My Favorite Grassroots Cajun Run
Loup Garou | Ultramarathon #121
Last year I managed to pull off the Dino Valley - Loup Garou double which are separated by only 13 days. After finishing off Dinosaur Valley again I took a few days to clear my head and then the goal of hopping into another 100 Miler consumed me - I signed back up for Loup Garou - my third attempt at this local race. I really enjoy this course as it is a full ~20Mi loop and provides some awesome volunteers that support the race.
I arrived in Villa Platte, Louisiana late on Friday night and found a nice parking spot to settle into for the night. A cooler than expected night spent car camping was not the most restful way to prep for a 100 Miler, but if you have been following my blog of race reports, you may notice this is not unusual. I awoke and drove out to Chicot State Park which is only 5-ish Miles outside of the town itself. Not only was it colder than I thought, but the grey clouds were also starting to spit some rain drops in the dark morning. The chilly morning was trying to put a damper on my run spirits but I was not going to let that happen.
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| STRAVA route map of the Loup Garou Trail Run around Chicot State Park near town of Ville Platte. |
The trail itself is super easy to follow and is a simple loop around the lake with the only offshoots being to a primitive camping spot or an exit to the nearby road(s). There is beauty in a simple point-to-point, or in this case a large loop for a course. Sure there is some repetition involved but being a larger 20 Mile loop is just about right to not be "bored" out there on the trail.
The Louisiana trails are unique and great trough the pines and the swap-like area of the lake. I think the best part of this terrain is the numerous bridges and raised platforms to run across the low-lying areas.
Round and round we went chasing that goal of completing 5 eventual loops of the lake. Slowly I grinded my way there and managed to keep my body moving well enough through some sleep deprivation to manage myself a sub 24-hour finish. Overall this course is fairly fast if you have the leg speed. The only tricks to the Loup Garou is to watch out for all the roots and rocks. Secondly would be just to know that there is little elevation, however it does come in short punchy up and downs like a non-stop roller coaster. There is about 1,500-1,600 ft+ per loop (which is closer to 19.5 Mi by the way) so overall it is not flat, but not hilly either.
I recommend taking your run to Louisiana while you still can, because rumors are that after the 10 year anniversary the RD may be retiring the race, so who knows how long it will be around. Come on out next December and support Edie and the team out southern Cajun volunteers that make this grassroots run a great one to put on your running resume.
Results
- 23:41:38 | 95.75 Mi (154.09 km) | 7,812 ft+ (2,381 m+)
- 3rd overall
- My 121st ultramarathon run and my 11th ultramarathon YTD in 2024.
- My 43rd 100Mi(+) completed
- STRAVA: Loup Garou Trail Run (3rd overall), Ville Platte, LA | Run | Strava
- UltraSignup Results: 2024 Loup Garou Trail Run 100 Miler - Results
Gear Used
- Lighting setup - kogalla RA Adventure Light (waistlamp) & Nathan Sports Halo Fire (headlamp)
- Shirts - rabbit SS rabbitELITEtrail team kit, LS high country flannel
- Shorts - rabbit 3" FKT 2.0
- Headwear - rabbit (rnnr) rabbitELITEtrail team kit
- Eyewear - goodr
- Shoes - ASICS GEL-Trabuco 11
- Socks - injinji
- Hydration - NATHAN VaporKrar 2.0 12L race vest with x2 20oz soft flasks.
- Jacket- rabbit Treeline rain jacket
- Watch - Garmin fēnix® 6X - Pro Solar Edition
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