the paking lot.

Volunteers:

Volunteers are very much needed. We appreciate your talent and time. Please contact Tina Harris at [email protected] or go to https://www.dsaswla.org/volunteer if you or your organization is interested in volunteering.

Volunteer opportunities exist for the following duties:

· Race packet stuffing and organizing

· Race site setup

· Cheer and Hydration stations along race route

· Cleanup

Sponsors:

Sponsors are what helps to make this event happen and help to continue our mission. If you are interested in sponsoring this event either monetarily or in the way of an in-Kind donation please contact Melanie Sarro at [email protected] or 337-540-5992.

More races nearby

  • Lake Area Runners 4 for the Fourth [runsignup.com]

    Sat, Jul 04, 2026 at 7:00 AM

    Description

    Lake Area Runners presents 4 for the Fourth!

    Lake Area Runner's hottest race of the year!! Come help us celebrate our nation's independence by running 4 miles for the 4th of July! This course is flat...

    Lake Area Runners presents 4 for the Fourth!

    Lake Area Runner's hottest race of the year!! Come help us celebrate our nation's independence by running 4 miles for the 4th of July! This course is flat and fast, out and back race along the scenic Lakeshore Drive.

    This event is open to both walkers and runners!

    When we say it is our hottest race, we mean it literally. Please hydrate well prior to event.

    Date and time: Saturday, July 4, 2026 at 7:00 am

    Location: Police Jury Parking Lot at the corner of Lakeshore Drive and Gill Street, 1110 Pithon Street, Lake Charles, LA 70601

    ***This is the final race of the Triple Crown Series! If you complete the Leprechaun 3 Miler, Contraband 5 Miler, and LAR's 4 for the Fourth you will receive a special prize! Prizes will be available for pickup after the 4 Miler. The overall male and female winners will receive free race entries for all of our 2027 races!

    (This will be calculated using your times from all 3 races. You will be notified of your winning once we have finalized everything and determined the champs.)

    Registration Fees:

    $35 = Thursday, January 20, 2026 thru Monday, June 15, 2026

    $45 = Tuesday, June 16, 2026 thru Thursday, July 2, 2026

    $55 = Friday, July 3, 2026 and Saturday, July 4, 2026 (online registration only)

    Age based pricing of registration fees:

    Registrants 5 - 9 years old = $5 registration fee (shirt not included). Shirts may be purchased $20.

    Registrants 65 years and older = free registration (shirt not included). Shirts may be purchased $20.

    If you would like a shirt, purchase a shirt as an "Add-on" before checkout.

    Packet Pickup:

    Friday, July 3rd at House of Sole Running Shoes, 3113 Ryan St #3, Lake Charles, LA 70601

    From 12pm to 5:45pm

    Saturday, July 4th

    Where: parking lot of CCPJ, 1110 Pithon Street, Lake Charles, LA 70601

    Time: 6:00AM - 6:30AM

    *Look for the blue Lake Area Runners tent in the parking lot.

    Important note = Registered participants need photo identification. Proxy pickup is allowed for immediate family members, husband/wife/sibling, with identification.

    Race Day Schedule:

    6:00AM- Packet pickup and race day registration opens (online registration only)

    6:30AM- Packet pickup and race day registration closes

    6:45AM- Pre race meeting

    7:00AM- Race begins

    7:45AM- Post race food, beverages, music begins

    9:00AM- Approximate time for awards

    Awards:

    Overall: Top male and Top female will be awarded fireworks

    Age Group: 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place fireworks awards will be awarded in 10 year age groups for males and females as follows:

    0-14, 15-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70+

    T-Shirts:

    Short sleeved performance shirts are provided to registered participants (except your ages 5-9 years & 65+ years or older participant). Shirts are guaranteed to those participants who registered prior to Saturday, June 13th.

    Shirts may be purchased without registration for $18. Click "Store" to purchase an additional shirt.

    LAR's registration refund and cancellation policy:

    When you register for this event, you are making a non-refundable/ non-transferable decision.

    There are absolutely NO refunds, deferrals, or bib exchanges.

    Lake Area Runners does not issue refunds if the event is cancelled due to circumstances out of our control.This policy stays in effect in natural disaster, pandemic, whether you experience illness/injury/unexpected travel/emergency or other.

    We work incredibly hard to put on our races and we personally understand the training and hard work runners undergo, so the last thing we want to do is cancel a race.

    Cancellation:

    If we foresee dangerous conditions that warrant cancellations, we will update you via email and/or post onto @LakeAreaRunners and @LakeAreaRunnersForum sites on Facebook.

    Weather:

    If there is lightning in the area, the race may be delayed, route altered/shortened, or cancelled. If fog present, the visibility will determine if delayed start or altered/shortened route is necessary. The Marshall’s officers & Lake Area Runner’s board will make the determination.

    Parking:

    Parking is available in the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury (CPPJ) parking lot (1110 Pithon Street, Lake Charles, LA 70601) and at the Lake Charles Event Center (LCEC) along Lakeshore Drive.

    Do not park on Gill Street between Lakeshore Drive and Pithon Street. Do not park on Lakeshore Drive.

    Volunteers:

    • Race packet pickup on Friday, July 3rd = 12:30PM - 5:00PM

    • Race packet pickup on Saturday, July 4th = 6:000AM - 6:300AM

    • Race site setup & cleanup on Saturday, July 4th = 6:00AM - 10:00AM

    • Hydration Stations and cheer spots on Saturday, July 4th - 6:30AM-10:00AM

    • Post race food and beverage servers Saturday, July 4th - 7:00AM-10:00AM

    • Volunteers should register on runsignup.com by Monday, June 29th. If you have a group interested in volunteering, please email [email protected] attn: volunteer 4miler

    Lake Area Runners Events:

    Mardi Gras Madness 5K is Sunday, February 15, 2026

    LAR Leprechaun 3 miler is Saturday, March 14, 2026

    Contraband 5 miler is Saturday, May 2, 2026

    4 miler on the 4th is Saturday, July 4, 2026

    Swamp Stomp Half Marathon & 1 mile kids run is Saturday, December 12, 2026

    8.3 km from Lake Charles
    Located Between Lakeshore Drive And Pithon Street, Lake Charles, Louisiana, 70601, United States
    OpenStreetMap Google Maps

    4 Miles Run Walk

  • Ainsley's Angels 13th Annual Sunset 5K And Finish Festival [runsignup.com]

    Sun, Jul 12, 2026 at 7:00 PM

    Description

    Join us for the 13th Annual Sunset 5K at Lake Charles Event Center/Arcade Amphitheater!

    6.3 km from Lake Charles
    Lake Charles, Louisiana, 70601, United States
    OpenStreetMap Google Maps

    5k Run

  • Gator Gauntlet Off-road Triathlon [runsignup.com]

    Sat, Aug 29, 2026 at 8:00 AM

    Description

    Welcome to a different kind of triathlon! Get to see the entirety of our beautiful Sam Houston Jones State Park as you run and bike the trails, then embark on a kayak paddle on the Calcasieu West Fork River. The race consists of approximately 4 miles of trail running, 8 miles of mountain biking, and a 1 mile paddle on the river. Proceeds to benefit the trails at Sam Houston Jones State Park.

    18 km from Lake Charles
    107 Sutherland Road, Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana, 70611, United States
    OpenStreetMap Google Maps

    13 Miles Mountain Biking Run Trail Triathlon

  • Squeeze the Day 5k [runsignup.com]

    Sat, Sep 12, 2026 at 8:00 AM

    Description

    Join us in making a lasting impact by participating in Squeeze the Day 5K, a fun-filled event benefiting the Methodist Children's Home of Southwest Louisiana! Your support will help provide essential...

    Join us in making a lasting impact by participating in Squeeze the Day 5K, a fun-filled event benefiting the Methodist Children's Home of Southwest Louisiana! Your support will help provide essential care, education, and love to children in need. At the Methodist Children's Home, we provide comprehensive, intensive residential services to children ages 12-17 with emotional and behavioral needs. Just as we turn lemons into lemonade, we believe that faith and community can transform challenges into hope and healing.

    Every day, we see children bravely embrace opportunities as we guide them towards a brighter future filled with God's love. Your partnership helps Louisiana's children Squeeze the Day! Lace-up your running shoes, and join us in the running toward a brighter future.

    Route Description:

    The course is flat. Route begins and ends at Sam Houston Jones State Park, running throughout the scenic park grounds.

    18 km from Lake Charles
    107 Sutherland Road, Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana, 70611, United States
    OpenStreetMap Google Maps

    1 Miles 5k Run

  • No Man's Land Trail Run [linktr.ee] [Register at ultrasignup.com]

    Sat, Oct 17, 2026 at 8:00 AM

    15.4 km from Lake Charles
    107 Sutherland Road, Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana, 70669, United States
    OpenStreetMap Google Maps

    25k 50k Run Trail Ultra

More races nearby →
Like Wikipedia, anyone can contribute. Sign up to add your local events.