• A Team of 3-5 runners will cover the entire 26.2 mile distance.
• A Team can have as few as three (3) members competing; however, this will require that some Team members run two consecutive legs. [For example, if a Team has only three (3) members, the first runner may run the first two legs of the Relay and the second runner may run the next two, while the third runs the final distance to the Finish Line. If a Team has four (4) members, one member must run two consecutive legs of the Relay.]
• All Team members must be registered.
• A designated Team Captain can oversee your team’s account in the registration platform – RunSignup.
• Team Captains can add and subtract team members up until April 22nd, 2024. After April 22nd, team changes will need to be done at Runner Services located at the Race Expo & Packet Pick-up.
• Participants can choose to compete on an All Men’s Team, All Women’s Team, or a Coed Team.
• Each Team will be given a baton. Your baton is your timing device. Do not trade with anyone, as your timing device corresponds with your Team’s bib number.
• All Runners must wear a race bib. Bibs should be visible at all times during the race.
  Timing mats are located at Exchange Points. When a runner crosses with baton in hand, a time will be recorded. Do not hand-off the baton until you have crossed the timing mat at the Exchange Point.
• Exchange Points are marked on the course with signage, also known as Relay Zones. Designated Race Officials are at each location. The Race Official will point out area restrooms and the return buses. Relay Zones include nutrition and entertainment as part of the race experience.
• The Relay Teams will run the same course as the Marathon field, under the Ekiden format (See Chart Below)

2024 Exchange Zones:

How to get to transition points? Runners not running Leg 1 will take shuttle buses located at 1st Street and Jefferson Street, and will be taken to their designated exchange points

Leg 1 – Runners will start the race in Downtown Louisville at Main Street and Floyd Street. After completion of leg 1, runners will board relay buses staged at 4th Street and West Cardinal The buses will depart for Witherspoon and Shelby once full

Leg 2 – Runners will take shuttle buses located at 1st Street and Jefferson Street that will take you to 4th& West Cardinal. These buses depart for the exchange zone at 6:30am. After completion of leg 2, runners will board relay buses at West Fairmont & Southern Pkwy. The buses will depart for Witherspoon and Shelby once full.

Leg 3 – Runners will take shuttle buses located at 1st Street and Jefferson Street that will take you to West Fairmont and Southern Pkwy. These buses depart for the exchange zone at 7:00am. After completion of leg 3, runners will board relay buses at Southern Pkwy & Summers Ave. The buses will depart for Witherspoon and Shelby once full.

Leg 4 – Runners will take shuttle buses located at 1st Street and Jefferson Street that will take you to Southern Pkwy and Summers Ave. These buses depart for the exchange zone at 7:30am. After completion of leg 4, runners will board relay buses at 3rd Street and Winkler Ave and they will depart for Witherspoon and Shelby once full.

Leg 5 – Runners will take shuttle buses located at 1st Street and Jefferson Street that will take you to 3rd and Winkler. These buses depart for the exchange zone at 7:30am. This leg will be the person crossing the finish line with the timing baton.

Returning Relay Runners to the (Relay Meet-Up) Finish:
Shuttle buses will return near the Finish with relay runners who have completed their leg once a bus is full (or the last relay runner has completed the leg). Returning runners will be dropped off at Shelby Street and Witherspoon which is a couple blocks from the finish line. The race cannot guarantee that relay runners from the third and fourth exchange zones will be returned in time to meet fellow team members for a team run in to the finish. If runners wish to return sooner than the bus is scheduled they will need to make their own transportation arrangements.

• Gear Check is available for all runners at the Start Line. Any gear taken along course, or on Relay buses, is the responsibility of the runner. No additional gear check opportunities are available other than at the Start Line.
• Checked Gear can be collected inside Runner’s Reunite at the Finish Line. Please make sure you claim your gear. Unclaimed gear will be discarded after the race.

Please note:
It is up to each team to figure out how to pass on sweats and personal items. As with all Marathon and miniMarathon runners, all teams may check in bags at the start of the race. These items will be available at the finish of the race in the Runners Reunite area.

DO NOT LEAVE PERSONAL ITEMS AT THE RELAY EXCHANGES, WE HAVE NO WAY OF INSURING THEIR SECURITY AND WILL NOT ASSUME ANY LIABILITY.

Timing Tag:

• Each leg of the Relay will be timed. For this, each team will be given one (1) baton with a timing chip inside. Runner should hold baton in hand as they run. The runner must cross over the Timing Pad near each Relay Exchange Zone, and hand off the baton to the next runner. The next runner should hold onto baton before proceeding to the next Exchange Zone.
• The timing computer can only read a chip that passes within four feet of the Timing Pad. Failure to pass the chip within a four foot or less distance of the Timing Pad could result in the runner not being timed for his/her leg or the team not being timed for the team relay.
• NOTE: The last runner of each team must carry the timing baton for scoring the overall team finishing time.

You said the Relay isn’t new, what’s different now?

In the past, the Relay has been more of a corporate team event.  Many of our participants have been teams from companies and organizations.

We’ve realized that there are many runners and walkers in the community who’d like to participate in our event, but don’t want to run a half or full marathon.

The Relay provides a way for them to be part of the largest day of road racing in Kentucky, with shorter distances.

What are the highlights for Relay participants this year?

Thanks to GE Appliance’s partnership, we’re able to enhance the experience for Relay participants – including an exclusive hospitality area just for Relay runners at Runner’s Reunite.

Plus, there will now be an opportunity for the entire Relay team to run across the finish line together.

Is there a half marathon Relay?

Right now, the Relay is on the marathon course. But all distances are shorter than the 13.1 mile miniMarathon.

How many people can participate in the Relay?

A team of 3-5 runners will cover the entire 26.2 mile distance.

A Team can have as few as three (3) members competing or as many as five (5).

If the team has only three (3) members, the first runner may run the first two legs of the Relay and the second runner may run the next two, while the third runs the final distance to the Finish Line. If a Team has four (4) members, one member must run two consecutive legs of the Relay.

Participants can choose to compete on an All Men’s Team, All Women’s Team, or a Coed Team.

What if you can’t find friends or family to run the Relay with you?

Participants will need to build their teams on their own, but social media and run chat groups provide a good platform to find other runners or walkers looking to participate in a Relay.

How long are the legs of the Relay?

There are 5 legs in the Relay. All 5 legs are shorter distances than the minimarathon – so under 13.1 miles.

There are two 5K legs, two 10K legs and one 12.2K.

If your Relay has 3 or 4 participants, there would be one or two runners doing two legs of the race.

Are there awards in the Relay Division?

Of course! Team Prizes are available for First through Third Place in the Relay Division.

How do you time the Relay?

Each team will be given a baton.  The baton is the timing device.  The baton is passed to each runner at the Exchange Points at the end of each leg.

Timing mats are located at Exchange points. When a runners crosses with baton in hand, a time will be recorded.

Exchange Points are marked on the course with signage, also known as Relay Zones.

Designated Race Officials are at each location to assist the runners.

Relay Zones also include nutrition and entertainment as part of the race experience.

Will there be any course changes?

We are still finalizing the 2024 course and those details will be announced soon.

Where do the races start and finish?

Both races will start simultaneously at 7:30 am on Main and Brook Streets near Slugger Field and will finish at Lynn Family Stadium.

How many runners participate each year?

We average around 10,000 runners, which marks the largest day of road racing in Kentucky.