Course Details

What you can expect in 2024:

  • Date and Location: The races are scheduled for April 27, 2024, starting on Main Street near Louisville Slugger Field.
  • Course Changes: For the first time since 2019, both the miniMarathon and Marathon courses will be entirely on the Kentucky side of the river. This marks a change from previous years when the Marathon course included a segment in Southern Indiana.
  • miniMarathon Route: Participants will experience downtown Louisville, run along Fourth Street to historic Churchill Downs, where they will complete a lap inside the track, and then return downtown to finish at Lynn Family Stadium.
  • Marathon Route: After reaching Churchill Downs, Marathon runners will turn onto Southern Parkway and race through scenic Iroquois Park, completing a traditional loop there. The Marathon route also includes an out-and-back along the Ohio River on River Road before finishing at Lynn Family Stadium. This marks a return of the full Marathon to Louisville’s South End.

Race Details

  • Race participants should not use Bicycles, Skateboards, Scooters, Baby Joggers, Strollers, Roller Skates and Roller Blades to complete the course
  • Headphones are allowed, but safety is cautioned with use of headphones, earbuds, air buds, etc.
  • Water Stations and restrooms along the race course

NOTE: Kentucky Derby Festival miniMarathon & Marathon race officials have the right to disqualify or remove from the course any participant whose activity violates any condition set forth or who poses any potential harm to himself/herself or any other participant.

All participants must maintain at least a 13:45 minute per mile pace for the full Marathon or a 15:00 minute per mile in the half Marathon.

Roads will reopen following the Louisville Metro Police trail car which starts after the last corral crosses the start line. Course services will not be available past this time.

 

Where are the Start and Finish Lines?

The Start Line will be at Main and Brook Streets, near Louisville Slugger Field

The Finish Line will be at Lynn Family Stadium, home of Louisville City FC and Racing FC

Where can I find Turn-by-Turn directions?

Once they are available, turn-by-turn directions can be found in the drop-down tab above (for your reference).

What time does the Race Start?

This year’s race will begin at 7AM

Is GE Appliances mini & Marathon still a loop course? 

Yes, the course is a loop course, with the Start line being at Louisville Slugger Field and the Finish Line being at Lynn Family Stadium (1 mile apart)

Are there time limits for the course?

Yes. There is a 4-hour course limit for the miniMarathon, 6-hour course limit for the Marathon.

THIS MEANS: All participants must maintain a 15:00 minute mile in the half Marathon (miniMarathon), 13:45 minute per mile pace in the Marathon.

The roads will re-open behind runners maintaining a 15 minute per mile pace. A trail car will reopen the roads. The trail car starts after the runners in the last corral cross the Start Line.

But Don’t Panic…participants will be allowed to complete the course by moving to the sidewalk and following pedestrian rules for safety.

*PLEASE BE ADVISED: Course services will not be available beyond this pace time, and course deviations may happen if a runner is not keeping the projected race time.

Do you offer runner tracking?

Yes! We partner with the free app RaceJoy, to offer live Tracking & Progress Alerts on Race Day. Before the race, DOWNLOAD THE APP.

Once downloaded to your mobile device, you will want to search & select the Kentucky Derby Festival race you are participating in, using the search box. The app will then walk you through how to use your bib number for Progress Alerts, Live Tracking, customizing notifications and using Send-A-Cheer to share time targeted messages with runners.

What refreshments and nutrition will you have on the race route? 

We will have water stops and Powerade locations on the route, thanks to our friends at the Louisville Water Company and Powerade

All Indiana water stops will have bottled water provided.

Where are the Water Stops along the race route?

We will have several water stop locations on the route.

What items are prohibited on the race course?

  • Roller Skates (including in-line skate)
  • Bicycles (including hand crank bicycles)
  • Baby Strollers
  • Running Strollers
  • Animals
  • There will be NO bags allowed on this year’s course. You will have the opportunity to leave all belongings at gear check located at Louisville Slugger Field. Camel Backs & Water Bags will be allowed.

 Can I use a mobile device and/or head phones on the route?

Yes! We encourage you to download the RaceJoy App to better enjoy your race experience.

What should I do if I need medical attention along the route?

If it is an emergency, please contact 9-1-1.

We will have medics surveying the course, as well as medical stops along the route, however we highly recommend if your need is urgent to contact emergency services.

 

Participant Safety Information

A color-coded Event Alert System (EAS) will communicate the status of course conditions to participants leading up to and on race day. The levels range from Low (green) Moderate (yellow) High (red) Extreme (black) based primarily on the weather, as well as other conditions.

  • Email and website communication during race week will inform participants of the current Event Alert System status and provide preparation tips based on advance weather forecasts.
  • Updates will be made at the Kentucky Derby Festival Race Expo via signage in the packet pick-up area and public address announcements.
  • On race day, the current Event Alert System status will be communicated via public address announcements and color-coded signs/flags at the start and finish areas, and along the course at each of the 6 Norton Medical aid station locations and via large digital traffic message boards.
  • Runners signed up for Runner Tracking system can be directly communicated to via text or other alerts.

All participants should familiarize themselves with the Event Alert System prior to the race, remain alert for directions from race officials and announcers and take precautions to prepare properly for varying weather conditions on race day.

Event Alert System table:

Alert Level

Public safety message

Please join us in being vigilant of your surroundings during the Kentucky Derby Festival miniMarathon and Marathon. If you see something say something, a suspicious person, object or vehicle along or near the race course, report the sighting to 9-1-1 or to onsite law enforcement personnel.

Do not store, hide or leave any personal items, backpacks, packages or clothes along or near the race course, including the start and finish line areas. Use designated Gear Check areas to check your personal belongings, or leave your personal items with a friend or family member.

Thank you for helping to keep yourself and those around you safe.

 

💧 Louisville Water Company Water Stops

  • Main St & 13th (Shippingport Brewery)
  • Broadway – 9th & 10th (L&N building)
  • 4th St & Kentucky St (Memorial Park)
  • 4th St & Industry
  • 3rd and Central Ave (Across from Central Station)
  • Iroquois Park Rd & Iroquois Pkwy
  • Iroquois Amphitheater Rundill Rd
  • Southern Parkway & Lone Oak Ave
  • Southern Pkwy & Southern Heights (4443 Southern Pkwy)
  • 3rd and Heywood (Holy Name Church)
  • 3rd St & Eastern Pkwy (University Circle)
  • 3rd St & Kentucky St (Kentucky Derby Festival)
  • 3rd St & Chestnut (Louisville Water Company)
  • River Rd & Witherspoon (Base of Big Four Bridge)
  • Eva Bandman Park & Cyclocross Venue

🚻 Restrooms

  • Main St & 13th (Shippingport Brewery)
  • Broadway – 9th & 10th (L&N building)
  • 4th St & Kentucky St (Memorial Park)
  • 4th St & Industry
  • 3rd and Central Ave (Across from Central Station)
  • Iroquois Park Rd & Iroquois Pkwy
  • Iroquois Amphitheater Rundill Rd
  • Southern Parkway & Lone Oak Ave
  • Southern Pkwy & Southern Heights (4443 Southern Pkwy)
  • 3rd and Heywood (Holy Name Church)
  • 3rd St & Eastern Pkwy (University Circle)
  • 3rd St & Kentucky St (Kentucky Derby Festival)
  • 3rd St & Chestnut (Louisville Water Company)
  • River Rd & Witherspoon (Base of Big Four Bridge)
  • Eva Bandman Park & Cyclocross Venue

⚡ Powerade Stops

  • Broadway – 9th & 10th (L&N building)
  • 4th St & Kentucky St (Memorial Park)
  • Iroquois Park Rd & Iroquois Pkwy
  • Iroquois Amphitheater Rundill Rd
  • Southern Parkway & Lone Oak Ave
  • Southern Pkwy & Southern Heights (4443 Southern Pkwy)
  • 3rd and Heywood (Holy Name Church)
  • 3rd St & Eastern Pkwy (University Circle)
  • 3rd St & Kentucky St (Kentucky Derby Festival)
  • River Rd & Witherspoon (Base of Big Four Bridge)
  • Eva Bandman Park & Cyclocross Venue

🔋 Gels provided by Fleet Feet (Marathon ONLY)

  • 3rd and Central Ave (Across from Central Station)
  • Iroquois Park Rd & Iroquois Pkwy

⚕️ Norton Healthcare Medical Tents

  • 4th St. & St. Catherine St.
  • Iroquois Park and Southern Parkway
  • 3rd St & Winkler
  • 3rd and Market
  • Eva Bandman Park & Cyclocross Venue

🚩 Mile Markers

  • At Every Mile

🎒 Gear Check

  • Start Line: S Floyd St & E Main St
  • Finish Line: Lynn Family Stadium

📍 Relay Exchange Points

  • S 4th St & W Cardinal Blvd
  • W Fairmont Ave & Southern Pkwy
  • Summers Ave & Southern Pkwy
  • S 3rd St & Winkler Ave

*6 Hour Course Limit for the Marathon

*4 Hours 20 minutes Course Limit for the miniMarathon

All participants must maintain at least a 13:45 minute per mile pace for the full Marathon or a 15:00 minute per mile in the half Marathon (miniMarathon).

Roads will reopen following the Louisville Metro Police trail car which starts after the last corral crosses the start line. Course services will not be available past this time.

Course Restrictions & Prohibited Items

There will be NO bags allowed on the course. You will have the opportunity to leave all belongings at gear check located at Louisville Slugger Field. Camel Backs & Water Bags will be allowed. 

Absolutely no participant is allowed on the course prior to 7:00 a.m. (EDT). Any participant on the racecourse before 7:00 a.m. will be disqualified and asked to leave the racecourse. The following are strictly prohibited at all times:

  • Roller Skates (including in-line skate)
  • Bicycles (including hand crank bicycles)
  • Baby Strollers
  • Animals