LOUISVILLE, Ky. — It's not too early to start preparing for Kentucky's largest day of road racing.
Registration for the 2025 Kentucky Derby Festival Marathon and miniMarathon, set for Saturday, April 26, 2025, opens Thursday, Sept. 5 at 9 a.m. The race is one of the Derby Festival's most popular events and attracts thousands of runners to Louisville's streets each spring.
“The GE Appliances miniMarathon and Marathon have become bucket-list races, drawing thousands of runners from around the country and the world to Louisville each spring,” said Chris Martini, Kentucky Derby Festival race director. “We’re opening registration with special early-bird pricing, so this is the perfect opportunity for participants to get the best deal of the season for the 2025 races.”
Both races will start at 7 a.m. on Main Street near Slugger Field. New for 2025, the finish line will be near Preston and Witherspoon streets, just outside of the Waterfront, marking the first time since 2019 the race has ended at this location. The course had previously finished on Adams Street near Lynn Family Stadium.
“Participants will be able to celebrate their finish in the heart of Louisville’s scenic and spacious Waterfront,” Martini said. “Runners can look forward to the same vibrant atmosphere and cherished traditions that make this event special.”
Slight adjustments will be made to accommodate the new location, organizers said; however, runners in both races will still get a tour of some of the city's signature sights. The course will take them through downtown, historic Old Louisville, near Churchill Downs and parts of the Olmsted Park System. The full marathon will also showcase Louisville's South End for the second straight year, including a stretch along Southern Parkway and through Iroquois Park. A race map will be released soon, the Derby Festival said.
Organizers added when registration opens Sept. 5, participants can lock in the lowest rates of the year during a special three-day promotion. Marathon registration will be $65 and miniMarathon registration will be $55, but runners will want to act quick as prices will increase by $5 every 24 hours until the promotion ends Sept. 7.
Following the limited-time offer, registration will be $65 for the miniMarathon and $75 for the marathon. The festival also offers a marathon relay for teams of three to five runners for $325, along with a virtual miniMarathon and marathon for $50 for those who prefer to run at their own pace.
The two-day Race Expo and Packet Pick-Up will take place April 24 and 25 at Freedom Hall at the Kentucky Exposition Center. Runners are also encouraged to take part in the free Norton Sports Health Training Program to get ready for race day.
2025 marks the 52nd run of the miniMarathon and the 24th marathon. Check out the Derby Festival's website for more information.
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