Get your running shoes ready for The Louisiana Marathon – The second annual Louisiana Marathon kicks off this weekend with music, food, speakers and races in an event perfect for the entire family.

The second annual Louisiana Marathon kicks off this weekend with music, food, speakers and races in an event perfect for the entire family. More than 20,000 attendees and 4,000 participants are expected for this weekend’s marathon. The three-day event kicks off Friday at 1 p.m. with an expo at the River Center and continues Saturday with a 5K at 8 a.m. and the Kids Marathon at 9:30 a.m. at Capitol Park Museum. Saturday will also feature a family festival with performances from the Dunham School Jazz Band, Baton Rouge Music Studios students and The Louisiana Youth Orchestra, as well as food and activities in AZ Young Park (755 N. 3rd St.). A speaker series will kick off Saturday at 11:30 a.m. at the River Center featuring discussions from four-time winner of the Boston and New York marathons Bill Rodgers and author/speaker Matt Long. On Sunday, the 26.2 Boston-qualifying marathon run and 13.1 half marathon kick off at 7 a.m. at the steps of the State Capitol. A finish line festival with performances from Michael Foster Project, Big Sam’s Funky Nation and Bucktown All-Stars starts at 9 a.m. at AZ Young Park. To register and get more information, click here.