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 Preston and Witherspoon streets, just outside of the Waterfront

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 near the Waterfront (about 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.

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:

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.

*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.