Real runner feedback on course feel, crowd support, aid stations, and logistics (parking, hotels, restaurants).
This is a great race for every type of runner. There is a large amount of crowd support for most of the route. I liked the pre-race crowd and the logistics of the start are very simple. Beautiful course with landmarks and tradition throughout the run. Not much support in Iroquois park.
As others have stated in other reviews, the mostly flat can misleading, and the hills of Iroquois Park are right before and during the half way mark, so save a little for those hills. It was cool before the race started, but it made the run very enjoyable, only downside was soon after you cross the finish line, it felt very cold again. Not a lot of shelter from the wind and cold, but there were a few tents with food, beer and vending. I wish I would have had someone bring me a jacket and pants after, or thought to bag check some, that would have allowed me to stay on site longer, but I was very cold. (Weather this time of year is never predictable in the Midwest.)
There is a lot of street parking but it fills up fast. We parked in one of the parking garages and it was very close and convenient. The finish line change from last year was a good decision, the logistics were better and seemed to make leaving easier. Overall was a great day and race, Thank you Louisville.
I ran the 2025 version of the marathon. I was looking for a spring race on a saturday, and this one appealed to me. It was a tough day, but there was nothing wrong with the course. I came here to say that the race organizers had addressed many of the concerns previously raised. The biggest concern I had after reading reviews was that the marathon and mini-marathon split off and then rejoin after 10 miles or so and then rejoin about 8 miles into the marathon later. So the pace of the marathoners is much higher than the mini racers by that point (think about if you are running a 3:20 full day, the mini racers are on the same 3:20 mini pace), Prior posts commented about needing to weave through the mini racers, but the organizers put up dividers this year and kept the two groups separated. The ~8 miles that the race diverts from the mini are tough, with some big hills, but it was honestly one of the more enjoyable parts of the race for me, running through Iroquois Park. Challenging, yes, but it's a great park to run through, and the road snakes around turns and you can really lean into the effort. The last three miles are lacking in scenery and crowd support, but all non-majors have periods like this. Unfortunate that it's at the end of the race, but if you know these things going in, it can be a really successful day.
The first 10 miles fly by. A lot to see, a lot of crowd support, and running through Churchill was incredible, especially seeing horses training on the track while going through. The mid-race hills are really a test. They are tough, but rolling, and taking a conservative start and banking energy will lead to success. A ton of runners went out too quickly, and going fishing at the end of the race drives you home.
This was my first full marathon and I really enjoyed it! The race was a nice size and well run, with plenty of porta potties spread out along the starting corrals, and ample water and Powerade stops. There were also some folks handing out Skratch chews during the race, which was nice. Great crowd support, nice expo, and nice post race area with snacks and water, mylar blankets, medal engraving and plenty of photo ops. Residents along the route were so supportive, and running through Churchill Downs a week before the Kentucky Derby was really special. My only complaint was the quality of the race t-shirt. A cotton t-shirt for a full marathon seems pretty lame. Would really like to see a more sweat-wicking material you can actually wear when running.
This race is mostly flat, but there are about 3mi of pretty tough hills around Iroquois Park, which you hit around mile 12-12.5. I highly recommend running the Louisville 10 miler, if possible, as that course follows the same exact path down Southern Pkwy and around the park, and is great practice for those hills. If you're local, you can even do the Triple Crown, which is a 5k, 10k and the 10 miler every other Saturday in March. The 5k and 10k both cover downtown portions of the marathon, so you can get an idea of what the overall course will be like. Kentucky spring weather can be dicey, so be prepared to pivot in the event of rain or unusually high temps. One thing to note, the half marathon does split off from the marathon after Churchill Downs, then both come back together for a shared finish line.
There are plenty of hotels and Airbnbs downtown, within a short walking distance to the start line. I stayed at Aloft on Main St. which was very nice, only about 2 blocks from the start, and offered late checkout for $10/hr after noon, so I had ample time to get back to my room and get cleaned up after the race. The expo was small but nice. You will need your QR code handy for expo parking.
Running through Churchill Downs was very cool. Other than that, I don't have many positive takeaways from this race. The course was not well planned out. The full and half marathoners separated and then combined again, so that the faster paced marathon groups were having to pass slower paced half marathon groups. There was also a section near the end of the full course that crossed over itself creating an awkward intersection.
One other thing that kind of bothered me was that my race packet didn't come with pins for the bibs. Had to drive back to the expo the night of to find the separate station for picking up pins. Could have been a big issue if I hadn't noticed.
Train for hills. There were some big ones about halfway through.
The city is fun. The bier cheese and pretzel loaf at O'Shea's is great.
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.
Be ready for a long exposed finish with very little coverage from trees or shade and the hill up to the walking path.
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.
The time of year is hit or miss, prepare for a hotter than expected race.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
I enjoyed the course, the crowd support, the organization of the course. There were plenty of water stations since it was a little warm. Lots of aids stations too.
Definitely take it easy in Irquois park. Slow your pace down so you have something left at the end.
I really enjoyed this course! Getting to run through Churchill Downs is a very cool experience. The pace groups were right on target and offered great coaching tips throughout the race, and there was really good crowd support and a few areas w/ music. Several aid stations offered plastic water bottles w/ recycling bins, which was a very convenient way to stay hydrated. There were only two opportunities to get gel on the course, which is my only complaint.
There are some challenging hills when you run through Iriquois Park, but there are plenty of chances to catch your breath after the inclines. Mile 23 has a fairly challenging hill, but the rest of the course is downhill/flat for a nice, fast finish.
Several hotels in walking distance of the expo, start and finish lines. I would recommend the Marriott. The pasta dinner had much to be desired, but there were plenty of places to carb-up. Old Spaghetti Factory had a 2-hour wait, but I would recommend Impellizzeri's or Little Sicily.
This was an excellent marathon! Mostly flat, except Iriquois Park in the middle of the course and the hill at mile 23. Even though there are some hills, they all have nice downhill portions that are not too steep and flat portions to catch your breath, and the finish is a nice, gradual downhill. Running through Churchill Downs on the horse track is a cool experience, and the crowd support was very good. Several portions of the race had music, and a really cool feature was that some aid stations gave out plastic bottles of water w/ recycle bins along the course. Volunteers were also happy to refill my hand-held water bottle. My only complaint is that the course had Gu at only two aid stations. Nice finisher's medal!
The pace groups were not only accurate, but also gave really good coaching during the race. Save your legs during the hilly portion of Iriqois Park (halfway point in the race), and take miles 21-22 easy before the hill at mile 23; then run the downhill finish as fast as your legs can carry you. Pasta dinner was sub-par, but there are tons of places to carb up. Old Spaghetti Factory had a 2-hour wait, so I would recommend Impellizzeri or Little Sicily. Bring plenty of your own gels, as there are only repaid stations w/ gel, and it is the Power Bar brand.
Galt House is the hosting hotel and is walking distance to everything, but I thought it was pricy ($150/night w/ the runner's discount) and could have catered more to runners (at least offered some pre-race snacks or breakfast). I would recommend the Marriott instead, which is just as close, nice and better priced. Parking is not all that convenient, but this is really my only complaint about logistics. If you stay in one of the hotels near the start or finish line, there really is not that much walking. This marathon is much more reasonably priced than Country Music Marathon in Nashville, and hotels are closer to start, finish and amenities; also better weather and less hilly. Louisville is a fun city and I highly recommend this race.