First Crescent Park Fun Run a success

The Donaldsonville High School Athletic Department fired off the first Crescent Park Fun Run in Donaldsonville on Saturday. In its inaugural event, DHS athletic director said the event was a success.

“We’re just trying to get the community involved in things,” Guilbeaux said. “Southern Louisiana has a very high rate of heart disease, diabetes and pretty much everything associated with eating fried foods.”

“In addition we raised a little money for the athletic department,” he said. “I think it was a good thing for the school and the community.”

Many runners, young and older participated, including Donaldsonville Mayor Leroy Sullivan and former State Representative Roy Quezaire, while former DHS track and field state champion and current Nicholls State track athlete Bianca Lewis led the way.

Guilbeaux said the idea came to him after participating in the New Orleans Crescent City Classic that he and his wife participates in annually.

“I wondered if they had anything like that here in Donaldsonville,” Guilbeaux said. “So I asked the principals and everybody was on board with it and it was just a process from there”

“The mayor embraced it, the sheriff’s department did a great job, and we were sponsored by LeBlanc’s on this side of the river and Albertson’s in Baton Rouge on O’Neil Lane”

Guilbeaux said the school will make this an annual event and says it will also host a second one in the spring of next year.

“Anytime you get something like this going, you want to build a tradition,” Guilbeaux said. “Hopefully we get more participants and more support and raise more money and make it bigger next year.”

Guilbeaux added, “I appreciate the City of Donaldsonville for all of the support.”