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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 311 to 321]
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S. S. from St. Louis, MO
(5/3/2004)
 "Middling to nice" (about: 2004)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Kentucky Derby Festival Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 4 A typical urban-setting marathon with focus on the half. The course is nice for the most part but has eminently forgettable stretches. Hills not much to complain about. Volunteers very nice and helpful. A fairly desolate look at the finish even though I finished under 3:30. No great attraction to come back and repeat, as there are plenty of other races to try. | |
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Jim Bowman from Berea KY
(5/3/2004)
 "As a first time marathoner it was FAR OUT!" (about: 2004)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Kentucky Derby Festival Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I wanted to thank all the people who helped at the water stations, which were numerous, and the police officers at every intersection. | |
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Terry Pescosolido from Columbus, OH
(5/3/2004)
"Decent course, lonely 2nd half" (about: 2004)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Kentucky Derby Festival Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 Nice course, especially through the two parks. It was great running with all the mini-(half-)marathoners for the first 12 miles, with lots of spectators. Then, like others have said, almost no spectators for the second half. Good water stops, although there could've been more volunteers at the first few, due to the large number of still bunched-up runners. Also, it was disappointing to have virtually no food at the end. Please reserve something for the marathoners. | |
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Tom Cambron from Middlesboro, KY
(5/2/2004)
 "Great 1st Half, Lonely 2nd Half" (about: 2004)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Kentucky Derby Festival Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I ran this as my second marathon event (Chicago '03 was my first). The course is nice - starts along some residential streets, then through a wooded park with some rolling hills. Proceeds toward downtown where the half and full marathon runners part ways just before the 12-mile mark. Up until then the crowd was nice - some handed out orange slices, etc. But at the split the crowd dwindled to almost zero. There were an occasional few in their front yards along the course, a few family and friends scattered here and there, and traffic control at every intersection for a little bit of encouragement. The course took us through another wooded park and some more hills (which actually lifted my mood a little) around miles 17-19 or so. There was a section of industrial/business area that was sort of boring, and then on into the downtown area. At about mile 25 we rejoined the half-marathon course and suddenly the street was busier both with spectators and quite a few folks who were walking the half course and closing in on their finish as well. A good finish area and most all the finishers were being announced over the loudspeaker as they neared the finish line. My two complaints were no gels were offered at all and during the first half of the race sports drink was available only at every second aid station. So I carried my own. Weather was nice - about 50 at start to low 60's at end. The hills probably add a little to most runners' times but I had a PR and a BQ with my 3:29:52, so not a bad day. I may go back again and run the half-marathon next time. | |
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T.D. Hawkins from Largo, Florida
(4/30/2004)
"Beautiful race - a Kentucky must!" (about: 2004)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Kentucky Derby Festival Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This was my seventh marathon (New York, Chicago, Marine Corps, etc.) and by far the prettiest venue. From start to finish, except for about a mile of warehouse areas, the scenery was marvelous. Dogwood trees, azaleas, iris, tulips and pansies were all 'in bloom' and added to the beautiful landscape. The course was relatively flat except for two areas with hills from miles 2-6 and miles 14-18. From a person who lives in flatland Florida and who hates hills, this was not a difficult course. I thought the mini water bottles at each water stop were great. However, you do need to watch out for the caps. The volunteers at the start, water stops, and finish were very supportive and enthusiastic. Except for the scenery, the police traffic control was second to none. As has been stated, the back half of the marathon was far from being crowded but the Louisville Police cheered you on and controlled traffic. I felt very special running down a four-lane road with no fear of encountering vehicles. The expo was small but had everything you needed instead of booths with repeats of the same items. I would highly recommend this marathon because of the scenery, course layout, relatively flat terrain, very easy for your fans to follow you and see you along the way six or seven times, and no hassles with crowds. I want to congratulate the Kentucky Derby Festival Marathon Committee/Race Director for the great organization and performance. Keep plugging the marathon and someday it will be as large as your mini-marathon. I challenge the mini-marathoners to go the next step next year and run the whole enchilada. | |
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B. K. from Houston
(4/30/2004)
"Nice but lonely" (about: 2004)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Kentucky Derby Festival Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 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. | |
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dominique lacroix from paducah, KY
(4/28/2004)
 "WILL COME AGAIN!" (about: 2004)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Kentucky Derby Festival Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 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! | |
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J. P. from Indianapolis, IN
(4/28/2004)
"Lonely on the back 1/2" (about: 2004)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Kentucky Derby Festival Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 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. | |
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Doug Claxton from Olathe, Kansas
(4/28/2004)
"Solid race" (about: 2004)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Kentucky Derby Festival Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 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. | |
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Rob Allen from Louisville KY
(4/27/2004)
"I made Boston!" (about: 2004)
11-50 previous marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 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! |
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