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☰
Kentucky Derby Festival Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Kentucky Derby Festival Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.3 
Organization 4.1 
Spectators 3.7
Number of comments: 362 [displaying comments 301 to 311]
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a. e. from st. louis, mo
(5/5/2005)
 "will not do it again" (about: 2005)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Kentucky Derby Festival Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 1 The marathon course was very pretty. but as you start to run the course, you realize that most of the focus is placed on the half marathon. This was my first marathon and I enjoyed the experience of running a marathon, but I did not enjoy the empty second half. I think this marathon needs some work. I will not be revisiting the Kentucky Derby Festival Marathon. | |
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C. T. from Southwest USA
(5/5/2005)
 "I liked it!" (about: 2005)
50+ previous marathons
| 1 Kentucky Derby Festival Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 The course went through different parts of Louisville. Some of it was in lush parks, some was in rather 'interesting' neighborhoods with boarded up windows. The variety made for a complete urban experience. I thought the course was fast, aid stations were well laid out, and the finish line was right downtown. I'd highly recommend it. | |
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p. a. from louisville, kentucky
(5/4/2005)
 "Just ran it in 2005" (about: 2005)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Kentucky Derby Festival Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I just ran this marathon as part of a relay team. I've run the mini about six times and run six other full marathons. The comments from previous KDF Marathons must have come through loud and clear to the organizers. The relay teams provided a bunch of 'crowd support' on the final miles and there was so much food that it was incredible. I'm coming back next year to do the full by myself! | |
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J. S. from Maryland
(5/3/2005)
"Great Marathon - Very Well Organized!" (about: 2003)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Kentucky Derby Festival Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was my 10th marathon and it was the best organized marathon I have run. There was plenty of water and Powerade on the course. Lots of streets closed and officers at the closings to ensure runner safety. The medic bikers were all over the course. Fans gave out oranges all over the course. While there were several hilly spots, I would recommend this marathon to others for sure! Beautiful scenery too! | |
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J. S. from Chicago,Illinois
(5/3/2005)
 "OK; nobody doing the marathon" (about: 2005)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Kentucky Derby Festival Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 Nice, not many people, the weather was cool and when we got to the marathon split, there was nobody doing the marathon. The spectators were out for the half but the second half had no one until the end. Lots of refreshments at the end. | |
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David Trevino from Arlington, VA
(5/3/2005)
"Good Run in the Kentucky Derby Marathon" (about: 2005)
6-10 previous marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 This was my 1st time in running the Kentucky Derby Festival Marathon and I have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed it. Although, I did not set a PR, I was pleased in the way my body performed during the whole race. I found the local community to be very friendly - in fact, some of the friendliest people I have met in my life, as they made you feel welcomed in their community. As for the marathon course, I found it to be pretty much flat except for some rolling hills at the beginning and at the end. It became somewhat lonely after the marathoners made their split from the half-marathoners, but this did not bother me since I run/train by myself. Some places had very few spectators, but those that came out cheered everyone on - even the policemen and women who were controlling traffic gave good support to the runners. Only 2 minor compliants: (1) I found the expo to be extremely small, and the official merchandise section had little of each item in stock; (2) I think I was given a tee-shirt that represented the half-marathon vice the long-sleeve mock that I saw some marathoners wear after the race, but I have sent in an email to the official race website asking about this. But, all and all, I had a great time, and I will definitely add this race to future running events, and definitely would recommend this race to anyone who is looking for a good marathon to run and a fun weekend. Thank you Louisville, KY, for a great weekend. | |
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X. X. from Southern States
(5/3/2005)
 "Good experience" (about: 2005)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Kentucky Derby Festival Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 The first half is extremely well staffed and organized. The course is not difficult at all. Just a couple of hills on the whole course. The second half has some work to do. The water stops were too far apart in the last ten miles. After 18 there should be one every mile. The gel was nice at 18. The finish line for marathoners was a little confusing. With the half finishers still coming in it was difficult to know where to finish. Maybe banners and signs would help. | |
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E. B. from Chattanooga, TN
(5/2/2005)
"First half great. Second half not so great." (about: 2005)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Kentucky Derby Festival Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 This looks like a great 1/2 marathon. The first 12 miles are the same for full and 1/2, and I had a blast! There were tons of specators, a great crowd of runners around me, and lots of support. We ran through some neat areas and I was pumped. Then we turned onto the marathon course. I knew it would be sparse from the previous comments, but I didn't realize how sparse! We could barely see one person running in front of us, and another running far behind us. It was like a training run. I am a 5:30 marathoner, and this course is advertised as having a 6 hour time limit. I finished in 5:38, but water stations near the end, although still up, were devoid of people. I couldn't find any food in the last 8 miles. The stands at the finish were empty except for my mother, who was valiantly cheering all us slow pokes on. As we reached the mile 23 marker, I could see a man actually taking the time clocks down! So no clocks for the last three miles for me. And to ad insult to injury, the chip clip guy asked me if I was the last runner when I finished. I wasn't. Guess he was ready to go home. The police support was terrific. There was traffic control at every intersection, and it was nice that you could see a police officer - esp. in some of the areas, where you were running downtown pretty much by yourself. The course itself was great. Very flat, with two sections of hills around mile 6 and mile 16. But nothing really that hard. This could be a great marathon. To make it a big one, pay attention to us slow-goers out there! We pay good money, and without us, who would all the fast people beat? | |
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J. M. from Tennessee
(5/2/2005)
"Great organization, could become a great marathon" (about: 2005)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Kentucky Derby Festival Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Couldn't ask for better race organization. Even the bus system to the start was efficient and convenient, especially if you stay at the official race hotel. Traffic control on the course was all you could ever hope for. Even with only about 600 people in the marathon, the roads were completely blocked to traffic. It was hard to turn for the full marathon, leaving the 6000 people running the half. Crowds were quite sparse in the second half, particularly in contrast to the first half. But the organizers are trying hard to improve that situation, encouraging people with the lure of free food and drink and music at designated 'scream team' locations. This was their first year to try that, and the weather definitely worked against them. 50 degrees, overcast skies, with 15 to 20 mph winds is not so appealing to spectators. The course does have some hills, but they're not too bad. Might not be a PR course but you can still run a good time. They obviously want to grow the marathon and are working hard to find ways to do it. In contrast to posts from previous years, I finished just under 3:40 and there were a lot of people (and music) at the finish line that were very encouraging and there was plenty of food available. Definitely consider this race if you're looking for a KY marathon. Overall it was a very good experience. | |
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D. M. from Phoenix, Arizona
(6/12/2004)
"Decent marathon, but half marathon is much nicer" (about: 2004)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Kentucky Derby Festival Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 The marathon and mini-marathon (half marathon) start at the same time and place and split near the 12 mile mark. I've run the mini a number of times and give it 4 stars for both course and spectators. I ran the full marathon this year and have to give the second half 2 stars for course and 1 star for spectators -- as soon as you leave the half marathon pack, you're in a poor section of town with hardly any spectators other than traffic control folks. There are a couple of nice sections (fancy homes, beautiful park), but a good deal of poorly maintained homes and buildings. I heartily recommend the half marathon, but the second half of the marathon leaves a lot to be desired. The half marathon course is also somewhat easier; though both sections have hills, there are a few more in the second half than in the first, though none are particularly steep. |
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