After reading the past years comments I dreaded this marathon, however being a 50 stater I had no other choice. The organization was good, roads were all safe to cross with police or race officals at the intersections. There was plenty of water and Ultima sports drink along the course.The only negative about the course was alot of cement in the later miles, very hard on the legs. This was a nice marathon experience with a few exceptions, peoples still smoke in public places, such as motel lobies and resturants. Also the host hotel was booked so they refered us to the Best Western, sister property, do not stay there, it is a night club with rooms not a hotel. There was a wedding party until 1:am, the band literally shook our windows, after four calls to the front desk we finally gave up. I would do this marathon again if I did not have to spend the night in Kentucky.

I just finished running the 2002 Louisville marathon, and I wouldn't run it again. They have a 7 mile, 1/2 marathon in conjunction with the marathon. It seemed that several mile markers were off, some probably were closer to 1.2 especially between mile 3-4. I over heard several runners comment this was exactly as last year, so I'm assuming who ever measures the course is using their car or something to measure the miles. I never felt like I was sure of what pace I was running in the early stages. After mile 13 it seemed to be more accurate.

The water stops were good, and I would comment they did a wonderful job with the water bottles, which were a nice touch. Course was flat, with a few minor rises.

Around mile 13, I was tailing about 20-30 yards from a runner, who just about got hit by a car. I heard the tires squeal, as they locked up the brakes. I saw about 20 ft of skid marks...Later I caught up to the runner and he said that he was actually on the hood of the car!! Very close call..

I read another marathon review from another runner who did Louisville marathon said they observed another close call with car traffic during the 2001 marathon. They need to block off the at least one lane of traffic for the marathon runners. I'd rather run loops around a course with no traffic issues, than through the streets of Louisville with traffic.

Spectators were supportive, although they were few and far between. There was alot of bicycle traffic on the trail sections of the course from mile 16-22.

Arrived at hotel the day before race and picked up race #. Had to look on wall to get #. Why not alphabetize with age, and state? There was no course map in race packet nor was there one posted at registration. Was told to look on internet. Yeah right, I'm from out of town.
Host hotel was great, within walking distance to race. Hotel even allowed late check out.

Weather was great. A little on warm side. Starting line was not marked. Why not have a banner that says start, or use balloons. All 3 races started at same time. A friend ran the 10K which actually was more than a 10K. They were so frustrated at which way to go, they stopped and asked. They knew time wise, it was further than a 10K.

At the 3 or 4 mile, runners had to turnaround and go back the way they just came. Runners were literally running into each other.This was a nightmare and very dangerous since you weren't expecting it.

No times were announced on course. Shortage of volunteers. No traffic control. Had cars coming up behind us and blowing their horn. One car was so mad, they just kept blowing the horn and hollering at the runners. I came to one traffic light and had to stop. No patrolman nor volunteer to stop traffic. This is very frustrating if you are trying to qualify for Boston.

Course was not marked very well. One section that was 6 lanes wide (cement as well), had runners running on right side of road, thinking they were about to turn right. I look ahead and everyone has shifted to the left. A few yards later, they shift back to the right. I was so mad, this adds extra mileage, criss crossing a 6 lane road.
One section was a trail pathway, very deserted. Marathon only had 230 runners, so runners were spread out.

Had Ultima for drink. I personally don't like. At finish they had cut up bananas and oranges. I guess they didn't have enough to go around so they cut them. No cold drink at finish.

I do not recommend this race for a 1st time marathoner. I would not run it again.

Course well marked. Great support from the water stations. Almost no spectators. Race could use more publicity locally. I would run it again

Thought the course was very good - flat and fast. Staying on course was a challenge at times though as there were several turns where they had a single arrow painted on the road that you had to find and follow. Great race support at water stations. Volunteers did a great job and the little water bottles instead of cups were super. The race had one major problem - lack of traffic control on the course. A person in front of me was almost hit at a large intersection where there was no one to stop traffic. And where there were people stationed, they frequently stopped the runners instead of the traffic.

The race has a lot of potential because it is a great course and everything except for traffic control was very well organized. But, they desperately need some support from local police for traffic control.

The scenery the first 6 miles and along the bike path are wonderful, but as we were running singlefile at mile 4, a woman sideswiped us and barely missed 3 or four of us by nano inches! She was out of control and no one to monitor the traffic. Shameful! Need road marshalls, shut down a lane...something. That was quite dangerous and I would not recommend this marathon. Hopefully the April 2002 Derby will be the shining Louisville star.

The course was beautiful and flat. The runners were extremely friendly. The 10k was .5-.6 of a mile off. Mile markers were off not to mention certain volunteers giving splits had to ask me what was on my watch. The only reason the organization was two stars is because of the friendliness of the volunteers! They were very friendly. There were few spectators, but the did an excelent job of cheering on the runners, which bumped them to three stars. Overall, the people were great as well as the course. The race was somewhat unorganized THIS year. There were not very many runners/spectators. The small concrete road was dificult to start the race on because it was too crowded for such a small area. The weather was great for a marathon. The 2001 Louisville Marathon definately has the potential to be a great marathon.

Five stars for spectators- not that many but they were still fun and made it the friendliest race I've ever run! Enjoyable course but get rid of that concrete stretch!!! Way too hard on the joints- at first I said never again, but time has a way of dulling the pain- had a good time in the lovely city of Louisville and the weather was great.

The race started in the dark and in the fog; it really gives you a sense of adventure. The course is not marked very well. I almost missed a turn running back into downtown. Fast course, needs to promote more safety and organization during the race.

Marathon suffers with inept race director. 2001 Marathon will be better with new race director. However, it is still a club marathon with very little support from local government.

Best is yet to come as LOUISVILLE SPORTS COMMISSION is in early phase of planning for spring 2002 marathon with
total government support.