I had a lot of fun at this race. The course was very scenic and shaded, which was good because by the finish time it was very sunny. The weather was ideal for me, about 40 degrees at start. The half marathoners hit their turn-around at mile 8, so after that point you are running pretty much by yourself. The crowd was very sparse, but very enthusiastic. When they cheer, you know they are cheering for you, as there are probably not many other runners around.

My only complaints are that there was a missing aid station, and the aid stations dispensed Gatorade in very tiny cups (not enough for me). There wasn't any food or drink that I could see at the end of the race; maybe the 1/2 marathoners got it all? I finished in the top 1/2 of the marathoners, so I expected there to be something left. Also, don't expect many port-a-potties along the race. The race literature spelled out facilies as specific places, and then said 'and along the race course.' I think they meant in the (very pretty) wooded areas along the course. I know I was not the only one who had to go off the trail for relief.

But as a small race with limited resources, they did a very good job.

A nice, small race. No chips, expo, photos, or spectator turnout, etc., but a nice, flat course, great volunteers, plenty of water stations and prominent mile markers. And inexpensive. Nice technical shirt, too (not a long-sleeved T like it said on the website, but that's an upgrade, as far as I'm concerned). The medal is small but classy.

The weather was absoloutely perfect in 2005, pretty cold at the start for runners in shorts and singlets, but just right after you got going. Since the course starts with a 2-mile loop, you can wear a T-shirt to start and toss it when you pass the starting point, it will still be there after the race. The course is a bit crowded at the start, along a narrow walkway through a park, but thins out after a mile or so when it turns onto a road. After the half-marathon turn-around (mile 8) you will be all by yourself.

This course consists of three sections. Miles 0-9 are on streets and sidewalks along the Ohio river in downtown Louisville. Miles 9-19 are along a beautiful, quiet, shady path through city parks. The rest of the race retraces the start.

Overall, a nice, flat, fast race with no unneccesary frills (and expenses).

Course is as advertised: Fast and flat. Just check out the finishing times!

Lots of shade, but since the temperature was in the low 40's at the start, kind of cool.

Packet pick up was flawless. Very nice tech shirt. Finisher's medal was kind of plain, needed a date, but I guess most of the entry fee was invested in the nice shirt. People were very friendly and water stops were well supplied.

No frills here, just the basics. I would run it again.

This was my first marathon after running a number of half marathons. The weather was perfect with a start in the mid-forties. Volunteers on the course gave excellent instructions so there was no confusion about the route. Love the little water bottles. There was a water stop missing out in the middle of the course, so I was glad I brought a 20 oz bottle with me.

Overall, it was a very positive experience. The course was quite scenic, especially the long asphalt trail through the woods along the river. I would definitely condsider running this race again.

I just finished running the 1/2 marathon for 2005. They did a great job out on the course with water, directions. But, I was the 100th finisher out of 900 and they had little Dixie cups of water at the end.... Come on guys, you've been running this race long enough to have water/Gatorade at the end of the race.

I have run this marathon 4 times on 3 different courses. The latest is not my favorite, but still better than a lot of big races. The first 3 were PRs and BQs, the last I pulled up lame. If you live in driving distance (South or Midwest), it's inexpensive and the weather is generally cooperative. Small crowds either mean no inspiration or no distraction, depending on your preference.

I flew to Louisville to run this race as my last long training run prior to NY City. Considering the weather, flat course, and hotel convenience, I wish I had made this my primary fall race. The Ramada Inn is located a short walk from the starting line (which was nice since it was 39 degrees at the start). The course was flat, fast, and scenic in some places -- the race really seemed like the perfect training run. Fans were sparse but enthusiastic. This was a very simple race -- there was no pre-race expo, no post-race massage, and some food at the finish line (bagels, bananas, etc).

Overall though, the race was run very smoothly and I had a great time. As always, it is the people you meet along the way that make the race. Since I had never been to Louisville, I was surprised by a few things. Although the food at the Ramada was nothing special, there are some diverse restaurants in the area. I ate at a very nice Indian restaurant the evening before the race (it was a few miles away on Brownsboro Road) and at an excellent Arabian restaurant after the race (also along Brownsboro Road). I never expected to find such great high carb dining options in Kentucky!

Louisville was my second marathon and I was deciding between several venues for a fall marathon. I chose Louisville because it was within driving distance and was advertised as flat and a PR course. I also figured the there was a better chance for good running weather in October in KY rather than a December marathon elsewhere.

The course really does feel like a nice long scenic training run, only this time with much more effort and speed not to mention 5-6 miles longer than my average long runs. Only once was I unsure of where to go (around mile 23 when I was sort of delirious) but a spectator was there to point me in the right direction. I not only managed to shave 24 minutes off my first marathon time but in addition managed to BQ (with 32 seconds to spare). I saw a tip once that said that you can shave up to a minute off your marathon time by doing a small marathon (fast start; no slow-down at the beginning). I am certainly a believer.

The race itself was well organized. There was a pasta party, but otherwise a no frills marathon (no expo or post-even party; awards given out but definitely had to be up at the awards table to hear your name called out as there was no loudspeaker, no chip timing). Good long-sleeved T-shirt, good finisher's medal and trophies. Ramada Inn is nice, but make reservations early as the hotel was booked and I had to stay about 5-10 minutes away in a place that was not nearly as nice.

This could be a premier marathon if it were played up more. There were too many loops on the course. This confused some of the runners. Should get rid of the loops. Also starting the 1/2 marathon after the marathon would make it less congested out on the course.

This is a good small (really small) race. The course is almost flat as it winds along the Ohio River. Some river views that are nice. It feels like a hometown club race, so it does not have any of the amenities of the bigger races (i.e. no bag drop, but the jacket I wore to the start was where I put it when I went back after the race). Post-race had the basics (water, sports drink, bananas, bagels). Also the start was so easy with the smaller crowd.

For out-of-towners, the race hotel is just across the street from the start. (But a dumpy old motel. Motel had a 'pasta party' but it was just spaghetti in a bowl. Bad over-priced food.)

So the fast course and the lack of crowds make it a fast race.

Downsides:
--A lot of the race (maybe a third) is on concrete, so it is a little harder on the legs.
--As small as it is, if you are looking for someone to run with to help toward the end of the race, you may have trouble finding others.
--Waterstops. There were a few times that the water stops seemed a little far apart. (One I remember the most, you went from about mile 12.5 to mile 16 without a water stop.)

I would recommend this race for anyone looking for a fast run.