How to Participate in the Kentucky Derby Marathon

The Kentucky Derby Marathon is one of the most exciting derby festival events leading up to the Kentucky Derby horse race. You can participate in the marathon by running the full 26.2-mile race or by running in the mini-marathon. The mini-marathon is a 13.1-mile race that allows less experienced athletes to participate in the thrill of the race without having to attempt the full marathon.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Running shoes
• Running clothing

1. Choose how you would like to run the marathon. Participants in the marathon can run individually, as a team of between three and five racers or as a five-person team relay.

2. Select a registration option for the mini-marathon. Runners who participate in the mini-marathon can run alone or as a five-person relay team.

3. Register for the Kentucky Derby Marathon. Fill out the appropriate registration form (individual, group or relay). Include your name, email address, street address, gender, estimated race finish time and all other required information. Download the form at the Kentucky Derby Festival Marathon website (see Resources below).

4. Mail your marathon race fee to the Kentucky Derby Festival Marathon organizing committee.

5. Arrive at the course no earlier than 7:30 AM. Race officials will disqualify any participant who shows up to the race course earlier than this.

6. Arrive at the Kentucky International Convention Center around 5:00 a.m. on race day to collect your race packet. Your packet will include your race number. Attach your race number to your shirt.

7. Board the runner's shuttle at the Kentucky International Convention Center to head over to the race.

8. Report to the starting line at 7:15 a.m. The race begins promptly at 7:30 a.m.

9. Smile as you cross the finish line. Professional photographers will capture a shot of you finishing up the race.

Tips & Warnings

• A truck will be available at the starting line for registered runners to store extra running gear in. The truck will be available at the finish line.
• The Kentucky Derby Festival Marathon and Mini-Marathon will not be canceled unless the weather is severely dangerous. Only threat of heavy lighting or a similar threat will stop the race.
• Register early. The marathon stops accepting registration forms a few weeks before the race, in April.
• Strollers, animals, roller skates and bicycles are strictly prohibited on the race course.

Resources

• Kentucky Derby Festival Marathon website for marathon registration form

Who Can Help Sponsored

• Tired of Being Tired? Fight Fatigue and Try FRS for FREE!