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.
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.
This year 5.6% of finishers qualified for the Boston Marathon and 8.1% of runners qualified for Boston in 2023.
This gives the Kentucky Derby Festival Marathon the 237th highest percentage of Boston Marathon qualifiers in the U.S. last year and the 258th highest percentage so far in 2024.
Its Course Score of 99.15 ranks it as the 169th fastest marathon course in the U.S. and the 1st fastest course in Kentucky.
The typical race time temperature and humidity levels are 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 121st 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 3:48:00, what would your time in other marathons be?
See how your race times would compare on other marathon courses with our time conversion tool.
CN's review of 2024 Kentucky Derby Festival Marathon.
2 /
5 Stars
Review
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.
Race Tips
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.
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.
4 Stars from 11 Reviews
