May 18, 2024
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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 331 to 341]
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RUN 42K from Louisville
(5/14/2003)
 "Response to other comments" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 I want to point out that the comments from VN from Ohio dated 5/12/03 were comments on the inaugural 2002 Marathon. Issues from 2002 were addressed and corrected for 2003. Please judge this marathon based upon others' 2003 comments. | |
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j. l. from MA
(5/13/2003)
 "a good race" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 Having lived in the Midwest for 7 years in the 1990's, I had never found a reason to spend time in Louisville. This race is a good excuse to visit Louisville. The course was scenic approximately half of the time, as it wound through flowery neighborhoods and parks, and was urban for the remainder. No significant hills to mention. Mile markers seemed accurate and there were plenty of drink stations. It appears that the organizers listened to some of the prior suggestions and streamlined the starting line shuttle and chip return station. Overall, logistics were very good. The sparse crowds in the second half did not bother me. Those that were there were enthusiastic. Medal and wind jacket quality showed good effort on the part of the organizers. The finish line was full of activity including musicians playing in the meeting area. Recommendations: use recyclable paper cups for drink stations instead of pet bottles and give massages to marathon runners. Overall, it was an enjoyable experience. | |
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V. N. from OHIO
(5/12/2003)
 "NICE COURSE-GOOD SUPPORT" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 3 We waited in line for a bus to take us to the start and when we got about 2 miles from it, the bus pulled over and we had to walk the rest of the way (actually, run because halfway there, the race started). By the time we got to the start, they were taking up the timer rug. There were a lot of unhappy people. Weather was good except for the rain at about 18-26 miles. Not a lot of anything at the end, probably because of the downpour. Other than that, I had a PR ? guess I was really warmed up. Support stations were good and the choir at the park was really inspiring. | |
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Mike Sill from Louisville, Ky
(5/10/2003)
"Good Marathon - Need More Support Second Half" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 As a veteran of 5 previous marathons (all under 3:30) in different cities, I found the second annual KDF Marathon well organized, but lacking some crowd support in the second half of the race. The first half is unmatchable as far as crowd support, with bands and friendly spectators. The second half could use a few bands and maybe some cheerleaders. But one must remember that this event has been only a half marathon for 30 years, and all the locals are running it. Hence, this is where the crowd support is. The second annual event only had some 750 runners while the mini, or half-marathon, had over 7000 entries. But I must admit that the full marathon was staffed as well or better than the half marathon after mile 12 (including medical stations, "porta-potties", and more Powerade stops). Also, they had timing clocks at every mile for the entire marathon (topnotch!!). The race course winds through this beautiful mid-sized city and takes the runner through many points of interest - including two large scenic parks between miles 4-6 and 17-19. The rest is flat. Traffic control was second to none, and the Louisville Metro Police allow the runners to rule the streets. They also help cheer on the runners during the latter stages of the race. Besides having plenty of food and fluids at the finish, the Race Photography Team (brightroom.com) does an excellent job of capturing the runner at the finish line with the KDF banner and time clock visible in the photo. This is something I had not seen in many years of running the mini-marathon. It will definitly make it to my desk at work. Also, the local TV station WAV3 had great TV coverage of the elite runners as well as the mid-packers throughout the half and full marathons. They had a TV camera crew setup on the back of a pickup truck and taped the entire front pack of the half marathon race, and then the entire full marathon. They also had good coverage of the start, where everyone waves to the bucket truck camera man at the start as they pass under. I saw myself and friends on TV at a couple of different places along the course. Overall, I would classify this as a great regional marathon with some mega-sized marathon qualities. Any serious marathoners living in the midwest should run this race, and bring along their family or friends to run the mini for a fun filled event that has something for everyone. | |
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Matt Brenner from Roscoe, IL
(5/7/2003)
 "Great course and fans, needs more competitors" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 This was my first ever marathon (first race over 3 miles and first race since high school CC for that matter). I thought the course was great. The fans kept me going, even though they got sparse in some places after the full and mini split. This is a wonderful place to run your first marathon; it's not too big yet and the course is fairly flat. Restrooms were the only problem. Will definitely make the trip and run this yearly. | |
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M. P. from Tallahassee, FL
(5/3/2003)
"Marathon has potential!" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 I have run the full marathon both years it has been available. I like the course a lot, with the exception of one section with vacant buildings. Mini marathon crowds were wonderful. Few spectators on the back half, but they were very friendly and encouraging. Law enforcement/traffic control was excellent. Most officers offered encouragement on the back half. The Cherokee Park neighborhood families have the potential to make this stretch a big event for the runners. There simply need to be more spectators on the back half. Also, food needs to be available at finish for slower runners. It was much better organized that the first year, especially the shirt pick up the day before. Friendly people, great volunteers, and topnotch traffic control make this a winner! I will return. | |
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S. H. from Cartersville, Ga
(5/2/2003)
"Excellent race, worth running again" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This is an excellent marathon. The course was well laid out and the police did a great job of keeping it safe. I love the shirt (it's probably the best I've ever earned except for Boston). The mini-water bottles are something all other marathons should copy. I'd recommend the Derby Marathon to my running friends. | |
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ed jacob from Van Wert, Ohio
(5/1/2003)
"Awesome marathon! Beautiful city!!" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Great marathon! This was my 32nd and this gem is very well run. Excellent traffic control (hats off to the local law enforcement departments). Awesome parks! This is a tough course for northern Ohio flatlanders but what a gutcheck!! After you lose the minis at mile 12, it is all you and God because the spectators are gone. You have to really be focused to meet your goals at that point. My only suggestion would be to get gatorade on course sooner than 5 miles, and maybe some gel at mile 18 or so. Still, the shirts are nice and the medals are unique. Great marathon folks. | |
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R. H. from Louisville, KY
(5/1/2003)
"I was very pleased. " (about: 2003)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 Only my second full in 5 years. Bathrooms were sparse on the back half. The crowd dies down quickly the second half, but helps your focus. There are good pockets of support. Enjoyed the course including other derby related activity downtown. The second set of hills will wear out the novice marathoner (it did me). I will run it again. | |
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Brent Manley from Memphis TN
(4/29/2003)
"Great course!" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I didn't do particularly well (more training would have been a good idea), but I would recommend this race to anyone. The course is really outstanding, going through two scenic parks as well as some quaint, tree-lined neighborhoods. A few hills, but the downhills more than compensate. |
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