Kentucky Derby Festival Marathon and miniMarathon 2010
Saturday, April 24th 2010 at 7:30 AM Kentucky Derby Festival Marathon 1001 South Third Street Louisville, 40203 KY- Distances:
- Marathon and Half Marathon
- Weather:
- Local Weather
- Description:
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The Kentucky Derby Festival Marathon & miniMarathon is celebrating its 9th and 37th year, respectively, in putting on the BIGGEST running party of the spring. Runners from all 50 states and several foreign countries annually complete the scenic road race that finishes in downt... read more
- Website:
- http://www.derbyfestivalmarathon.com/
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Race Reports
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Where am I?
The lack of mileage markers and the course that actually measured longer than 13.1 made for some pace issues, but overall, a very good race. Plenty of shuttles, plenty of water/Powerade on the course, and a lot of nice scenery.
by Matt M. -
99% Awesome
I've read a lot of negative reviews of this race on Active.com, but I have only one true complaint: the absolute environmental stupidity of bottling city tap water in little plastic single-use bottles or stiff plastic cups (impossible to pinch and drink from) at the aid stations. Fortunately, PowerAide must have provided their own promo paper cups for their product, which is far better on both counts.
Every mile was clearly marked. I personally didn't see the 2 mile marker, but my wife did. And I saw every other marker, bright orange and blue, right next to the gun time clocks. Not every marker seemed quite on the right spot (some were 100 yards or so from the spray paint on the ground), but I'd guess that's a matter of a flat surface for the clocks. The only missing sign was mile 13 for the half marathoners, because that came after the courses re-merged and apparently they gave priority to the 26 mile marker. Either way, you knew you were around the corner from the finish.
There was plenty of aid stations all along the course, pretty darn close to where the even organizers said there'd be. In fact, I'm fairly certain they added extra stations.
There were dozens of buses waiting downtown to bring us to the start line, which they did quickly via 4th street which was already closed to non-race traffic.
There were as many porta-potties as they could fit in to the starting area as could be expected. Lines moved quickly and smoothly for those that got on buses when the organizers advised to.
Running through Churchill Downs was awesome - they had a recording of a track announcer playing to "set the mood."
Indiana was quiet (all spectators probably headed to KY where the action is), but a nice break from the downtown chaos.
The finish was awesome - downhill and with plenty of post-line space to gather medal, space blankets, fluids, food, and sprawl out without crowding. It fed right in to the race party, next door to the Fest-A-Ville.
by Keath L.
