A well organized marathon that I enjoyed running through Churchill Downs and listening to past KY Derby finals. Also it was cool to run over the Ohio River twice and see the Louisville skyline. The sparse number of spectators were extremely supportive, including handing out bananas, oranges and beer. Police did a good job managing traffic. Thanks to the organizers.

This is a really great marathon that has it all. For the first half, which is a huge mini-marathon, there is all the regular entertainment type stuff, then when those people turn off to finish, there are just enough entrants to run with someone or by yourself if you choose.

My favorite part was that 8/10 of a mile through Churchill Downs. I was not expecting to see the horses having their workouts and so it was a real thrill to see them go so fast as I chugged along. There is a nice blend of flat portions and some great hills too - and lots of them through some stunning parks.

The traffic control was SUPERB. MANY of the streets were completely closed (ALL THE LANES!!) and the policemen were flawless in their directing of traffic. There was plenty of water stops and they were well run. Even some townspeople were handing out M&M's and lemonade. They also had a bike team of people that biked along the course with us and watched, asked if we were okay, and offered water.

Louisvile offered up everything. They let us into their crown jewel, Churchill Downs, when many other cities just run you past their landmarks. We also got to see their parks, wealthy and humble neighborhoods, some industrial type stuff, then back into downtown. That's what I want - I want to see everything in a city: the good, the bad and the ugly.

I would really recommend this marathon. The only minor negative is that I wish there had been more toilets along the latter marathon portion. There was A LOT of public urination going on and as a frequent racer, I've seen it many times and it doesn't bother me. Still, maybe the people of Louisville would prefer we not have to do that.

I have run this marathon each year since its inception in 2002. I plan to run it every year that my health permits. The great part about this marathon is that you get the best of both worlds. The first 12 miles are run side by side with the several thousand mini-marathon runners. After making the turn at mile 12 you get to enjoy some serenity while running through the more scenic part of the course. After the halfway point, too much cheering and too many congested streets can be tiresome, yet there is still ample support until the end. I can hardly wait until Saturday to do it again and I am really looking forward to running over the 2nd Street Bridge - I think this was an excellent change to the only monotonous 3-mile stretch of the course.

The KDF was my 5th marathon. I am a Louisville native but live in Cincinnati so this was a great opportunity to visit my family and run. I thought that the course was excellent, for the most part. Just the right number of hills to keep you honest. The majority of the hills are in the first half of the course, so you are fresh and still running with the mini-marathon folks. The last few miles of the race need to be rerouted as it runs through a very desolate and less-than-attractive part of town (although, it is extremely flat, which doesn't hurt at that point of the race). It is not the best area to showcase Louisville to out-of-town runners. I was aware going into the race that once the full marathon split from the mini that it would be lonely, so I was mentally prepared. If you didn't know that, it could become difficult. It would be nice if the full was promoted more and embraced by the city. Being very familiar with the city, I know for a fact that most people in town don't even know that a full marathon is taking place along with the mini (the mini is a very big event). The spectators on the portion of the marathon that runs with the mini are wonderful. Even though I did thoroughly enjoy the marathon, I would not recommend the full marathon to a first-timer. If you love to run and like a very good course with the exception of a few miles, this is a great race. Well stocked aid stations. One good thing about the race not being so big is that my father did easily make it around town to see me in four different places. All in all, if the last few miles are rerouted and there is a bit more crowd support the marathon could become a true destination marathon as Louisville is a great, friendly city.

This is a mostly flat course that wanders through some of Louisville's historic neighborhoods, through the city's 2 major parks (that's where the hills are), and finishes downtown. This is a point to point course, and transportation is good between start and finish. I talked with one of the race coordinators this weekend at the Louisville Marathon. He said the course is changing this year to run through the Churchill Downs infield, and they are trying to get permitted to run across the 2nd street Bridge into Southern Indiana. That will add a whole new Dynamic to the race. The race is run parallel to a mini marathon, and spectatorship is huge intil you reach the 12 mile mark, and the two races split, and then its like you've just made a wrong turn in some parts of the 2nd half. The course is marked well and has good police support (thanks LMPD). In 2005... the water stop at marker 19 was not manned, which upset me, but the next leg was downhill so I guess it could have been worse.

Nice expo and packet pickup. The free tickets to Churchill Downs were a good touch. The shirts are nice quality but all they say is ?mini-marathon.? I understand that the mini is more popular and is older, but they couldn't have put both ?marathon? & ?mini-marathon? on the shirt?

Like other comments noted, the police were great & friendly, and there were a lot of spectators out for the 1st half. But for the 2nd half, you were pretty much by yourself. Fluid stations were well stocked. The course was well marked except for 1 or 2 trouble spots.

The medals are a little small but nice and unique. The start line needs work. Lots of slow walkers lined up near the front and created a crush for people behind them. If they work on the marathon and give it some more focus, this could turn into a nice area-marathon.

I loved the KDF Marathon, and had a wonderful time in Louisville. Not only is the city gentle and friendly (especially from my point of view as a New Yorker) but the marathon was well organized and well staffed. They did a terriffic job. I give this event 5 out of 5 stars and a 'total thumbs up'!!
They delivered what they promised!

I cannot add too much to the comments that have already been made...
~The course was great with the hills in Iroquois and Cherokee Parks adding just the right amount of flavor. Running through these parks you almost forget that you're mere miles from downtown Louisville.
~Amazing organization and traffic control.
~Organizers have, obviously, attempted to address the lack of spectators in the second half of the course with 'scream teams' but it hasn't taken off yet.
~Even finishing sub-four hours still felt a bit like the party was over (since 5500 of the mini folks had already finished).
~Already making plans to run in 2006 -- Amazing first marathon and I'm hooked.

From my perspective, it was first-rate. I have talked it up from the moment I landed back home in Maryland. This was my 14th marathon and truly it was the best yet... not my time - the event itself. The course is fabulous, hydration stations were staffed and energetic, scream teams along the way were a big help. I loved the mini-bottles of water. That was a huge hit for me. I'm accustomed to paper cups. The water bottles made it really easy for me to Gu and go. Very nice touch. The course has lots of eye candy, which is great for distracting oneself from the pain. I found the rolling hills at 3 and... 13 (I think) to be welcomed and at a beautiful area. The ever-constant change in the course scenery was really great.

I thought the police support was fantastic. To have so many officers involved was really reassuring. To get such significant road blockage made it really great to not have to worry about traffic. That was a huge bonus from what I've run at other venues. They did a fantastic job of traffic control... and they were nice. Many of them shouted encouraging comments and were always responsive to any runner's 'thank you.'

Packet pick-up was easy and well organized with friendly staffers.

I'll definitely be coming back down next year. I've convinced my brother-in-law who lives there to do the marathon and both of our wives to do the mini.

Good times!!

Being a 50-states marathoner, I really should pick races with longer finish allowances. Very thankful to have my two male escorts after mile 13.1 at a 6:15-finish pace we were alone on the last half of the course. We are all 60+ years of age. Water and sports drink were provided to the end as were time clocks. My finish bag with my clothing were nowhere to be found at the end. Could have been put on side of tents for those of us who like to have warm clothing at end of race. Pasta dinner was good, Kentucky Derby Queens greeting us and young girls were very helpful by food tables. Kentucky Derby Pie... hummm good... goodie bags and expo were fine. I drove course the day before... tricky at times... twists and turns. Course hills were few and very easy. If you can do a marathon in 5 1/2 hours this is a nice marathon. This is my 22 marathon state and 34 marathon. Bus to start was great... driver was very friendly and fun. Bring throw-away clothes... 45-degree temperature cold waiting around for start. Poor coverage in newspapers the next day. I think they could list age winners.