This could be a good marathon if the number of runners would increase. The first half (while you are with the mini-marathon runners) was very scenic with great crowd support. However the second half was extremely lonely as you went stretches where you didn't even see another runner. In addition fan support was non-existent. The finish line was deserted as the only thing they had to offer was a bottle of water and a banana. On the plus side - the course was very nice and the organization and water stations were well run. Also the police did a great job at keeping the course free of any distractions. In fact it was very strange running by yourself on a 4-lane road that was completely shut down to traffic.

It was my first marathon and a GREAT human experience!

Outstanding support from spectators, helpful law enforcement, very good and friendly organization. Next time will be below 3:30!

The KDM is a well organized event. Weather was great and we had a super time. Stayed in a real nice room at The Gault House. They gave us a late check-out which is always appreciated but not always extended to marathoners. The course has some hills which aren't too tough and they're all together on the front and back half of the course.

There's plenty of growth potential here for marathoners. Good support at the water stops and wide streets. Even in the park portion of the course. Speaking of the back half... it's lonely out there 'cause most of the runners in this event are half marathoners and the crowds are sparse. Those who were out were very enthusiastic and most appreciated. Thanks.

Missed some mile markers because they didn't have signs at all of them. Great traffic control. Great job PD!! Thank you and good luck to the young man who ran with me all day, running the KDM to help him get ready for the Navy. My son is away in the Air Force and you were a real treat to be with all day.

This is a well-done race. A huge majority of the runners are half-marathoners and once they broke off to finish after mile 12, the course was pretty empty. There were plenty of volunteers and the course was well marked.

The only complaint I have is with the bottled water. When going through the water stops, the streets were wet and covered with the plastic caps... not a major problem, but you may want to have the volunteers remove the caps before handing out the bottles. Also, detailed directions to the expo for out-of-towners would be nice. No one at my hotel knew anything about the race and it was tough finding the expo location without and address or directions on the website.

Marathoners realize the mini (1/2) is the big deal. It has been an event for 30+ years. The full marathon is an afterthought. But it should be a bigger deal because the course is excellent.

Sure, the Mini folks are in your way at the start and crowd the first half of the course...but you miss them when you turn away at mile 12. If they just hadn't eaten all the food before I got back!

Pros - fast course (even a covered mile!), excellent organization, and nice shirt (I am a guy. No red shirt for me!)

Cons - Few port-a-potties on the course! I had to stop at a gas station! The mini walkers were in the way at the finish when the courses rejoin. I was plowing through them to make my cut. There needs to be separate food and water at the end for marathoners.

Overall, excellent race. If you need KY for your 50, do this race!

Don't waste your time on the marathon. The Mini-Marathon has been around for awhile and that is where all the effort goes. It was a nice day and a beautiful (but tough) course, until you leave Cherokee Park - then you run on concrete, there's no shade and for a period you run under the interstate and are choked by car exhaust. At the split with the mini at mile 12 you enter no man's land. There were sparse groups of spectators that more often than not simply watched the runners without uttering a word of encouragement. At the finish there were a couple crates of bananas and bottled water scattered about - that was it. I was in the top 1/4 of marathon finishers. I don't know if they had food and ran out or just didn't have any to start with. Not a big deal, but the expo was a big let down too.

I was impressed with the organization of this marathon from the moment we arrived. The bus ride to the starting line, the aid stations, the crowd support, and the finish line amenities were top-drawer. My daughter, wife and I loved the course. It was well laid out, had a mix of hills and flat terrain.

My only suggestions would be to actually keep the course open for the advertised length of time. The course was being taken down just after 5 hours. Several runners ended up lost in Louisville with no support at all. Another option would be to advertise the marathon as a 5-hour course limit rather than 6 hours. The Louisville Metro Police were fantastic at every intersection. The crowds are the best. We chose this marathon over Nashville and are glad we did.

I am disappointed it is taking so long to post race results on the official marathon website. The new and old Triple Crown of running always seems to have results posted late the same day. I understand the increase in runners because of dual events, but surely the KDF's resources could improve on this.

My buddy Russ and I traveled to Louisville, KY and our weather was great (a lot better than the weather in Nashville). It was 48 and cloudy at the start with no rain, and 61 at the finish. So we couldn't have asked for better weather. The course was relatively flat, save for 2 hills, one early and one at mile 16.

I learned one lesson yesterday though. I won't go to another marathon where the ratio of half-marathoners to marathoners is so uneven. In Louisville, there were 7,000 half-marathoners and approximately 700 marathoners.

From the start to mile 12, the crowd/race support was great. Once the half marathoners turned off at mile 12, you were left alone and with very little support from there on out. From mile 12 to the finish, there were no spectators whatsoever, and the water stops were spaced 2 miles apart. One nice thing they did was that they had bottled water in addition to the traditional cups of water at the stops, so I could grab a bottle of water with the cap on and continue to run until I was at my next walk break. Then I could drink it without spilling it all over myself.

As I crossed the finish line, except for the folks giving you the medal and the chip people, there was no one there. Everyone else had cleared out, as had virtually all the food and drinks (thanks to 7,000 half-marathoners). We managed to get a banana apiece as we walked back to our hotel.

So unless you're on the 50-state plus DC quest, I would not recommend the Kentucky Derby Marathon. If you do it, be forewarned that the support and backing from the race committee is for the half marathoners, not the marathoners.

One other thing that bugged me (I know it must seem like I'm bitching a lot) is that the t-shirt for the marathoners was a long-sleeve athletic gray shirt which I won't be able to wear until next fall. The 1/2 got a pretty red short-sleeved shirt that they can wear all spring and summer. I was told that since the marathoners paid more, we got a 'better' shirt. All I know is that I can't wear mine till fall/winter.

Just to show that it wasn't all bad, the medal was pretty nice, very heavy.

In summary, a great half marathon but very little support (past mile 12) for the full marathoners.

A runner could not have asked for a better day to participate in this race. The course was very nice and those at the aid stations were very friendly and supportive. It got a little less fan friendly after splitting off from the mini-marathon group, but that factor was minor. Being an out-of-towner, I really enjoyed the run through Cherokee Park. Beautiful. Thank you to all the organizers, volunteers and especially the Louisville and surrounding police departments for all their help with traffic control.