by VERONICA CISNEROS

For the past 35 years, Houma has been the home to the Over and Under Tunnel Run, one of the oldest races in Louisiana. The 5K Tunnel Run benefits the American Heart Association and is a unique experience, says founder Dr. Dickie Haydel, mainly because it is the only race that goes over and under the same body of water, the Intracoastal Waterway.

Houma’s signature Tunnel Run has evolved in many ways over the years to what it is today. The “over” aspect of the race hasn’t always been a part of the route. Dr. Haydel says participants solely ran under the tunnel for years until the twin span bridges were built.

“We wanted to jump on that race before anybody else did,” he says. “When the twin spans went up, it just seemed like a perfect situation for the race to go over and under the same body of water.”

A tennis tournament was also jointly held with the run when the fundraiser first started, but Dr. Haydel says it “took too long to do” and it is “a lot easier” without the tournament involved for various reasons.

“We stuck with the run as the way to raise the money,” he says. “It has worked out a lot better.”

Perhaps the Tunnel Run’s greatest evolution of all is the number of participants. The race began with only 25 participants and now hosts over 600 participants each year.

Chad Haydel, Dr. Haydel’s son and co-chair for the race, remembers when the original 25 participants didn’t even wear the traditional race numbers.

“When the runners came across the finish,” Chad explains, “they were handed tongue depressors with numbers written with a Marks-A-Lot on them to figure out how they landed in the race. They also got a hot dog afterwards. That’s how it started a long time ago.”

Runners from across the state and outside its borders have come to participate in Houma’s Over and Under Tunnel Run, generating between $50-60,000 for the AHA, according to Catherine Straatmann, a regional director for the association.

“In over 30 years, that’s quite a lot of money,” Dr. Haydel says. “We are kind of proud of it starting from just a few runners to what it is today and that we are able to raise the money the American Heart Association asks for.”

Naturally, as founder, Dr. Haydel has been extremely involved in this event. Now that he has so much help, he hardly has to do anything anymore. He says he has “gotten in the background of this thing” because all his helpers do everything. He used to participate every year when the race was first conceived, but this fact is also among the many changes that have occurred throughout the years.

“As I’ve gotten older, now that I’ve had a knee replacement, I kind of just sit with my bullhorn and yell at the runners, get them all excited. I had to have a knee replacement after all those tunnel runs, I guess,” he jokes. “But now I can’t do that anymore, so I just sit back and enjoy it.”

Dr. Haydel initially founded the run because someone asked him to start an event to raise money for the AHA. The run has raised funds for various local charities throughout the years, but the main charitable organization currently benefited remains the AHA.

The AHA is fighting heart disease and stroke in the community through special events and public and professional education and is funding life-saving research.

“These efforts are touching the lives of numerous people in the community,” Catherine says. “The American Heart Association is working in our community, building healthier hearts and lives through events like the Tunnel Run.”

This year, the race will take place on March 13. It is generally held near Easter to also serve as a practice race for the New Orleans Crescent City Classic.

The Over and Under Tunnel Run begins with the 1-mile Children’s Fun Run for ages 12 and under. The 5K run follows, and the event welcomes walkers as well. The race begins at the Houma Municipal Auditorium on Division St. and ends at the same location.

A party with food and refreshments served at no cost to participants concludes the event. Music fills the air, compliments of a live band, and those who can’t hold still groove to the music. Dr. Haydel says those who participate in the event have a wonderful time year after year.

“I’d like the people who haven’t had a chance to participate in the Tunnel Run to come out and see how much fun everybody has,” he says. “It’s truly a unique experience.”

Chad says the family-oriented race is for a good cause and is also an excellent way to be involved in the community.

“I’m proud to be a part of it,” he says. “It’s been around a long time and will probably be around for many years to come.” PoV