FRESHJUNKIE Racing Closes Record-Breaking 2025–2026 Season with Growth, Sellouts, and National Recognition

May 27, 2026

BATON ROUGE, LA. (May 27, 2026) /ENDURANCE SPORTSWIRE/ — FRESHJUNKIE Racing has concluded its 2025–2026 event season with record-setting participation, national recognition, and significant organizational growth across its portfolio of endurance events throughout the Southeast.

The season’s growth also reinforced the powerful role endurance events play in the sports tourism industry. Headlined by an estimated $6.9 million economic impact generated by the 2026 Louisiana Marathon, FRESHJUNKIE Racing events continued to drive hotel stays, restaurant visits, and visitor spending across host communities throughout the Southeast. The impact reflects the continued rise of sports tourism nationwide, an industry that generated an estimated $274.5 billion in economic impact annually while supporting 1.6 million full- and part-time jobs and producing $20.5 billion in state and local tax revenue, according to the 2026 Sports ETA State of the Industry Report.

Among the season’s highlights were several nationally recognized honors voted on by runners themselves. War Eagle Run Fest was named the Best Half Marathon in Alabama for 2026 by RaceRaves, while the Keesler Federal Mississippi Gulf Coast Marathon and Louisiana Marathon earned Best Half Marathon honors in Mississippi and Louisiana, respectively. Additionally, both the Mississippi Gulf Coast Marathon and Louisiana Marathon were named Best Marathon in their states for 2026 by FindMyMarathon.

The season also marked important internal growth for the company. Patrick O’Brien stepped into the Managing Director role, expanding his leadership role beyond Race Director. Haley Wattigny was promoted from part-time Marketing Associate to full-time Marketing Coordinator following a standout season supporting marketing initiatives, communications, and event operations across the FRESHJUNKIE Racing portfolio.

In addition, Patrick Fellows (PF) stepped into the role of Creative Director, bringing a bold creative vision that will help shape the company’s branding, storytelling, and visual direction heading into the next season.

FRESHJUNKIE Racing also expanded its sales division with the additions of Rod Foley and Matt Booth, strengthening the company’s ability to grow strategic partnerships and continue expanding its impact in the sports tourism and endurance event industries.

“This season represented tremendous momentum for our events, our team, and the communities we serve,” said Michael Wattigny, Marketing Director of FRESHJUNKIE Racing. “From sold out races and national awards to growing our staff, we’re incredibly proud of what was accomplished this year and excited about the future.”

With planning already underway for the 2026–2027 season, FRESHJUNKIE Racing looks to build on the momentum with continued innovation, elevated participant experiences, and expanded community impact across its event portfolio.

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ABOUT FRESHJUNKIE RACING:

FRESHJUNKIE Racing (FJR) is an event production company based in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Producing events since 2010, FJR manages, markets, and produces 14 events annually across Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, and Georgia. Creating memorable experiences for 50,000 participants annually, the events produce over $15 Million in economic impact in the communities and $1 Million in charitable impact.

For more info visit: freshjunkieracing.com

Contact: Mike Wattigny, Marketing Director, FJR | mike@freshjunkie.com | (504) 952-2899