The staggered start dates are a result of changes made to the troubled New Orleans Public School System after Katrina.

NPR: New Orleans Schools Welcome Back Students

Start times are staggered, and runners typically begin arriving at the finish line around noon with the remainder of the field coming in over the next several hours.

WSJ: Nation's Oldest Marathon, and a Local Holiday Tradition

Like the marathon, start times are staggered.

WSJ: Up, up and away: Racers climb NYC's Empire State