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The Kentucky Derby Festival Marathon course starts and ends in downtown Louisville after travelling through historic neighborhoods, Church Hill Downs, and through Iroquois Park. The course is mostly flat with the exception of some moderate hills in Iroquois Park and near miles 21 to 23.
The typical race time temperature and humidity levels are above the ideal range for optimal marathon performance. You may need to adjust your time goal, especially if you are not acclimated to higher temperatures and/or humidity.
Don't forget your Pace Band for the
Kentucky Derby Festival Marathon
Pace Bands are adjusted for the specific terrain of the course, your goal time and pacing strategies.
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How does the Kentucky Derby Festival Marathon Rank?
The Kentucky Derby Festival Marathon was the 66th largest marathon in the U.S. last year and was the 55th largest in 2022.
Last year 8.1% of finishers qualified for the Boston Marathon and 8.5% of runners qualified for Boston in 2022.
This gives the Kentucky Derby Festival Marathon the 235th highest percentage of Boston Marathon qualifiers in the U.S. last year and the 213th highest percentage in 2022.
Its Course Score of 99.15 ranks it as the 168th fastest marathon course in the U.S. and the 1st fastest course in Kentucky.
The typical race time temperature and humidity levels are above the ideal range for optimal marathon performance. This, coupled with the Course Score, gives the Kentucky Derby Festival Marathon a PR Score of 99.15. This PR Score ranks it as the 122nd fastest marathon in the U.S. and the 1st fastest in Kentucky.
Learn more about PR Scores and Course Scores on the FAQ page.
Kentucky Derby Festival Marathon Elevation Chart
Max Elevation: 504 feet (153m) Min Elevation: 426 feet (129m)
Hotel & VRBO Accommodations for the Kentucky Derby Festival Marathon
View available accomodations around the Kentucky Derby Festival Marathon Finish Line and Course. Book your Reservation now before the best places are sold out.
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How Fast Can You Go?
If you ran the Kentucky Derby Festival Marathon in 4:22:00, what would your time in other marathons be?
See how your race times would compare on other marathon courses with our time conversion tool.
AA's review of 2023 Kentucky Derby Festival Marathon.
2 /
5 Stars
Review
As one of three marathons I've run, (the other two in Portland Oregon, and Cincinnati Ohio) this race was my least favorite. The race setup is strong for the first half and it seems clear that the full marathon is an afterthought. The second half of the race is away from anyone able to cheer, the rest stops are very far apart and small. There weren't bathrooms available. In short, the first half of the race was great the second half, where you really need the aid stations, support, restrooms, and cheering was pretty absent. I would feel bad for anyone that ran this as their only marathon because they would be cheated out of so much positivity.
Race Tips
Be ready for a long exposed finish with very little coverage from trees or shade and the hill up to the walking path.
KM's review of 2022 Kentucky Derby Festival Marathon.
3 /
5 Stars
Review
I thought the expo was great and all the runners that came out were so friendly! The first half of the race was AMAZING - the atmosphere is there and it is literally the best feeling. Running through Churchill Downs with horses on the track was a cool experience.
Race Tips
Please do not let the "mostly flat" misguide you. There are a lot of hills on the 2nd half of this course, not to be taken lightly. At mile 14 or so you have to climb up the pedestrian bridge (no one seems to mention that here, but HOLY MOLY NO JOKE). Then at mile 24 you have to go back up and across it again.
I would say this is an amazing Half Marathon race. It kind of feels like the last 13 miles were an after thought, honestly. The park is pretty, but there aren't many spectators or anything motivating you, and it's hilly. I would go back and do the Half Marathon here in a second, I don't think I would run another Full here.
The Galt was a good hotel as far as proximity goes - I think the restaurants inside were not prepared for the amount of runners so they ran out of virtually everything. It seems like the area is having a real problem with staffing in general (like most places), so I think I would still recommend the hotel!
CCL's review of 2022 Kentucky Derby Festival Marathon.
3 /
5 Stars
Review
First half was great, lots of crowds and cool route through Churchill Downs. Second half went over the bridge into IN. Of course it was later in the day so the heat/humidity got bad and there was little shade and fewer water stops. I crossed the finish line and my watch said 27.5 miles (and I have an accurate foot pod) so the course was definitely measured long.
Race Tips
The time of year is hit or miss, prepare for a hotter than expected race.
WER's review of 2019 Kentucky Derby Festival Marathon.
4 /
5 Stars
Review
The aid stations were great, the expo was bigger than I expected, and the whole town is beginning to buzz for the Kentucky Derby a week away. The marathon is kind of a kick off for a week long party in Louisville, so spectators and locals all seem really happy.
Race Tips
The hills in the park are no joke. 5 miles from 10-15 of rolling hills- there's even a down and up part in the middle of the park (timing mat on bottom) that's brutal. There is another mile long hill at 22 or 23, then flat or downhill to finish. Some people liked the shade in the park, and it is pretty, but this crushed me for the second half. I would really ease up until you come out of the park, then increase pace for last 10 miles.
There are a ton of hotels, restaurants, breweries and distilleries near the finish. Its a really cool area.
Dena's review of 2019 Kentucky Derby Festival Marathon.
5 /
5 Stars
Review
Nice little expo. I loved how the whole town was so into the Derby. There's so much to do! Louisville Slugger museum, any Kentucky Bourbon distillery (we went to Old Forester) and of course Churchill Downs. The Ohio River is beautiful as well.
Race Tips
I didn't find the race to be too crowded. I ran with the 4:15 pace group and they were so much fun!! In missing my BQ by 6 minutes I came to the conclusion that I spent too much energy running the hills in the park. At about mile 17 my wheels started falling off and I lost pace. It did get a little bit warm towards the end.
I stayed at the Galt House and I loved how I could walk to anything! Expo, race start, back from the finish after the race, all the local spots I wanted to see. I only had to Uber from and to the airport but once I got there I was on foot the whole time.
One hint: if you don't need to gear check, don't. They really don't have this down. There was a ridiculous line and if I would have stood in it I would have missed the start. I actually walked up to a man who was working the check in but was just standing there waiting for someone to hand him a bag and he checked my bag in for me.
4.2 Stars from 10 Reviews
