2025 Aid Station Distance Change!

Due to the bridge at mile 2 being closed for repairs, the World Famous MudnGuts Aid Station has to be moved up to mile 2 on the course. We know, not ideal, but you will have quicker access to that early morning porta potty, so there's that.  

This does not affect the trail at all - the bridge is open to foot traffic so you will all still be able to see the sunrise across the cypress lake, but it means that we can no longer access mile 4 by car to set up in our usual spot.

The aid station distances for this year are (approximately):

Mile 2 - Mud N Guts

Mile 8 - Cajun Aid

Mile 16 - Sloth Cafe

Start/Finish 

Adjust your hydration plans accordingly, and see you in about 7 weeks!

Happy Running!

Edie

Get the most out of Loup Garou

 As most of you guys know, besides directing Loup Garou, I am also a full time non-profit Executive Director.  My days are busy, but when I started this race in 2017, I knew I wanted to make space in my life for trail race directing - for providing a safe place for people to chase their dreams while falling in love with our home trail at Chicot State Park.  While the little bit of money I make from the races is a nice bonus, much of what comes in goes directly back into the race - the aid stations, finish line food, awards, etc.

I probably could have poured myself into full time race directing and made a living off of it, but while I don't begrudge others who do, it was never about that for me.  I just wanted to give people an opportunity to learn life changing lessons and create life long memories.

200 and 500 Mile Club

One example of that is our 200 and 500 mile clubs.  Check the tab at the top of the website home page for more info on these.  These were created purely to reward folks who are loyal to this race, and come out year after year and bring their families to make it the best possible race environment. There is no extra charge to win these awards - my reward is seeing smiling faces wearing their 200 and 500 mile jackets, and you guys having an excuse to tell people about the incredible things you have done.  

That being said, I need to order the awards soon. I try to have those ready for the finish line with the jackets being custom ordered after the event and mailed to your home.

If you qualify for either of these awards, it is your responsibility to let me know!  There are lots of you and one of me - I can't keep up with who has run what each year, so just let me know by email at Edie.Couvillon@gmail.com and I will add you to the list. 

2026 Loup Garou Showdown

While looking ahead to 2026 - the 10th and final year for Loup Garou - I knew I wanted to do something special.  I have many ideas of how every runner will feel the difference in 2026 - upgraded "10th Year" runner shirts and swag, newly designed medals and buckles adding in the "10th year", as well as other surprises, but I also wanted to add to the excitement of the race by bringing back all of the speedy folks, hence the 2026 Loup Garou Showdown.

When the registration for the 2026 race opens up, anyone who won first place male or female in any distance is eligible for a FREE entry into the distance they won in 2026. It would be fun to see some of these folks duke it out to be named overall LG Champion for each distance.

I'd say check the spreadsheet to see if you qualified, but I would hope you would know if you WON 1st place male or female in a race.  But, if it makes you feel better to see your name on the list (it would for me), here is the link: 2026 Loup Garou Showdown .  Reach out to me when the 2026 registration opens in the second week of December, and I will send you a code to register. 

Thanks again for making all of the hard work that my volunteers and I go through worth it. You guys never disappoint us, and I can speak for all of my peeps that we can't wait to see you in December!!

Happy Running!

Edie

2024 - What an amazing (but tough) year!!

 

Parker Harris (15) the final finisher of the 2024 Loup Garou 100 miler.

As usual, we are blown away and humbled by you guys!  Thank you for joining us for the weekend to run the 8th Annual Loup Garou Trail Run.  It was a tough year, but a great one.  So many amazing milestones were reached, from Mrs. Yvonne being our "Most Seasoned" finisher of the 20 miler at 78 years young, to TWO 15 year old 100 mile finishers, to Mike Smith(67) finishing his 229th 100 miler with us (and his 8th Loup Garou 100 miler).  

It is easy to get wrapped up with all of these accomplishments, but in no way do these overshadow the personal achievements of our other runners.  We had so many first timers attempting a new distance this year, and that is where the real courage is found - whether you finished or not, just reaching the start line of a race like this takes incredible bravery.  Thank you for trusting us enough to attempt to reach new goals here! 

The week leading up to Loup Garou was a wet one in Ville Platte, but we were hopeful that the trail would dry out. By Friday, when our expert trail marker, Aaron Artigue, did the loop, he felt like the trail was in pretty good shape.  Saturday morning brought a light drizzle that carried on throughout the day, making the trail good for the 20 milers but growing sloppier as the day went on for the ultra distances.  Combine the light rain with cold temps, and it made for an extra challenging overnight run.

Drop rates were the highest this year for the 100 miler since the covid years where the course was an out and back totaling 106 very hilly miles.  Everyone was feeling it by the end.  The added challenge of wet feet, sticky mud and cold temps caused over 1/2 of our 100 mile runners to decide that discretion is, in fact, the better part of valor, and end their races early.  For those who stuck with it, it meant slower finish times and extended discomfort.

In the end, regardless of distance run, the race was what I would consider a resounding success. What are the metrics that I use to declare an event a success?  Our overall registration numbers were a little down this year - isn't that disappointing?  No.  The people who showed up are the ones who were supposed to spend the weekend with us.  There were so many hugs and smiles this weekend, it really did feel like we were at a family reunion (but with family you want to visit with).  Yes, cool stuff happened on the trail, but cool stuff happened at the start/finish area as well.  Friends were made, phone numbers were exchanged, and REAL connections happened! 

Were there disappointing parts?  Yep.  Someone felt the need to steal candles out of two of the three porta potties at the start/finish. Really not a big deal, but those are put there for runner comfort to mask that late-in-the-race porta potty aroma.  Also, this year we had a higher than average number of litter bugs among our runners. That is the most disappointing part.  Some litter is accidental, of course, but the volume of it this year - cups, nutrition wrappers, etc., was really disappointing.  When we invite runners to share our home trail, we are inviting you onto hallowed ground. This is what many of us consider our sacred place, and to see it disrespected is pretty sad.  Thankfully, we have amazing runners who love our trail too, so they ran behind the litterbugs and picked up their trash.  How sad that that is necessary.

All in all though, 2024 went into the books as another amazing event because of YOU!!! Thank you for coming and thank you once again for trusting us with this major event in your life.  We know how important it is to you and believe me when I say that it is just as important to us! 

2025 registration is OPEN!  Hard to believe there are only two more Loup Garou's left, with 2026 being the final year, but we are all more committed than ever to make these next two years the best yet! See you on December 6th, 2025.  https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=122275 

Happy Running!

Edie

8th Year of Loup Garou is quickly approaching!

The way time is passing now, we will blink and it will be December 7th and you guys will be lining up to start the 8th year of the Loup Garou Trail Run.  It is always fun for me to watch so many people push their boundaries and attempt to finish a new distance or try for a new personal record.  There aren't many times in your adult life where you have permission to put your needs first and concentrate on yourself for a while.  Trail races give you that, and I think that is a huge blessing.  

When I first started participating in trail and ultra distance races, my kids were still little so most of my life was centered around them - where they needed to be and at what time, what had they eaten that day and generally, were all of their needs met.  My needs came last, which is the way parenthood should be, but when I discovered trail and ultra running, it was nice to escape that for a bit - even if just for an hour - and clear my head of everything except whether I needed to eat something or drink more. 

There is so much growth in long, solitary endeavors. When you are surrounded with people in your day to day life, having some time to listen to your own thoughts and form your own ideas and opinions is so freeing.

I am hoping you guys all have the opportunity to discover something about yourself at Loup Garou this year and you all leave a little more complete because of it.  

See you all at Chicot! 

Edie, RD

The spirit of trail running and my two cents

 Things are changing in trail running.  What used to be a crusty, niche sport is growing and shinier, larger races are being offered.  More people are learning about running trails and venturing into the woods for their races, and there is something to fit everyone now.  If you are a fan of running through crowds of cheering people and having your name announced on a speaker at the finish, or if you like a quiet finish with just a few friends and family clapping and celebrating your achievement, there are races to fit each scenario. 

I have always believed, and still do, that anything that attracts new people to our sport is good.  If you are coming from road races where you are accustomed to big crowds, a larger race may be in your comfort zone.  If you are trying to get away from that type of race, there are options out there for you as well.  I think that it is all good for our sport. 

But, one thing that does bother me to a degree is how expensive some trail races are becoming.  I don't like the idea of trail running becoming an exclusive sport only for those who can afford it.  I get it - you put out a product and set the price and if people are willing to pay it, then so be it.  The problem that I am seeing is that many times the cost itself makes the event more desirable - not the value of the event.  I am guilty at times of buying a more expensive version of the product assuming that along with the higher price comes better quality, and many times that is wrong.

Yes, race directors need to make a living too, but I think it can be done without scalping people.  Do your research on an event before you sign up to be sure your expectations match with the reality of the race.  Some race directors do what they do for a love of the sport, others are just greedy.  It's up to you to decide who is who. 

So, that was my two cents.  And here is what you can expect for the next three years of Loup Garou (if you haven't heard about the race coming to an end in 2026, read the earlier post) - there will be no price increases.  I will also continue to bring in quality merchandise for you to purchase to celebrate your race at a reasonable price. 

I want Loup Garou to be something you can bring your friends and family to, and where you can feel like a part of a trail running community.  That is what made me fall in love with the sport, and I want you to have the same experience.  Here's what I mean:

So many smiles! 

Our ace cooking team making the most of the weekend! 

Family and friends doing hard things together.

Enjoying a post race beer and waiting for a friend to finish.

Find a race that looks fun!  Find one that lights you on fire and makes your training exciting (as much as it can be). Find one that is hard enough to challenge you so that you can fully experience the joy of the finish line.  There is every kind of race out there - find the right fit for you and do big things. This is the BEST sport with the BEST people, and you are one of them. :-) 

Happy Running! 

Edie

Registration is open and a big announcement for Loup Garou!

 

This year's Loup Garou race is going down as the Year of the Smiling Runner.  There were so many happy faces and happy tears at the finish line this year, and we love it!  Each of our runners came to challenge themselves and spend some quality time out on the trail, and each one walked away with something they didn't have before the race - and no, I am not talking about chafing or black toenails - I mean insight. And hopefully a sense of pride in what they were able to accomplish whether they crossed the finish line or not.

The last 7 years of hosting Loup Garou has been a tremendous blessing for myself and our race crew.  We have been a part of many life changing moments, and we are honored to have been a part of every one of them.  And we are tired.  Putting on this race is seriously hard work, and the older we get (race director and volunteers), the harder it gets.  We have decided to continue the race until it's 10th year (2026), then call it a day.  

I feel like it is important to end the race on a high note, and leave people with good memories from it.  We have worked very hard to build our Loup Garou community, and we make every effort to make our race special - from the runner swag and merchandise to the gumbo and aid stations... we want all of our runners to know that if they do the work in training, we will take care of them during the race so that they have the best opportunity to reach their goal. 

This race is special to all of us, and I want to preserve the positive vibe and good memories from the event.  

So, if this is a bucket list item for you, you may want to get to training!  2026 will be here before you know it!  

Registration for 2024 is open in Ultrasignup, and we can't wait to see our running family again next December! 

https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=111472

Happy Running, 

Edie

Registration is OPEN and back on UltraSignup!

 We CAN.NOT.WAIT. to see you guys again in December!  Registration is open:

https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=104917