Overall, a thoroughly enjoyable weekend in Louisville.

Living in the flatlands of Chicago, I am not accustomed to hill running, but I knew coming into Louisville and reading past comments that the course was going to be challenging - and it did not disappoint.

A special thanks to Tony, who I met at the start of the race and who took me through the first several miles of the course, letting me know where the hills were and giving me some detail on what to expect later in the race. Tony was also there on the final turn after crossing back on the bridge, spurring on runners to the finish. His enthusiasm was much appreciated at that point.

General comments:

- First time in Louisville - great city and very scenic.
- The DECA conference was in town (high school kids). I know this would mean an issue for some people, but luckily the hotel gave us a corner room and sleep was not an issue before the race. Previously I have not been so lucky and I wish there were a way for hotels to group all marathoners (especially if you are the host hotel) on a couple of floors.
- Expo seemed way too small for the size of the event, although packet pickup was pretty efficient.
- Efficient shuttle service the morning of the marathon to the start area 9 miles south of the finish line.
- With the rain coming down before the race started, it would have been nice for the start area to be near an area where shelter could be had.
- There were 10,750 halfers and 1,400 full runners, which meant that crowd support was great for the first 10 miles until the split - after which point the support, though still enthusiastic, was much less frequent. Also crowd control could have been a little better towards the end, when I had to dodge people walking across the course as I made my turn to start the climb through mile 21 onto the bridge.
- Aid stations were well stocked with the necessary refreshments and a big thanks to the people working the stations who were very supportive of the runners
- Porta-potties: Need to work on providing more at different mileage points along the course, especially early on where there were pretty long lines. For 15,000 expected runners, I would have liked to seen more at the start area as well.
- Loved on the final turn to the finish line to still see a mass of spectators cheering on the runners down the home stretch. Since there were only 1,400 marathon runners this was appreciated
- Great medal.

One final comment is to those people who line up near the front of the race and within 300 yards of crossing the line walk: please do others a favor next time, and if you know you are going to walk, line up towards the back. You pose a danger to yourself and to all of the people behind you who have to move out of the way quickly to prevent themselves from colliding with you. I know this problem exists in most races, but seemed much more prevalent at this event.

Ran this race last weekend and it was even better than I expected. Course was very pretty - went through 2 parks, some neighborhoods, downtown and CHURCHILL DOWNS! The only thing that wasn't ideal about the course is that we did wind around some construction zones though downtown, and they took us around the block a few times - presumably to get the right mileage for the course because it certainly didn't add any interest to the course. We also went past the finish line at mile 21-ish, which can be a little tough mentally if you're already hurting. The parks were beautiful, though, and the neighborhoods were nice and quiet too. Crowd support was no less than AWESOME for the first 11 miles (before the mini-marathoners split off); after the half marathoners split it was much quieter. Still good support; it was just a little farther between them. I've run several other hilly marathons (Charlottesville and Cincy), but this seemed to have the most hills throughout the race. Very nice and pretty though.

Organization was great - we were shuttled to the start and there was no line to get on the shuttles because there were PLENTY of buses to take everyone.

Good stuff:
Race organization
Plenty of water/PowerAde stops at the beginning and middle of the race
Crowd support
Nice, long-sleeved, technical shirt
Nice medal

Not so good stuff (because I always feel like I have to find SOMETHING that could be improved):
Course route through downtown was kind of choppy and through construction areas. It only consisted of a few miles, though, so not too big of a deal.
No gels (though they did have Sports Beans)
I guess they could have had water/PowerAde stops closer together toward end of race when we need it a little more

"Not so good stuff" really wasn't a big deal. This was a great race, and I'll definitely run this race again!

Course: I thought the course was nice until mile 20. Then we took the bridge to nowhere and spent 4 miles just to get back to the bridge.

Spectators: if you ran the half, they were there for you. At mile 7, they let you know you were halfway done. At mile 10, almost there. When it was just marathoners, there weren't many. From miles 20 - 25, when I needed them most, there were barely any. Also, from a fan's perspective, there wasn't an easy way to get around the course to see runners (according to my husband). There wasn't much information provided for spectators to get around.

Organization: the water/aid stations seemed sporadic. I didn't really know when to expect one and what I would get. Sealed water bottles were supplied, which I wasn't a fan of. At the end, it felt like a very long walk to get out of the finish area to friends/family. Also, marathoners and half marathons have the same finish and medal. There's no real differentiation between doing one or the other. No finisher photos (fine for me, but wanted to let you know).

If you're set on doing this race, I recommend the half instead of the full.

I ran the 2010 Kentucky Derby Festival Marathon. This was my 20th marathon, but it had been 16 months since my last marathon. Overall, I was very pleased with this event.

The expo was small, but it was enough. There was plenty of official race gear and other vendors there so we could shop for things we needed, but it wasn't so large as to be overwhelming. Honestly, the last thing you need the day before a marathon is to spend hours on your feet shopping around a runners expo. I found a great deal on shoes and a jacket, so I left happy!

We caught a shuttle to the start at 5:00 a.m.; there was a line of them waiting on the corner. Once we got to the start at 5:30 a.m., there was a bag drop and dozens and dozens of porta-potties. Of course, we knew that by 7:00 a.m. there would not be enough for 15,000 runners. There never could be. I don't care how many there are; there are never enough for that many thoroughly hydrated, nervous runners! We found a spot under an awning (there was light rain) and relaxed till the start.

The race started right on time to the tune of Call to Post. There were 15,000 runners, about 13,000 of whom were running the mini-marathon. We had light rain the first hour or so and there were lots of hills. We ran through some beautiful neighborhoods. I wish I knew the names of them; I know one was near the University of Louisville. Of course, the highlight was at mile 7, running the infield at Churchill Downs. Like a bunch of 6-year-olds, runners had to whoop and holler running through the tunnel to the infield. Once there, it was fun to see riders working out horses on the opening day of the spring meet. Preparations were were well under way for Derby Day too. Not long after that, the sun started to peek through and it got quite hot and humid. This is one of the perils of northerners training for a spring marathon. We train in cold weather and are ill-prepared for heat and humidity. These conditions slowed many of us down, but you have to deal with whatever the day brings.

Just before mile 11 we split off from the mini marathoners. I was glad to say good-bye to them. Even though I don't talk much to those on course with me, I feel a mental camaraderie with those who are going the distance with me. I couldn't do that with the mini-marathoners there because there were so many more of them than us.

There was plenty of water and PowerAde on the course. There were also oranges and Sport Beans. Around mile 17, just after Cherokee Park, we ran through one of most beautiful neighborhoods I have ever seen; they had old stone houses and lovely gardens. I enjoyed that part of the course despite the hills.

The last 10K were not very pretty, but I don't expect every mile of a course in a city to be pretty. All cities have their industrial boring parts and Louisville is no exception. My only complaint is that we rejoined the mini-marathoners at mile 25. At this point, we were at close to 4 hours. Many walkers were blocking the course 6 abreast and didn't seem to understand that they needed to leave some space for the runners to pass. We'd call out, "Runners coming through" and they'd look so startled and even annoyed at us. The problem is, they don't understand how difficult it is to dodge people and change pace when you've run 25 miles. No one understands that until they've done it. In the future, I'd like to see them set up separate lanes for the half marathon and the full. I qualified for Boston by the skin of my teeth at this race. Dodging walkers could have easily cost me and probably did cost someone a qualifying time for Boston. How disappointing would that be, to have missed it by seconds and to think you could have qualified without the dodging?

Overall, I give this race 4 stars. It would have received 5 if they would not have merged the runners with the walkers at the end.

The day started out with perfect weather (60 degrees, overcast skies, no wind, sprinkles) but ended up being much hotter than I could have prepared for. I made it out of Cherokee Park alive to see that it was 77 degrees, the sun was beating down on me, and the humidity was pretty bad too. I was comfortably going to break my PR and ended up finishing with my worst marathon time ever.

This is a good race that has room for improvement. Definitely the toughest when it comes to hills. I have run the Flying Pig and Akron Marathons, and the Derby course has bigger and steeper hills in later miles. The toughness of the course should be seen as something you can be proud of running. Going through Churchill Downs seems to be everyone's fastest mile!

Did the mini-marathon.

The good:
- Great medal
- Running through Churchill Downs!
- Hills at the beginning of the race, then flat
- Live music and great spectators throughout

Needs improvement:
- Race weekend shared with teen conference, which took over downtown and hotels. Noisy, noisy kids made for poor sleep.
- Post-race maze to food and crowded festival activities. Would be better to get medal, food, and water, and then be able to get out.
- Women's shirts, please!
- Expected a better expo
- Need more potties at the start

This marathon could be fantastic, but as it stands right now, it's mediocre. The expo is small and overcrowded, the mile markers were extremely difficult to find, there were about 2 port-a-potties on the course, they need more water stations, and the finish line chute does not separate the half marathoners from the full.

What the race has going for it:
1) It runs through Churchill Downs
2) The organization with the buses in the morning was one of the best I've ever seen - Boston should take notes
3) The miles through the parks are gorgeous, spectacular and unique
4) The fans and volunteers were wonderful

I heard that the course changed this year and perhaps that was one of the reasons for hidden mile markers (no marker at all at 13.1) and inconsistent water stations. Regardless, the race director is lucky to have access to great running areas, but now has to utilize them better.
The course is, by far, one of the hardest I've ever run: hilly all the way through and humid weather conditions.

2 out of 5 stars...

This was my first KDF Marathon, but my 16th in the past 4 years. Louisville was a great host city and the people were fantastic. But, this is another half-marathon that has a marathon.. It seemed that the attention was on the mini-marathon runners - not so much on the full marathon runners.

THE BAD!!

1) Separate the marathon and half marathon runners when they join back up towards the finish. I do not want to have to run around walkers who seem totally unaware that there are marathon runners still on the course.

2) Provide a separate finisher's chute for the marathon runners. I had to walk past 7 people giving out mini-marathon medals to get to my marathon medal. Not good.

3) Barricade the last mile along the course to keep the friends and family from jumping onto the course to take pictures as the walkers/runners came by. I was tripped by a damn stroller when mom jumped out with kids and stroller to take a picture of dad walking towards the finish of the mini-marathon. Needless to say, the kid heard some "bad" words from me. And they were mad at me for my cussing!

4) While some may like the bridge part of the run, it is not needed at the end of the run (mile 21 and then again mile 24.5). Make it earlier or eliminate completely. Better yet, also add it to the half marathon run as well. I bet you the complaints would increase then.

5) The timing mats. They were at the 10K, but I did not see one at the 13.1 mark or the 20-mile mark. Instead they were at the 10K (6.2), 15K (9.3), 25K (15.5) and 30K (18.6) marks. What's up with that?

6) Instead of the b-tag, how about the d-tag that attaches to the shoe? It is disposable, so there's no need to collect. (Also, the b-tag did not record my 15K or 25K time.)


THE GOOD!

1) PowerAde on the course - and not the watered down version, but right from the bottle!!

2) PowerAde at the finish - again, thanks.

3) Bib pickup at the expo was smooth. I like getting 2 shirts as well.

4) Finisher's medal was cool.


For a half-marathon, it is great, but those of you that like 26.2, it seems that more and more races are catering to the half and the full is just an add-on. If you are looking for a great half to run, this is one of the best. But for a full, save your money for something else.

Kentucky is a beautiful state, and the course shows some of this by going through a couple of nice parks. Running through the middle of Churchill Downs was fun and unique, with speakers set up playing the broadcast of some races as a nice touch. The thunderstorms stayed away and the overcast skies I was expecting turned to sun during much of the race, leaving things a little warmer than expected. The spectators were awesome and brought a smile to my face several times. (One held a sign that said, "Chuck Norris never ran a marathon"). Nice downhill finish.

I don't like large marathons because I find them too crowded. Running into the first park with several long hills to climb only kept the masses together for longer instead of allowing them to stretch out sooner. I don't know how many wheelchair participants they had, but they needed an earlier start time to avoid getting overtaken by the crowds. I saw one struggling up the hills in the first park. Later I saw one struggling up the ramp to the infield of Churchill Downs because the people in front were oblivious, even when people would shout, "Wheelchair - middle!" Part of that was because many people were running with ear buds on and listening to music instead of being aware of their surroundings.

The medal (and ribbon) is one of the nicest in my collection, but the shirt design was a huge disappointment. A simple, plain front with the Kentucky Derby Marathon logo in one corner would have been a good design. At least it was a tech shirt.

I have run this full marathon twice before, but I ran the half marathon yesterday. However, I think these comments would be helpful to full marathoners as the course was changed this year.

There were no porta-johns near the start. You had to walk a block behind a nearby school to get to them. The hills came much too early in the race, at mile 1. It was nice running through Churchhill Downs, but there were too many turns, tunnels and uneven surfaces. This cut my mile by 45 seconds. It would be much better to pick a route that is straighter and quicker through there. The finish line was not spectator friendly, as there was not a lot of room to stand.

Moreover, the parking was terrible at the finish, and we had to walk a mile to get to our car. Even though the finish was next to Slugger Field, both of their parking lots were coned off, and public parking garages were at lease 3 blocks away. We had to park along River Road instead, which had only pockets of small parking lots along the river and directly away from the finish. These issues would not stop me from running this half/full marathon, however. Although the course is not as fast as the old course now, the city goes all out for this race and the course is fully closed by the Louisville Police, and you never have to worry about running along side a lane of traffic. Although it was raining, there were still nice bands performing along the way under tents.