The McNeese Cowboy Club Gallop Virtual 5K & 1K Kids Fun Run

We are excited to announce the 10th annual The "McNeese Cowboy Club" Gallop 5K road race Oct. 10th, 2026! Proceeds from this event benefit the McNeese Track and Field / XC Programs.     

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

Flat Fast loop course encompassing the McNeese Athletics Campus and main Campus.  

Virtual 5K: You choose the course! Simply complete your registered race on a course of your choice from October 5-10th, 2025, and enter your time.  The deadline to submit your results will be Oct. 10th by midnight.

Instructions on how to submit your time.

Once you have finished your run/walk, capture a screenshot of your time and distance on an app on your phone, fitbit watch, etc. Go fill out the special Google Submission form at this link to be included in the results and be eligible for age group awards. 
Note:  If you don't have a google account, you can send your name, age, gender, email address, time and proof of time & distance to Aunjelle LaFleur with Race Pace Multisport LLC at ajattack@gmail.com as she will be compiling the results for the Virtual Race.

PACKET PICKUP:
Location: House of Sole, 3113 Ryan Street #3, Lake Charles, LA 70601 on Friday, October 9, 2026 from 1:00pm to 5:00pm

Race day packet pickup location: MSU Alumni Pavilion, 600 E. McNeese Street, Lake Charles, LA 70607 on Saturday, October 10, 2026 from 6:30AM to 7:45AM.

RACE DAY SCHEDULE:
6:30AM - Packet pickup & race day registration opens
7:45AM - Packet pickup & race day registration closes                                                                            
7:55AM - Pre-race meeting
8:05AM - Race begins                                                                                                           
10:00AM - Awards

REGISTRATION FEES: 5K

$35 = July 1, 2026 - September 23, 2026. T-shirt deadline for guaranteed Gallop Shirt
$45 = September 24, 2025 - October 9, 2026
$50 = Race Day, October 10, 2026

REGISTRATION FEES: KIDS 1K
$30 = July 1, 2025 - September 23, 2025. T-shirt deadline for guaranteed Gallop shirt
$35 = September 24, 2026 - October 9, 2026
$40 = Race Day, October 10, 2025.

REGISTRATION FEES: VIRTUAL 5K
$30 = July 1, 2025 - September 23, 2025. T-shirt deadline for guaranteed Gallop shirt
$35 = September 24, 2025 - October 9, 2025

AWARDS: Will be available for collection when results have been tabulated.

• Overall male/female
• Masters male/female
• Grand masters male/female
• 5K top 1 per age group: 1-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69 & 70+
• 1K all finishers

INFORMATION:
For more information you can contact the McNeese Track and Field Office at
(337) 475-5204 OR Email: McNeesetrackandfield@hotmail.com

T-SHIRTS:
Cowoby Gallop performance shirts are provided to registered participants. Shirts are guaranteed to those participants who registered prior to Wendesday, September 23, 2026. Since we must purchase shirts several weeks in advance, we cannot guarantee that shirts will be available on race day. 
 
REFUND POLICY: 
When you register for this event, you are making a non-refundable/ non-transferable donation to the MSU Track and Field program. 
There are absolutely NO refunds, deferrals, or bib exchanges.

McNeese Cowboy Club 5K route!
Route begins near the Robert Nolan Alumni Center/Grove.

Travel on Blue & Gold Drive to Les Devall Drive.

Turn left at the Cowboy statue onto Les Devall Drive.

Turn left onto E. McNeese Street.

Turn right onto Common Street.

Turn left onto E. Sale Street.

Turn left onto Ryan Street.

Turn left onto Calcasieu Drive & run to the dead end.

Turn right onto Allen Drive.

Turn right onto Lawton Drive.

Turn left onto Ryan Street.

Ryan Street turns into University and take the left fork onto Jefferson Drive.

Turn left onto Contour Street & run to Common Street.

Turn left at Frosty Factory onto Common Street.

Turn right onto Blue & Gold Drive.

Turn right onto E. Stadium Drive.

Turn right into the stadium to the Finish line. Be cautious of the hill!

Safety Guidelines

Be safe!
The event is limited to 300 runners and applications accepted on a first-come/ first-served basis.
Time limit: All runners must be able to complete the course in the 5k in 2hrs

The following actions are taken to provide runners with a safe course:
1)     City of Lake Charles Marshall Officers are positioned along the route for your safety.
2)     One lane of traffic is coned off to runners Runners must follow the course as directed at all times. 
3)     Volunteers are positioned along the route to monitor medical and safety concerns.
4)     Hand sanitizer will be available throughout the event including at registration area, start/finish line, and around portable toilets.
 
Runners should take the following precautions for a safe run:
1)     Wearing earbuds or listen to music while on the route is strongly discouraged as it decreases your awareness of vehicle traffic. 
2)     Pets, roller blades, skates, and scooters are not permitted along the route.
3)     Obey basic road rules and City of Lake Charles Marchall Officers.
4)     Stay home if showing symptoms of Covid 19 or sick. Wash or sanitize hands often.
 
Cancellations
If race is cancelled due by government agencies due to Covid-19, similar public health concerns, or other reasons the following will occur:
   1. Notification of cancellation will be sent to registered participants via email and/or posted on McNeese Cowboy Gallop Facebook page. 
   2. Validly registered participants will be transferred to “McNeese Cowboy Gallop 5k Virtual Run”. 
   3. Awards (overall, age group, etc) are not available to virtual registrants
   4. Registration fees and donations are non-refundable.
 
Covid-19 Precautions:
The McNeese Cowboy Gallop 5k team's #1 priority is to conduct a safe event. We are closely monitoring the COVID-19 situation and communications from the CDC and other health authorities. Safety Guidelines for participants will be updated as we get closer to event.

McNeese Track & Field and Cross Country: A Decade of Excellence, Resilience, and Renewal
Over the past decade, the McNeese State University Track & Field and Cross Country programs have established a tradition of excellence through Southland Conference championships, NCAA regional and national qualifiers, school records, and the development of exceptional student-athletes. Before Hurricane Laura struck Southwest Louisiana in 2020, McNeese consistently ranked among the conference's top programs while producing graduates who have gone on to successful careers in coaching, education, healthcare, engineering, business, and professional athletics.

The devastation caused by Hurricane Laura created significant challenges for the university and its athletic programs. Damaged facilities, disrupted training, and recruiting obstacles tested the resilience of the Cowboys and Cowgirls. Rather than allowing those challenges to define the program, the McNeese family came together to rebuild with determination and optimism.

A key part of that comeback has been the unwavering support of alumni, donors, local businesses, and the Southwest Louisiana community. The McNeese Cowboy Gallop 5K Fun Run has become one of the signature fundraising events supporting the continued growth of the Track & Field and Cross Country programs. Proceeds from the event have helped provide resources that directly benefit student-athletes, strengthen recruiting efforts, enhance training opportunities, and contribute to the program's long-term success. More than a race, the Cowboy Gallop has become a celebration of community pride and a symbol of the program's resilience.

The program's resurgence has also been fueled by continued investment in its facilities. Upgrades to the Bill and Lena Henning Track & Field Complex have improved the competition and training environment, while enhancements to the McNeese Recreation Complex have expanded strength and conditioning, recovery, and sports performance resources for student-athletes. These improvements ensure that McNeese continues to provide a championship-level experience for current and future Cowboys and Cowgirls.

Today, McNeese Track & Field and Cross Country continue to build on a proud legacy by producing conference champions, NCAA qualifiers, school record holders, and outstanding graduates who excel in their professions and communities. Through resilience, community support, and events like the McNeese Cowboy Gallop 5K Fun Run, the program has not only recovered from adversity—it has emerged stronger, continuing its pursuit of excellence while preparing the next generation of Cowboys and Cowgirls to succeed both in competition and in life.