Norton Sports Health Training Program

REGISTER TO TRAIN

Put a Little Prep in Your Step!

The FREE Norton Sports Health Training Program for the GE Appliances miniMarathon and Marathon is a 15-week program packed with in-person training options to get participants of all experience levels ready for Kentucky’s largest day of road racing on April 27, 2024.

All registrants receive:

  • One-page quick reference Official Training Plan (available at the kick-off)
  • Free downloadable Official Training Manual (available online only)
  • In-person weekly group runs with Stephanie Fish from Norton Sports Health (Wednesdays and Saturdays)
  • Marked routes, water stops and post-run snacks (Saturdays only)
  • Hill and track work tips
  • Wednesday post-run guided stretching and cross-training opportunities
  • Nutrition Tips
  • Pre-run warm-up, led by KORT Physical Therapy

NOTE: The first 800 people to register will receive a free tech shirt. (Once all tech shirts are claimed, registrants will still be able to register to participate in the program, however shirts are only promised to the first 800).

Get Started with the Training Program! 

Join the Training Program Facebook Group to connect with other runners, get the latest updates, ask questions and connect with Stephanie Fish, the Norton Sports Health expert and Program Leader.

 

Join the Facebook Group

 

Plus, make sure to sign up for Text Alerts and Training Run updates! Just Text ‘nortonrun’ to 37492. (caps do not matter, but no space between words does.)

Download the 2024 Training Program Manual


This guide, created by Norton Sports Health experts and doctors is packed with everything you need to help you go from beginner to race ready.

Get tips for starting your training, nutritional information, cross-training suggestions, and more! Plus, get a week-by-week Training Schedule for both miniMarathon and Marathon lengths, to make sure you’re able to build up to your chosen distance. 

Download the Official 2024 Training Manual

Get the One-Page miniMarathon Training Schedule

Get the One-Page Marathon Training Schedule

Training Program Schedule

All official training runs take place on Saturday mornings at 8:00 AM and supplemental training workouts happen on Wednesday evenings at 6:00 PM. Training run locations will change week to week, so you’ll get to be familiar with different parts of the race course!

The first Training Run happens on Saturday, January 13 at 8:00 AM. 

Find the Training Program locations week to week below:

  • 1/13/24 – Swags Sport Shoes South
  • 1/17/24 – Norton Sports Health Performance & Wellness Center
  • 1/20/24 – Norton Sports Health Performance & Wellness Center
  • 1/24/24 – Norton Sports Health Performance & Wellness Center
  • 1/27/24 – Big Four Station Pavilion, Jeffersonville, IN
  • 1/31/24 – Norton Sports Health Performance & Wellness Center
  • 2/3/24 – Seneca Park, 3101 Rock Creek Drive
  • 2/7/24 – Norton Sports Health Performance & Wellness Center
  • 2/10/24 – NO GROUP RUN – Snowman Shuffle 4 Miler
  • 2/14/24 – Norton Sports Health Performance & Wellness Center
  • 2/17/24 – Swags Sport Shoes South
  • 2/21/24 – Norton Sports Health Performance & Wellness Center
  • 2/24/24 – Big Four Station Pavilion, Jeffersonville, IN
  • 2/28/24 – Norton Sports Health Performance & Wellness Center
  • 3/2/24 – NO GROUP RUN – Triple Crown 5K
  • 3/6/24 – Norton Sports Health Performance & Wellness Center
  • 3/9/24 – Seneca Park, 3101 Rock Creek Drive
  • 3/13/24 – Norton Sports Health Performance & Wellness Center
  • 3/16/24 – NO GROUP RUN – Triple Crown 10K
  • 3/20/24 – Norton Sports Health Performance & Wellness Center
  • 3/23/24 – Swags Sport Shoes South
  • 3/27/24 – Norton Sports Health Performance & Wellness Center
  • 3/30/24 – NO GROUP RUN – Triple Crown 15K
  • 4/3/24 – Norton Sports Health Performance & Wellness Center
  • 4/6/24 – Big Four Station Pavilion, Jeffersonville, IN
  • 4/10/24 – Norton Sports Health Performance & Wellness Center
  • 4/13/24 – Swags Sport Shoes South
  • 4/17/24 – Norton Sports Health Performance & Wellness Center
  • 4/20/24 – Norton Sports Health Performance & Wellness Center

What is the Norton Sports Health Training Program?

The Norton Sports Health Training Program is a FREE  15-week program designed to help runners prepare to complete the Derby Festival miniMarathon or Marathon. The training program offers a week-by-week suggested mileage schedule, along with nutrition, cross-training ideas, and health and safety tips.

 

When and where are the weekly group training runs?

Training runs are held on Wednesday evenings and Saturday mornings each week from January-April, at different locations around Louisville. Specific details will be posted on our website & in the Facebook Group once times, dates and locations are finalized.

 

What if a Training Run gets canceled or delayed for weather?

You can also find the latest information on the Norton Sports Health KDF Training Program Facebook Group, or you can sign up for text reminders and updates! Just Text ‘nortonrun’ to 37492. (caps do not matter, but no space between words does.)

 

I have never participated in an organized road race event before. Can I really train to run or walk my first marathon or half marathon?

Many of our runners and walkers have never participated in an organized road race before, and that’s okay. Most people, even with no prior experience, can finish a full or half-marathon provided they follow a sanctioned & structured training program start to finish. It’s more a matter of being able to commit to following the program each week, than to have previous experience running.

 

I feel like I might be very slow compared to others, what if I can’t keep up with the rest of the group?

Don’t worry about your speed. You will be in good company as some of our runners intend to walk portions of each event.  Our group is large enough that you will always be around people in your speed range. The weekly training runs are a great community where no runner or walker is left behind.

 

I don’t know about running gear, diet, training techniques, or body maintenance, will there be information given on these topics?

Absolutely! Many of our participants will be relative beginners at running and/or walking, so don’t feel like you are the only one.

For those new to the sport, we highly recommend attending the Norton Sports Health Training Program Kick-Off  Orientation on Thursday, Jan 11 at the Kentucky Derby Museum. Norton Sports Health doctors and other sports training professionals will cover a variety of topics.

With the training program, you’ll also receive a one-page quick reference training plan from Norton Sports Health, which will be available at the kick-off. You’ll also have access to a free downloadable training manual available for download on our website. The one-page quick reference plan and digital training manual are designed to help walkers and runners of all levels train safely, while enjoying their time preparing for their first half or full marathon. The manual includes tips for safe walking and running, injury prevention, cross-training and nutrition. Plus, there are complete training calendars to help you stay on track.

 

I won’t be able to join the program until late, or I won’t be able to attend all the training runs, is that okay?

You can join the training program after the official kick-off in January, however we strongly encourage that you start your training from that first week and doing your best to keep up with the training runs on your own schedule. This will ensure you’re adequately trained to complete your race.