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Kentucky Derby Festival Marathon
Race Details:
- Location: Louisville, KY, USA
- Race Date: 04/24/2027
- Race Distances: Full Marathon, Half Marathon
What This Race Counts Toward:
Boston: Yes
World Marathon Majors: Yes
Kentucky Derby Festival Marathon Description
The Kentucky Derby Festival Marathon is a Louisville tradition run each spring as part of Derby Festival weekend. The point-to-point course starts near Slugger Field downtown and finishes at Lynn Family Stadium, passing landmarks including Churchill Downs, the Ohio River waterfront, and the Waterfront Botanical Gardens. The route dips into Louisville’s South End along Southern Parkway and through Iroquois Park before returning downtown. A half marathon runs the same weekend, drawing thousands of runners for one of Kentucky’s biggest days of road racing and a true celebration of Derby season.
Always check the official race website for the most accurate and up-to-date race information and logistics.
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Kentucky Derby Festival Marathon Additional Details:
Neighborhoods along the Derby Festival Marathon route treat race day like its own holiday, with residents setting up impromptu water stops, hand-lettered signs, and high-five lines that rival the official aid stations. Speaking of which, the course is stocked with fifteen water stops and twelve Powerade stations, plus Clif gels once the marathon splits from the half. Finishers earn a piece of Derby history too: recent medals have carried the festival’s Pegasus emblem in designs ranging from rose gold starbursts to horseshoe motifs, a tradition dating back to the 1990s. Cross the line and the party keeps going with post-race food, music, and the kind of citywide camaraderie that makes this one of Kentucky’s signature spring weekends.
Course Information
Profile: Mostly Flat
Type: Point to Point
Surface: Road/Pavement
Pace Groups: Yes
Time Limit: 6 hours
# of Finishers
Half Marathon: 6,500
Marathon: 1,200
Elevation Details
Elevation Gain: 501 ft (153 m)
Elevation Loss: 501 ft (153 m)
Average Temperature
- Low: 53°F
- High: 71°F
Train Smarter for Race Day
A great race starts long before the starting line. Whether you’re chasing your first finish or hunting a new PR, a structured training plan takes the guesswork out of race prep — building your fitness, your confidence, and your mileage at the right pace for you.
Explore plans for every distance and experience level, from your first 5K to your next ultra.
Things to Do in Louisville, KY, USA
Make the most of race weekend — here’s how to fill the time before and after you cross the finish line.
Arts & Culture
21c Museum Hotel
See world-class contemporary art on display 24/7 at the 21c Museum Hotel, free and open to the public — a relaxed, indoor way to spend a taper day.
Museums & History
Frazier History Museum
Explore the Frazier History Museum, home of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail Welcome Center, on Louisville’s Museum Row — an easy, indoor, low-impact stop after race day.
Landmark
Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory
Tour the Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory, marked by the world’s largest baseball bat, on Museum Row — an easy, indoor, low-impact stop after race weekend.
Scenic Drives & Viewpoints
Waterfront Botanical Gardens
Wander tranquil walking paths with sweeping views of downtown at the Waterfront Botanical Gardens — a relaxed, flat way to spend a rest day.
Food & Drink
Art Eatables
Sample bourbon-infused chocolate truffles at Art Eatables, a premier Bourbon chocolatier in Louisville — a relaxed way to celebrate the finish line after race day.
Outdoors & Trails
Waterfront Park
Walk the scenic riverfront trails at Waterfront Park along the Ohio River, including the PlayPort area — an easy option for tapering or recovering legs after race day.
Sports & Entertainment
Muhammad Ali Center
Celebrate the legacy of Louisville’s own Muhammad Ali at the Muhammad Ali Center on Museum Row — a relaxed, indoor way to spend an afternoon after race day.
Hotels & Lodging Near the Kentucky Derby Festival Marathon
Compare nearby hotels and book your Kentucky Derby Festival Marathon race-weekend stay in seconds.
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