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Kentucky Derby Festival Marathon Reviews
Kentucky Derby Festival Marathon
4.0 Stars from
11 Runners
Poorly Organized
By CN about 2024
Review
Running through Churchill Downs was very cool. Other than that, I don't have many positive takeaways from this race. The course was not well planned out. The full and half marathoners separated and then combined again, so that the faster paced marathon groups were having to pass slower paced half marathon groups. There was also a section near the end of the full course that crossed over itself creating an awkward intersection.
One other thing that kind of bothered me was that my race packet didn't come with pins for the bibs. Had to drive back to the expo the night of to find the separate station for picking up pins. Could have been a big issue if I hadn't noticed.
Race Tips
Train for hills. There were some big ones about halfway through.
The city is fun. The bier cheese and pretzel loaf at O'Shea's is great.
2 /
5 Stars
Its ok but the race is set up for the half marathon
By AA about 2023
Review
As one of three marathons I've run, (the other two in Portland Oregon, and Cincinnati Ohio) this race was my least favorite. The race setup is strong for the first half and it seems clear that the full marathon is an afterthought. The second half of the race is away from anyone able to cheer, the rest stops are very far apart and small. There weren't bathrooms available. In short, the first half of the race was great the second half, where you really need the aid stations, support, restrooms, and cheering was pretty absent. I would feel bad for anyone that ran this as their only marathon because they would be cheated out of so much positivity.
Race Tips
Be ready for a long exposed finish with very little coverage from trees or shade and the hill up to the walking path.
2 /
5 Stars
Long and Hot
By CCL about 2022
Review
First half was great, lots of crowds and cool route through Churchill Downs. Second half went over the bridge into IN. Of course it was later in the day so the heat/humidity got bad and there was little shade and fewer water stops. I crossed the finish line and my watch said 27.5 miles (and I have an accurate foot pod) so the course was definitely measured long.
Race Tips
The time of year is hit or miss, prepare for a hotter than expected race.
3 /
5 Stars
Marathoner 2022
By KM about 2022
Review
I thought the expo was great and all the runners that came out were so friendly! The first half of the race was AMAZING - the atmosphere is there and it is literally the best feeling. Running through Churchill Downs with horses on the track was a cool experience.
Race Tips
Please do not let the "mostly flat" misguide you. There are a lot of hills on the 2nd half of this course, not to be taken lightly. At mile 14 or so you have to climb up the pedestrian bridge (no one seems to mention that here, but HOLY MOLY NO JOKE). Then at mile 24 you have to go back up and across it again.
I would say this is an amazing Half Marathon race. It kind of feels like the last 13 miles were an after thought, honestly. The park is pretty, but there aren't many spectators or anything motivating you, and it's hilly. I would go back and do the Half Marathon here in a second, I don't think I would run another Full here.
The Galt was a good hotel as far as proximity goes - I think the restaurants inside were not prepared for the amount of runners so they ran out of virtually everything. It seems like the area is having a real problem with staffing in general (like most places), so I think I would still recommend the hotel!
3 /
5 Stars
Race to do in Kentucky!
By Dena about 2019
Review
Nice little expo. I loved how the whole town was so into the Derby. There's so much to do! Louisville Slugger museum, any Kentucky Bourbon distillery (we went to Old Forester) and of course Churchill Downs. The Ohio River is beautiful as well.
Race Tips
I didn't find the race to be too crowded. I ran with the 4:15 pace group and they were so much fun!! In missing my BQ by 6 minutes I came to the conclusion that I spent too much energy running the hills in the park. At about mile 17 my wheels started falling off and I lost pace. It did get a little bit warm towards the end.
I stayed at the Galt House and I loved how I could walk to anything! Expo, race start, back from the finish after the race, all the local spots I wanted to see. I only had to Uber from and to the airport but once I got there I was on foot the whole time.
One hint: if you don't need to gear check, don't. They really don't have this down. There was a ridiculous line and if I would have stood in it I would have missed the start. I actually walked up to a man who was working the check in but was just standing there waiting for someone to hand him a bag and he checked my bag in for me.
5 /
5 Stars
Pretty route, great support, a few hills
By WER about 2019
Review
The aid stations were great, the expo was bigger than I expected, and the whole town is beginning to buzz for the Kentucky Derby a week away. The marathon is kind of a kick off for a week long party in Louisville, so spectators and locals all seem really happy.
Race Tips
The hills in the park are no joke. 5 miles from 10-15 of rolling hills- there's even a down and up part in the middle of the park (timing mat on bottom) that's brutal. There is another mile long hill at 22 or 23, then flat or downhill to finish. Some people liked the shade in the park, and it is pretty, but this crushed me for the second half. I would really ease up until you come out of the park, then increase pace for last 10 miles.
There are a ton of hotels, restaurants, breweries and distilleries near the finish. Its a really cool area.
4 /
5 Stars
Very well done race!
By IWB about 2018
Review
I enjoyed the course, the crowd support, the organization of the course. There were plenty of water stations since it was a little warm. Lots of aids stations too.
Race Tips
Definitely take it easy in Irquois park. Slow your pace down so you have something left at the end.
5 /
5 Stars
By Anonymous about 2015
5 /
5 Stars
By Anonymous about 2014
5 /
5 Stars
By Jaclyn B about 2013
Review
I really enjoyed this course! Getting to run through Churchill Downs is a very cool experience. The pace groups were right on target and offered great coaching tips throughout the race, and there was really good crowd support and a few areas w/ music. Several aid stations offered plastic water bottles w/ recycling bins, which was a very convenient way to stay hydrated. There were only two opportunities to get gel on the course, which is my only complaint.
Race Tips
There are some challenging hills when you run through Iriquois Park, but there are plenty of chances to catch your breath after the inclines. Mile 23 has a fairly challenging hill, but the rest of the course is downhill/flat for a nice, fast finish.
Several hotels in walking distance of the expo, start and finish lines. I would recommend the Marriott. The pasta dinner had much to be desired, but there were plenty of places to carb-up. Old Spaghetti Factory had a 2-hour wait, but I would recommend Impellizzeri's or Little Sicily.
5 /
5 Stars
By Jaclyn B. about 2013
Review
This was an excellent marathon! Mostly flat, except Iriquois Park in the middle of the course and the hill at mile 23. Even though there are some hills, they all have nice downhill portions that are not too steep and flat portions to catch your breath, and the finish is a nice, gradual downhill. Running through Churchill Downs on the horse track is a cool experience, and the crowd support was very good. Several portions of the race had music, and a really cool feature was that some aid stations gave out plastic bottles of water w/ recycle bins along the course. Volunteers were also happy to refill my hand-held water bottle. My only complaint is that the course had Gu at only two aid stations. Nice finisher's medal!
Race Tips
The pace groups were not only accurate, but also gave really good coaching during the race. Save your legs during the hilly portion of Iriqois Park (halfway point in the race), and take miles 21-22 easy before the hill at mile 23; then run the downhill finish as fast as your legs can carry you. Pasta dinner was sub-par, but there are tons of places to carb up. Old Spaghetti Factory had a 2-hour wait, so I would recommend Impellizzeri or Little Sicily. Bring plenty of your own gels, as there are only repaid stations w/ gel, and it is the Power Bar brand.
Galt House is the hosting hotel and is walking distance to everything, but I thought it was pricy ($150/night w/ the runner's discount) and could have catered more to runners (at least offered some pre-race snacks or breakfast). I would recommend the Marriott instead, which is just as close, nice and better priced. Parking is not all that convenient, but this is really my only complaint about logistics. If you stay in one of the hotels near the start or finish line, there really is not that much walking. This marathon is much more reasonably priced than Country Music Marathon in Nashville, and hotels are closer to start, finish and amenities; also better weather and less hilly. Louisville is a fun city and I highly recommend this race.
