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 Humana 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.

How do I know if I was the first 1,000 to register to receive a shirt? If you were one of the first 1,000 to register and receive a free tech shirt, you would have been asked for a shirt size during your registration. Your registration confirmation email would also include confirmation of your shirt and size. If you were not asked your shirt size or see a shirt listed on your confirmation, you were not one of the first 1,000 to register. All registrants are invited and encouraged to attend the kickoff.

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 8 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.

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.

What if I miss the kickoff event, but I was one of the first 1,000 to receive a tech shirt? If you received confirmation in your registration email that you were one of the first 1,000 to sign-up and get a free tech shirt, but are not able to attend the kickoff event, you can still pick up your shirt at the Norton Sports Health Performance & Wellness Center during business hours. Shirts not picked up by Jan. 31, 2026, will be shared with other participants.